To My Parents

Anna Clendening's song "To My Parents" is a poignant and deeply personal apology to her parents, reflecting on her perceived failures and the weight of their expectations. The lyrics are a raw confession of regret and sorrow, as she acknowledges the ways she feels she has let her parents down. The repetition of the phrase "I'm sorry mum and dad" underscores the depth of her remorse and the emotional burden she carries.

The song begins with a nostalgic look back at her birth in 1993, painting a picture of a hopeful beginning filled with dreams and potential. However, as she grew older, the relationship with her parents became strained, particularly during her teenage years. The line "When I was 13, I was so damn mean" highlights the typical rebellious phase many teenagers go through, but it also hints at deeper emotional struggles and misunderstandings.

As the song progresses, Clendening delves into her adult life, where she feels she has continued to fall short of her parents' expectations. Dropping out of college, moving back home, and struggling to find her path are all sources of shame and disappointment for her. The lyrics "I was living on your couch trying to figure it out, putting myself up and tearing myself down" vividly describe her internal battle and the cyclical nature of her struggles. Despite her best efforts, she feels she has not achieved the success or stability her parents had hoped for, and this weighs heavily on her.

The song's emotional climax comes with the repeated apologies and the acknowledgment of her parents' unfulfilled dreams, such as buying them a house or covering medical bills. This adds a layer of financial and societal pressure to her personal regrets. The closing line, "Sincerely your daughter," adds a touch of formality and finality, emphasizing the sincerity and depth of her apology. Through this song, Clendening not only seeks forgiveness but also expresses a universal theme of the struggle to meet parental expectations and the journey towards self-acceptance and redemption.