Known for an eclectic style that incorporates elements of folk, country, and indie pop, Andrews began penning her own lyrics in her early teens and began touring at the age of 16. She eventually made her way east to New York City, landing work as a backing singer and session guitarist for many established artists, including Damien Jurado and Jimmy Eat World.
She made her full-length debut in 2016 with her album, Honest Life. Having stated that the bulk of the album's songs were written while she was in Belgium for four months and feeling homesick, Andrews finished writing after arriving home and taking a job bartending at a tavern just outside of Seattle. Establishing a rapport with some of the patrons of the bar, she realized that there were unifying themes in the cycle of life and humanity in the songs she'd been writing. Released by Mama Bird Recording Co. and Loose Music (Europe), 'Honest Life' received widespread acclaim from critics, and Andrews signed with Fat Possum in 2017. The following year, Andrews’ second full-length album, May Your Kindness Remain, was released. Recorded in Los Angeles with producer Mark Howard (Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan), it addressed the theme of empathy within the sociopolitical climate of the day with soulful vocal performances.
In June 2018, Rolling Stone named May Your Kindness Remain as one of the 25 Best Country and American Albums of 2018. In the United Kingdom, The Guardian similarly listed the album as one of the 25 Best Albums of 2018.
Andrews' announced her album 'Old Flowers' will be out June 5 2020 along with the first single, 'If I Told' and follow-up music video for the second single, "Burlap String".
Actress Pt. 1
Courtney Marie Andrews Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There isn't much left on my table to offer
Honey, i'm no actress, when i say it mean it
I just can't keep reassuring you
I can't wait on the edge of my seat
For you to do what you got to do
Can you see all my flaws
Right here in my mouth for you to comment on
So kiss my lips and grab my hips
Show me that life is yet to be nothing but shit
But wait, i don't mean that
I just want you so bad that it hurts
To know i can't
But wait, i don't mean that
I just want you so bad that it hurts
To know i can't
We both need our independance
And some down time for ourselves
We've both lied, we've both cheated
So our love might not work out so well
Darling, i don't mees around
When i want you, i really want you
But i can't be your last resort
If plans don't work out like you wanted them to
Well you think i'm a drunk
Can you see all my flaws
Right here in my mouth for you to comment on
So kiss my lips and grab my hips
Show me that life is yet to be nothing but shit
But wait, i don't mean that
I just want you so bad that it hurts
To know i can't
Wait, i don't mean that
I just want you so bad that it hurts
To know i can't
Well you think i'm a drunk
Can you see all my flaws
Right here in my mouth for you to comment on
So touch my lips and kiss my hips
Show me that life is yet to be nothing but shit
But wait, i don't mean that
I just want you so bad that it hurts
To know i can't
Wait, i don't mean that
I just want you so bad that it hurts
To know i can't
In Courtney Marie Andrews's song "Actress Pt. 1," the singer sings about a complicated relationship where there is a lot of mutual desire but also a sense of futility. The chorus "Wait, I don't mean that, I just want you so bad that it hurts to know I can't" captures this feeling perfectly. The singer acknowledges her flaws and the fact that she may not be the best partner for this person she desires so strongly. She also expresses her frustration at having to continuously reassure this person and wait for them to make a move instead of taking initiative themselves.
The reference to being an actress in the title and lyrics is an interesting one. Perhaps the singer feels like the relationship is a performance or she is putting on a certain facade to be what this person wants her to be. She also acknowledges that she is not a proficient liar or a manipulator, and that when she says something, she truly means it. This adds another layer of vulnerability to the song, suggesting that the singer is not playing games or trying to manipulate anyone.
Overall, "Actress Pt. 1" is a poignant ballad about desire, vulnerability, and the complexities of relationships. Through its poignant lyrics and poignant musical arrangement, it is a reminder that sometimes things don't work out no matter how much we want them to.
Line by Line Meaning
She could probably love you so much better
The singer believes that someone else could love the intended listener better than she can.
There isn't much left on my table to offer
The singer doesn't have much to offer in terms of a relationship.
Honey, i'm no actress, when i say it mean it
The singer is being genuine and honest, and not pretending to be someone else.
I just can't keep reassuring you
The artist is tired of constantly having to reassure the intended listener.
I can't wait on the edge of my seat
The artist can't spend her time anxiously waiting for the listener to act or make a decision.
For you to do what you got to do
The singer wants the listener to take action in some form.
Well you think i'm a drunk
The listener has a negative perception of the singer and thinks she is an alcoholic.
Can you see all my flaws
The artist has many flaws that the listener is aware of.
Right here in my mouth for you to comment on
The flaws are evident and the listener is free to criticize them verbally.
So kiss my lips and grab my hips
The artist is requesting physical affection and intimacy.
Show me that life is yet to be nothing but shit
The singer desires to be shown that life can be fulfilling and enjoyable, despite its challenges.
But wait, i don't mean that
The previous lines should not be taken too literally.
I just want you so bad that it hurts
The singer wants the listener badly, to the point where it is painful.
To know i can't
However, she knows that she can't have the listener in the way that she wants.
We both need our independence
Both the singer and the listener require time and space to themselves.
And some down time for ourselves
They both need time to relax and recharge.
We've both lied, we've both cheated
Both the artist and the listener have been dishonest and unfaithful in the past.
So our love might not work out so well
Their relationship may not succeed due to their respective issues and past actions.
Darling, i don't mess around
The singer is serious and committed when it comes to romantic relationships.
When i want you, i really want you
The artist is strongly attracted to the listener and desires to be with them.
But i can't be your last resort
However, she cannot be the listener's last option or fallback.
If plans don't work out like you wanted them to
If the listener's original plans for romance fail, the artist cannot be relied upon to pick up the pieces.
So touch my lips and kiss my hips
The singer is once again requesting physical affection and intimacy.
Wait, i don't mean that
Similar to before, the previous lines should be taken lightly.
I just want you so bad that it hurts
The singer's desire for the listener is overwhelming and painful.
To know i can't
But she knows that having the listener in the way she wants is impossible.
Contributed by Lily C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.