Prior to the release of his 1989 debut album March, Penn performed the song "This & That" with his band The Pull on a 1987 episode of Saturday Night Live. Before that, he was a member of the Los Angeles band Doll Congress and had appeared as an extra on a few television series, including St. Elsewhere.
March, particularly the first single, "No Myth," brought Penn attention, as well as the 1990 MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist. Penn's follow-up albums Free-for-All (1992), Resigned (1997) and MP4: Days Since a Lost Time Accident (2000) weren't able to match the success of March, although critics praised his songcraft.
Penn met fellow singer-songwriter Aimee Mann in the late 1980s, and during the recording of her album I'm With Stupid (to which Penn contributed vocals), the two struck up a friendship, which blossomed into romance and their 1997 marriage. Together with manager Michael Hausman they formed United Musicians, which is based on the idea of allowing artists to keep copyright ownership of their works and to assist with their promotion and distribution. Penn and Mann live in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. They have no children, but Penn has a son from a previous marriage.
He moved into film scoring after repeated requests from director Paul Thomas Anderson, who had apparently listened to Free-for-All extensively while writing his first feature Hard Eight and wanted Penn to score the film. Penn also scored Anderson's follow-up Boogie Nights (in which he appeared briefly as a recording engineer), The Anniversary Party, Melvin Goes to Dinner and the documentary The Comedians of Comedy.
His fifth album, Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947, was released August 2, 2005, on Mimeograph Records (Penn's own label) and SpinART Records. Penn has said that the album, which may be the first of two parts, is set after World War II and involves "the trauma that a war brings to a person's psychology." [1]
Penn's music "Walter Reed" was used in the fifth episode of House MD's third season, "Fools For Love".
Anchors Aweigh
Michael Penn Lyrics
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The universe expanded
In her voice I hear it's pulse and wave
As it draws me to a shore,
Where I am surely stranded
Were it not for what she freely gave
A dose of her can't fade away
A kiss on the landing, then anchors aweigh
Baby says everything waxes and wanes,
But she's the queen of the waters
And nothing can touch her as long as she reigns
In her wake the spirits dance,
Like starling murmurations
Though the light they pray they might behave
Spinning through an open sky
And out into creation
Not before they pause a beat to wave
And though I was tempted to stay
A kiss on the landing, then anchors aweigh
A kiss on the landing, then anchors aweigh
The lyrics of Michael Penn's "Anchors Aweigh" communicate a deep sense of awe and admiration for a significant person in the singer's life. The opening lines suggest that this person holds a special place in the singer's world, as they see the universe through her eyes and feel connected to her essence through her voice. The imagery of being drawn to a shore and feeling stranded yet saved by her presence conveys a sense of vulnerability and reliance on her. The mention of receiving something from her that cannot fade away indicates the enduring impact she has had on the singer.
The reference to a kiss on the landing before setting sail ("anchors aweigh") symbolizes a moment of intimate connection and departure, suggesting a bittersweet parting or transition. The repetition of this phrase underscores the theme of moving forward while holding onto the memories and emotions shared with this person. The singer acknowledges the ebb and flow of life ("everything waxes and wanes") but sees the person they admire as a constant force, likening them to a ruler of the waters who remains untouched by life's fluctuations as long as she reigns.
The verse about spirits dancing in her wake conjures an ethereal image of joy and freedom, comparing the swirling movements of the spirits to the synchronized flight of starlings. This imagery hints at the transformative power of the person being described, as their presence seems to cause a ripple effect of beauty and harmony around them. The mention of the spirits pausing to wave before continuing their journey suggests a sense of acknowledgment and gratitude for the influence and inspiration received from the person.
The final repetition of the phrase "A kiss on the landing, then anchors aweigh" serves as a poignant conclusion to the song, encapsulating the cycle of connection and release that characterizes the relationship between the singer and the person being revered. The imagery of a kiss as both a symbol of affection and a moment of departure encapsulates the complex emotions of love, longing, and acceptance that permeate the lyrics. Overall, the song reflects on the profound impact of a significant person on the singer's life and the enduring memories and emotions that linger even as they embark on new journeys.
Line by Line Meaning
In her eyes the world began,
The beginning of everything was seen through her eyes
The universe expanded
The universe grew and evolved
In her voice I hear it's pulse and wave
I sense the rhythm and energy in her voice
As it draws me to a shore, Where I am surely stranded
Her presence pulls me towards a place of uncertainty
Were it not for what she freely gave
If it wasn't for her generous gifts
A dose of her can't fade away
Her impact on me remains strong
A kiss on the landing, then anchors aweigh
A final moment before starting a new journey
Baby says everything waxes and wanes, But she's the queen of the waters
Despite changes, she remains powerful and in control
And nothing can touch her as long as she reigns
As long as she is in charge, she is untouchable
In her wake the spirits dance, Like starling murmurations
Her influence leads to a graceful and harmonious movement of spirits
Though the light they pray they might behave
Even as they hope for guidance from above
Spinning through an open sky And out into creation
Revolving through the vast unknown
Not before they pause a beat to wave
Taking a moment to acknowledge and bid farewell
And though I was tempted to stay
Despite wanting to linger
A kiss on the landing, then anchors aweigh
A goodbye before moving forward
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Daniel Penn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind