Anya was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., and grew up in the Silicon Valley area of California as a capricious child with Russian-Agnostic/Irish-Catholic professor parents (psychology and russian literature/math) and a younger sister. After finishing high school, Anya moved to Los Angeles as an aspiring actress. With stints in the British American Drama Academy (taught by Richard Dreyfuss, Marsha Mason, Anne Jackson and Eli Wallach) and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, Anya has also acted in television and film (in 2001, she starred in the feature film, 100 Girls). She eventually moved back home to earn a college degree in English and writing at Santa Clara University. She continued to struggle as an artist -- working in acting, musical theatre, music, improv and comedy -- but eventually found a job as a radio DJ on KSCU, Santa Clara University's college station.
After graduating, Anya took a radio station job in San Diego with Mike Halloran at XHRM-FM (92.5). After the station was bought out by another corporation, Halloran hired Anya at Y107 in Los Angeles before they both moved to Premium Radio 92/1 in San Diego's North County. After leaving that station, both disc jockeys landed at FM94/9.
It was in San Diego that Anya played her first open mic night and began to write her own songs. She quickly developed a live stage act using what she learned as an actress, comic and impressionist. Her recorded debut was a five-song EP called Exercises in Racketeering, which eventually led to a full-length album, Miss Halfway, which was released in early 2005. Anya subsequently opened for such artists as Jason Mraz and Rhett Miller. She was named one of the "Best Unsigned" acts by San Diego CityBeat.
The songs on Miss Halfway talk about her upbringing, ex-boyfriends and all the after-effects. Anya's album was also produced by Scott Russo, the frontman for rockers Unwritten Law, along with Peter King from The Surfers. The record eventually earned a San Diego Music Award for Best Recording. The title track also landed on Grey's Anatomy and was featured as the fifth song on the second Grey's Anatomy (soundtrack) disc along with The Fray, KT Tunstall, Gomez and Snow Patrol.
The internet radio station KGRL featured her as their Flower-Powered Artist for March of 2007. The feature includes an exclusive interview, CD Review of Miss Halfway, and an on-demand audio stream of an unreleased Anya Marina track titled "Try It And Like It."
Cowboy
Anya Marina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, not a cowboy really, but he wore the hat
And there was someone who looked like me
At least a little, but not exact
He said, "I'm gonna take you out proper
You and me are going to the zoo."
And I pretended that I was bored
All I had to do was ask
I never knew that this would last
I never knew what I was in for
This town thinks it's got your number
It's unlisted, but they can wonder and guess and speculate on you and me
Little did I know,
Little did I see
Little did I know just how far our little car could go
Little did I know
Said he was damaged over whiskey
A kind of Kerouac over cigarettes
"Let me guess, you're a gambler, too?"
He said, "I bet I marry you."
Well, I was talking like a bad-ass, too
A kind of animal all my own
"No one's ever gonna tie me down,
Especially not some Romeo."
All I had to do was look
You were such an open book
How could I miss what I was in for?
Go on ahead and be a loner
Pur on your distant look and roam around the west
Like Jack and Neal and Dean
Little did I know
And I drove a thousand miles for you
I even bent the rules, it's true
I swear to everything above
I never knew you at all, my love
Anya Marina’s Cowboy is about two people who meet at a dive bar in a small town. The man is not really a cowboy, but he wears the hat. They begin talking and he tells her he wants to take her to the zoo. Despite trying to pretend she is not interested, she cannot take her eyes off of him. They start talking, and eventually, she goes on a road trip with him. Despite all of her claims of being a “bad-ass” and a “loner,” she falls for him.
The song reveals the singer’s surprise at finding herself in love. She goes a long way out of her comfort zone, driving a thousand miles for this guy - so much further than she ever imagined. She confesses that she never thought it would last and never expected to fall so hard. She even confesses that she never knew him at all in the end. The lyrics convey the confusion and uncertainty that come with falling in love unexpectedly, despite trying to resist it.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a dive bar and a cowboy
The story takes place in a local, inexpensive bar where a man dressed in western clothing was located
Well, not a cowboy really, but he wore the hat
The guy in the Western attire doesn't fit the typical characteristics of a cowboy, except for wearing the hat.
And there was someone who looked like me
A person who resembled, at least to some extent, the singer of this story was in the bar.
At least a little, but not exact
The resemblance between the artist and the other person in the bar is not completely identical but noticeable.
He said, "I'm gonna take you out proper
The man approached the artist and expressed his intention to have a special night out.
You and me are going to the zoo."
He suggests that they should visit the local zoo together as part of their evening
And I pretended that I was bored
Despite being interested in him, she feigned boredom as not to come off too eager.
And I could take my eyes off of you
Although she pretended to be preoccupied, she found him very engaging and couldn't take her attention away from him.
All I had to do was ask
The artist was unaware that by making a move on this man would lead to a long-lasting relationship.
I never knew that this would last
The artist was oblivious that this one-time date would develop into an extensive romance.
I never knew what I was in for
She wasn't aware of the complications and sacrifices that came with involving herself with this man.
This town thinks it's got your number
The place where they both reside and inhabit purportedly thinks that they can predict and know this man's every move
It's unlisted, but they can wonder and guess and speculate on you and me
Though the singer and the man she is infatuated with strive to keep their relationship a secret from the locals, they still scrutinize and discuss their relationship.
Little did I know,
The singer was oblivious to the life-changing sequence of events that were to ensue as a result of this short-lived date.
Little did I see
The singer was unaware of the future implications of this particular date.
Little did I know just how far our little car could go
The artist was unaware of how far the relationship would end up progressing and evolving.
Said he was damaged over whiskey
The man reveals his emotional baggage stemmed from alcohol abuse,
A kind of Kerouac over cigarettes
The man proclaiming himself a literary wanderer who smokes, similar to beat-generation icon Jack Kerouac.
"Let me guess, you're a gambler, too?"
The man senses that the singer has a risk-taking disposition and poses the question if she lately gambled or took any risks in life.
He said, "I bet I marry you."
The man appears infatuated with the artist from their conversation, stating that one day, he will marry her.
Well, I was talking like a bad-ass, too
The artist sought to come across as a tenacious person as the man vocalized his admiration for free-spiritedness.
A kind of animal all my own
The artist displays a unique personality, sort of like an animal with distinct characteristics all to herself.
"No one's ever gonna tie me down,
The singer boldly states that nobody will be capable of obligating her to settle down.
Especially not some Romeo."
The artist aims to make sure that the man she is conversing with does not believe he has the ability to tame her or sweep her off her feet with romantic gestures.
All I had to do was look
The singer observes the man clearly and notices that he is an accessible, honest person.
You were such an open book
The singer expresses that she finds the man uncomplicated and communicative.
How could I miss what I was in for?
The singer was oblivious to and unaffected by the man's transparency and honesty, leading her to overlook embracing a real relationship.
Go on ahead and be a loner
The artist encourages the man to go forward and live a life independent from the ties of a romantic relationship.
Put on your distant look and roam around the west
The artist proposes the man to adopt a far-away, apathetic demeanor, and go around the West.
Like Jack and Neal and Dean
The singer alludes to famous beat generation writers Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady, and Allen Ginsberg's lifestyle, where they went on cross-country road trips, exploring the country and themselves.
And I drove a thousand miles for you
The singer shows dedication and a willingness to go to great lengths for this man.
I even bent the rules, it's true
The artist admits that she broke a rule or two to be with this man.
I swear to everything above
The artist swears upon her honor that the story she is telling is true.
I never knew you at all, my love
The artist concludes the story by admitting that she hardly understands the man, she once believed that she loved.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANYA MARINA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind