The Half Of It

from The Half Of It by Ann Gray

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about

I remember starting to write the title track of the album, "The Half of It," after a fight with a really important person in my life, ultimately leaving this sour taste in my mouth thinking about just to what vast extent this person had never quite understood me. I had also been dealing with a variety of mental health issues at the time, and was especially tired of people who had no idea what I was going through telling me to just "suck it up," or as the first verse says, "pick up my pieces." This was also where the hook of the line came from, as I was just so fed up with the audacity of people who "didn't even know the half" of what I was going through telling me what was and wasn't an appropriate reaction to it. I'm pretty sure there's also an old voice memo somewhere on my phone of me pacing around a room just brainstorming lyrics and clapping my hands to the beat I had envisioned. Another important line that I repeated multiple times throughout the song was "just gotta outwit, outrun, outlast you." I had especially loved this line due to the wordplay of it, but also how it really encapsulated that exasperating, desperate frustration of the whole situation.
When I took the song to the studio, Johnny (the incredible mixer and producer I was working with) and I decided we wanted the song to have an angsty, almost Paramore vibe (Thus cue the rock guitar shredding we ended up going with). From the very first moment that I listened to the first demo of it, I immediately knew that it had to be the title track. I like to think that the album itself is almost a way of getting to further understand "the half" of what I was going through at this stage in my life a little bit more, but also that the album itself is only just "the half of it."

lyrics

I’m not sure if I’m mad at you anymore
Though I still remember what I was upset for
You told me to dry me eyes and pick up my pieces
But honestly I’m not quite sure where I left them

Stop looking at me like you’ve got me figured out
Stop trying to comfort me like you know what I’m crying about
Why can’t you understand that you don’t understand this
Honestly you don’t know the half of it
Darling

Singing sad songs at the top of my lungs
Crying in the car with the windows down
Gotta outwit, outrun, outlast you
We’re too prideful to say we’re sorry, and too angry to call a truce

Stop looking at me like you’ve got me figured out
I’ve got a couple tricks up my sleeves that you don’t know about
Why can’t you understand that you don’t understand this
Honestly you don’t know the half of it
Darling

Gotta outwit, outrun, outlast you
We’re too prideful to say we’re sorry, and too angry to call a truce
Gotta outwit, outrun, outlast you
You tell me to dry my eyes and regroup

Stop looking at me like you’ve got me figured out
Don’t tell me that I’m being dramatic when you don’t know what I’m overreacting about
Why can’t you understand that you don’t understand this
Honestly you don’t know the half of it
Darling

Gotta outwit, outrun, outlast you

credits

from The Half Of It, released January 27, 2023
Ann Gray -- vocals
John Terrell -- guitars and bass guitar
JJ Bowers -- drums

Recorded and mixed by John Terrell at Soul Haven Studios in Virginia Beach.

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Ann Gray Norfolk, Virginia

A captivating indie-pop artist weaving introspective tales with infectious melodies. Her evocative vocals and honest lyrics resonate deeply, capturing the essence of life's joys and struggles. Immerse yourself in her enchanting soundscapes that blend vulnerability and strength, inviting listeners on a journey of self-discovery. ... more

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