Ana's Song (Open Fire)
"Ana's Song (Open Fire)" | ||||
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Single by Silverchair | ||||
from the album Neon Ballroom | ||||
Released | May 1999 | |||
Recorded | 1998 | |||
Genre | Alternative rock, grunge | |||
Length | 3:42 | |||
Label | Murmur | |||
Songwriter(s) | Daniel Johns | |||
Producer(s) | Nick Launay | |||
Silverchair singles chronology | ||||
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"Ana's Song (Open Fire)" is a song by the Australian alternative rock band Silverchair. It was released in May 1999 as the second single from their third album, Neon Ballroom. The song is about lead vocalist Daniel Johns' struggle with anorexia nervosa. "Ana's Song" peaked at No. 14 on Australia's ARIA chart, at No. 12 on Billboard's Alternative Airplay and at No. 28 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. It was nominated for two Aria Awards in 1999: Single of the Year and Best Video.[1] The track also earned Silverchair a Comet Award in Germany.[2]
Background[]
"Ana's Song (Open Fire)" is a single issued in May 1999 by Australian alternative rock band, Silverchair. It was written by the group's lead singer, Daniel Johns. In 1999, Johns announced that he had developed the eating disorder anorexia nervosa due to anxiety/depression.[3] Johns noted that the lyrics to "Ana's Song (Open Fire)" dealt with his disorder, where he would "eat what he needed ... to stay awake".[4] Ana is the nickname given to anorexia nervosa by people affected by it. He revealed that his eating problems developed from the time of Freak Show (May 1996) and when Neon Ballroom was written he "hated music, really everything about it", but felt that he "couldn't stop doing it; I felt like a slave to it."[5] Johns sought therapy and medication but felt "It's easier for me to express it through music and lyrics". Johns eventually overcame the disorder, realising that he would never be cured of the disease, but could live a fulfilled life by learning to cope with it.[3]
Reception[]
"Ana's Song (Open Fire)" peaked at No. 12 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks.[6] On the ARIA Singles Chart it reached No. 14.[7] According to 100 Best Australian Albums, by three Australian journalists, John O'Donnell, Toby Creswell and Craig Mathieson, "Ana's Song (Open Fire)" directly focused on Johns' eating disorder, "[it] became a hit all over the world and opened up for discussion the fact that males could also be affected by anorexia".[3]
Music video[]
The music video was directed by Cate Anderson, who also made the band's video for the song "Emotion Sickness". Australian actress Sarah Aubrey played the girl at the sink washing her hands, while having a distorted image of their cleanliness through the mirror. The video was nominated for an ARIA Award for Best Video in 1999.[8]
Reception[]
AllMusic critic Jason Anderson thought that "Ana's Song (Open Fire)" was one of the three highlights from Neon Ballroom.[9]
Track listing[]
Australian CD single (MATTCD086)
Australian limited 7-inch vinyl (MATTV086)
European CD single (6671072)
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European CD single (with different cover) (6673455)
UK deleted CD single (6673452)
UK limited 7" picture disc (667345 7)
US promo CD (ESK42087)
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Charts[]
Chart (1999) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[7] | 14 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] | 34 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[11] | 46 |
Scotland (OCC)[12] | 48 |
UK Singles (OCC)[13] | 45 |
UK Rock and Metal (OCC)[14] | 2 |
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[6] | 28 |
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[15] | 12 |
Certification[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[16] | Platinum | 70,000 |
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References[]
- ^ "ARIA Awards – History: Winners by Year 1999". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- ^ Ali Khan, Mishal (26 August 2004). "Silverchair - All you need to know about the band". The Daily Star.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c O'Donnell, John; Creswell, Toby; Mathieson, Craig (October 2010). "25: Silverchair – Neon Ballroom". 100 Best Australian Albums. Prahran, Vic: Hardie Grant Books. pp. 90–91. ISBN 978-1-74066-955-9.
- ^ Fisher, Blair R (11 July 1999). "Silverchair Frontman Reveals Battle with Anorexia". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
- ^ Sams, Christine (6 June 2004). "Anorexia almost killed me: Daniel Johns". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 14 October 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Silverchair Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Australian-charts.com – Silverchair – Ana's Song (Open Fire)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Nominees". Billboard. 16 October 1999. p. 66.
- ^ Anderson, Jason. "Neon Ballroom – Silverchair | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Silverchair – Ana's Song (Open Fire)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Silverchair – Ana's Song (Open Fire)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ "Silverchair Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
External links[]
- 1998 songs
- 1999 singles
- 1990s ballads
- Rock ballads
- Silverchair songs
- Songs written by Daniel Johns
- Song recordings produced by Nick Launay
- Songs written by Ben Gillies
- Songs about eating disorders
- Songs about diseases and disorders
- Murmur (record label) singles