Hi… Read Full Bio ↴Anne Soldaat (1965) is a Dutch guitarist, singer and songwriter.
His career started around 1990 in the band Daryll-Ann, in which singer Jelle Paulusma and Soldaat wrote the music and lyrics. Having released six studio albums and one live-album, Daryll-Ann split up in 2004.
In 2005 Soldaat contributed songs to The Cat-A-Day Tales project: a book (story: Aletta Schreuders, drawings: Herwolt van Doornen), accompanied by a 'soundtrack CD'.
Soldaat re-emerged in 2007 with the self-titled album of a new band, Do The Undo (also spelled as Do-The-Undo). The album was, effectively, a solo album. Soldaat has, in later years, called Do-The-Undo a 'silly name'. In 2018 he decided to list the album under Anne Soldaat on Spotify, thereby turning Do-The Undo into an album title and making it, effectively, the first Anne Soldaat solo album.
April 2009 saw the release of In Another Life, Anne Soldaat's first album under his own name, to overwhelming critical acclaim. Soldaat recorded the album with American singer/songwriter - and in this case producer and studio musician - Jason Falkner.
Anne Soldaat tours with his own Anne Soldaat Band, but also as the guitarist in the band of singer/songwriter and labelmate Tim Knol. He wrote music for 'Zout' ('Salt'), a dance theatre show by Rotterdam's Conny Janssen Danst before releasing his second, self-titled album, Anne Soldaat (2012), which was once again recorded in Los Angeles with Jason Falkner.
After a lengthy and highly succesful Daryll-Ann reunion tour in 2014 Soldaat recorded his third solo album in Amsterdam. Talks Little, Kills Many saw the light of day in April 2015 and showcases Soldaat's acoustic, singer-songwriter side.
2018 and 2019 saw the release of two 'Unsung Heroes' covers albums by Anne Soldaat & Yorick van Norden. During the Covid-19 pandemic Soldaat finalized his fifth solo LP: Facts & Fears was released in 2021 to rave reviews in the Dutch music press.
Pray for Delay
Anne Soldaat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why my left and my right side - they don't look the same
Now I'm a dancer, you don't come close
With my hands in the air - my nose
'Cause what you got, I can't explain
So I pinch myself, to make sure I feel again
It could be magic, could be drag
Pray for delay
The phone's ringing but I can wait
yes, I can wait
I seize the day
No looking back on what is gone
'Cause I've been waiting far too long
You want so much, just more and more
The announcment I made, was what you're waiting for
And with a smile I fix the rope
As long as there's pain, there's hope
There's only half of you to please
So the other half can go and rest in peace
And if you're uptight and not too lame
In a moment you'll feel the same
Pray for delay
The phone's ringing but I can wait
yes, I can wait
I seize the day
No looking back on what is gone
Cause I've been waiting far too long
The song "Pray for Delay" by Anne Soldaat is a complex, introspective track that tackles feelings of uncertainty, self-doubt, and the desperate need for validation. The first verse starts with the singer expressing confusion about their own identity - their left and right sides don't look the same. This can be interpreted in a literal sense (perhaps the singer has scoliosis or some other physical condition) or metaphorically, as an exploration of their own conflicting emotions and thoughts. The lyrics also include a reference to dancing, suggesting that the singer is trying to find their place in the world and express themselves creatively.
The chorus, "Pray for delay", is both a plea and a proclamation. The singer is asking for time to slow down so they can catch their breath and figure things out. At the same time, by saying "yes, I can wait", they're asserting their power and strength - they won't be rushed or pressured into anything. This sentiment is echoed in the second verse, where the singer acknowledges the pressure to please others and meet their expectations. They're only able to give half of themselves to the task, and the other half just wants to rest. However, there's still a glimmer of hope - "as long as there's pain, there's hope" - suggesting that the struggle isn't over, but there's still a chance for growth and healing.
Overall, "Pray for Delay" is a thought-provoking song that invites the listener to reflect on their own feelings of insecurity and uncertainty. The lyrics are open to interpretation and can be applied to a variety of situations and experiences, making it a versatile and relatable track.
Line by Line Meaning
One thing's for sure, I can't explain
I am unable to explain a particular aspect of my situation
Why my left and my right side - they don't look the same
My left and right sides have never been symmetrical
Now I'm a dancer, you don't come close
As a dancer, I perform with great skill which separates me from others
With my hands in the air - my nose
I move my hands with great grace while performing, as if it were my nose
'Cause what you got, I can't explain
I am unable to comprehend what you have
So I pinch myself, to make sure I feel again
I question myself to ensure my emotions are authentic
It could be magic, could be drag
My experience could be either enchanting or burdensome
But as long as you're here - it's fab
Despite the possible hardship, I am bewitched as long as you're around
Pray for delay
I hope for postponement
The phone's ringing but I can wait
Although the phone rings, I am comfortable waiting
yes, I can wait
I am content with letting time pass
I seize the day
I take advantage of the time given to me
No looking back on what is gone
I do not lament the loss of the past
'Cause I've been waiting far too long
I have waited for too long and mustn't let time pass any further
You want so much, just more and more
You crave evermore than what you already possess
The announcement I made, was what you're waiting for
The message that I relayed is what you have been expecting
And with a smile I fix the rope
I smile when I adjust the rope
As long as there's pain, there's hope
Hope persists when pain is present
There's only half of you to please
I am only required to satisfy half of your expectations
So the other half can go and rest in peace
The other half of your expectations can go unfulfilled
And if you're uptight and not too lame
If you are nervous and not too boring
In a moment you'll feel the same
You will soon share my convictions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANNE SOLDAAT, JASON FAULKNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind