FAWM: "Dear Anne"

Dear Anne

2 weeks ago by @robynmackenzieMod

Dear Anne

robynmackenzie

00:00

Liner Notes

There's a forum thread about books that inspired songs, and as far as I know I've only done one song based on a book. This is the second one, based on a book I bawled my way through in high school. I think about it a lot these days.

#rnb #pop #book

Lyrics

Fires burning 'cross the countryside
I'm watching the news and I feel just like a little girl
All I wanted was a place to hide
I don't care where, just get me away from the world

'Cause when I was 15, I read your diary
And wondered if one day that would be me
And now that I'm older, the wintertime should be much colder
But I'm getting used to the heat

Dear Anne, guide my heart if you can
'Cause I don't believe God has a plan
Help me understand
How I can keep on going on

Feeling like I'm drifting in the sea
Sharks circling 'round waiting to find the taste of blood
Wish I could say that nothing frightens me
I've always loved dancing in the rain before the flood

But something inside me begs for a guarantee
That goodness in this universe prevails
And I try to remember that in the ash and embers, there's creation in destruction
So I inhale

Dear Anne, guide my heart if you can
'Cause I don't believe God has a plan
Help me understand
How I can keep on going on

Ooh, I know, I know, I know this world is broken
I know this world is broken
And ooh, I know, I know, I know my heart is open
Know my heart is open

Dear Anne, guide my heart if you can
'Cause I don't believe God has a plan
Help me understand
How I can keep on going on

Help me, help me understand

Comments

@aeye 3d

You always bring the heat. I love the pop style of this. But this is a really interesting take on this book. Awesome harmonies.

@gm7 1w

I hear ya Robyn!! I always love your vocals...and those lyrics hit hard..as was started in the comments. The arrangement/orchestration is to die for love this type of music. Winner!

@oddbod 1w

Lovely stuff. That simple repeating arpeggio motif is great. Superb work with the lyrics too I like how you didn’t get too dark with the music despite the background circumstances of the book/diary.

@sapient 1w

Oof. This hits hard... That house is only 5mins walk from where we live and we walk past is several times a week. Gotta keep hoping for better days...

@ductapeguyMod 1w

This song is sooo beautiful, and so very very heavy. The track is sublime, the vox and harmonies so lush. The emotional payload is heartrending. Thank you.

@squirrelhavenstudios 2w

This song has so much going for it. I like the electronic drum beat, with its minimalism, and the arpeggiated keyboard/guitar, which is driving and yet relaxed at the same time. The lyrics are spot on, and I love all the internal rhymes (e.g., "But something inside me begs for a guarantee" or "And I try to remember that in the ash and embers,"). Plus your phrasing is great: lines feel like they're running together but you never stray far from the underlying beat. It's like you take us out on a limb but always bring us back. Really you're just swaying back and forth as the demanded by the song. And, of course, your vocals are tremendous. Really excellent work!

@wobbiewobbit 2w

cool track . laid back and hip, that high bit in the vocal is so cool. great backing, who is anne

@jorh 2w

That beat is great - I loved how you let the intro breathe, and then weaved in and out of it with the descriptive, self-reflective verses. Really enjoyable melody and softness in the chorus too, I always enjoy a change of pace from verse to chorus

@philkmills 2w

It seems like an amazing accomplishment to me to take such powerful and emotion-laden ideas and make them fit so well into a pop arrangement.

@alphagal 2w

Oh wow. I love everything about this. To much to write... er... uhh... Just everything. I was so glad it wasn't over when it sounded like it was. This is like Joni/Carole caliber stuff here. So impressed! Def my fave.

@mikegtz 2w

I have to get around to reading the Diary of Anne Frank sometime. I have read something similar by a woman named Etty Hillesun which I discovered through the Boston College magazine. Very nice, smooth, contemplative work.

@robynsdad 2w

There's nothing I can add to what has already been said. The subject is so timely today, and you nailed it delicately.

@edwinb 2w

I remember visiting her house and even then it's hard to imagine the horrors. Scary times, and I think you have captured what many of us are feeling to a catchy pop beat.

@alyxanderjames 2w

Damn, Robyn. This is gorgeous, and captures so much of the present moment so eloquently. Really powerful stuff!

@jerrypettit 2w

Yeah, as you might be aware--I've been thinking about Anne a lot these days, too. THIS IS JUST LOVELY, ROBYN! My favorite of yours ever. Nice production values and just an all around great song! ❤️

@orinthebard 2w

Wowww this gave me chills. "I'm getting used to the heat." It's actually so intimate that we read this girl's diary as children. And our inner children are still looking for a sign that we'll be okay. I strongly resonate with the catharsis here, in finding creation in destruction. Thank you for sharing

@nadine 2w

Wow, Robyn - Kudos for writing and arranging such an amazing song. The beat is cool, the vocal phrasing has a good flow and the hook stays in my head. I really like the moment, when the vocal layers kick in. My favourite section is the bridge. Especially "I know I know I know this world is broken". Definitely a keeper, well done!

I'm asking myself if you're speaking of THAT diary of Anne Frank? This would be a super heavy topic. It's a book all pupils in Germany have to read someday soon, and it's one of the few that made me cry.

@blindkiwi 2w

I really enjoyed listening to that. Love the chorus and the almost trancelike quality of the music. 😎

@steve_poet 2w

nice track, enjoyed the modern sound musically and your vocals fit perfect. also it's nice background story, makes sense.

@coolparadisoMod 2w

Such a good lyric, highlights so much feeling! Of course the delivery is spot on , harmonies are wonderful as are the vocal lifts.

@celineellis 2w

This is a bop! And omg that chorus is hooky for day - the lift at the end with harmonies into the bridge is just perfect. So so good. I will be singing it all day i think. Great use of subject and you managed to keep it light and even with such a story to tell. Great arrangement as well.

@stevenwesleyguiles 2w

This is such a great lyric AND melody!!
And the production is super cool too!!! Love these harmonies.

@theenglishassassin 2w

Beautifully crafted pop song. All the elements work so well. I loved when your backing vocals came in on the first chorus and I just wanted to hear it again and again, which I suppose is the point of a great chorus :)
Add to that, really thoughtful lyrics that just flow wonderfully. Stand out for me is:
"something inside me begs for a guarantee
That goodness in this universe prevails
And I try to remember that in the ash and embers, there's creation in destruction
So I inhale"
Thank you!

@beacon 2w

Awesome (as always). Such great writing and @andygetch is right, the hooks are hooking! Great lyrics and visuals in them. Great start to FAWM!

@andygetch 2w

Holey moley, this takes a heavy subject and fills it with all sorts of infectious hooks while staying true to the somber mood and weight of the story arc. Gave me such an emotional ride carried by the melody. More songs based on books please 😀 .

@chasingandromeda 2w

Got Carole King vibes during the chorus. Love the harmony. Hugs.

@klyma 2w

Nice melody here!

I thought about California when I heard that opening line. Also, I love slant rhyme, so your "world is broken" and "heart is open" rocks my world.

I wonder if some editing would make certain lines stronger? For your consideration:

'CAUSE when I was 15, I read your diary
and wondered if one day that would be me

compared to

When I was 15, I read your diary
and wondered if one day that would be me

In another verse you are "Feeling like" you are "drifting in the sea" and that "FEELING LIKE" really jumped out at me. Would it pack more of a punch if you sang:

I'm drifting in the sea
Sharks circling 'round waiting to find the taste of blood

I enjoyed your song and wouldn't post a word if I didn't. I think about stuff like this stuff all the time. Which is why I now have a love/hate relationship with songwriting 🎶 😎