Counting Crows: Anna Begins (Best Version)

My favorite version of Anna Begins...perfect live performance in every way from the mix, piano, guitar and vocals...love the tempo and emotion in Adam's voice.

[@mobunagathevoiceofresistan801]

As a young black man growing up different in the south, Counting Crows and Ben Folds five sang the soundtrack of my life. I picked this album up right after Naval Boot camp. I played it daily after taking my AIT classes. Many nights I cried and these guys gave me comfort. After my divorce many years later, this song, and this song alone helped me deal with the pain and brought me peace. I dunno if they ever read these comments, but you guys stopped me from ending myself several times

[@Kingx90]

Glad you’re still with us shipmate. 💛 Hope all is well.

[@ViolentKisses87]

Beautiful comment and thank you for your service.

[@ontodaysagenda8962]

As a black woman, I understand; the Counting Crows has helped me, too. Glad you're still here.

[@tysparks598]

You're not alone, & glad you're still here, bro

[@richalbee6360]

You are loved my Brother, we are all in this crazy ride together!

[@retrocrazycousins6613]

100% the best version

[@apfuchs]

I think it's safe to say we've all met our Anna. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. Unfortunately, my Anna fell into the latter category, but she will still always be my Anna. And if you haven't met your Anna yet, when you do, love her. ❤

[@amythaa]

This song.. specifically this version. Is plain perfection... this band has gotten me through so much. Adam... there are no words to express my love for your poetry. Thank you so much for sharing this song!

[@blehman18066]

Absolutely!! Simply PERFECT!

[@michaelcannon4830]

Agreed one of my top 10 of all time….

[@AngieMatarrita]

Para mí significa todo ❤❤ el primer amore de mi vida, aprendí que es hablar INGLÉS Y MAS IMPORTANTE ENTERNERTE AMORE

[@Fighterjetpinups]

I met someone on a coconut island. I wasn't ready. 6 years later thankfully she is lying next to me reading while I enjoy the Counting Crows.

[@whyzup6593]

This song changed my perspective and behaviourisms, nuances sort of, of those closest to me in my life. I apologize to those who tried to get to know me before I met this song.

[@sonofaseawarrior]

This version is 🔥 That sweet intro 😘

[@mobunagathevoiceofresistan801]

The first song on a long road trip away from the last place you ever wanted to leave

[@shimicruz8759]

This version is precious really

[@MrCodykrogh]

"Kindness falls like rain".. such a great song, great album, great band. Been in love with these guys since I was 10

[@strawberryskittle]

You can tell it's gonna be great just by the bass and piano in the beginning. ❤❤❤❤

[@tysparks598]

I love this song, so emotional & so full of the kind of doubt & angst of love moving into serious territory, one of my favs

[@Parveen2182]

Totally

[@zeealo]

So much emotion in this version. Very raw and definitely my favourite.

[@dirrty3]

I agree. This is also for me the best version of the song, the simplicity of the instruments and the accents of emotion in Adam's voice take this wonderful song up some levels. Hear the trembling in his voice and if you've been following the CD, this is the song where all instruments come to the stage together. Greatest

[@nandoferx7120]

4 me, this version is THE version that always should have been... Emotionally epic.

[@kellesm-2]

Nandofer Olmos omg agreed 1000%❤🎵

[@killerwestwolfgaming353]

This song holds so many meanings for me personally my hearts ballot.

[@JasonSum1979]

this two disc live set is so amazing! thx for sharing it hopefully more people discover this album (Its a live album that nobody seems to talk about which is tragic

[@jessestael7169]

I think storytellers is bar none one of the best live albums by any band ever...

[@bretwilson8485]

I love that no matter how they rearrange their songs, they always sound amazing. Very Dylan-esque.

[@AnnaLVajda]

Well he says he wants to be Bob Dylan in Mr. Jones so maybe he was influenced by that. Dylan has a daughter named Anna too.

[@timothysutton2222]

Awesome music stripped to the core

[@SuperMaxryder]

Every Time She Sneezes...I Know I'm in Love!

[@Parveen2182]

This song comes back to me on difficult times and makes me happy😊 thankful for this Band

[@ericsson123abc]

'Thank You' '4' this 'Beautiful' 'Music' 'Lyrics' 'I LOVE' 'You Adam' 'Your Darling and Queen'. XXX

[@17greendragon]

THIS ANNA LOVES THE COUNTING CROWS

[@annamccarty911]

Anna Dunham me too!! ❤

[@paulmaher3927]

Hello FROM ireland LOVE THE BAND AND SONG

[@rozenaxsax5133]

46 totally tone deaf and musically ignorant people gave this incredible version of this song a thumbs down.

[@tf4606]

Make that 47.

[@seankelly6200]

Go ahead and change it! Keep experimenting! I love the variations on themes. It's the story that keeps getting told differently, and that's so valuable. It's your story, tell us the facets. Keep us growing, that's the art baby.

[@seankelly6200]

No, I wrote that last comment before listening to the whole track. Now I'm certain it's best, and even more motivational, for bands to explore the content of what they publish. Counting Crows is actually awesome at exploring it. And this is an improvement as much as a retrospect. Keep it evolving y'all. I'm inspired.

[@ReptileFrankReynolds]

I love this fucking song whichever version but this one is seriously epic!!

[@BadJoyBombshell]

My favorite version of this song...

[@BarelyEinstein]

I would give anything for it to be forever 97.

[@amythaa]

@@BarelyEinsteinugh same 😩

[@pacomoixa]

This is beautiful.

[@aarononeal2411]

Ahhh....so much love for this song and the band.

[@Alex_Off-Beat]

I love this song so much. The 2007 Town Hall version is my favorite but this one is a very close second.

[@bunt1691]

What I've always about the Counting Crows is they took gigantic chances on songs. Didn't matter if it was a hit or a "b" side. They were going to experiment. That is love for music, not dollars.

[@loucat2779]

Damn, thank you so much my Bullet Proof Soul. This is the perfect version. Adam always brings it. 60 yr old punker, but Adam Somehow works.

[@alexnewman2760]

Love it. For me best version

[@larshansen2340]

Great. Big love for this version,

[@claudinhakasclau8617]

Passei a manhã com esse som na mente então vim escutar ela no KZbin. Não conhecia essa versão, gostei muito.

[@scottbaer7698]

Wow! That's a good version of a really good song. Perfection.

[@julietmadden197]

i can appreciate that this version may have more of his internal dialog and meaning/ feelings behind the song. But my POV the recorded version is more polished and really reaches across listener groups much better.

[@thomascaruso2793]

NO no no. It doesn’t. From someone who lived Ana begins.

[@richardbarth918]

The album version is good but broad. This version is like reading someones diary. It is raw and emotional. I like both but this version is just beautiful.

[@wahnfriedvonmannteufel1574]

...and every word is nonsense but i understánd...

[@11Skylight]

Pure perfection

[@MychaelHelmz]

I'm Not Ready For This Kinda Thing......

[@wellingtoncosta3978]

Essa música corta meu coração!!!!!!!

[@Nimzo6]

i think the album version is executed beautifully. this sounds like him retelling it in a different way, but it doesn't compare as Joe said

[@coopermccormick]

Agree. When he does these versions where he is talking more than singing, I think it strips away the emotion. The Anna Begins from MTV Most Wanted (or something like that) is the only other version I like as much as the original. It's a more melancholy version.

[@maxryder995]

She's Worthy!"

[@loucat2779]

Different? We're all different . let's get over that shit. First off, thank you for defending this great country's honor. You are MY HERO! Seriously, thank you for your dedication. I got you my new friend, what you got to say to me?

[@charliemayne2981]

Anna Begins (Reprise)

[@user-zx1ir7jt4c]

Wish Adam still sounded like this...

[@Kingx90]

What does he sound like now?

[@chelseabuonaguidi6830]

But we’re always changing...

[@johntucker7346]

Love this version..good emotion

[@youdontknowjack546]

I am Not Worried .. I am not Overly Concerned ....... !

[@BahamutEternal]

Is there any live version where he actually holds the note when he belts out “it’s moving me along”

[@GemineyeStarr311]

That's good...I prefer the acoustic version myself! But there's another more raw bare bones version that makes you feel it in the gut!!!!🧐😉

[@hunterswine]

💕

[@davidjonburke2729]

Wow sounds like the band Brad!

[@pomskylifenova7344]

Cool

[@joelschama7495]

I much prefer the Live from Town Hall version that probably came out after this. You should check it out.

[@lauraqueenofcalifornia8965]

Oh my heart

[@jasonpashley7822]

its about than Girl Friend Jeniffier Anniston, numbing version

[@S5King7]

I like the music to this version better, but I like the pacing and tempo of the original vocals better.

[@jawspating]

I guess they never play the same song the same way. Its always a different arrangement, or its just the way Adam sings.

[@chelseabuonaguidi6830]

But we’re always changing..

[@sirris4330]

I love this song. Truly love it. But this is not the best version.

[@Anniebethjack]

CALM DOWN, ERICSSON. YOU'RE GETTING ON MY NERVES.

[@spicynomad]

once again im lost to the lyrics. i just love the band and dont really read the lyrics.

[@davidscott1626]

I guess I am different. I prefer the song the way it was originally done with the same melody in his lyrics. That is when I became a fan. August and Everything After is beautiful music, why change it? If the live versions are so much better then why didn't he write the notes that way originally? But it's good, just that the notes don't flow the way they should.

[@2727taterbug]

Across a Wire was a more personal take on all the songs from their first 2 albums. Considering how "personal" all Adams songs are, its VERY appropriate that we get a live, personal interpretation of these songs. I agree with you though, I usually DETEST live albums like this. This is the only one from any band that I ever enjoyed. But of all the songs on this live album, I disliked Anna Begins live version the most. It is my favorite song from August and everything After.

[@trevorhanhilammi3958]

Why go to a concert then if you can just listen to the perfect versions on the album at home?

[@jmichtate]

Sometimes the live version adds a new twist to a high-quality studio version. For example, Layla live is a completely different experience than the Derek and the Dominos hit. REM scored big with Drive performed live. Even Joe Jackson changed Stepping Out for his live album, and the slower live version is outstanding. this version of Anna Begins is same music and same tempo, just Adam almost impersonating Adam. I've seen the CCs live, and loved every second of it, but trying to beat the studio versions of August is very difficult.

[@Lowderpoop]

@Trevor Hanhilammi This is exactly why I love seeing them live. I just saw them a couple of nights ago with Matchbox Twenty. One of my friends was complaining that he can't sing to the CC songs because of how Adam changes the rhythm & melody during live performances. I personally love that and it makes the concerts more interesting. Matchbox Twenty was entertaining as well, but every song sound EXACTLY like the radio version.

[@strawberryskittle]

David Scott i totally get where you're coming from. This is always how Adam has been. Sometimes it changes the song too much where it's a bit unrecognizable. This is just about how he sang it at Woodstock in '99 which i loved. I guess it just depends on how you like it. I'm a big fan from way back so...i love it all but i used to HATE how he changed things. Now... it's just so him i have to love it.

[@jodi777yadu]

best version? not sure about that,prefer the album version as it's sung more softly, a gentle approach is, I feel, more appropriate in those make or break relationship situations, that is if you want them to be an ongoing thing..

[@iloveusomuchkaroline.forev7440]

Neh. Orig is my preference. Can’t mess with perfection

[@CommonSenseCriticism]

Ya, I prefer the album version.

[@Zombie_Strings]

Not the best acoustic version...type in Anna begins acoustic and choose video that has plain black thumbnail...God Bless

[@crazylikeafox7341]

I love there first 2 studio albums and hate when he changes the phrasing of the lyrics.

[@thomastoal2892]

Stfu

[@SoloShelby]

Fear Jesus

[@elmoblatch9787]

Adam's incessant vocal improvisation is extremely annoying and I love his voice. Thing is...the vocal line is, in fact, the melody. If you are so radically fast and loose with the melody-you are disrespecting the song and the listeners.

[@BulletProofSoul1029]

How can someone "disrespect" a musical piece they created? It's not like Adam is reinterpreting another artist's song. It is HIS art, based off HIS experiences, and if that's the way Adam wishes to express it, well that's HIS right. Personal taste of the listener does not entitle them to skin in the game. The disrespect is thinking the artist somehow has to tailor their art to someone else's expectations. It's not a collaboration with the listener, and there will always be critics.

[@ruairicarroll3539]

It's not the best version , the original was

[@BulletProofSoul1029]

You're definitely entitled to your opinion...as wrong at it may be.🤷🏾

[@adamc4576]

The Paste version is better than this.

[@adamc4576]

Even the original is better tbh. Poor title.