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.
Winter
Kina Grannis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How long must it go on this way?
You give me no choice but to stay
There's no use in crying I'm dried up
I try
I'm trying my hardest to be
Exactly and all that you need
You were the one
You were the one who picked me
What have we become
Now have we begun our ending
How do you know when it's over?
I have been withered since winter
Waiting for love like it's water
But I can't pretend any longer
Tell me it's over
Love is it over now?
Tell me it's over
Please
You told me that you'd never leave
Now our love has lost all it's leaves
The distance is worse when you're near me
So go
It's hurts more to fall apart slow
To dream about warmth in the cold
Now I'm nothing more than a whisper
You were the one
You were the one who picked me
What have we become
Now have we begun our ending
How do you know when it's over?
I have been withered since winter
Waiting for love like it's water
But I can't pretend any longer
Tell me it's over
Love is it over now?
Tell me it's over
We made it all these years
And no they were not wasted
No life was lost right here
If love is what we tasted
How do you know when it's over?
I have been withered since winter
Waiting for love like it's water
But I can't pretend any longer
Tell me it's over
Love is it over now?
Tell me it's over
How do you know when it's over?
How do you know when it's over?
How do you know when it's over?
I have been withered since winter
In Kina Grannis’s song “Winter”, the lyrics tell a tale of a relationship that has lost its spark and is slowly falling apart. The first verse opens up with the singer asking how long the relationship will continue in such a state, and yet she feels trapped with no other choice but to stay. There are no tears left as the singer has drained herself of all emotion. The second verse expresses the singer's efforts to maintain the relationship, trying hard to be everything that her partner needs. She stands tall and tries to show her worth, but still, the situation remains unchanged. The chorus repeats the question “How do you know when it's over?” The singer has been waiting for love like it's water, but she cannot pretend anymore. She pleads for her partner to tell her the truth and put an end to their miserable situation. The bridge highlights the memories they have shared but questions whether their love ever truly existed.
The song is a beautiful and emotive ballad that can be interpreted as an expression of Kina Grannis's personal relationship struggles. She opens herself up to her audience, expressing her vulnerability and heartbreak, making the song more relatable to anyone who has ever experienced a painful relationship. In summary, "Winter" is a beautiful song that portrays the realities of modern-day relationships that sometimes hit a breaking point.
Line by Line Meaning
How long?
Asking how much longer this relationship will last
How long must it go on this way?
Asking how much more pain the singer has to endure in the relationship
You give me no choice but to stay
Feeling trapped in the relationship
There's no use in crying I'm dried up
Feeling emotionally drained and exhausted
I try
Putting in effort in the relationship
I'm trying my hardest to be
Trying to be everything the other person needs
Exactly and all that you need
Striving to meet the other person's expectations
I'm standing up tall do you see me
Remaining strong and resilient despite the difficulties in the relationship
You were the one
Acknowledging that the other person chose the singer
You were the one who picked me
Realizing that the other person was in control of the relationship
What have we become
Questioning the current state of the relationship
Now have we begun our ending
Sensing the inevitable end of the relationship
How do you know when it's over?
Asking for clarity about the end of the relationship
I have been withered since winter
Feeling drained and barren like winter
Waiting for love like it's water
Longing for love like an essential need
But I can't pretend any longer
No longer wanting to fake feelings for the other person
Tell me it's over
Begging for confirmation and closure
Love is it over now?
Questioning if love is truly over
Please
Asking for the other person's help and support
You told me that you'd never leave
Remembering promises made by the other person
Now our love has lost all it's leaves
Acknowledging the death of the relationship
The distance is worse when you're near me
Feeling distant from the other person despite physical proximity
So go
Accepting that it's time to separate
It's hurts more to fall apart slow
Realizing that a slow breakup can be even more painful
To dream about warmth in the cold
Imagining a better future while stuck in a cold present
Now I'm nothing more than a whisper
Feeling insignificant and quiet in the relationship
We made it all these years
Remembering the length of the relationship
And no they were not wasted
Feeling that at least some good things happened in the relationship
No life was lost right here
Acknowledging that no one was physically hurt in the relationship
If love is what we tasted
Wondering if the good moments in the relationship were truly love
How do you know when it's over?
Still asking for clarity about the end of the relationship
How do you know when it's over?
Repeating the question for emphasis
How do you know when it's over?
Asking one last time before accepting the end
I have been withered since winter
Repeating the feeling of emotional emptiness and exhaustion
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KINA KASUYA GRANNIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wind4iu
How long?
How long must it go on this way?
You give me no choice but to stay
There's no use in crying I'm dried up
I try
I'm trying my hardest to be
Exactly and all that you need
I'm standing up tall do you see me
You were the one
You were the one who picked me
What have we become
Now have we begun our ending
How do you know when it's over?
I have been withered since winter
Waiting for love like it's water
But I can't pretend any longer
Tell me it's over
Love is it over now?
Tell me it's over
Please
You told me that you'd never leave
Now our love has lost all it's leaves
The distance is worse when you're near me
So go
It's hurts more to fall apart slow
To dream about warmth in the cold
Now I'm nothing more than a whisper
You were the one
You were the one who picked me
What have we become
Now have we begun our ending
How do you know when it's over?
I have been withered since winter
Waiting for love like it's water
But I can't pretend any longer
Tell me it's over
Love is it over now?
Tell me it's over
We made it all these years
And no they were not wasted
No life was lost right here
If love is what we tasted
How do you know when it's over?
I have been withered since winter
Waiting for love like it's water
But I can't pretend any longer
Tell me it's over
Love is it over now?
Tell me it's over
How do you know when it's over?
How do you know when it's over?
How do you know when it's over?
I have been withered since winter
Lana McKissack
Definitely one of my favorite songs of yours, Kina. I love it.
K L
Lana, your turn!
Jordanny Sanchez
this whole album is pure love
Meow Meow
I am in love with this whole album❤️❤️❤️ every song you've ever sang 💗💗💗 your voice makes me so happy :)
Hi! miaimnida
🤍 Kina, this song describes how my heart is going through right now.
Maryann Ariza
I just discovered your music. Wow, you are amazing! I love the emotion in your voice! Just. Beautiful. 😊
Malina
All of your songs are so powerful and emotional <3
Monal Garg
Such a soothing and pleasant song. I can listen to this all day!!
Lauren Jewel
I love this song so much, she's just amazing💗
Hasna Dilara Ayalan
I can study with just her songs cz so peaceful