Dayna Kurtz' singing is deep and dramatic, at times hair-raisingly intense, on songs that touch on folk, alt-rock, classic crooner pop, and even cabaret jazz. Her strong, soulful guitar work underpins the arrangements, which skillfully add strings, accordion, and such things as "weird ass ambient guitar" without obscuring the basic sound of the solo troubadour. Those drawn to the dark shades of Tom Waits, Chris Whitley, and Amy Ray will find much to admire in her music.
Nola
Dayna Kurtz Lyrics
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Impossibly bright
But his hands are too busy
His shirts are too shiny and tight
On fridays he dances to metronomes
So he can keep counting
All night all night all night
My heart ends up begging to stay
She's been calling me to her
She tortures me every day
Have you been on a joyride
Say your best backslide
Then rocked all night
Till you're trembling and sore?
Just take me in your scented arms
New orleans I'm coming for more
Oh, new orleans I'm coming for more
I know angels can lie
If it lightens your load
They'll be stroking your cheek
But they're speaking in code
They'll take all your money
And then hit the road
And leave you broken and smiling
He has no use for me
He never looks in my eyes
Been waking up cursing
It's no way to live or to die
I've nothing of value to bring you
I come to you wasted and poor
Please take me in your scented arms
New orleans I'm coming for more
Oh, new orleans I'm coming for more
In the rush and the spin
In the flush of my sin
She'll be rolling her eyes
While she beckons me in
Please god, let me love truly
Forgive every nation
And walk like a woman again
Baby I love you
But baby I just have to go
I've got so much to learn
She's got secrets I just have to know
I left my true love for you
Oh just take everything
I'll do what you want me to do
Please take me in your scented arms
New orleans I'm coming for you
Oh, new orleans I'm coming for you
Oh, new orleans I'm coming for you
The lyrics to Dayna Kurtz's "Nola" are a bittersweet tribute to the city of New Orleans. The song tells the story of a love affair between the singer and the city itself, with vivid descriptions of the contrasting personalities of New York and New Orleans. While New York is "impossibly handsome" and "impossibly bright", its fast-paced lifestyle and obsession with material success leaves little room for love and intimacy. In contrast, New Orleans is depicted as a seductive temptress who calls to the singer's heart every day, despite the city's reputation for deception and betrayal.
The singer's love for New Orleans is all-consuming, as she pleads to be taken in the city's "scented arms". She acknowledges the dangers of falling under the city's spell, warning of the angels who "lie" and take your money before leaving you "broken and smiling". Despite this, the singer is drawn to New Orleans' beauty and mystery, and is willing to give up everything for the chance to experience its secrets.
The final verse is a plea for forgiveness and redemption, as the singer acknowledges her own flaws and begs to "love truly" and "walk like a woman again". The song ends on a melancholy note, with the singer torn between her love for both New Orleans and a "true love" who she has left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
New york is impossibly handsome
New York is an attractive city
Impossibly bright
Very vibrant
But his hands are too busy
The city is too busy
His shirts are too shiny and tight
The city appears superficial and flashy
On fridays he dances to metronomes
The city is always in a hurry, even on weekends
So he can keep counting
The city always wants to keep track of everything
All night all night all night
The city never sleeps
Every time that I see her
Refers to the city of New Orleans
My heart ends up begging to stay
The city has a charm that makes people want to stay
She's been calling me to her
Refers to the allure of New Orleans
She tortures me every day
The city has a way of making people fall in love with it
Have you been on a joyride
Refers to the excitement of experiencing New Orleans
Say your best backslide
Refers to the fun and carefree spirit of New Orleans
Then rocked all night
Refers to the energetic nightlife of New Orleans
Till you're trembling and sore?
Refers to the physical and emotional experience of New Orleans
Just take me in your scented arms
Refers to the warm and inviting atmosphere of New Orleans
New orleans I'm coming for more
The singer is captivated by the city and wants to experience it again
I know angels can lie
Refers to the potential deception of the city's charm
If it lightens your load
The city may seem like a relief or escape from troubles
They'll be stroking your cheek
The city may appear comforting and welcoming
But they're speaking in code
The city's allure may have hidden or uncertain intentions
They'll take all your money
The city is attractive but also potentially expensive
And then hit the road
The city may have a fleeting appeal
And leave you broken and smiling
Even if the city doesn't live up to expectations, it can leave a lasting impression
He has no use for me
Refers to someone in the singer's life who doesn't appreciate her
He never looks in my eyes
The person is emotionally distant
Been waking up cursing
The singer is unhappy with her current situation
It's no way to live or to die
The singer wants something better
I've nothing of value to bring you
The singer may feel inadequate or insignificant
I come to you wasted and poor
The singer is looking for a change in her life
Please take me in your scented arms
The singer seeks comfort and warmth in New Orleans
New orleans I'm coming for more
The city has captured the singer's heart and she wants to experience it again
In the rush and the spin
Refers to the fast pace of life
In the flush of my sin
The singer may feel guilty for wanting to leave her current situation
She'll be rolling her eyes
New Orleans may seem indifferent to the singer's struggles
While she beckons me in
But at the same time the allure of the city is too strong to resist
Please god, let me love truly
The singer wants to find genuine love
Forgive every nation
The singer is advocating for forgiveness and peace
And walk like a woman again
The singer wants to regain her confidence and strength
Baby I love you
The singer is torn between her feelings for her current situation and her desire to experience something new
But baby I just have to go
The singer feels like she has to leave
I've got so much to learn
The singer wants to grow and explore
She's got secrets I just have to know
The singer is intrigued by New Orleans and its mysteries
I left my true love for you
The singer sacrificed something important to pursue a new adventure
Oh just take everything
The singer is willing to fully immerse herself in the experience of New Orleans
I'll do what you want me to do
The singer is open to the possibilities of the city
New orleans I'm coming for you
The singer is ready to embrace the city with all its wonders and complexities
Oh, new orleans I'm coming for you
The repetition affirms the strong desire to visit New Orleans
Contributed by Caleb W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.