Anniversary
Plant Robert Lyrics
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Bitter silence all around
It's the anniversary
Feel the fear, and sad defeat
Keeps my fragile haunted peace
On the anniversary
Through these dark and lovely streets
Drag my ragged defeat
The anniversary
It's the anniversary
How far is hate,
away from this
Reluctant heated kiss
On the anniversary
The anniversary
The anniversary
Ooh
I don't want to feel your kiss no more
I don't want to feel your kiss no more
I don't want to feel your kiss no more
Oh oh oh oh
I don't want to feel your kiss no more
Oh oh oh!
Robert Plant's lyrical masterpiece, Anniversary, is an emotive song that is about the aftermath of a failed relationship. The song is reflective of painful emotions felt during a difficult time, with the "anniversary" in question being the anniversary of the end of the relationship. The opening lines, "What is this land, that I have found, Bitter silence all around," set the tone for the song's sense of desperation.
Plant goes on to describe feelings of fear and defeat, which are compounded by the bleakness of his surroundings. Yet despite the sadness, he also clings to memories of what was once "dark and lovely." Even though it was a "heated kiss," the anniversary reminds him of the distance he wants from his ex-partner.
The chorus echoes his sentiment, as he sings, "I don't want to feel your kiss no more." The repetition of this line reinforces the longing for distance from his ex-partner, cementing that desire as the central theme of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
What is this land, that I have found
The singer is in a place where everything is new and unfamiliar
Bitter silence all around
There is a sense of loneliness and isolation in this place
It's the anniversary
The singer is reflecting on a past event that happened on this day
Feel the fear, and sad defeat
The singer is feeling anxious and defeated as they remember what happened on this day
Keeps my fragile haunted peace
The singer is trying to find peace despite the haunting memories of this day
Through these dark and lovely streets
Even though the place has beauty, there is still darkness and sadness present
Drag my ragged defeat
The singer is still feeling the weight of their past failure and is struggling to move forward
How far is hate, away from this
The singer is questioning how they can distance themselves from the negative emotions associated with this day
Reluctant heated kiss
The singer recalls a past kiss that was not wanted, but forced upon them
I don't want to feel your kiss no more
The singer doesn't want to revisit the memory of the forced kiss
Oh oh oh oh
Vocalization to emphasize the singer's feelings
I don't want to feel your kiss no more
Reiteration of the singer's desire to move on from the past memory
Oh oh oh!
Vocalization to emphasize the singer's resolution to leave the past behind
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PHIL JOHNSTONE, ROBERT A PLANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind