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
Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
Allison Moorer Lyrics
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There's a calm before the storm
I know
It's been comin' for some time
When it's over, so they say
It'll rain a sunny day
I know
Shinin' down like water
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin' down on a sunny day
Yesterday, and days before
Sun is cold and rain is hard
I know
Been that way for all my time
'Til forever, on it goes
Through the circle, fast and slow
I know
It can't stop, I wonder
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin' down on a sunny day
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin' down on a sunny day
The above lyrics of Allison Moorer's song "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" talks about the concept of hope and how it can be shattered by the inevitability of life's many storms. The opening line, "Someone told me long ago there's a calm before the storm," suggests that there is a period of temporary relief before a storm hits. However, even the relief will soon dissipate, and the storm will come. It's a premonitory lyric, and one that is filled with sadness and a feeling of resignation towards life.
The chorus, with its simple melody and words, evokes the duality of life. The line "Comin' down on a sunny day" is a nod to the fact that even beautiful and sunny days can be shaded with sadness or pain. The song, therefore, tries to capture the profound meaning behind life's more difficult moments, and how hope is essential in such moments. It's a song of contrasts, with the sun and the rain representing the polarity of life's experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone told me long ago
I received this information a while back, and it has stuck with me ever since.
There's a calm before the storm
There is usually a period of stillness or quiet before a major event or upheaval.
I know
I am aware and have understood this concept for some time.
It's been comin' for some time
There have been signs and indications of this event for a while now.
When it's over, so they say
According to popular belief, once this event has passed, there will be positive outcomes.
It'll rain a sunny day
After the storm has ended, there will be a brighter time filled with happiness and contentment.
Shinin' down like water
This sunny joy will be abundant and ubiquitous, much like water glistening in the sunlight.
I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?
Have you witnessed the turmoil and strife in life that often precedes moments of pure elation?
Comin' down on a sunny day
The rain, and all the hardships it brings, can sometimes occur during the happiest moments of our lives.
Yesterday, and days before
This phenomenon has been occurring throughout history, and is not exclusive to the present day.
Sun is cold and rain is hard
Life can be uninviting and tumultuous, often lacking warmth and care.
Been that way for all my time
This is a reality that I have experienced for the entirety of my life.
'Til forever, on it goes
This cycle of hardship and triumph continues infinitely, never resolving completely.
Through the circle, fast and slow
This cycle repeats over and over again, sometimes appearing rapidly, other times at a more leisurely pace.
It can't stop, I wonder
Despite its cyclical nature, I question if this pattern will ever end or if it will persist indefinitely.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: JOHN CAMERON FOGERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind