  Megan writes, “I was just telling my officemate about how we have been wrecked by songs, and he was like ‘Has Anna ever been taken down by “Anna Begins”? That song works every time! Even for girls who aren't named Anna!’” Heh. Yes, actually, I have been taken down by that song. I was actually thinking about “Anna Begins” this weekend. ( urlLink listen or urlLink read ) urlLink Anna Beth Chao , the urlLink Everwood recapper, also urlLink heard a shout-out in the use of that song at the end of last week’s urlLink Ephram Gets Deflowered episode.
I can’t believe I only just realized that every Anna in the English-speaking world probably has bittersweet "Anna Begins" memories. This reminds me of an argument I had many times with John Williams over The Song That Shall Not Be Named (TSTSNBN). John always hears TSTSNBN right before or right after he breaks up with a girl, and he hates it. It freaks him out when he hears it on the radio, he won’t watch movies that use it, and he doesn’t even let people make jokes about his TSTSNBN phobia. (For the record, he insists it isn’t a phobia, because phobias are irrational fears, and he thinks his aversion to TSTSNBN is entirely rational. Fair enough. ) I tried to talk him into giving TSTSNBN another chance when we were in college, and now I’m even more sure that he’s missing out.
I don’t think you should try and shut Songs of Tragic Historical Importance out of your life. I love “Anna Begins,” and I love it because it used to be painful to listen to. Granted, I also have really nice memories that go with that song. Someone had to point out to me that it has my name in it, and it was sweet. (What? I don't pay close attention to things until I know how they're relevant to me, ok! ) Still, I think it’s the fact that it made me cry once that makes it so pretty now. Right now I’m waiting for: the guy who uses “Like This Anna” to mack on me. 
