They are signed to the Wichita Recordings label, and have currently released 5 albums through this imprint - 'The Cribs' (2004), 'The New Fellas' (2005), 'Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever' (2007), 'Ignore The Ignorant' (2009), and 'In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull' (2012).
Despite starting off as an underground band, The Cribs have experienced commercial success with 'Mens Needs, Womens Needs, Whatever' charting at #13 in the UK album charts, and 'Ignore The Ignorant' achieving the band their first Top Ten album, charting at #8. They also have 7 top 40 hit singles to their name, the most successful of which being 'Men's Needs' (#17). In 2008, Q magazine described The Cribs as "The biggest cult band in the UK".
The Chi-Town Songfacts says that The Cribs' fifth studio album, In the Belly of the Brazen Bull, was recorded at London's Abbey Road and Chicago's EAR studio with famed lo-fi rock engineer Steve Albini and Tarbox Road studio in New York with David Fridmann (Mercury Rev, The Flaming Lips).
After some hard times during which they were (according to an interview in DIY Magazine) "nearly losing the rights to their entire back catalogue, and coming close to calling time on the group entirely," in 2020 they released the album "Night Network."
Anna
The Cribs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why I'm here, sitting with all of the queen's men?
Is it awkward? or are they friends?
I've seen some of these faces before
I'm sure
And I was only asking for what I knew was mine
And I was only asking for what I knew was mine
But I would always ask for
Anna, I know you worry
Whatever you think I'm doing om a night
You're probably right
Well either way
I'm left kicking the sides of the stall
The stall, oh
And I was only asking for what I knew was mine
And I was only asking for what I knew was mine
But I could never ask for love 'cause that's not right
But I would always ask for her
I'm not yet who I wanna be
So help me to change, oh
In a way, I'm not yet who I wanna be
So help me to change, oh
The Cribs's song Anna could be interpreted as a conversation between two lovers, where the singer is addressing Anna, the subject of the song. The lyrics suggest that the singer is in the presence of the queen's men, and wonders if it's an awkward situation or if they're friends. It's clear that the singer is feeling out of place and disconnected from their surroundings. He then goes on to say that he was only asking for what he knew was rightfully his, but he could never ask for love because it's not something that he's allowed to ask for or have control over. The singer then turns to Anna, assuring her that whatever she thinks he's doing at night, she's probably right.
As the song progresses, the singer admits that he's not yet who he wants to be, and asks Anna for her help to change. The lyrics suggest that there's a sense of uncertainty and confusion surrounding the singer's identity and desires. The tone of the song is introspective and vulnerable, with the singer admitting their flaws and vulnerabilities.
Overall, The Cribs's song Anna tackles themes of identity, love, and self-improvement. It's a personal and reflective song that invites the listener to contemplate their own sense of self.
Line by Line Meaning
Anna, do you ever wonder
The singer is directing a question to Anna, asking if she ever thinks about why he is present with royalty.
Why I'm here, sitting with all of the queen's men?
The singer is questioning why he is present with the queen's men, asking if it is an uncomfortable situation or if they are friends.
Is it awkward? or are they friends?
The singer is asking if the gathering is uncomfortable or it's just friendly.
I've seen some of these faces before
The artist recognizes some familiar faces in the venue.
I'm sure
The artist confirms his recognition of the familiar faces.
And I was only asking for what I knew was mine
The singer was only requesting for what he rightfully deserved.
But I could never ask for love 'cause that's not right
The singer acknowledges that it's not appropriate to ask for love.
But I would always ask for
The artist would request for something else.
Anna, I know you worry
The artist tells Anna that he is aware of her anxiety towards him.
Whatever you think I'm doing on a night
Anna is concerned about the artist's activities on a night.
You're probably right
The singer admits that Anna could be right about her assumptions.
Well either way
Regardless of what's happening, the artist is left to his own devices.
I'm left kicking the sides of the stall
The singer is powerless in his current situation.
The stall, oh
The singer is emphasizing his confinement.
I'm not yet who I wanna be
The singer is not yet his desired self.
So help me to change, oh
The artist is requesting help in transforming himself.
In a way, I'm not yet who I wanna be
The artist reiterates that he is not his desired self in some aspect.
So help me to change, oh
The singer is still requesting help in transforming himself.
Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marie Jesne
Can't believe this was 8 years ago. I was on Amtrak from NYC to Boston and I had this album loaded onto my iPod touch, it was my first time in NYC and I was still quite naive. The line "I'm not yet who I wanna be" resonated with me and I love the slight anger and frustration I can feel in the song. A combination of disappointment in myself to not living up to my own expectations and a hope that I can eventually get better.
Motherbess
“I’m not yet who I wanna be so help me to change “ my life in a lyric
Jacob Benfield
Over 40,000 views in one day, the jarmans deserve it.
Andyca2011
Sounds good!!
Leksaa
Finally a song for me! ~Anna
مزيون قطر
Adororock
steven fagan
Cribs forever!
Hadley Rutherford
No one picking up Anna is short for anorexia, just a thought Long live the Cribs!!!
mattyfizzle
They made a music video out of a slideshow screen saver.
Vahagn Nikoghosian
Good music