On her captivating, debut EP, TIAAN takes the adventurous spirit of Timbaland-era Aaliyah, the classy soul of Sade, and the futuristic feel of Jessie Ware, and blends them in to a beguiling hybrid of seductive pop. On Dive Deep, she details an obsessive love in a dream-like state, drawing the listener in with carefully-crafted, alliterative lyrics and a distinctive, hypnotic phrasing that reveals her innate understanding of melody. The late-night set, Walking On Water, is a spine-tingling ode to sexual attraction, a between-the-sheets, trip hop groove that is as hauntingly beautiful as it is erotic. Be Ok, meanwhile, is a gorgeous, guitar-accompanied, dubstep-inflected rallying cry to the lost and lonely, a shimmering survival anthem for the electronic era. The daughter of Chicago-born bassist Doug Williams and a music-mad mother who played her Santana, Sade and Ruby Turner, TIAAN started singing on car journeys with her dad and, by her early teens, had been bitten by the performing bug. At school, she was always asked to sing – the first time, she wore a shiny, multi-coloured wig of her mother’s and performed an Ashanti number. She jumped straight from school in to her dad’s band, spending six years touring Australia and abroad, learning to write, and discovering the effect her voice has on an audience.
“I couldn’t have had a better teacher than my father,” says TIAAN. “He’s been around so many great musicians. Ray Charles taught him how to play left-handed swing bass. He opened for Stevie Wonder, Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown and Smokey Robinson. Touring with him was wonderful, but I had to branch out on my own.”
There was a development deal with a major label that tried to push TIAAN into pop territory. She sang the theme song for Australia’s Next Top Model and discovered what she didn’t want to do.
“Being on stage with nearly naked, oiled-up boys dancing next to me in heels and spandex,” she laughs. “It was a cheesy pop song that I was sent to sing, but it taught me a valuable lesson – only make music you love.”
Meeting Arnthor Birgisson, now her executive producer, was the key to TIAAN finding her sound. The pair’s first sessions took place at a writing camp in Bali two years ago, at which they gelled so well TIAAN moved first to Sweden to write and record with the producer’s Aristotracks team, then to L.A., where she is now based.
It was in L.A., during a co-writing session with Gary Clark (formerly of Danny Wilson), that TIAAN stumbled on the sexy sound that defines her EP.
“We did one song that set a fire off in everyone,” she recalls. “It was low and sensual, minimal and bassy, dark and incredibly sexy. I went a lot deeper with the lyrics than I ever had before. From then on, it was easy to write music that we loved and that suited my voice.”
Dive Deep was co-written with Gary Clark in Stockholm a few months later. Walking On Water and Be Ok were both penned back in Bali on a sweaty guitar – the former with Athlete frontman Joel Pott, the latter with L.A. based artist Amie Miriello – and produced on the island by Aristotracks’ wunderkind Lukipop (Kim Cesarion).
“Lukipop was involved in all of the songs, whether producing or toplining,” says TIAAN. “He’s a genius – a kid with cool, fresh sounds with an old soul. Then Arnthor comes in with his epic touches. We’re the perfect team.”
Clean
Tiaan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let them tears fall
You are safe right here
In my arms
Let it wash away, we′ll make it clean, clean
All your wounds
There not healed, just cause you give it time
Time just blurs, faced out lines
What once was now is not, static in your heart
Sing a sad song
Who will count, who writes down, the hours going by
And even if it changes nothing, I wanna be there with you
Please don't fear it
Let them tears fall
You are safe right here
In my arms
Let it wash away, we′ll make it clean, clean
Let it wash away, we'll make it clean, clean
No one knows, windows down, see it in the far
Edges sharp, sandbed down, emotions in the dark
What once was now is not, static in your heart
Sing a sad song
Who will count, who writes down, the hours going by
And even if it changes nothing, I wanna be there with you
Please don't fear it
Let them tears fall
You are safe right here
In my arms
Let it wash away, we′ll make it clean, clean
Let it wash away, we′ll make it clean, clean
What's heavy in your chest
Don′t let it way you down
The taste in your mouth
I promise your not drowning
Your safe here in my arms
Please don't fear it
Let them tears fall
You are safe right here
Please don′t fear it
Let them tears fall
You are safe right here
In my arms
Let it wash away, we'll make it clean, clean
Let it wash away, we′ll make it clean, clean
Tiaan's song "Clean" is a heartfelt and emotional ballad that encourages the listener to confront their past traumas and let go of their pain. The song is about finding comfort in someone else's arms and allowing oneself to feel and process their emotions, including the pain that comes with it. The lyrics speak of the importance of letting tears fall and allowing them to wash away the wounds that have not yet healed. The singer reassures the listener that they are safe and that they will make it clean.
The lyrics portray the idea that time does not heal all wounds and that sometimes, we need someone else's help to let go of our pain. The chorus repeats the phrase "Please don't fear it, let the tears fall, you are safe right here in my arms," emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and emotional release. The bridge of the song touches on the abstract nature of emotions and how they can sometimes manifest in unexpected ways. The songwriting is simple but powerful, with a gentle melody that reinforces the idea of safety and comfort.
Overall, "Clean" is an emotional and touching song that speaks to the human need for emotional intimacy and support. It encourages the listener to embrace their emotions and seek comfort in others when they need it the most.
Line by Line Meaning
Please don't fear it
Don't be afraid of letting out your emotions
Let them tears fall
It's okay to cry
You are safe right here
You are in a safe place with me
In my arms
I am here to comfort you
Let it wash away, we'll make it clean, clean
Together, we will work through your pain
All your wounds
All of the emotional pain you are feeling
There not healed, just cause you give it time
Time alone cannot heal your emotional wounds
Time just blurs, faced out lines
Time can make it difficult to remember certain details or incidents
Pictures in your mind
Memories of past events that continue to affect you
What once was now is not, static in your heart
What used to be a happy memory is now a source of pain
Sing a sad song
Express your feelings through music
Who will count, who writes down, the hours going by
The passing of time can feel insignificant and pointless
And even if it changes nothing, I wanna be there with you
I want to support you no matter what the outcome may be
No one knows, windows down, see it in the far
You may feel like nobody understands your pain even if it is visible to others
Edges sharp, sandbed down, emotions in the dark
Your emotions can be intense and overwhelming
What's heavy in your chest
The weight of your emotional burden
Don′t let it way you down
Don't allow your emotions to drag you down
The taste in your mouth
The feeling of sadness that lingers even after you cry
I promise your not drowning
You are not alone in your pain
Please don't fear it
Don't be afraid to face your emotions head on
Let them tears fall
Crying can be a way of releasing your pain
You are safe right here
You can trust me to be here for you
Let it wash away, we'll make it clean, clean
Together we can work towards healing your pain
Contributed by Levi W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MuzicLuvr20
this song deserves wayyy more views and attention. such an amazing song!❤
@786CelestialGardens
This song is perfect for anyone going through a break up or any sort of sadness in their lives.
@vaishu9929
she needs way more views luv this song
@beingpositive4545
voice of yours melts ice waiting for more songs from you...cold song..
@cyvaldez9528
Between this one and Devil's Touch and Clean; the girl is on repeat play all night long. I go to bed with this on!! Beautiful vocals... real voice! Beautiful
@HarshLoomba
she has an amazing voice and lyrics!
@StingaT1music
Feeling this track , Beautiful music right here.
@TheDayveion
Missed this song. 2018 says hello.
@Beautifulday1284
I am obsessed with this song! Great work my dear
@tawandaJerry
This song slaps different