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."
Hot Button
Anya Marina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a cold front blizzard in the middle of our house
Every time I wanna make a run for it
You give me reason just to stick it out
Oh, oh, oh, oh, can I get a little more?
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Feel you under my skin
You're never gonna get under my covers
Unless you're good at uncovering
Get on my side, a little more on my side
Everybody giving cold shoulders
Instead of high fives
Feels a little chilly on the home-front
Feels a little like someone died
Get on my side, a little more on my side
On my side, yeah, a little more
Know what you're thinking, we're doomed
We're sinking to the bottom of the bottom of the sea
And I wouldn't even mind it but at least I got to fight it
Before it gets the best of me
So hit the hot button, show me something
Tell me what's it all about
Take us into spring, I think you know just what I mean
Honey, wanna work it out
I feel you under my collar
Feel you under my skin
Don't know what it is about this feeling
Is it right or will it do me in?
Get on my side, on my side
On my side, yeah, a little more on my side
The song "Hot Button" by Anya Marina is about a relationship that is on the rocks. The opening lines indicate that there is a metaphorical "cold front blizzard" in their home, which represents the icy and distant dynamic between the couple. The singer feels like giving up and leaving, but their partner gives them reasons to stay and stick it out. The repetition of "oh, oh, oh, oh, can I get a little more?" suggests a plea for some kind of reassurance or attention.
The chorus continues the idea of feeling disconnected from one's partner, with people on both sides giving "cold shoulders" instead of "high fives." The feeling in the home is described as "chilly" and like "someone died." However, the singer still seeks some kind of reconciliation, asking their partner to "get on my side" and work with them to fix things. The final verse reveals the singer's fear of the relationship failing ("we're sinking to the bottom of the bottom of the sea"), but they are willing to "fight it" and hope that their partner will "hit the hot button," showing them something that will reignite their love and make things right again.
Some possible interpretations of the song could be that it is about a relationship that has lost its spark and needs some kind of intervention to save it. The "hot button" could represent a particular action or gesture that would signify a willingness to work on things and make them better. The use of cold/icy imagery throughout the song emphasizes the emotional distance between the couple and the need for warmth and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
There ain't no debating
It's clear that there's an issue at hand that can't be argued
There's a cold front blizzard in the middle of our house
There's a huge problem in our relationship that's hard to ignore
Every time I wanna make a run for it, you give me reason just to stick it out
When I feel like leaving, you give me a reason to stay and work things out
Oh, oh, oh, oh, can I get a little more?
I need more from you to feel confident in our relationship
I feel you under my collar, feel you under my skin
You have a deep emotional hold on me
You're never gonna get under my covers unless you're good at uncovering
I won't let you in unless you show me you're trustworthy
Everybody giving cold shoulders instead of high fives
Everyone is distant and unapproachable
Feels a little chilly on the home-front, feels a little like someone died
Our relationship is ice-cold and lifeless
Know what you're thinking, we're doomed, we're sinking to the bottom of the bottom of the sea
I sense that you feel like our relationship is failing and beyond saving
And I wouldn't even mind it but at least I got to fight it before it gets the best of me
I don't want to give up without a fight, even if the outcome isn't great
So hit the hot button, show me something, tell me what's it all about
Take action and prove to me that our relationship is worth saving
Take us into spring, I think you know just what I mean, honey, wanna work it out
Let's start fresh and work on improving our relationship
Don't know what it is about this feeling, is it right or will it do me in?
I'm unsure if this intense emotional connection is healthy or harmful
Get on my side, a little more on my side
I need you to be more supportive and understanding of my perspective
On my side, yeah, a little more
I need even more of your support and loyalty to make this work
Writer(s): Anya Marina Copyright: Many Clues Music, Chop Shop Arch Music, WB Music Corp.
Contributed by Caden M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.