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.
Talking
Annuals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As the question is obvious
It's so senseless
To never comprehend and just get stuck
Love, nothing waits for us
I was never one for talking
You of anyone should know
Could never heat your frigid soul
Don't let your life decay through you
Don't stitch this lie to you to make it true
It's my ocean
As I dig up your grave
To ask you when, love
You're getting home again
I was never one for talking
You of anyone should know
That I could never keep you walking
Could never heat your frigid soul
Don't let your life decay through you
Don't stitch this lie to you to make it true
Just make it true
The song "Talking" by Annuals is an introspective and melancholic track that delves into themes of love, loss, and despair. The lyrics start with a blunt statement, "The answer is useless, as the question is obvious," implying a lack of clarity and frustration. The next line, "It's so senseless to never comprehend and just get stuck," adds to this feeling of confusion that the singer is experiencing. They feel as though they are stuck in their emotions and unable to move on.
The lyrics then shift to a more personal tone with the line, "Love, nothing waits for us." Here, the singer is reflecting on their past relationship and how it has impacted their life. They question whether they could have done anything differently, and perhaps even regret the way things turned out. They then admit, "I was never one for talking," which could suggest that their lack of communication was a contributing factor to the breakdown of the relationship.
The chorus emphasizes the idea of decay and how it's important not to let one's life fall apart, "Don't let your life decay through you, don't stitch this lie to you to make it true." The second verse brings back the personal tone, "It's my ocean as I dig up your grave to ask you when, love you're getting home again." This line could be interpreted as the singer's attempt to reconnect with the person they lost and hoping they'll come back someday. However, digging up their grave and asking them when they're coming home doesn't seem like a likely possibility, which makes the image unsettling and sad.
Overall, "Talking" is a hauntingly beautiful piece that captures the essence of heartbreak and loss. Its rich imagery and melancholic tone leave the listener with a sense of longing and introspection.
Line by Line Meaning
The answer is useless
The information being sought is of no value
As the question is obvious
Because the inquiry itself is evident or self-explanatory
It's so senseless
The entire situation is foolish or imprudent
To never comprehend and just get stuck
To continually be incapable of understanding and remain stagnant
Love, nothing waits for us
The idea that love does not linger or wait for anyone
I was never one for talking
The singer is not one who communicates often
You of anyone should know
Out of everyone, the listener would be aware of this trait
That I could never keep you walking
The artist was unable to maintain the listener's motivation or inspiration
Could never heat your frigid soul
The artist could not warm the listener's cold or unfeeling personality
Don't let your life decay through you
Do not allow your existence to deteriorate from within
Don't stitch this lie to you to make it true
Do not try to make falsehoods become actuality by deceitful means
It's my ocean
The situation or environment belongs to the artist
As I dig up your grave
The singer is metaphorically unearthing the listener's past
To ask you when, love
To inquire, when the listener's passion for life will return
You're getting home again
The expectancy that the listener will regain their stability
Don't let your life decay through you
Do not allow your existence to deteriorate from within
Don't stitch this lie to you to make it true
Do not try to make falsehoods become actuality by deceitful means
Just make it true
Instead, strive to turn it into a veracity through honest action
Contributed by Olivia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rustynail Mendlesohn
Hi Jim, enjoyed that. Here in Illinois I grow a lot of these annuals but not familiar with the African basil. BTW, pass along to Steph that she does wonderful work at the camera. Slow pans over that aren't head spinners and great focus on plants. Take care :)
Gry L
I love trailing nasturtium. Four o'clocks and cuphea. I am in W. Oregon zone 8b. Soooooooo, many overwinter. I'm trying mashua this year. They flower in September. I am hopeful they get to that stage.
Jane Reel
I love your enthusiasm for pollinators, birds and other wildlife!
Maggie Bartlett
My zinnias, pentas, lantana, sunflowers, marigolds and angelonia have created “pollinator heaven!” Love watching all the happiness. 😊🦋🐝🌻
Mary Beth
I never planted cosmos, bracteantha or lantana until this year - what a show they are! I planted them in a large, raised bed along with other annuals. The cosmos grew so lush and tall which then provided a soft privacy screening near our patio . The jury is still out on the pyromania/backdraft I planted for the first time - but we'll see what they do next year. Thanks Jim and Stephany for all your inspiration - my landscape has improved ten-fold. Michigan 6a.
Kathleen M
Verbena bonariensis reseeds prolifically in my 5b garden, and I love it. It’s a pollinator powerhouse, and the hummingbirds and finches love it too. Plus its airy, open framework is just beautiful. In second place is the Cinnamon basil I started from seed. Another huge hit with the pollinators, and it’s really lovely to boot.
🌺Yvonne🍓
I have those Italian White sunflowers against my back fence and they are glorious! 🤩 This is my first year planting them, and I didn’t realize what a goldfinch magnet they’d be until last week. I love them!
Katie Kane
I have a lot more space & due to health issues, I wasn't as meticulous this last year. I've been rewarded with some new insights on self seeding. My tall Zinnias have succession planted themselves & remain good looking with flowers still coming. The jewel series pink Salvia looks almost peach this year & is coming up all over. That's fine as it goes with everything. I've got violas coming up under my New Guinea Impatiens so maybe I won't have to buy as many fall plants either! This year taught me I can still have lots of flowers & not have to buy or install them if I can accept the lack of control over timing & placement. Maybe the toughest garden lesson learned!
Frozen518
I'm definitely gonna do that Summer Jewel Pink Salvia next year, it's beautiful. And you're absolutely right, in your Q and A videos I'm not watching you while you talk, I'm definitely watching the lil buzzing metropolis behind you lol
Jeffrey Morris
Here in London, tried Gomphrena for the first time this year (had never even heard of it before). Was a bit slow to start, but once it hits it's stride these things are awesome. Mostly been pruning them to use for dried flowers, and have been happy to rebloom so far. Will try different colours next year. One of my favourite annuals is Helichrysum (stunning for dried flowers).