Nina Nastasia is a New York City-based singer-songwriter born in Hollywood,… Read Full Bio ↴Nina Nastasia is a New York City-based singer-songwriter born in Hollywood, California. Her music is noted for an eclectic mix of folk delicacy and intricate chamber music arrangements worked out with her band and partner Kennan Gudjonsson.

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.

Underground
Nina Nastasia Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm awake
I know 'cause I'm afraid
Of every little thing
It makes me think of you

You're so serene
Underneath your wit
You're watching me

Tripping my saddle shoes

Better shoot me down
To that bold, bold underground
Save me
Save me

Quiet now
It's time to say your prayer
God is near
They say he's watching you

Better shoot me down
To that bold, bold underground
Save me

Better shoot me down
To that bold, bold underground
Save me
Save me

I believe
Shhh
I believe
Shhh
I believe
Shhh
I believe

Shhh
Shhh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nina Nastasia's song Underground convey a sense of fear and vulnerability. The opening lines, "I'm awake, I know 'cause I'm afraid," suggest a state of heightened awareness that comes with anxiety. The repetition of the phrase "it makes me think of you" indicates that this fear is somehow tied to a specific person - perhaps a former lover. The second stanza describes this person as "so serene," which contrasts with the singer's own sense of turmoil. The line "tripping my saddle shoes" gives a sense of physical disorientation, as though the singer is stumbling or tripping over her own feet. The repeated plea "save me" suggests a desire for protection or refuge from this anxiety and the memories it brings up.

The third stanza introduces religious imagery, with the suggestion to say a prayer and the mention of God. It's unclear whether the singer has a personal belief in a higher power or is simply grasping for some kind of comfort in the face of her fear. The final repetition of "I believe" could either be a reaffirmation of faith or a last-ditch attempt to convince herself that everything will be okay. Overall, the song captures a feeling of being overwhelmed by fear and searching for some kind of salvation.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm awake
She is conscious.

I know 'cause I'm afraid
She is aware of her surroundings and fearful.

Of every little thing
She is anxious about everything around her.

It makes me think of you
She associates her fear with someone or something.

You're so serene
The person in question is calm.

Underneath your wit
Beneath their humor.

You're watching me
The person is observing her.

Tripping my saddle shoes
She is losing her balance and making mistakes.

Better shoot me down
She would rather be killed.

To that bold, bold underground
Death is better than living above ground.

Save me
She is pleading for help.

Quiet now
She is speaking softly.

It's time to say your prayer
She suggests prayer as a solution.

God is near
She believes that God is close.

They say he's watching you
She has heard that God is observant.

I believe
She has faith.

Shhh
She wants others to be quiet while she prays.

Shhh
She repeats her wish for quiet.

Shhh
She continues to request silence.

Shhh
Her final repetition of the request for silence.

Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NINA NASTASIA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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