Leona released her fourth album, "Thirteens", in 2009. The much-delayed album is named after thirteen lo-fi home-recorded albums.
Naess lives in New York City and frequently travels back to London. She was engaged to singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, but the engagement ended in 2003. Naess wrote on her MySpace blog in January 2010 that she is pregnant, taking a break from music, and has "never been happier".
Blog: http://leonanaessmusic.tumblr.com/
Myspace: https://myspace.com/leonanaess
I Tried
Leona Naess Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With an underground feeling and a solid goal -oh
So feel me now like you did back then
With an overgrown healing tried sealing my soul
Got so scared got so tired
Doin everything wrong doing everything right
Got two guitars to play my songs
Got many rights to kill my wrongs
I got friends who will follow me
And I don't own responsibility
And I know what I am
And I know that I'm right
Yeah yeah yeah
My arms are reachin out to let you go
I tried to rock you but you only can roll
The ink you spilt across my skin (yeah)
Is sinkin deeper within
I was wrong to put you up there
With a ton of dead heroes
And a ton of dead songs
But you came to me like a casual dream
Slow to begin
Put a smile on my skin
Got a head full of new ideas
I got music bleeding from my ears
And people who believe in me
I got miles and miles of things to see
Nothin relates to you and me
And I know what I am
And I know that I'm right
Yeah yeah yeah
My arms are reachin out to let you go
I tried to rock you but you only can roll
The ink you spilt across my skin (yeah)
Is sinkin deeper within
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
(1 2 3 4)
My arms are reachin out to let you go
I tried to rock you but you only can roll
The ink you spilt across my skin (yeah)
Is sinkin deeper within
(repeat)
The song "I Tried To Rock You But You Only Roll" by Leona Naess seems to be about a relationship that was once strong but has now come to an end. The singer is asking their partner to listen to them like they used to, to feel the same way they used to, but it's clear that things have changed. The singer has grown tired of trying to make the relationship work and is ready to let go. The lyrics suggest that the singer has found solace in music and has friends who support them. The ink spilt across their skin could be a metaphor for the lasting impact this relationship has had on them.
Throughout the song, there seems to be a sense of conflict between the singer's desire to move on and their lingering attachment to their partner. They acknowledge their mistakes but also their strengths and the support they have around them. The repeated line "My arms are reaching out to let you go" suggests a struggle to move on, but it's clear that the singer is doing their best to try.
In terms of the music, the song has a driving beat and a sense of urgency, which complements the lyrics well. The use of repetition and the repeated guitar riff help to emphasize the theme of letting go that runs throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear me now like you did back then
Listen to me like you did before with a raw, independent spirit and a focused aim.
With an underground feeling and a solid goal -oh
I have a deep sense of being countercultural with a firm objective in mind.
So feel me now like you did back then
Understand me now like you did in the past.
With an overgrown healing tried sealing my soul
I've tried to mend my soul with various methods, but none of them fully works.
Got so scared got so tired
I've become very stressed and worn out.
Doin everything wrong doing everything right
I've made mistakes but also done some things correctly.
Got two guitars to play my songs
I have two guitars to play the music I've written.
Got many rights to kill my wrongs
I have many things going right for me that can counterbalance the bad things.
Got a smile that'll knock you down
I have a dazzling smile that can overwhelm people.
I got friends who will follow me
I have supportive friends who will stick with me.
And I don't own responsibility
I'm not responsible for everything that happens.
And I know what I am
I know myself and my abilities.
And I know that I'm right
I'm confident in my beliefs and actions.
My arms are reachin out to let you go
I'm trying to move on and let go of someone or something.
I tried to rock you but you only can roll
I attempted to influence or impress you, but you didn't respond in the way I expected.
The ink you spilt across my skin (yeah)
The impact you've left has marked me, either positively or negatively.
Is sinkin deeper within
That impact has left a lasting impression on me.
I was wrong to put you up there
I made a mistake by holding you to a high standard or pedestal.
With a ton of dead heroes
With a bunch of past icons who are now gone and forgotten.
And a ton of dead songs
With a plethora of forgotten or outdated music as well.
But you came to me like a casual dream
You appeared to me effortlessly, without much significance attached.
Slow to begin
It took some time to get started or for me to recognize the importance of this encounter.
Put a smile on my skin
It brought me happiness or comfort.
Got a head full of new ideas
I have a lot of fresh concepts and plans in my mind.
I got music bleeding from my ears
I'm constantly surrounded or preoccupied by music.
And people who believe in me
I have supporters who have faith in me and my abilities.
I got miles and miles of things to see
I have many opportunities and experiences waiting for me.
Nothin relates to you and me
Our connection is no longer relevant or meaningful.
Yeah yeah yeah
A repeated expression of affirmation or agreement.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEONA NAESS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind