Today’s Track Of The Day takes us back to 1999 with Silverchair and their album Neon Ballroom. Third on the album is “Ana’s Song (Open Fire)”, which tells a story about anorexia, aka ‘Ana’.
Silverchair’s singer Daniel Johns has spoken publicly about his battle with anorexia nervosa, describing it as a means to regain control in his life, at a time where everything felt out of control for him, both with music and his personal life.
“Imagine pageant
In my head the flesh seems thicker
Sandpaper tears corrode the film”
“Ana’s Song (Open Fire)” powerfully captures that time for Daniel, the way in which he both hates anorexia and needs it now somehow in his life. The video captures the same, showing a woman compulsively washing her hands, and showing the same woman transported to a scene where she uses her hands and water powerfully, only to have that sensation soon lost.
The video also captures the way in which Daniel uses music as a way to express his love-hatred for ‘Ana’. It’s anthemic as well as tender, and you can feel the full spectrum of emotions that Daniel holds in relation to the disorder.
Watch:
