Raised on George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris, she sang harmonies as a toddler, eventually thinking she'd make a career of it. Following the murder-suicide of her parents (perpetrated by her father) in 1986, she moved into her aunt and uncle's home.
Not long afterwards, sister Shelby Lynne moved to Nashville for a career in music, and after her high school graduation, Moorer followed. She sang harmonies with her sister for a while but returned to Alabama to earn a degree in public relations. She skipped the graduation ceremony to move back to Nashville.
Her song "A Soft Place to Fall" was tapped for Robert Redford's The Horse Whisperer in 1998, and she also appeared in the movie. Because the ballad earned her an Academy Award nomination, she performed it on the 1999 Oscars ceremony. However, none of her singles from her debut "Alabama Song" or its follow-up "The Hardest Part" received much radio airplay, nor achieving chart success though both projects were highly praised by critics.
When Brown moved from MCA to sister label Universal South, Moorer followed. Her 2002 album "Miss Fortune" earned more raves, but didn't meet sales expectations. She almost got another big break by recording the duet "Picture" with Kid Rock after Sheryl Crow had bowed out. However, Crow changed her mind, and the Rock/Crow-version became a huge radio hit. Yet, the song was credited on the charts to both Crow and Moorer. In addition, the CD single featuring Moorer sold 500,000 copies and is certified Gold by the RIAA. Her ballad "Tumbling Down" (from Miss Fortune) was featured on the soundtrack of the popular 2002 film The Rookie.
Her live album album "Show"(2003) was recorded in one night (two performances) at the 12th and Porter in Nashville and despite popular belief, it features the first recorded collaboration by both Moorer sisters.
After releasing Show and a DVD on Universal South, Moorer moved to independent label Sugar Hill Records. With a slightly rougher edge than past efforts, The Duel was released in April 2004.
After a divorce between Moorer and Primm, she eventually married Steve Earle, after serving as his opening act on a European tour. Earle produced her 2006 album, "Getting Somewhere". Moorer wrote all the songs, with the exception of one co-written with Earle. She and Earle were nominated for a Grammy award in the category Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, for the song "Days Aren't Long Enough" from Earle's "Washington Square Serenade".
Moorer released the Buddy Miller-produced "Mockingbird" in February 2008; an album mainly of covers of songs by female singer/songwriters including her sister, Shelby Lynne.
Her latest studio album "Crows" (2010), features her first departure from the Contemporary Country style of her earlier albums, instead changing to a Pop and Contemporary Singer/Songwriter style.
http://allisonmoorer.com
A Soft Place To Fall
Allison Moorer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can ask me anything, but where I've been
Things that used to matter seem so small
When you're looking for a soft place to fall
Don't misunderstand me, baby, please
I didn't mean to bring back memories
You should know the reason why I called
Looking for a soft place
Nothing more than a small taste
Of a love that ended long ago
Looking for a place to hide
A warm bed on a cold night
I didn't mean to hurt you
No, no, no
Looking out your window at the dawn
Baby, when you wake up, I'll be gone
You're the one who taught me after all
How to find a soft place to fall
You're the one who taught me after all
How to find a soft place to fall
In "A Soft Place To Fall" by Allison Moorer, the singer is seeking comfort and solace after a difficult experience. The opening lines depict the singer at the beginning of a new day, with an air of secrecy and mystery about where they have been. The use of "soft place to fall" serves as a metaphor for the comfort that the singer desires, and the insignificance of other worries and concerns in the face of this need. The singer is apologetic, acknowledging that they may have unintentionally dredged up difficult memories for their companion.
The second verse deepens the emotional complexity of the situation. The singer is not seeking a grand reunion with a former lover, but rather a small reminder of the love that they once shared. The line "Looking for a place to hide" adds an additional layer of vulnerability, highlighting the singer's desire to escape the pain of whatever they have experienced. The final lines of the song reveal that the singer's companion has shown them this level of care and comfort before, and that their presence in the singer's life has been significant in shaping their ability to seek emotional support.
Overall, "A Soft Place To Fall" is a poignant reflection on the power of emotional connection and the need for comfort and healing in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Daylight has found me here again
I find myself in the same place as yesterday, facing the day ahead.
You can ask me anything, but where I've been
I am open to answering your questions, except the one about where I have been.
Things that used to matter seem so small
The things that used to be important now pale in comparison to what I am seeking.
When you're looking for a soft place to fall
When you are in need of a comforting and safe space to land.
Don't misunderstand me, baby, please
Please do not take my words or actions the wrong way, my dear.
I didn't mean to bring back memories
It was not my intention to bring up past experiences, good or bad.
You should know the reason why I called
I want to explain to you the reason behind my call.
I was looking for a soft place to fall
I was seeking a source of comfort and safety in a difficult time.
Looking for a soft place
Searching for a sympathetic ear or a shoulder to lean on.
Nothing more than a small taste
Only needing a brief moment of comfort, nothing too extensive.
Of a love that ended long ago
Recalling feelings of a love that has long passed.
Looking for a place to hide
Seeking refuge from the harshness of the world.
A warm bed on a cold night
A comfortable and inviting space to rest and escape from the chill outside.
I didn't mean to hurt you
My actions were not meant to cause you pain or distress.
Looking out your window at the dawn
Looking out at the start of a new day from your window.
Baby, when you wake up, I'll be gone
By the time you wake up, I will have already left.
You're the one who taught me after all
You were the one who showed me how to find solace and comfort.
How to find a soft place to fall
Where to go when in need of a safe and comfortable space to land.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALLISON MOORER, GWIL OWEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-fr4qk4ip7e
How many are still listening to this song (2024)? She doesn't get the credit she deserves! What a voice! I still come back for more!
@mariaaugustdotter5692
🙋🏼♀️
@ronaldjaybelin520
Saying I wrote this seems small since I wrote everything in lyrics for her first 6 CD’s
@ronaldjaybelin520
..but this was about my 30 year sojourns’ beginning on Hilton head island , s Carolina well..that and it’s end
@ronaldjaybelin520
I had drinks with this lady and her benefactress, Barbara widish way the night she procured the storylines from me for her first six cd’s..and only saw them once again before Allison was nominated for an Oscar performance for one of them…and then I never heard from them again.
@joycee5493
You’re right she doesn’t get the credit she deserves. I’ve thought that since this album came out!
@Mack6234
Beautiful woman, beautiful voice and beautiful song. It doesn't get any better than this.
@Kya438
Absolut deiner Meinung
@desdermoaner809
Brains, beauty voice of an angel and a great song writer and musician too. what an amazing woman
@cindyj5522
One of the most beautiful truly country songs ever made. And made more sad and deep by this rendition. This girl should be on every chart.