Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
There was a girl named Annie
She had a very pretty face
And not the way you would think so
Let me see if I can try to explain it
She had a smile, it could light up a room
And if she moved, it'd be movin' in you
But she wasn't like a magazine
She was just plain Jane and her name was Annie
She never looked in the mirror
She never liked what she would see
And even if I tried to tell her
She never listened to a word I'd say
She always wanted what she never had
But never had what she needed so badly
Someone tellin' her she was fine
And that's not right and it's why I'm sayin'
Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, don't just lie there
Looks don't make the world go 'round
But it comes around
And Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, please don't cry here
I always have to stop myself
'Cause you're beautiful
I didn't know if I could tell her
I didn't know if I could make her see
She didn't need to find her beauty
She didn't need to find a way to show me
They took her moments of feelin' alive
And made them moments of dyin' inside
She needed someone to scream her name
To take her pain and it's why I screamin'
Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, don't just lie there
Looks don't make the world go 'round
But it comes around
And Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, please don't cry here
I always have to stop myself
'Cause you're beautiful
And Annie, you are the one sight
My eyes never tire of
It's like I cannot get enough of you
Annie, you are the one song left in my symphony
Like you were made for me
Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, don't just lie there
Looks don't make the world go 'round
But it comes around
And Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, please don't cry here
I always have to stop myself
'Cause you're beautiful
And Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, don't just lie there
Looks don't make the world go 'round
But it comes around
And Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, please don't cry here
I always have to stop myself
Have to stop myself, have to stop myself
'Cause you're beautiful
'Cause you're beautiful
'Cause you're beautiful
There was a girl named Annie
She had a very pretty face
She had a very pretty face
And not the way you would think so
Let me see if I can try to explain it
She had a smile, it could light up a room
And if she moved, it'd be movin' in you
But she wasn't like a magazine
She was just plain Jane and her name was Annie
She never looked in the mirror
She never liked what she would see
And even if I tried to tell her
She never listened to a word I'd say
She always wanted what she never had
But never had what she needed so badly
Someone tellin' her she was fine
And that's not right and it's why I'm sayin'
Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, don't just lie there
Looks don't make the world go 'round
But it comes around
And Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, please don't cry here
I always have to stop myself
'Cause you're beautiful
I didn't know if I could tell her
I didn't know if I could make her see
She didn't need to find her beauty
She didn't need to find a way to show me
They took her moments of feelin' alive
And made them moments of dyin' inside
She needed someone to scream her name
To take her pain and it's why I screamin'
Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, don't just lie there
Looks don't make the world go 'round
But it comes around
And Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, please don't cry here
I always have to stop myself
'Cause you're beautiful
And Annie, you are the one sight
My eyes never tire of
It's like I cannot get enough of you
Annie, you are the one song left in my symphony
Like you were made for me
Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, don't just lie there
Looks don't make the world go 'round
But it comes around
And Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, please don't cry here
I always have to stop myself
'Cause you're beautiful
And Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, don't just lie there
Looks don't make the world go 'round
But it comes around
And Annie, don't be shy here
Annie, please don't cry here
I always have to stop myself
Have to stop myself, have to stop myself
'Cause you're beautiful
'Cause you're beautiful
'Cause you're beautiful
There was a girl named Annie
She had a very pretty face
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More Featured Meanings
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
I think you are all going in the right direction with this.
But I disagree.
I believe that the girl in this song is ugly. Flat out ugly. Even the singer sees it, but his point is that he doesn't care that she isn't attractive. He is trying to tell her that she doesn't need sparkling beauty to be with him. He thinks she is beautiful as she is.
He says, "She didn't need to find her beauty, she didn't need to find a way to show me." In plain words, he is saying, "Honey, you don't need to be pretty to impress me.
He also states, "She had a very pretty face, but not the way you would think so." This, obviously, states that she is not pretty the way YOU would think so. But to him, she is a treasure. A real piece of art.
What angers the singer the most is that people deliberately point it out to put her down. He says, and you can tell it hurts him by the tone of his voice, "They took her moments of feeling alive, and made them moments of dying inside." He hates that people would try to put her down for not being attractive. He sees her as the "one song left in his symphony" no matter how beautiful she is.
True... But also, not true. Think about it like this:<br /> <br /> He loves her for who she is. So he thinks she is beautiful. I don't believe that "Annie" is ugly. But maybe, to others, she's not as beautiful as the movie stars and the magazine covers. But he still thinks she is beautiful... Like, there's not a doubt in his mind that says she is ugly. But others think that she is... As for the "you don't need to find a way to show me" I think that means that she doesn't need to wear makeup and tight clothes around him... Because, like mentioned before, he thinks she is beautiful even if others might not.