Annuals are an indie rock band formed in 2003 in Raleigh, North Carolina, U… Read Full Bio ↴Annuals are an indie rock band formed in 2003 in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The band consists of Adam Baker (vocals, synthesizer/guitar), Kenny Florence (guitar/lapsteel), Anna Spence (keyboards/vocals), Mike Robinson (bass), Zack Oden (guitar/drums) and Nick Radford (drums).

The band was started by Adam Baker in 2003 as a side project of the still active sister band Sunfold, formerly known as Sedona and headed up by lead guitarist Kenny Florence. Ace Fu Records signed Annuals in the fall of 2005 and then released their debut LP Be He Me on October 17, 2006. Annuals' sophomore album, Such Fun, was released on October 7, 2008.

They are frequently compared to the Arcade Fire, Animal Collective, and Broken Social Scene and are known for their intense live shows.

Complete Or Completing
Annuals Lyrics

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Well, I know
I ain't spoken of love in a coon's age
But I can't help it now
Just helping myself to whatever I can

I chose the softest kind of dove
To chase around, to place bound and stout
In a pose of arrogance and loneliness

Of cleanliness

Silence all the clocks tonight
It's show time, with drinks to spill
Hear my mouth, I've got the sounds
To send you back home with peace of mind

Well, I pace myself when marching
Because I tangle up my legs if I don't
Slow down and look at my woman
Remember that everything is round, complete or completing

Silence all the clocks tonight
It's show time, with drinks to spill

Hear my mouth, I've got the sounds
To send you back home with peace of mind

Overall Meaning

The song "Complete or Completing" by Annuals contains lyrics that are open to interpretation, but seem to reflect on themes of love, loneliness, and finding peace within oneself. The first verse acknowledges the singer's distance from expressions of love, but suggests they are compelled to pursue it now regardless. The choice to pursue a soft and delicate "dove" could be interpreted as the risk the singer is taking in pursuit of love. The line "Of cleanliness" might suggest this pursuit is motivated by a desire for purity or absolution.

The chorus evokes preparation and anticipation for a performance or event, with a call to silence the clocks and raise a glass. The singer declares they have the power to provide solace or closure to listeners with their music. The second verse describes the challenge of keeping pace with life (symbolized by the marching metaphor) without losing sight of the things that truly matter, like love and the circular nature of existence. The final line, "Complete or completing," seems to suggest that everything is always in a state of change or progression, but can still be seen as "complete" in the present moment.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, I know
I am aware

I ain't spoken of love in a coon's age
It's been a long time since I talked about love

But I can't help it now
However, I cannot stop myself now

Just helping myself to whatever I can
I am taking what I can get

I chose the softest kind of dove
I picked the most gentle type of person

To chase around, to place bound and stout
To pursue and control

In a pose of arrogance and loneliness
With an attitude of superiority and isolation

Of cleanliness
And purity

Silence all the clocks tonight
Make everything quiet

It's show time, with drinks to spill
It's time to party and have fun

Hear my mouth, I've got the sounds
Listen to me, I have the music