Counting Crows - Anna Begins with Lyrics

[@tngldupinblu]

This whole album just punches me in heart; even after 20 years. So good.

[@sadkidsaesthetic7253]

This was my dad's favorite album, I imagine this is what he felt when he listened to them. He died in 2015 and I just got into them last year. Its too late to ask, this comment just reminded me of what he may have felt ❤

[@tngldupinblu]

@@sadkidsaesthetic7253 Your have clearly inherited your dad's good taste. ❤️

[@DanielFranc35]

27

[@iamwoman1986]

Me too my dads fav also

[@troyburnett8470]

It is perfection. Much respect

[@robinownbey707]

This song is a lyrical masterpiece. Still makes my heart skip a beat after all these years. Damn Adam. I'm in awe of you.

[@scottbarbee4392]

I agree with you- i listen to this on repeat- and I have been since the album dropped- I have seen them twice-they are one of my favorite bands-true love=music

[@VolksdeutscheSS]

Absolutely.

[@TheLoribear79]

My favorite song as a 15 year old, I didn't get it then, but I get it now. This song is a transportation device to the 90s.

[@DanielFranc35]

👍🏾👍🏾

[@elizabethmassengale2033]

Good times

[@benargyrous99]

I was a 23 year old Australian living in London when I met Anna from Boulder Colorado. We had 5 glorious months together, including a perfect trip to Rome. She moved back to America and I to Australia. We never saw each other again. I still love that girl to this very day and this song brings my right back to how I felt the day she left. The pain and the poetry so wonderfully delivered. A masterpiece.

[@michelle_9999]

❤❤❤

[@Blahlalovely]

God that’s beautiful and heartbreaking. Gave me goosebumps. ❤

[@TrezTacos5280]

Ok

[@jorgeespinosa3179]

No song better articulates the confusion that is love than Anna Begins.

[@cathyreid1374]

What does this song mean? I have listened to it many times and I have some idea but just want verification I suppose.

[@ddn4718]

@@cathyreid1374 There is a real Anna - she's a girl from Australia that Duritz met on vacation in Greece in 1989, and she broke his heart. Duritz was far from famous at the time - he saved up money doing landscaping work to afford the trip. At the end of the trip, he and Anna agreed that there was no way for their relationship to continue, and they went their separate ways. "The characters keep saying 'I'm not ready for this sort of thing' until at the end when they find out what they really aren't ready for is the loss, but then it's too late," Duritz explained. Duritz says that while Anna is real, the song is really about him. Anna knows about the song and loves it. They remained friends.

[@briankissling7934]

@@cathyreid1374 Everyone interprets music differently... I've always thought its about being in a relationship with someone who's a little crazy & mentally unstable... But he loves her so much he cant leave her...

[@jellysmith4350]

@@briankissling7934 you'd be wrong then. The above is from an interview with Adam duritz...and I guess he knows...

[@briankissling7934]

@@jellysmith4350 No shittin. Thx alot John... I said that's what I've always thought the song was about. But thanks for Ur input... I'll come to U next time I have a thought...

[@BearTheGrudge]

This song is utterly gorgeous. A crown jewel in an already amazing album.

[@StepSoftlyGhost]

I hadn't heard this song in years, and after meeting a girl in Amsterdam in my teens and us getting along so well, then admitting to each other via letter afterwards that we'd fallen for each other, this song became an anthem. She moved back to Philadelphia and I came back to the UK. I'm almost 40 now, happily married, and it still chokes me up when I hear it. The lyrics are phenomenal.

[@SMCC81]

I agree about the lyrics

[@IronSikh44]

I’m posting now because I just listened to this song again the other day. So many feelings came rushing back. The future was so bright in the early 90’s. We all look back at those crossroads and wonder what could have been in an alternate universe. Wishing you well wherever you are.

[@gregorymullins8873]

This is a timeless classic, from a timeless album. Masterpiece.

[@davidfoss6148]

To be this consumed for me Is the norm.. to find others that can grasp this is obviously found in 99% of these posts so with that said thank all of you for showing me and this band we are not alone .. absolute perfection!!

[@ryankelly7957]

This song perfectly captures the deep, dark, longing, and sometimes confounding effect of love on your life, not to mention the regret you feel when losing the person who made you feel those same feelings in the first place. It's perfect and one of my favorite songs of all time.

[@DarthSinistris]

"Lead singer Adam Duritz wrote this song about denial. It's about when you're in a relationship with someone and you keep denying it's anything but a fling, then you wise up and realize that all along while you were denying it, you were growing closer together. Anna is a girl from Australia that Duritz met on vacation in Greece in 1989. Apparently they still talk and she is a fan of the song."

[@GoddessFourWinds]

I thought the song was self-explanatory. One of the best songs ever...personally. I'm in a group of people and we hang out on Discord. We were talking about favorite songs. That's why I'm here.

[@themacocko6311]

@@GoddessFourWinds I'm not sure about the Australian girl but this is self explanatory. Not sure what else your looking for.

[@GoddessFourWinds]

@@themacocko6311 I didn't know why this post was made. Like you said...and I said...it's self-explanatory.

[@btsdrummer1]

My favorite lineup of CC’s and my favorite song. Top notch musicianship and some of the best lyrics you’ll ever hear. Steve Bowman’s drumming on this album was a big influence on my playing.

[@jennifersmolinski5137]

I saved my concert virginity for Counting Crows...went to see them live on my 21st birthday. My favorite band of all time...best CD of all time.

[@TBCITU]

One of my absolute favourite songs. Timeless. Raw, honest and totally beautiful. I never tire of it. Love Counting Crows. This is a masterpiece.🙂🎵🎶🎼🎹🙂

[@accejj24]

When kindness falls like rain, every word is nonsense but I understand. This song for me has the most powerful lyrics, it is truly beautiful and creates a lump in my throat every time I listen to it.

[@davidfoss6148]

I was thinking about what to write about how I felt about this song and you have said it so completely perfect!!! Ditto and thank you my fellow human being

[@markfarrell5741]

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands of all time.....this song has special significance for me - and has for 20 years now.

[@cindicynceredalzell237]

Mark Farrell me too

[@Kyleeisugly]

Me too

[@jeanmariemoule3000]

Me TOO!

[@kirkruss655]

This is one of my all-time favorites to marky

[@Yateszzee]

IMO: One of the greatest songs ever written that hardly anyone knows about.....hidden on August and Everything After behind the massive hits Mr Jones and Round Here....

[@vedderclone]

mr jones is the worst song on the album too...it is good, but it is the worst song on the album

[@JeffSchall]

I've felt this same way since I first heard the album, way back at the end of 1993. This was my favorite song of that year. Whenever I would hear it, I would tear up at the end of the song. Amazing lyrics. Simply wonderful.

[@j.thomasmcalister4124]

This whole album was a work of art.

[@cmpsgirl78]

J. Thomas McAlister I agree seems like August and everything After speaks to me!♡

[@jamessylvester5269]

I tear up every time! My favorite song off this album! Simply beautiful!

[@russgarth782]

You try to tell yourself the things you try to tell yourself to make yourself forget , is probably one of the greatest lyrics ever

[@krishanpaul2]

every word is nonsense but i understand.

[@jamesbruhn3103]

One of the best songs from one of the best albums. This album helped me get thru a lot of depressive times. 2019 it still sends chills up my arms

[@patty109109]

I had this album when it came out. This song didn’t do it for me, but a decade on realized it’s one of the best on the album. Awesome!

[@FatNebraskaMom]

one of the best albums ever. ever.

[@s.scholl9472]

almost 30yrs later and me & my friends can play this great song over & over & over, along with time after time, Omaha, perfect blue buildings, raining in baltimore...ok well the whole album. It's up there on the Mt. Rushmore of albums for us.

[@ryanrandle1407]

Absolutely wore this CD out when it came out. Lost one, broke one, lent one out..kept buying it over and over. Continue to wear it out. Mt Rushmore..well said. Masterpiece.

[@caseygreene7205]

I have loved and dissected this song for years! Absolutely my fav! I played this for my husband on our first date, (kinda as a threat) but I think he finally GOT IT! Thank you CC!

[@ian-williamfountain6390]

Great song. It takes me back to an uncomfortable place but some how I feel comfortable listening to it.

[@vistaview1036]

It's cause you got through that uncomfortable time!!! Much love

[@josephdavis421]

I believe one of the best songs ever. Genius Rain Falls Down gets me every time. !!

[@Golfina19]

Growing up, most people I know loved Mr. Jones, but this one has always been my favorite in the whole album. So good!

[@HDSQ]

These lyrics are poetry

[@thokozani1630]

Being a black man living in south Africa...this is not the kind of music you want to listen to but this album literally saved my life . I was starring in the dark abyss far too long when I came across counting crows just goes to show how powerful music is

[@dustjunky2000]

The vocal pitch shift at 3:44 is still one of the most amazing moments of music I've ever heard. Used to repeat that part over and over as a teenager. So perfect and pure it gave me chills.

[@christineannphotos]

Do you mean a minute into the song or when there is about a minute remaining in the song?

[@Lucixir]

I'm almost 50 years old and I remember when this came out and seeing them live. This is still an amazing song after all these years, I like the part at 4:05 myself...

[@VeryMerryVintage]

Me too!! Even after all these years still my favorite.

[@Pepgerard17]

I've heard this album so many times over and over since I was on my teens and now I have it on my car on a cd stereo still creates the same chills since then!

[@archerpride]

I still have a CD of August and Everything After. I will always have one, digital files be damned. That whole album is painfully gorgeous. Beautiful poetry set to hauntingly beautiful music.

[@LOLRabbleRouser]

Do you know what this songs about?

[@archerpride]

@@LOLRabbleRouser Lead singer Adam Duritz wrote this song about denial. It's about when you're in a relationship with someone and you keep denying it's anything but a fling, then you wise up and realize that all along while you were denying it, you were growing closer together. There is a real Anna - she's a girl from Australia that Duritz met on vacation in Greece in 1989, and she broke his heart. Duritz was far from famous at the time - he saved up money doing landscaping work to afford the trip. At the end of the trip, he and Anna agreed that there was no way for their relationship to continue, and they went their separate ways. "The characters keep saying 'I'm not ready for this sort of thing' until at the end when they find out what they really aren't ready for is the loss, but then it's too late," Duritz explained. Adam says that they remained friends and occasionally spoke on the phone, even after Anna got married. She is a big fan of the song. Duritz says that while Anna is real, the song is really about him, and in this context she is a character. Adam Duritz often uses real - or slightly varied - names in the songs he writes. "Proper names matter to me, and so I use them," he said in our 2013 interview. "I think that comes across to other people, even if it's not the name they're thinking of. People ask me questions like that all the time, like, 'Who's Anna?' She's Anna. You don't know her. She's in Australia. But she's every girl you ever felt that way about, too." - from song facts

[@LOLRabbleRouser]

@@archerpride You are awesome, thank you for such a detailed explanation. Thank you 🙏🏾

[@markcooley3500]

This was my introduction to the brilliance of Adam's songwriting. Been a die hard fan ever since

[@MarkFreedmanNY]

The best Counting Crows song. And they have a lot of great (especially early) songs. This tops them all.

[@kimsokolich1746]

Mark Freedman I have to agree (closely followed by Sullivan St)

[@fofufa]

I agree.

[@kakeljo5512]

..these seconds when I'm shaking leave me shuddering for days..

[@TheUnclePunky]

I just love everything they ever did,but THIS song...this one is special

[@Wruthlessness]

same

[@ChuckRitt]

One of the greatest songs ever written...

[@richardharris5557]

"This isn't love, cause if you don't want to talk about it, then this isn't love". Wow, just wow

[@sevyrjayne6589]

Richard Harris kind of says it all doesn’t it, a chill runs up my spine every time I hear it!

[@melissamarcel4094]

I absolutely love this entire album!!! Always takes me to a memory of my roommate and I nursing heartache, feeling lost, empty, alone but we had had each other, high, drink in one hand and smoke in the other, relating to each other’s pain!

[@philh5292]

Amazing song. Fantastic lyrics and vocals - and Adam always puts in such an emotional performance of it live. You feel every emotion with his delivery and mannerisms. It's all the more poignant for me as it's the song that best describes the emotional turmoil I went through with a girl from university that I really liked, and got on with well, but never asked out. I really wasn't ready for that type of thing. And I really thought I had more time to get ready. I didn't. I still remember the last time I saw her, walking ahead of me after we'd chatted after class. I thought I'd be seeing her at least a few times more. I didn't. So my last memory of her is of watching her walking out of my life for good. Heartbreaking. I love this song. I love watching Adam perform it. But God, it brings it all back each time.

[@jessiegarmon4759]

This album saved my life. Thank you Adam!

[@beanvillen24]

One of the greatest albums of the 90’s!!!

[@2727taterbug]

That "in between" love stuff is an absolute killer. Best song (maybe only song) ive heard to explain it perfectly.

[@kathysutherland2388]

This song... Is one of the greatest songs ever written/performed. Absolute perfection (especially live)...

[@andrezimene]

I agree totally with you! I've been listenin to this album since 94 and it still has the same effect on me! flawless is the word

[@freddybayliss6959]

Anna begins to change her mind... Anna begins to change my mind. This song is one of the greatest ever written

[@annaadamson7427]

My name's Anna, I was born August 94' and I very much approve of this song. It's very special to me and describes perfectly this feeling I can't name.

[@distantmoons]

This song brings me pain and gives me joy, i'm on that simultaneous ride to remembering and forgetting. Hail a perfect song.I begin

[@susantarlton2729]

Im gonna listen to it again. I bought it on cassette when it was released. Still have it. Nothing to play it on. So yay for KZbin. Thank You.

[@KentuckyIrish]

I get up every morning and I will at some point in time Start to sing this song to myself It never fails, almost 20 years later

[@hardtoimaginable]

i've pretty much been a music dork since i could walk, and this song contains two lines that i personally consider to be among the best ever written..."every time she sneezes, i believe it's love..," and "every word is nonsense, but i understand." i wish i could write like that.

[@hbarber1107]

I wholeheartedly agree. They've actually been my favorite as well. I thought I was honestly the only person who "got" them!

[@barscotch]

Seconded and thirded. One of the best albums in the history of popular music.

[@JacksonPhixesPhones]

Fourthed and fifthed . . I'm with y'all! I've loved this song for years, specifically the lyrics. It's my favorite song on an overall great album. Those 2 lines are very subtle, yet intensely deep and heart-felt. Definitely hits ya right in the feels!! 🎶😂🎶

[@sirris4330]

Definitely. There's a few other fantastic lines in this song along but those are amazing. "Her kindness bangs a gong, It's moving me along, and Anna begins to fade away." Those words bring very powerful and specific memories. About women got very close to and wanted to fully love, but it just wasn't meant to be. It's my favorite song. And I didn't even know about it until a year or so ago. Such a shame.

[@goat2558]

Yes great lines but my favorite line is from Josh Ritter's song Getting Ready To Get Down. "when you get damned in the popular opinion it's just another damn of the damn's you're not giving"

[@sarahcox7101]

Favorite Album ever!!! Love this song so much that i named my daughter for it.. there's nothing in my life good or bad that this album has missed. It's always playing

[@bendeklerk238]

This songs words have always haunted me. I have not heard it for years, woke up tonight thinking about it. Now I know why...

[@annahcrist8568]

:)

[@Celesteparadise]

Totally agree with that assessment. Can't put it any better.

[@Cried2dreamagain]

Oh Lord, I’m not ready for this sort of thing... That’s such a profound line. Being so emotionally unstable, to be denying any sort of feelings in the relationship only until it’s too late.

[@johnconner7055]

Thanks for your beautiful insight this song always hit home to me I never really knew why thanks to you now I know

[@jinglekringlemiller4058]

December 1993. The beginning of the most beautiful time of my life. I can still see your face now. I remember seeing you in 1999. Across the bar from me - The Brown Hotel. You walked away before I could say hello - I never saw you again - I hope you had a happy life - I still hold you near and dear to my heart.

[@oldbuildings]

"You try to tell yourself the things you try to tell yourself to make yourself forget..." Never stops choking me up when I think "If it's love...we're going to have to think about the consequences. But she can't stop shaking and I can't stop touching her and this time..."

[@LEAHferever]

All of their songs are so deep, its great. Always gives me something to think about.

[@chrislindow6107]

Great lyrics a whole song without repeating lines as fillers. Just one more reason why I absolutely love the counting crowes

[@dalemaurer7857]

So much in this ... what an awsome band

[@paulzappala9430]

Not talked about much, and a huge reason this record is widely considered to be the band's best, is that besides Duritz's brilliant lyrical and vocal work, it's the only Counting Crows album with the band's original drummer, Steve Bowman. Bowman's swing here on "Anna Begins", drives it with such a confident, deep pocket groove that It was no doubt an inspiration for Duritz's vocal work. All the live versions of Anna with various other drummers, lack the soul and groove of this sudio version with Bowman in the drivers seat. I never understood why Duritz and comrades never procured a replacement drummer that could swing as well, to try and match the quality of the brilliant August and Everything After.

[@jah_moon]

As a drummer this album really helped shape my view of the instruments value but I didn't know the backstory. Thanks.

[@latinolawdog5067]

I’ve always thought this is what separated “August” from the rest of their work at large. Yes, Adam’s lyrical genius and cadence are legendary…you literally can’t hear a song that’s he written/sang and not know it’s him. But the drums on the album and especially Anna Begins are truly what makes this song legendary IMO. The gentle stops and starts of the measure in this song are what give it the “back and forth” feel and emotion of the topic he is singing about. He’s literally on the precipice of deciding whether he is in this thing long-term, and the drums just tell a perfect story.

[@gregfizer]

I agree studio was best. He vamps too much with all the vocals and it’s hard to follow. I did not recognize the song instrumentally on the live versions

[@TheDumbDuo11]

My Mum always made me listen to this album as a child, now im 15, I still love every song ^^

[@ohhCredit]

You had a great mother who had a eye and ear for great music......be proud of her.

[@hughgadishaw4086]

Great album title. Great album. Blows me away every time I listen to the songs. Just great!!

[@Camoredneckwoman]

My name is Anna and this song means more to me than a lot of things. Reminds me of better times.

[@swingingpuppets7012]

The long drawn out opening, then that emotionally haunting crescendo. Hits me deep every time.

[@mistermister2085]

Was in high school when this came out and while everyone was listening to nirvana and garth brooks, i was listening to this.

[@jasonmccombs8123]

Such a great voice. His tone and control are so great. I could listen to him sing with no accompaniment for hours

[@MJDavidson76]

every time she sneezes I believe it's love.....

[@mat11trick]

Superstition I surmise? Love that line.

[@MichiganChet]

No, it is something more concrete. He's profoundly conflicted about this girl. He loves her but is afraid to commit. He thinks about this conflict all the time. So everything she does reminds him of it. Even when she sneezes

[@KishBish]

@Gazer _Star omg no..

[@princesspeggy]

this is my favourite lyric, tears

[@AlanOnBass65]

My absolute favorite Counting Crows song! Nothing compares!

[@stefaniejensen2474]

So many high school memories tied up in this album. It takes me right back to 1996

[@franciscobarbosa726]

A brilliant song. Grows and twists just like love.

[@bakerfamily808]

Still love this band! This song - lived through the exact same thing - young and dumb I let more than one get away that I look back now and wonder what I was thinking.

[@toddfoster8705]

Having had this song on repeat in my head. Can't stop it. Weeks in now. I have, "Going off to a cocobo Island"... "gonna bring a couple cans of Corn Chowder"... "I am not Worried. I am not ovary Concerned." Going on constantly, and I can barely take it. Not long for this world.

[@sydeevahhlin]

SOME OF THE GREATEST LYRICS EVER!!!!!!!!! DC LOVE

[@yurmum422]

Hello everyone my name is Anna and I approve this song

[@Room-wf4eg]

There are no instrumental breaks in this song, he is singing for all 4:44

[@ThatLittleKitten]

This song is simply gorgeous.

[@ntdmoon]

One of the best songs ever written...It really brings you into what he means

[@xenophons]

Everytime I hear this, it's like the first time.

[@erinhankie2338]

Best CC song, hands down. Totally bangs a gong.

[@7thangelad586]

The best album from the best songwriter in modern history!

[@turboturtlehead]

One of the things I love about this album is the drums, so good the little things like when he hits the floor Tom and snare at the same time, it’s just so good

[@andrewlawther6159]

This song is about being in love and denying it, for you can't accept nor comprehend the enormity of it upon your life. It is about repeating like a mantra, this isn't love, this is not the one, to reassure yourself that you are still your own person, you are still free, to stop yourself from running away from your own maturity and your own calling, and all the while falling deeper and deeper into love,whilst you continue to deny it.

[@brad1368]

Makes you want to express all the things you can't quite express. Perfect song and album.

[@roxsmith4269]

August and Everything After. .this is my favorite on this album but I love each and every song from this one!! ♡

[@kennethrys4128]

Still gives me goose-bumps every time I listen.

[@jasondoe6079]

Counting Crows got me through miserable winters in high school. I went on to have 2 different girlfriends named Anna. Alas, we weren't ready for that sort of thing.

[@checkfoldcallraise]

August and everything after. Rush of blood to the head. Crows and Coldplay. The two albums I pick first whenever I take a long highway trip. Especially if driving alone to ponder on the lyrics. These albums are masterpieces.

[@brxwneyedwxman_9564]

“every word is nonsense but i understand.” that has to be one of my favorite lyrics in any song ever.

[@JoseGomez-xk6tf]

I remember this songs make my chills to much nostalgic and of course taking that train with good memories

[@scorpiodreamz8641]

Fan since 95 ❤

[@coendenhertog]

Still not completely sure what the real meaning is behind the song but it made me think and stop the relationship I was in at that time. Im glad I did, it wasn't love at all, she depended on me because there was nothing there for her. One of the best songs Adam ever made :)

[@averyarnold9663]

In case you are curious about it, he wrote this song about a girl he met on vacation. She was from Australia (I think) and they just hung out and had a good time together in Europe while on holiday. After a while they realized that maybe their feelings were developing beyond just friendship. That led to whole idea of "is this love?" and what do they do if it is? Do they talk about? Do they just go with it? What are the consequences of developing these feeling with someone who lives on the other side of the world? I think when it was all said and done, they didn't do anything and wound up just going their separate ways.

[@coendenhertog]

Cool, it is one of the best songs they (adam) made. Together with goodnight Elisabeth and butterfly in reverse :)

[@richardbwanika9164]

Coen den Hertog So true Coen !!! The truly best 3 songs Counting Crows made !!!

[@JeffSchall]

Avery Arnold I'd heard something similar. For some reason, I thought they were on a cruise ship, but I might be mistaken.

[@valleycat99]

For me it has this meaning: he is casually dating a girl and telling himself it's all good, it's just casual, but then she develops feelings. He's still in denial and saying he can handle it, no big deal, he's done this before, but in the back of his mind is the nagging memory of the last time his heart got broken. But he chooses to ignore that memory and finds himself falling in love. Then when she leaves him, he's left broken hearted and realizes he saw it coming all along.

[@2727taterbug]

Absolutely. Between Counting Crows and George Michaels' Listen Without Prejudice, no other albums touched the depth of the soul like those did.

[@Itseli25]

I forgot how great this album was. The memories....wow I am getting old.

[@TheMotivationalPotato]

this song gets me in tears every time

[@therealmeaning01]

LOVE this song. It makes me so sad and happy all at once.

[@WilliamStraley]

A 5 start record by a 4 star band. This album was truly inspired. They never could reach it's level again. I'm OK with that, though.

[@Alex_Off-Beat]

I'd argue that their third album This Desert Life is also a 5 star record. Sure It's not quite as good as August and Everything After but very few things are.

[@hoarbaby]

Great comment, spot on

[@alicekranyk4173]

@@Alex_Off-Beat it was pretty good. Colorblind, Speedway, etc. But in terms of the coherence of the album as a whole, I'd have to rank August first, Recovering the Satellites second, and This Desert Life third.

[@Alex_Off-Beat]

@@alicekranyk4173 I don't disagree with that ranking. August and Satellites are better overall but nobody disputes their greatness. I just brought up This Desert Life because it's underrated in comparison.

[@djsosonut]

I was always proud that August and Everything After was the first album I ever bought. And this is my favorite song on that album.

[@davidreppin3748]

I hate how many people dislike Counting Crows

[@cascadeserenity3484]

I think they may have been dropped on their head as a kid🙃

[@jasonnstegall]

So do I. Great artistry always transcends its source(s). And Mr. Duritz's seems to be streets beyond all of his. This appears to be just one of about 60 or so (at last count) why.

[@gracie.arnold]

best band of the 90s... ever i loved many of them .. but.. c c is sooooo raw and real

[@sirris4330]

Amazing words. Simple as that.

[@andifitriyani1037]

Love this song. Unique one.

[@lisawiffler2324]

Absolutely love this song!