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Counting Crows — Anna Begins
Album: August and Everything After
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2368









Released: 1993
Length: 4:22
Plays (last 30 days): 0
My friend assures me, it's all or nothing,
I am not worried, I am not overly concerned,
My friend implores me, for one time only,
Make an exception, I am not worried,
Wrap her up in a package of lies, send her off to a coconut island,
I am not worried, I am not overly concerned about the status of my emotions,
Oh, she says, you're changing, we're always changing,
It does not bother me to say, this isn't love,
'Cause if you don't want to talk about it then, it isn't love,
And I guess I'm gonna have to live with that,
But I'm sure there's something in a shade of gray or something in between,
And I can always change my name, if that's what you mean.

My friend assures me, it's all or nothing,
But I am not really worried, I am not overly concerned,
You try to tell yourself, the things you try to tell yourself,
To make yourself forget, to make yourself forget,
I am not worried if it's love, she said, then,
We're going to have to think about the consequences,
And she can't stop shaking and I can't stop touching her,
And this time when kindness falls like rain, it washes her away,
And Anna begins to change her mind,
These seconds when I'm shaking leave me shuddering for days, she says,
And I'm not ready for this sort of thing,
But I'm not gonna break and I'm not gonna worry about it anymore,
I'm not gonna bend and I'm not gonna break,
I'm not going to worry about it anymore, no, no, no, no, no.

It seems like I should say, as long as this is love,
But it's not all that easy, so maybe I should,
Snap her up in a butterfly net, pin her down on a photograph album,
I am not worried, 'cause I've done this sort of thing before,
But then I start to think about the consequences,
And I don't get no sleep in a quiet room,
And then this time when kindness falls like rain,
It washes me away and Anna begins to change my mind,
Every time she sneezes I believe it's love,
And oh lord, I'm not ready for this sort of thing.

She's talking in her sleep, it's keeping me awake,
And Anna begins to toss and turn,
And every word is nonsense but I understand,
And oh lord, I'm not ready for this sort of thing,
Her kindness bangs a gong, it's moving me along,
And Anna begins to fade away, it's chasing me away,
She disappears and oh lord, I'm not ready for this sort of thing.
Comments (400)add comment
 thewiseking wrote:

i suppose Dave Matthews is worse

Oh, bless your heart.
 
I hope you feel better soon.

I just don't believe him, that's what it is. So it ends up like when your small child is affecting a moany whiny voice, and it's making you want to throw them across the supermarket, give 'em something real to cry about.
Back in 1996 I met my wife to be.
We were super in love (still are), I played her this song and she burst into tears. I still remember her tears soaking my shirt. 

This is why music exists.
i suppose Dave Matthews is worse
 viraga wrote:

I rate 10 for the whole album. one of my best ever. sorry for someone here, but Duritz' voice is really emotionally impressive.


Not sure about the entirety 10 deal, but was thinking the same thing about Duritz' voice as this was playing.  He captured a whole bucket of emotion during the recording of this album and remains a really impressive piece of pop rock...
This song is how a friend explained that she reciprocated my feelings, but that maybe we shouldn't be too quick to do anything about that. I still have feelings about this song. And her.
Every time she sneezes I believe it's love,


Anna turned out to be "patient zero"
 Proclivities wrote:
"Every time she sneezes I believe it's love."
 

Clearly from the pre Corona era
This album was one of my first introductions to the amazing T Bone Burnett!
 jelgator wrote:
Wow this is horrible.
 
yeah, no brainer, terrible.
 jelgator wrote:
Wow this is horrible.
 
Love this song, gave them a 8 just to spite you
Great album, whatever happened to this band?
'Cause if you don't want to talk about it then, it isn't love,
And I guess I'm gonna have to live with that,
But I'm sure there's something in a shade of gray or something in between,
And I can always change my name, if that's what you mean.

Real lyrics from a real life. I've loved Counting Crows since they were barely starting shows and I still dig them today.
Wow this is horrible.
Decent music. Fine percussionist. The idea of having my ears bitten by multiple Indian ornamental tarantulas is more appealing than having to listen to the vocalist.
Everyone in my family hates CC. I get abused whenever I suggest that this is a great album and this is one of the best songs. Yes, he’s a bit affected but great album top to bottom especially in terms of songwriting. Keep it.
 h8rhater wrote:
Wasn't a fan until I saw them live. COMPLETELY different experience. His voice is far better live. 

Ah, the forehand AND the backhand.
 

 kopfhoerer wrote:
Trying to understand how, when it comes to CC's music in general and Adam's voice in particular, for many listeners there apparently is no middle ground. Some like their style and others appear to passionately hate it and find each and every song just utterly despicable.
Personally, I think that while some of their songs honestly are pretty pretentious crap, this one along with a few others are actually quite enjoyable.
 

Ah, the forehand AND the backhand.
 ace-marc wrote:
-3.
Ultra Sucko Barfo.
Come on Bill, Drop the Crows!
 

Please!  We beseech you!!!!
 kopfhoerer wrote:
Trying to understand how, when it comes to CC's music in general and Adam's voice in particular, for many listeners there apparently is no middle ground. Some like their style and others appear to passionately hate it and find each and every song just utterly despicable.
Personally, I think that while some of their songs honestly are pretty pretentious crap, this one along with a few others are actually quite enjoyable.
 
You don't need to hedge or apologize for what you like.  Nor do you need to hew to some bogus cliche about the bands work being "pretentious" (whatever the f that means).
One of their least irritating songs ever!
 kopfhoerer wrote:
Trying to understand how, when it comes to CC's music in general and Adam's voice in particular, for many listeners there apparently is no middle ground. Some like their style and others appear to passionately hate it and find each and every song just utterly despicable.
Personally, I think that while some of their songs honestly are pretty pretentious crap, this one along with a few others are actually quite enjoyable.
 
I'm right there.  Back in college, I had several [girl]friends all gaga over Adam, they thought this was the best, most meaningful music ever produced.  The CC's got so much airplay I was sick of them.  But mostly concerned because it sounds like Adam's constricting his larynx so much he's going to get throat cancer
-3.
Ultra Sucko Barfo.
Come on Bill, Drop the Crows!
Trying to understand how, when it comes to CC's music in general and Adam's voice in particular, for many listeners there apparently is no middle ground. Some like their style and others appear to passionately hate it and find each and every song just utterly despicable.
Personally, I think that while some of their songs honestly are pretty pretentious crap, this one along with a few others are actually quite enjoyable.
First time I have liked Counting Crows, I think the segue from R.E.M warmed me up and the guy's voice sounds pretty good for a change.
NO Bill!
This is top 40 radio fodder.
This band is a blemish on the magnificent complexion of Radio Paradise!
double ditto for John Cougar!
 dogpound wrote:
cue the boring white men
 
For once I am truly LOL. Thanks for that! I'm still smiling.
Song is pretty okay. I don't rate pretty ok songs.
awfully bad
A solid 1.
making my day today!
Still such a good and necessary song. Thanks, RP. 
End of the day, these guys connect, they convey stuff, that does it for me in terms of what I want from my musical artists.
I rate 10 for the whole album. one of my best ever. sorry for someone here, but Duritz' voice is really emotionally impressive.
 Segue wrote:
Not a fan of Counting Hooties or Hootie and the Crowfish. Limp grunge is just whinge.

 
LMAO. When I was just gonna go and say something totally angst-y about "Anna Begins." But that would have been via memory only, as at my phase 'o life it's all just nice dinners now; no angst-y anything anymore. That's a "whew" or an "alas." Never quite sure which.
Not a fan of Counting Hooties or Hootie and the Crowfish. Limp grunge is just whinge.
 Proclivities wrote:
"Every time she sneezes I believe it's love."

 
HaHa. I was just about to add this as a comment.
"Every time she sneezes I believe it's love."

Saw them open for the Stones about 25 years at Giants (MetLife) Stadium in New Jersey, and then scored tickets to see them in a small venue in Philadelphia BUT they cancelled cause they "were tired"...meanwhile a bunch of 50+ year olds were still running around the U.S. touring.

Haven't liked the CC's since.

A solid "3" just 'cause.


Have loved these guy for years and lately more than ever, heavy rotation on iPhone Music.
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Love it when a song/band elicits such pompocity from the learned masses. On one level I can certainly understand the reaction, the lyrics are a bit sophomoric and the phrasing almost feels like self-parody. That said, she was my first love and this was my break-up song back in the day. It worked for me then and surprisingly, it still works for me today.  

So there. 

 
+1
Love it when a song/band elicits such pompocity from the learned masses. On one level I can certainly understand the reaction, the lyrics are a bit sophomoric and the phrasing almost feels like self-parody. That said, she was my first love and this was my break-up song back in the day. It worked for me then and surprisingly, it still works for me today.  

So there. 
Ugh.
 
Painful
Still great load of horrible crap 20+ years later
Still great 20+ years later.
I love music. I look forward to some music returning after this assault on the auditory canals has expired. The singer of this band must've thought the rest of the band were kidding when they chose him. The moment he raises his voice it goes from not very impressive, to; HOLY CRAP - GET ME OUT OF HERE!
This after the lame Moby track, guess Bill decided it's time for our purgatory.
 Dosequis wrote:
Man !!!!!!!!!!!!         I LOVE THIS BAND !!!

PERFECT SONG !!!!

GREAT SINGER !!! 

PERFECT 10 !!!!! 

 
Agree!!!
 ppopp wrote:
Dreadful song. Such a horrible experience to be subjected to this man's voice.

 
I love it too.
Listened to this album loads when at uni back in the day. Still sounds great 
Starting to really like these guys
 scrubbrush wrote:
I've loved this song for 20 years... i like a few other Crows songs, but this one is truly exceptional.

 
You and me both {#Kiss}
This gives sense to Conuting Crows
 Sasha2001 wrote:
This is a gentle, beautiful song and all you soulless bastards can take a flying leap.
 
{#Cheers}
I've loved this song for 20 years... i like a few other Crows songs, but this one is truly exceptional.
 ppopp wrote:
Dreadful song. Such a horrible experience to be subjected to this man's voice.

 
You chose to listen to this song Instead of hitting the PSD button. I'm guessing you also like having your fanny slapped. Just a hunch, an inappropriate for this context hunch.
 ppopp wrote:
Dreadful song. Such a horrible experience to be subjected to this man's voice.

 
Disagree, dig this one a bunch. 
Dreadful song. Such a horrible experience to be subjected to this man's voice.
 stalfnzo wrote:
I've never been too impressed with CC. But this... this is great.

 
I was about to post the same sentiment. 
I've never been too impressed with CC. But this... this is great.
Really, really great song. The best Counting Crows song, in my estimation.
And it's 1994 again... Man... 
This is a nice version.  Looks like it was the album version?  I must have been listening to some acoustic version all these years.  

Sometimes the studio giveth, other times it taketh away :)
LowPhreak wrote:
Never could stand this whiny ass singer. {#Razz}  Ruins an otherwise good band. 

 
I like whiny.  Just don't like this song.
Let's see what PSD brings....
Never could stand this whiny ass singer. {#Razz}  Ruins an otherwise good band. 
Man !!!!!!!!!!!!         I LOVE THIS BAND !!!

PERFECT SONG !!!!

GREAT SINGER !!! 

PERFECT 10 !!!!! 
 Sasha2001 wrote:
This is a gentle, beautiful song and all you soulless bastards can take a flying leap.
 
BOOM!  Nice one Sasha.
I despise this band with a burning hatred. 
 Segue wrote:
Pouting Crows is to Pearl Jam as John Mellowcamp is to Springsteen
  
Now. Now. I don’t mink you slagging off Counting Crow but I’ll not have a bad word about John.



 Sasha2001 wrote:
This is a gentle, beautiful song and all you soulless bastards can take a flying leap.
 

Ouch!
It was a 10 back then and still is today!
This is a gentle, beautiful song and all you soulless bastards can take a flying leap.
Pouting Crows is to Pearl Jam as John Mellowcamp is to Springsteen
May as well play some hootie and the blowfish if we are stooping this low onto the 90s
He should be overly concerned - that's a horrible lyric, and your voice sound as annoying as Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson and Michael Buble put together.
I'm so over this band.
 Sloggydog wrote:
 What he said a few years back

Stingray wrote:
I am truely surprised by the rather mediocre comments
this band and their songs get on RP.

I find their first album to be a TRUE MASTERPIECE,
one without a shred of a doubt!

The rest - anything they have produced at a later time
is rather disappointing, true!

The first album, where this tune has been taken from (as you know),
is overwhelmingly good!

I have to insist on that!



 

Agree, but they have pulled out some other good records. Recovering the Satellites and Hard Candy are good but August is just epic
 


 junebaby65 wrote:
This guy cannot sing.  {#Frustrated}

 
But beats the hell out of many in songwriting 
This guy cannot sing.  {#Frustrated}
 BKardon wrote:

hahah....Counting Crows and Coldplay - two bands that I could do without.

 
Wait, they're TWO bands? :)
Thanks for playing this song. One of my CC favorites from all times, it has it all great lyrics, pace, tension
So nostalgic.   Sigh....
Hard to believe this was 20 years ago! 
I never liked his voice. Sounds kinda whiney to me.
Can't listen to just 1 track from this cd, has to be the whole shebang !!!
Simply fantastic song. Beautiful.
Makes me sentimental about stuff that never even happened to me.
I like some songs by cc

but holee schidt this is boring
One of the best albums of the 90s and an alltime great debut album.
 What he said a few years back

Stingray wrote:
I am truely surprised by the rather mediocre comments
this band and their songs get on RP.

I find their first album to be a TRUE MASTERPIECE,
one without a shred of a doubt!

The rest - anything they have produced at a later time
is rather disappointing, true!

The first album, where this tune has been taken from (as you know),
is overwhelmingly good!

I have to insist on that!



 


Thank god we have Durwitz's singing to save the world for us.


I'd get more fun from going down to my local park and counting the crows and ravens as they roost down for the night.
Why can't I dance to this?  {#Doh}
I think this is just wonderful.
Over the decades I think the first few Counting Crows albums have really stood out as excellent rock.  I didn't start listening to them until, about, oh, Across a Wire, but their first few albums have just stuck with me.  I still like 'em.
Reminds me of David Matthews, dribble for the masses 2 and tempted to go to 1
 stevendejong wrote:

I don't think they're obsessively played here. But they *are* dull. The upbeat songs are okay. Slower songs (like this one) are just even more boring than Coldplay.
 
hahah....Counting Crows and Coldplay - two bands that I could do without.
 Whirlpool wrote:
I don't get RP's obsession with this band. Never did. I mean I don't necessarily hate them and they have a few songs I like, but they're not that great or anything. Just dull.
 
I don't think they're obsessively played here. But they *are* dull. The upbeat songs are okay. Slower songs (like this one) are just even more boring than Coldplay.
 Alexandra wrote:
This is probably one of my favorite songs by CC. {#Good-vibes}
 
Mine too
Certainly not their most INSPIRING contribution to the lexicon!
 Nuance wrote:

he's baaaaaaaaaaaad. :) 

 
I am not overly concerned.

 Sasha2001 wrote:
Aaaahhhh so unappealing to the musically snobbish at RP.

I always have to ask myself about a band like this, 'Would I like them any more or less if I had found them in a little club somewhere as apposed to Top 40 radio?' I might have liked them more had I "discovered" them on my own, but that wouldn't make them a better band.
 

The source never bothers me.  It was Kasey Kasem when still a fulltime working disc jockey at KRLA - AM in Los Angeles who played Pink Floyd's Saucerful of Secrets album (the whole thing) one summer Sunday night in 1968 for the first time for my ears.

I try and never let the messenger get in the way.

 johnjconn wrote:
Great song
Great album
Great group
 

What the hell happened to them after the second album. First album was great, second album was good, but I can't listen to anything they released after those first two...
Most powerful........................very very good! Gotta learn this!
This is probably one of my favorite songs by CC. {#Good-vibes}
Still love the Counting Crows, and this song is particularly good.  Might the stage of life or something, but I don't really care.  Enjoy nearly all of their songs (at least the first two albums).
love it; .
Aaaahhhh so unappealing to the musically snobbish at RP.

I always have to ask myself about a band like this, 'Would I like them any more or less if I had found them in a little club somewhere as apposed to Top 40 radio?' I might have liked them more had I "discovered" them on my own, but that wouldn't make them a better band.
hm.. i don´t dislike them. but they are so boring most of the time. absolutely predictable and mainstream
Anna Begins. 

I know that some really like to dislike these guys, but not me. More please.  
 chadlymn wrote:
Ever notice that he sometimes sounds like a goat when he sings!!    {#Puke}
 
he's baaaaaaaaaaaad. :) 

 scraig wrote:
absolutely gorgeous. love the way Adam can weave a poem.
 lophrequa wrote:
ouch that was a painful transition from Spoon... and now to MUTE back laters y'all 
Interesting range of comments. Goes to show you how subjective music appreciation can be. High art to some, mundane blather to my ears. Ran into the Adam guy on the street in Faubourg Marigny one night during Jazz Fest, maybe fifteen years ago. Bitching about how he'd been singled out as the type of talent that would not be showcased (and he had, in an Offbeat magazine interview with the NOJHF CEO). I think Quint Davis made a good call, but this band clearly has a following.


I don't get RP's obsession with this band. Never did. I mean I don't necessarily hate them and they have a few songs I like, but they're not that great or anything. Just dull.
 Ubaldo wrote:


I also agree.  Their best.
 
Mr. Jones was a good start, don't forget.

 Tippster wrote:

Agreed.  My Favorite Counting Crows song.

 

I also agree.  Their best.
 scrubbrush wrote:


The best song on a very good Album. This song is still in constant playlist rotation at my house.
 
Agreed.  My Favorite Counting Crows song.

 rockinmeg wrote:
This ranks in one of my top 10 albums of all time - great from start to finish!
 
{#Yes}
Quite moving. 
 rockinmeg wrote:
This ranks in one of my top 10 albums of all time - great from start to finish!
 

The best song on a very good Album. This song is still in constant playlist rotation at my house.
This ranks in one of my top 10 albums of all time - great from start to finish!