Nana

Album: I Like It When You Sleep... (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Matty Healy sings on this fragile and poignant track about the death of his maternal grandma, Annie, reminiscing on their times together. He wishes she could just walk into the room again, so that he could tell his nana about all the events that have happened since she passed away.
  • Like the other songs on I Like It When You Sleep, this was mainly written by Healy and drummer George Daniel. Healy said: "The vocabulary that George and I share is unspoken, it's like shorthand. There is a bit in 'Nana' where it all stops, and I remember George saying, 'Let's just put a memory in there; let's just have it open up and your vocal can become distant and you can put a memory in there' and I was like: 'F---ing hell.'"
  • Matty Healy's mother is actress and TV presenter Denise Welch. She talked about the song during the Tracks Of My Years segment of Ken Bruce's BBC Radio 2 show. Welch explained that Matty was her mum's first grandchild and they had a very close bond.

    "He was devastated when she died," she said. "He has a tattoo - I don't like tattoos, but I'll allow that one - on his chest that says 'Annie'. He wrote this song called 'Nana' about losing her."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.