After self-releasing her first three records and gaining popularity in New York City's independent music scenes, particularly the anti-folk scene centered on New York City's East Village, Spektor signed with Sire Records in 2004 and began achieving greater mainstream recognition. After giving her third album a major label re-release, Sire released Spektor's fourth album, Begin to Hope, which achieved a Gold certification by the RIAA. Her following two albums, Far and What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, each debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. 2016's Remember Us to Life peaked at 23 on the Billboard 200.
Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed June 11, 2019, Regina Spektor Day in New York City. Spektor was also inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame on May 18, 2019, by Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr.
Aquarius
Regina Spektor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the shadows
I only talk to you sometimes
And though I ask for help in riddles
It is
Clearer in my mind
Clearer in my mind
But in a month that's cold as ice
I know I question things too quickly
But I have never questioned if I've loved
Loved
Dear someone watching
From the shadows
I'm clenching water in my fists
The drops, they slip right through my fingers
But there's
Water on my lips
Water on my lips
Born of a sign that carries vessels
But in a month that brings just ice
I know I question things too quickly
But I've never wondered if I've loved
Dear someone watching
From the shadows
You've seen me lose all the water from my hands
I'm not a skillful water-carrier
But the raindrops
Keep falling on my head
Falling on my head
Born of a sign that carries water
But in a month that brings just ice
I'm not a skillful water-carrier
But I've
Learned to carry love
Learned to carry love
I'm not a skillful water-carrier
But I have learned to carry love, love
Love, love, love
Regina Spektor's song Aquarius is a poignant piece about self-discovery and perseverance. The song speaks to a mysterious figure listening and watching from the shadows, painting a picture of a person struggling with their emotions, yet finding strength in their ability to love. The singer acknowledges that they only talk to this person sometimes, but when they do, they ask for help in riddles and find that their thoughts become clearer. Despite being born under a sign that carries water, the singer is living through a month that is cold as ice. They are aware that they question things too quickly, but they have never questioned their ability to love.
The second verse shows the singer holding onto water in their fists, trying to find a way to carry it. However, the drops slip through their fingers, leaving water on their lips. They acknowledge their own lack of skill in carrying water, but the raindrops keep falling on their head. The chorus repeats the image of the singer being born under a sign that carries water, but now acknowledges that they have learned to carry love.
Overall, Aquarius is a song about learning to love oneself and finding a way to carry that love through difficult times. The shadowy figure represents someone who is supportive and helpful, offering clarity when things become muddled. The singer may not know who this person is, but they feel supported by their presence.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear someone listening
Acknowledging someone is listening to her
In the shadows
Referring to someone who is not visible
I only talk to you sometimes
Regina speaks only to that someone sometimes
And though I ask for help in riddles
Requesting help in the form of unclear or difficult questions
It is
Now she states
Clearer in my mind
She has clarity now
Born of a sign that carries vessels
Being born under the zodiac sign that signifies carrying vessels, water carriers or jars associated with Aquarius
But in a month that's cold as ice
Born in a month that is quite cold such as January/February
I know I question things too quickly
Regina may have a habit of questioning things too fast
But I have never questioned if I've loved
Regina has never questioned loving someone
Dear someone watching
Addressing someone who is watching her
I'm clenching water in my fists
She is desperately trying to find a grip on something like water, which is impossible to grasp
The drops, they slip right through my fingers
Regina cannot hold onto anything like water or things that slip away easily
But there's
Despite this
Water on my lips
She still has water touching her lips
Born of a sign that carries vessels
Zodiac sign Aquarius is labeled as the carrier of vessels that holds the water
But in a month that brings just ice
She was born in a month that has a cold winter season with less water and more ice
I know I question things too quickly
Regina feels she tends to question things too fast
But I've never wondered if I've loved
However, she was never doubtful about loving someone
You've seen me lose all the water from my hands
The person she is addressing has seen her struggling to hold on to something as slippery as water
I'm not a skillful water-carrier
She admits she is not skilled in carrying water
But the raindrops
However
Keep falling on my head
She is still getting wet from the rain
Born of a sign that carries water
Zodiac sign Aquarius is connected with flowing water
But in a month that brings just ice
She was born in a month with less water and more ice with a not so warm climate
I'm not a skillful water-carrier
Reiterating that she is not skilled in carrying water
But I've learned to carry love
Despite not being skillful in carrying water, she has become skilled in carrying love
Love, love, love
Love is one of the complicated things that we try to hold onto, which is similar to water, so repetition signifies its value
Contributed by Maria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@skyline0eyes
This song will never need to be taken into the studio, it's perfect as is. Bless whomever recorded it and bless those people clinking glasses.
@LadyFalcon17
ABSOLUTELY. Her voice is so raw and beautiful. This is perfection.
@kpacubo.
@@fallonohagan4239the piano too, i love how it's uncompressed, slipping in and out of the recording in an almost emotive way. perfect for the song
@ronmitchmusic6516
i don't think anyone captures the human experience more skillfully or artfully than Regina does..
@mwhatyousaidd
I agree 100%
@dineadams6768
RonMitchMusic Joni Mitchell 😉
@kennethsubrin4885
is there anything more Aquarian than that?
@laughingwolf330
A decade on and still this song is untouchable. As an Aquarius/Pisces/Aquarius this hits deep. Not like you have to be Aquarian though, the sentiment here is purely human ❤️💡
@lalahobbes
Regina- You may not be a skillful water carrier but you've carried me through some of my worst times. Thank you :)
@groovybananas27
I'm extremely into astrology and this is my favorite song by Regina Spektor. I hope she puts it in an album so it can be the most played song on my ipod