Nastasia has released six albums so far, the first of which, Dogs, was initially released in 2000 in a miniscule edition of 1000 copies on Socialist Records. The album sold out quickly and her subsequent albums, The Blackened Air (2001) and Run to Ruin (2003) were released on indie label Touch and Go Records. The label also re-released Dogs in 2004. All three albums were recorded by Steve Albini, as were later albums released on Fat Cat Records. These include On Leaving in 2006 and You Follow Me (produced in collaboration with Jim White) in 2007. Her sixth and most recent album, Outlaster, was also recorded by Steve Albini and was released in June 2010, preceded by the single Cry, Cry, Baby in May.
Nastasia was a favorite of late BBC disc jockey John Peel and recorded six sessions for his shows. The last one was recorded with the help of Tuvan throat singing group Huun-Huur-Tu. Nastasia also contributed a song to the tribute compilation for Peel named "Bird of Cuzco". Two of Nastasia's songs made Peel's annual Festive Fifty: "Ugly Face" (ranked 4th in 2002) and "You, Her & Me" (13th in 2003).
Discography:
Albums
2000 Dogs (Socialist)
2004 Dogs re-released (Touch and Go)
2001 The Blackened Air (Touch and Go)
2003 Run to Ruin (Touch and Go)
2006 On Leaving (Fat Cat)
2007 You Follow Me [with Jim White] (Fat Cat)
2010 Outlaster (Fat Cat)
Singles
2008 What She Doesn't Know (Fat Cat)
2010 Cry, Cry, Baby (Fat Cat)
Nina's official myspace page can be found at www.myspace.com/ninanastasia.
Oblivion
Nina Nastasia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While you scream past my head
Fly away, fly away
I wonder what you said
And I'm watching you
Bare your teeth in a growl
Throwing your way
And I'm here in oblivion
I don't feel anything
Well, it's time to begin again
I won't remember anything at all
Could it be something that I said
It's making you good, boys and hens in my bed
And I would feel sorry if I could
So fly away, fly away, if you think you should
I'm in oblivion
I'm in oblivion
I'm in oblivion
Oblivion, oblivion, I'm...
The opening lines of Nina Nastasia's song "Oblivion" describe the singer's feeling of drifting away while someone else, presumably the person they are addressing, is screaming past their head. The use of the phrase "fly away" twice in the first four lines creates a sense of urgency and movement, as if the singer wants to escape from their current situation. The repetition of the words "I wonder what you said" suggests that there is some confusion or miscommunication happening between the two people.
The second verse describes the other person "baring their teeth in a growl" and throwing something back and forth until now. It's unclear what is being thrown back and forth, but perhaps it is a metaphor for some kind of argument or conflict. The chorus then brings the focus back to the singer's state of mind, as they declare that they are in oblivion and don't feel anything. The repeated phrase "I'm in oblivion" reinforces the sense of detachment and disconnection from reality.
The final verse features some intriguing lines, including the suggestion that there are "good, boys and hens in my bed" because of something the singer has said. This could be a reference to some kind of relationship drama or infidelity. The line "fly away, fly away, if you think you should" could be interpreted as the singer urging the other person to leave if they want to, or it could be their own declaration of intent to fly away and escape from their current predicament. The song ends with a repetition of "oblivion," reinforcing the idea that the singer is lost and disoriented.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm drifting down
I'm aimlessly floating down, with no clear direction or purpose.
While you scream past my head
While you make loud, frantic noises that I can barely keep up with.
Fly away, fly away
Escape from this situation, fly away and forget what has happened.
I wonder what you said
I am confused as to what you are trying to communicate to me.
And I'm watching you
I am observing your actions closely.
Bare your teeth in a growl
You are showing your anger or frustration through physical cues, such as clenching your teeth and growling.
Throwing your way
Directing your emotions and negative energy towards me.
Back and forth 'til now
This has been going on for some time, but it has reached a climax.
And I'm here in oblivion
I am in a state of unawareness or forgetfulness, possibly due to trauma or shock.
I don't feel anything
I am numb and disconnected from my emotions.
Well, it's time to begin again
It's time to start fresh and move on from this negative experience.
I won't remember anything at all
I am choosing to forget what has happened and not dwell on the past.
Could it be something that I said
Did I say or do something to trigger this negative reaction from you?
It's making you good, boys and hens in my bed
My actions or words may have caused jealousy or possessiveness on your part.
And I would feel sorry if I could
I wish I could empathize with you and feel sorry for my actions.
So fly away, fly away, if you think you should
If you need to distance yourself from me and this situation, I understand and support you leaving.
I'm in oblivion
I am still in a state of forgetfulness or unawareness.
Oblivion, oblivion, I'm...
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the singer's detachment from reality and her reliance on forgetting what has happened.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NINA NASTASIA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind