vocals: Jordy Birch
guitar: Todd Simko
drums and k… Read Full Bio ↴Birch/Simko
vocals: Jordy Birch
guitar: Todd Simko
drums and keyboards: Mark R Henning
bass: David Hadley
from the album "Generation Six Pack", Warner Bros. © 1994
Anna
Pure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
hardest one to hold
but she holds like she's told
Anna wears her brothers clothes
she's been thrown from home
got no where to go
but she goes
Anna is a speed freak
she opens up her arms
just to feel complete
she's a speed freak
Anna is a speed freak
Anna thinks life's a trick
until she slips
she rides the wave
feels okay
not a communist
she's like the rest
she's failed the test
it's what she says
Anna is a speed freak
Anna is a speed freak
Well I guess it's pretty dumb
But I'm not the only one
Stand close to me right now
Please hold me for a while
Anna is a speed freak
Anna is a speed freak
Anna is a speed freak
Stands in a natural pose
Anna is a speed freak
Anna is a speed freak
It's the hardest, It's the hardest one to hold
and she holds
and she holds
she holds
The song "Anna" by Pure is a haunting tale about a young woman named Anna, who is characterized as a speed freak struggling to find a place in the world that she can call home. The lyrics describe Anna in a natural pose, which is the hardest pose to hold, but she holds it anyway, likely as a representation of her endurance and resilience in her difficult circumstances. Anna's choice of clothing, wearing her brothers' clothes, suggests a rejection of traditional femininity and gender norms. She has been thrown from her home and has nowhere to go, but still marches on towards an uncertain future.
The repeated phrase "Anna is a speed freak" serves to emphasize her longing to fulfill her desires and feel complete, even if it means engaging in risky behavior. The line "she thinks life's a trick until she slips" speaks to the disillusionment and disappointment she feels towards life. Despite this, Anna continues to ride the wave, describing the moments where she feels okay and finds a sense of belonging within her surroundings.
The chorus is a cry of desperation, with the singer admitting that it's "pretty dumb" but asking Anna to hold them for a while. The repetition of Anna's name throughout the song reinforces the idea that she is the central focus, and that her experiences and struggles are relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
Anna is in a natural pose
Anna appears to be naturally comfortable in her own skin and with her surroundings
hardest one to hold
However, this sense of comfort and belonging is fleeting and difficult to maintain
but she holds like she's told
Despite this difficulty, Anna perseveres and tries to maintain her composure and sense of self as best she can
Anna wears her brothers clothes
Anna does not conform to gender norms and instead chooses to express herself through her fashion choices
she's been thrown from home
Anna has experienced rejection or abandonment from her family or home environment
got no where to go
As a result, Anna is facing a sense of displacement and uncertainty in her life
but she goes
Nevertheless, Anna keeps moving forward and trying to find her way in the world
Anna is a speed freak
Anna enjoys the rush of adrenaline that comes from engaging in exhilarating or dangerous behaviors
she loves to be what she needs
She uses these behaviors as a way to cope with or escape from her problems and emotions
she opens up her arms
Anna is seeking connection and intimacy with others, even if it means taking risks or making herself vulnerable
just to feel complete
She feels a sense of emptiness or incomplete-ness in her life, and is constantly searching for something to fill that void
Anna thinks life's a trick
Anna feels that life is inherently deceptive or unfair
until she slips
Anna faces moments of disillusionment or disappointment that challenge her belief in the world
she rides the wave
Even when things feel difficult or out of control, Anna keeps moving forward with a sense of perseverance or resilience
feels okay
Despite the challenges she faces, Anna is able to find moments of peace or contentment within herself
not a communist
Anna does not conform to any particular ideology or set of beliefs
she's like the rest
In some ways, Anna is just like any other person trying to navigate the complexities of life
she's failed the test
Anna feels like she has fallen short or not lived up to expectations in certain areas of her life
it's what she says
Anna may express these feelings of disappointment or frustration to others
Well I guess it's pretty dumb
The artist acknowledges that what they are about to say might not make sense or seem logical
But I'm not the only one
However, they also recognize that they are not alone in their experiences or emotions
Stand close to me right now
The artist seeks comfort or support from someone else in this moment
Please hold me for a while
They specifically request physical touch as a way of finding solace or reassurance
Stands in a natural pose
The repetition of this line suggests that Anna's sense of comfort in her own skin is something that is admirable or enviable
It's the hardest, It's the hardest one to hold
However, this sense of comfort is also something that is fragile and difficult to maintain
and she holds
Anna is still doing her best to maintain her sense of self even when it is challenging
Writer(s): TODD JOHN SIMKO, JORDY BIRCH
Contributed by Tristan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.