Anne Marie
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
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I can glimpse him when you're next to me, Anne Marie
There is music that no-one can hear, Anne Marie
Yet it's audible when you are near
Anne Marie, Anne Marie, what am I to do ?
You are married to someone else yet
Every waking hour I think of you
Oh listen to me Anne Marie
I've a history of wanting what I cannot have
This time it is you
Don't listen to me Anne Marie
Anne Marie, there's a person that I'd like to be, Anne Marie
I can glimpse him when you're next to me, Anne Marie
There is music that no-one can hear, Anne Marie
Yet it's audible when you are near
Oh Anne Marie, this world's an unfamiliar place I see
When you're with me, when you're with me I hear
Strange music in undiscovered keys
When you're with me, when you're with me
Anne Marie, Anne Marie, it's time to walk away
I have never been noble but then maybe being
noble feels this way, when you're next to me Anne Marie
Anne Marie, and though it's time I can't believe
That I'm saying goodbye
Anne Marie - why ?
The song "Anne Marie" by Prefab Sprout is a poignant reflection on unrequited love. The lyrics are addressed to a woman called Anne Marie, who the singer is clearly infatuated with. The first verse begins with the admission that the singer wishes they could be someone else, perhaps someone more suited to Anne Marie. They suggest that they can see this other person when they are together, as if Anne Marie inspires in them an idealised version of themselves. The second line of the verse changes the tone somewhat, as the singer admits that they have feelings for Anne Marie despite her being married to someone else. The chorus is a plea to Anne Marie, asking her what the singer should do about their feelings, and admitting that they think about her constantly. The second verse is similarly confessional, with the singer acknowledging that they often want things that are out of reach. However, they ask Anne Marie not to listen to them, perhaps suggesting that they know their feelings are misguided or inappropriate. The song concludes with the singer bidding Anne Marie farewell, suggesting that they must walk away from their unrequited love, but admitting that they find it hard to do so.
Through these lyrics, Prefab Sprout capture the pain and frustration of loving someone who cannot or will not love you back. The song is notable for its honesty, as the singer confesses their feelings and desires without recourse to self-pity or melodrama. The use of Anne Marie as the object of the singer's affection is significant, as it gives the song an air of wistfulness and nostalgia, as if the singer is looking back on a past love. The repeated refrain of "Anne Marie, Anne Marie" creates a sense of longing and desire, while the use of musical imagery (the unheard music that becomes audible when Anne Marie is present) suggests that the singer has been inspired by Anne Marie's presence to create something new and beautiful. Overall, "Anne Marie" is a bittersweet love song that captures the complexities and contradictions of real-world relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a person that I'd like to be, Anne Marie
I aspire to be someone better and I associate that person with you, Anne Marie
I can glimpse him when you're next to me, Anne Marie
When I'm with you, Anne Marie, I catch a glimpse of my better self
There is music that no-one can hear, Anne Marie
There's a joy and beauty that's invisible to the world, Anne Marie
Yet it's audible when you are near
But when you're around, your presence makes that beauty and joy audible to me, Anne Marie
Anne Marie, Anne Marie, what am I to do ?
Anne Marie, I'm at a loss, what am I supposed to do?
You are married to someone else yet
You're married to someone else, Anne Marie
Every waking hour I think of you
Despite that, Anne Marie, you're always on my mind when I'm awake
Oh listen to me Anne Marie
Please pay attention to me, Anne Marie
Anne Marie, Anne Marie, nothing much is new
Anne Marie, there's nothing much that's changed
I've a history of wanting what I cannot have
I have a pattern of desiring things that are out of reach, Anne Marie
This time it is you
And this time, Anne Marie, it's you I can't have
Don't listen to me Anne Marie
I'm aware of how foolish I sound, Anne Marie, please don't take it to heart
There's a person that I'd like to be, Anne Marie
Once again, Anne Marie, I yearn to be someone better
I can glimpse him when you're next to me, Anne Marie
And, as always, Anne Marie, I can see that better self when you're around
Oh Anne Marie, this world's an unfamiliar place I see
When I'm with you, Anne Marie, the world seems different, new, and strange
When you're with me, when you're with me I hear
But, Anne Marie, when you're with me I hear this strange, beautiful music
Strange music in undiscovered keys
It's music that defies conventional melody and harmony, Anne Marie
Anne Marie, Anne Marie, it's time to walk away
Anne Marie, it's time for me to let go and move on
I have never been noble but then maybe being
I must admit, Anne Marie, I'm not the most honorable person
noble feels this way, when you're next to me Anne Marie
But when I'm with you, Anne Marie, I feel like I could be noble
Anne Marie, and though it's time I can't believe
Even though I know it's the right thing to do, Anne Marie, I can't believe it's time to say goodbye
That I'm saying goodbye
I'm saying goodbye, Anne Marie
Anne Marie - why ?
Why does it have to be this way, Anne Marie?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PADDY MCALOON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind