Anna
i.am.orange Lyrics
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All wrapping six-foot rope
Around their tired throats
And never growing old
Still trying to stay afloat
Anna Lee
You never said to me
Nothing can bring you back
You love your fucked up friends
Even more 'cause they don't pretend
To have it figured out
You kiss the cold wet ground
You're honesty scares me to death
Anna Lee
You never said to me
That you felt that way
Nothing can bring you back
I didn't mean to leave you here
But that was years ago and
Nothing can bring you back
Anna Lee
You never said to me
That you felt that way
Nothing can bring you back
Anna Lee (I never meant leave you)
You never said to me (But that was years ago and)
That you felt that way
Nothing can bring you back
Anna Lee
The lyrics to i.am.orange's song "Anna" are a testament to the weight that mental illness can have on a person's life. The first lines express a sense of hopelessness and fatigue - the singer knows too many people who are struggling with their own thoughts and emotions, and the weight of it all feels crushing. The second verse introduces "Anna Lee" as a character who was perhaps feeling much the same way, but who tragically could not find a way to stay alive.
Despite the fact that Anna, like everyone else, was "trying to stay afloat," she ultimately succumbed to her darkest impulses, represented here by the image of "kissing the cold wet ground." The singer is moved by Anna's brutal honesty in admitting to her struggles, but feels helpless in the face of her deep pain. The refrain of the song repeats the sentiment that nothing can bring her back - Anna is gone, and the people who loved her are left to try to make sense of it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone I know
The singer knows people who are struggling.
All wrapping six-foot rope
These people may be contemplating or attempting suicide.
Around their tired throats
The people are exhausted and worn down.
And never growing old
They can't escape their struggles and may never see a future for themselves.
Still trying to stay afloat
Despite their struggles, these people are still trying to survive.
Anna Lee
The singer addresses an individual named Anna Lee.
You never said to me
The singer didn't know the extent of Anna Lee's struggles or pain.
That you felt that way
Anna Lee was suffering, but didn't confide in the artist.
Nothing can bring you back
Anna Lee is gone and no longer able to be helped or saved.
You love your fucked up friends
Anna Lee cared deeply for her troubled friends.
Even more 'cause they don't pretend
Anna Lee appreciated that her friends were honest about their problems.
To have it figured out
None of Anna Lee's friends had all the answers.
You kiss the cold wet ground
Anna Lee accepted her own pain and reality.
You're honesty scares me to death
Anna Lee's honesty and openness about pain and struggles is intimidating.
I didn't mean to leave you here
The singer feels guilty for not helping Anna Lee more.
But that was years ago and
The artist acknowledges that the past can't be changed.
Nothing can bring you back
Anna Lee is gone and nothing can undo that fact.
Anna Lee (I never meant leave you)
The singer addresses Anna Lee specifically.
You never said to me (But that was years ago and)
Anna Lee didn't confide in the singer and the situation is in the past.
That you felt that way
Anna Lee was suffering in ways that were unknown to the artist.
Nothing can bring you back
Anna Lee is gone and nothing can undo that fact.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Brandon Swanson, Brett Romnes, Vincent Caruana
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind