Kina started playing shows at the age of four in front of her stuffed animals. Now she plays in front of people, though it wasn’t the quickest transition for the admittedly shy songstress. While attending college at USC, Kina often retreated to the secluded stairwells around campus where she could write and sing without being heard. Protected by their quiet confines, she found a safe haven and a creative outlet for her music. Armed with a guitar and a cup of tea, Kina wrote in every stairwell she came across. And it was within these stairwells that she developed her confidence as a songwriter and her poise as a performer.
In 2007, Kina joined YouTube, made a music video and entered herself into a contest. A few months later, her video for “Message From Your Heart” aired during the Superbowl and its 97 million viewers (or 194 million eyeballs, depending on how you’re keeping track) and she walked away with a record deal. Since then, Kina has regularly posted her songs on YouTube, amassing many millions of views, and toured throughout North America. Her songs have been heard on television shows such as ABC’s General Hospital and MTV’s College Life.
Oh Father
Kina Grannis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're up against the road
Oh father, oh father
I haver never known
A darkness so immense
Oh father, oh father
A mountain high
Oh father, oh father
Are we falling now
No victory to show
Oh father, oh father
All along
I have been trying to hear you in me
All along
You will be the one that I'll become
Once more now
Its an hour and ahead
Oh father, oh father
Put the pedal down
Legs turning in the light
Oh father, oh my father
We are the ones now
We're flying through the trees
Oh father, oh my father
Watch me somehow
Lay your safety over me
Oh father, oh father
Oh father, oh father
Oh father, oh father
Oh father, oh father
All along
I have been trying to hear you in me
All along
You will be the one that I'll become
I never wanted anything
Apart from what you've given me
[x5]
All along
I have been trying to hear you in me
All along
You will be the one that I'll become
In this song, Kina Grannis is singing to her father, who seems to be a source of guidance and inspiration for her. The lyrics describe a feeling of being lost, like they are up against a wall and unsure of which way to go. Kina asks her father for help, wondering if they are falling without any victory to show. Despite this uncertainty, Kina remains determined to follow her father's lead, putting the pedal down and turning her legs in the light. She recognizes that her father has been with her all along, trying to hear him through herself. She knows that he will continue to inspire her and shape her into becoming the person she is meant to be.
Overall, the lyrics to "Oh Father" convey a sense of searching for guidance and direction while recognizing the important role that one's family can play in shaping one's life. Kina Grannis sings with a quiet intensity, conveying both vulnerability and strength in equal measure. The song speaks to anyone who has ever felt lost and uncertain about the future, seeking solace in the wisdom of those who have come before.
Line by Line Meaning
The countdown
We are under pressure to do something within a specific time.
We're up against the road
We are in a difficult situation and there is no easy way out.
Oh father, oh father
Addressing her father, who she looks up to for guidance and support.
I have never known
A darkness so immense
She is experiencing a level of despair and sadness that she has never felt before.
A mountain high
Tell me how to go
She feels like the challenge in front of her is so big and she's not sure how to tackle it.
Are we falling now
No victory to show
It feels like they are losing the battle and don't have anything to show for all their efforts.
All along
I have been trying to hear you in me
She's been trying to channel her father's influence.
You will be the one that I'll become
She aspires to become like her father one day.
Once more now
It's an hour and ahead
Despite the difficulties, they have to keep pushing forward.
Put the pedal down
Legs turning in the light
They need to accelerate their efforts and work hard towards their goal.
We are the ones now
We're flying through the trees
They have taken control and are moving towards their goal with speed and purpose.
Watch me somehow
Lay your safety over me
She is asking her father to watch over her and keep her safe.
All along
I have been trying to hear you in me
Reiterating her efforts to embody her father's influence.
You will be the one that I'll become
Reiterating her aspirations to become like her father one day.
I never wanted anything
Apart from what you've given me
She is grateful for everything her father has done for her and doesn't need anything else.
I never wanted anything
Apart from what you've given me
[x5]
Reiterating her gratitude towards her father, for emphasis.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KINA KASUYA GRANNIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kyeong Kim
Kina published her explanation on her website:
Song:
It was originally inspired by a rather perilous drive to a cabin in upstate New York. My friend, Kate McGill, and I were headed there for a writing retreat. It was dark. Very dark. My phone had no service. Upon arriving at the cabin, we discovered we had to basically drive straight up a very steep mountain. I gave it a shot and probably 30 feet into the excursion our wheels are spinning and the car is lurching backward and it occurs to me that we are NOT going to make it to the top (which we aren't even remotely close to) and that I am now going to have to somehow back down this steep steep VERY DARK mountain without losing control and just falling down it forever. We were two girls in the middle of nowhere in a pitch black night, potentially falling backwards down a mountain, so you know how that goes, before you know it we're both nervously and uncontrollably laughing--which is code for I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND WE MIGHT DIE AND I FEEL LIKE CRYING. Anyway, the next day I decided perhaps this was something I could work with creatively. The experience had sat with me for a day by then and it was easier to reflect on it now that my life wasn't on the line. (Oh yeah--I eventually gunned it straight up the mountain through the dark, just barely dodging several giant trees and made it to the top. Victory!) Anyway, it got me thinking about how much I have relied on and been taken care of by my parents throughout my life--for help, for advice, for taking over when things get hard or scary--and how I'm now at this place where my life is very much in my own hands. When things get hard, I have to fix it. When I don't know what to do, it's up to me to figure it out. When I'm falling down a mountain backwards, only I can muster up the courage to hit the gas and get myself to the top. I started realizing that the strength and courage my parents possessed was already in me somewhere, just waiting to be tapped into. "Oh Father" is a song about growing up, coming into your own, and exploring the unknown with a sense of bravery and adventure and really embracing your life, not running from it.
Now for the video.
Working on this video was a unique experience for me. The director, Erica Dasher, is one of my close friends. We'd spoken about collaborating for a while (she's an incredibly talented actress and writer) and it was pretty special to finally make that happen. We worked hard to find a concept that spoke to both of us and reflected both of our creative visions. Erica pushed me to explore my more feminine side and get out of my comfort zone a little, which was really good for me. I spent a lot of my life being timid and withdrawn and afraid to be myself, and through the video we tried to capture my relatively newfound excitement in trying to live fearlessly and be me and live each moment to the fullest. Most lessons in life aren't learned the first time around, but rather slowly over time. Over the course of many chances, you chip away at whatever is holding you back, until finally you start to get it right and live the way you've always wanted to live. Here are some fun facts about making the video: - Set design was by another close friend of mine, Ryan Glennan. He is amazing. - The video was edited by ANOTHER friend, Noel Diaz De Rivera, the director of my "Dear River" music video as well as Imaginary Future's "April" (which may be one of the best music videos of all time) - The dancers were choreographed by our friend Lucy Mae Sunday. (She's the tall blond with short hair) - The falling parts were done by me repeatedly jumping backwards onto a giant trampoline (not great for the neck) - The video was shot at YouTube Space LA - The clouds were assembled by myself and a handful of my closest friends at Erica's house, as spearheaded by Ryan Well, wow, guys. I should probably let you get back to your lives now! Much love and thanks as always for listening, watching, reading, breathing, etc.
Kina
Relle Painite
if you guys don't mind. i have my interpretation of this song.
oh father i have never known a darkness so immense, she was afraid and depressed, she feared, so she just told her worries to her " father" which i think has a bit of religious meaning to it.
she met a lot of dead ends, no victory to show.
she was just trying to fit in, as you can see when she tried to follow the dancers moves but they shoved her away.
she didn't know why she was so different and kept trying to find a place that could accept her or who she is. she doesn't understand her purpose yet.
she falls numerous times, again and again and again. until she hit rock bottom, darkness envelops her, but she doesn't wanna go into the dark.
she was afraid and confused once again. until she realized that she has the power that no one she has ever encountered possessed. faith. in the end she never needed to fit in, because she was special, and blessed. so she was rewarded, and the balloons and that watch symbolized it. in the end she's happy.
Tiffany Alvord
This video & song are both so amazing!! Great job as always Kina! I love everything you do :)
Mahika
Omg my friend loves you!
Kyeong Kim
Kina published her explanation on her website:
Song:
It was originally inspired by a rather perilous drive to a cabin in upstate New York. My friend, Kate McGill, and I were headed there for a writing retreat. It was dark. Very dark. My phone had no service. Upon arriving at the cabin, we discovered we had to basically drive straight up a very steep mountain. I gave it a shot and probably 30 feet into the excursion our wheels are spinning and the car is lurching backward and it occurs to me that we are NOT going to make it to the top (which we aren't even remotely close to) and that I am now going to have to somehow back down this steep steep VERY DARK mountain without losing control and just falling down it forever. We were two girls in the middle of nowhere in a pitch black night, potentially falling backwards down a mountain, so you know how that goes, before you know it we're both nervously and uncontrollably laughing--which is code for I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND WE MIGHT DIE AND I FEEL LIKE CRYING. Anyway, the next day I decided perhaps this was something I could work with creatively. The experience had sat with me for a day by then and it was easier to reflect on it now that my life wasn't on the line. (Oh yeah--I eventually gunned it straight up the mountain through the dark, just barely dodging several giant trees and made it to the top. Victory!) Anyway, it got me thinking about how much I have relied on and been taken care of by my parents throughout my life--for help, for advice, for taking over when things get hard or scary--and how I'm now at this place where my life is very much in my own hands. When things get hard, I have to fix it. When I don't know what to do, it's up to me to figure it out. When I'm falling down a mountain backwards, only I can muster up the courage to hit the gas and get myself to the top. I started realizing that the strength and courage my parents possessed was already in me somewhere, just waiting to be tapped into. "Oh Father" is a song about growing up, coming into your own, and exploring the unknown with a sense of bravery and adventure and really embracing your life, not running from it.
Now for the video.
Working on this video was a unique experience for me. The director, Erica Dasher, is one of my close friends. We'd spoken about collaborating for a while (she's an incredibly talented actress and writer) and it was pretty special to finally make that happen. We worked hard to find a concept that spoke to both of us and reflected both of our creative visions. Erica pushed me to explore my more feminine side and get out of my comfort zone a little, which was really good for me. I spent a lot of my life being timid and withdrawn and afraid to be myself, and through the video we tried to capture my relatively newfound excitement in trying to live fearlessly and be me and live each moment to the fullest. Most lessons in life aren't learned the first time around, but rather slowly over time. Over the course of many chances, you chip away at whatever is holding you back, until finally you start to get it right and live the way you've always wanted to live. Here are some fun facts about making the video: - Set design was by another close friend of mine, Ryan Glennan. He is amazing. - The video was edited by ANOTHER friend, Noel Diaz De Rivera, the director of my "Dear River" music video as well as Imaginary Future's "April" (which may be one of the best music videos of all time) - The dancers were choreographed by our friend Lucy Mae Sunday. (She's the tall blond with short hair) - The falling parts were done by me repeatedly jumping backwards onto a giant trampoline (not great for the neck) - The video was shot at YouTube Space LA - The clouds were assembled by myself and a handful of my closest friends at Erica's house, as spearheaded by Ryan Well, wow, guys. I should probably let you get back to your lives now! Much love and thanks as always for listening, watching, reading, breathing, etc.
Kina
Kina Grannis
"Oh Father" - Kina Grannis (Official Music Video)
Polska Wendrkisa
Nice voice
Tracy O'Brien
Nicely done, Kina!
Fai K
Made my heart sing. Thank you
Habibi Putra
good
Leonard Morales
STILL IN LOVE
Hugo Quest
Ok for those who aren't sure about the meaning of the video, here is my interpretation :
She is basically going through time and memories, and it all seems to be repeating itself over and over, but with small changes. Each time the clock is ticked, she goes back to falling, then running and she finds herself in a different but similar memory, with slightly different sceneries and people. She is lost, but she follows the story and tries to understand (she starts dancing with the people instead of just watching). The end is where it gets interesting ; she finally takes control of her own time and memories, and she understands what has happened "on and on" and "all along". We see that the person who seemed to control her was in fact herself, but she just had to find the answer within her to take control, "you would be the one that i become" referring to her.
Obviously this might not be the exact meaning, but i hope it helps :)