Wilson was born Margarita Ibrahimoff (Bulgarian: Маргарита Ибрахимов; Greek: Μαργαρίτα Ιμπραΐμοβ) in Los Angeles, California. Her mother was born and raised in an ethnic Greek village (Sotirë) in present-day Albania. Her father, born Hassan Ibrahimoff (March 21, 1920 – March 6, 2009), worked at a race track; he was a Bulgarian Muslim immigrant, born in Oraio, Xanthi, Greece, and lived in Bulgaria, where his half brother Ferhat still lives,[ before moving to the United States on May 4, 1949. Wilson's father changed his name from Hassan Ibrahimoff to Allan Wilson in 1960, "Wilson" being the name of a local street in Southern California. Wilson was raised in the Greek Orthodox religion.
Wilson's career began with a guest appearance on The Brady Bunch, in a 1972 episode entitled "Greg's Triangle," which was followed by appearances on several shows during the 1970s and 1980s (including Three's Company in 1982).
She has appeared in several movies, including Volunteers, Teen Witch, The Bonfire of the Vanities, Barbarians at the Gate, Mixed Nuts, Sleepless in Seattle, Now and Then, That Thing You Do!, Jingle All the Way, Runaway Bride, Invisible Child, The Story of Us, and Raise Your Voice. She played Susan Borman, wife of astronaut Frank Borman, in the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. On television, she guest starred in many television series, including Frasier, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Good Wife and Body of Proof.
Wilson has performed on Broadway, where she performed the role of Roxie Hart from June–August 2006 in the revival of Chicago.
She is often credited with being the driving force behind Nia Vardalos' movie deal for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which became the highest-grossing independent film of all time, and for which she served as a producer.
Wilson's debut solo album, AM/FM, will be released May 8, 2012, on Decca Records. The album will feature classics from the 60s and 70s.
Wilson married actor Tom Hanks in 1988, and they have two sons, Chester and Truman. Wilson has two stepchildren, Colin and Elizabeth Hanks. Wilson has one grandchild, and two step-grandchildren.
Big City Small Town Girl
Rita Wilson Lyrics
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I was born in LA, it'll always be my home
I can't deny I got another side
My wheels keep turnin' and I never stop yearnin' for an open road
Cruisin' PCH to Interstate 40, eeh
I got both city lights and fireflies in me, me, yeah
Who says you can't be country
A little pop and rock and roll? (Rock and roll)
Whoa-whoa, oh-oh
T-shirt and bare feet
Or I can be heels and pearls (heels and pearls)
Big city small town girl, oh (oh)
Big city small town girl, oh
I was raised blue collar, a bartender's daughter
He said, "You gotta work hard to make it in this town"
Mom made my prom dress, I felt like a princess
Even more than I do in these designer gowns
Through my orange trees I could see the Hollywood sign, -ign
And hear my parents playin' The Beatles and Patsy Cline, -ine, yeah
Who says you can't be country
A little pop and rock and roll? (Rock and roll)
Whoa-whoa, oh-oh
T-shirt and bare feet
Or I can be heels and pearls (heels and pearls)
Big city small town girl, oh (oh)
Big city small town girl, oh
I know that I might be in this high rise
But my heart is out in that wide open space
Wherever I go, freeways to back roads
I know I'm never gonna change
Big city small town girl, oh
Big city small town girl, oh
Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa
Who says you can't be country
A little pop and rock and roll? (Rock and roll)
Whoa-whoa, oh-oh
T-shirt and bare feet
Or I can be heels and pearls (heels and pearls)
Big city small town girl, oh (oh)
Big city small town girl, oh (oh)
Big city small town girl
In Rita Wilson's song "Big City Small Town Girl," the lyrics explore the singer's identity as someone caught between two worlds - Southern California and a small town upbringing. She reflects on her roots in LA, a city known for its hustle and bustle, juxtaposed with the simplicity and charm of small-town life. The singer acknowledges the duality within her, feeling the pull of both the urban lifestyle and the quiet countryside. This inner conflict is symbolized by her constant desire for adventure and exploration, as expressed through her mention of "an open road" and her continuous movement.
The references to specific locations like Pacific Coast Highway and Interstate 40 serve as tangible reminders of the places she has traveled through and the experiences she carries with her. The blend of city lights and fireflies in her identity suggests a mix of urban sophistication and rural nostalgia, highlighting the complexity of her personality. By incorporating elements of country, pop, and rock and roll music into her self-expression, the singer challenges conventional labels and stereotypes, asserting her right to embrace different genres and styles without limitation or judgment.
The lyrics also delve into the singer's upbringing, portraying her as a blue-collar worker's daughter who learned the value of hard work and dedication from her parents. Despite being exposed to the glamour of Hollywood and high fashion, she remains grounded in her roots, finding beauty and comfort in simplicity and authenticity. The mention of homemade prom dresses and nostalgic music from her childhood illustrates her deep connection to her past and the influences that have shaped her into the person she is today.
Ultimately, the song celebrates the singer's resilience and adaptability as she navigates between the fast-paced world of high-rises and the vast openness of rural landscapes. Despite the external changes in her surroundings, the singer asserts that her core essence will always remain true to her small-town origins. The repeated refrain of "Big City Small Town Girl" reinforces her sense of self-awareness and pride in her multifaceted identity, defying stereotypes and embracing the full spectrum of who she is. Through her music, Rita Wilson invites listeners to appreciate the complexity and richness of personal history, highlighting the beauty in embracing both the city and the small town within oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm Southern, Southern California
I am from Southern California, with its unique blend of southern charm and west coast lifestyle.
I was born in LA, it'll always be my home
Los Angeles is where I started, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
I can't deny I got another side
I have another aspect to my personality that can't be ignored.
My wheels keep turnin' and I never stop yearnin' for an open road
I have a restless spirit that is always seeking new adventures and experiences on the open road.
Cruisin' PCH to Interstate 40, eeh
I enjoy driving from the Pacific Coast Highway to Interstate 40, experiencing the diversity of landscapes and environments.
I got both city lights and fireflies in me, me, yeah
I have elements of both city life and country living within me, creating a unique blend.
I was raised blue collar, a bartender's daughter
Growing up as the daughter of a bartender in a working-class family shaped who I am today.
He said, "You gotta work hard to make it in this town"
My father instilled in me the value of hard work and perseverance in achieving my dreams.
Through my orange trees I could see the Hollywood sign, -ign
Despite living a simpler life surrounded by orange trees, I always had a view of the glamorous Hollywood sign, representing the dream of success.
And hear my parents playin' The Beatles and Patsy Cline, -ine, yeah
Listening to my parents play music by The Beatles and Patsy Cline exposed me to a diverse range of genres that influenced my own musical tastes.
I know that I might be in this high rise
Even though I live in a high-rise building now, my heart still craves the wide-open spaces and freedom of the countryside.
Wherever I go, freeways to back roads
No matter where I travel, whether on bustling freeways or quiet back roads, I always stay true to my roots.
I know I'm never gonna change
I am proud of where I come from and the person I have become, and I will always stay true to myself.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Ann Marie Boskovich, Johan Gustav Lindbrandt, Rita Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind