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
Mockingbird
Allison Moorer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one knows shes got the blues
A man alone
Singing her song
Like mockingbirds do
Hangin' on mind to the ground
Ain't nothin' gonna bring her down
She doesn't ask why
So I do you
Worry, ain't no need to worry
She ain't in a hurry no
Shes right where
Shes needs to be
Worry, ain't no need to worry
She ain't in a hurry no
Shes right where
Shes needs to be
For watching the world rolling by
Taking her minute on high
A man alone singing her song
She's doing fine
The lyrics of Allison Moorer's song "Mockingbird" depict a scene in nature where a mockingbird, known for its ability to mimic different sounds, is seen singing a tune while seemingly concealing her feelings of sadness. The song describes how the bird's singing is like that of a man alone, pouring out his heart through a song. The mockingbird is depicted as a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity, implying that despite her sadness, she continues to sing, much like how people continue to go on in the face of their own struggles.
The next verse of the song implies that the bird is focused on the sky and her surroundings as if to ignore the fact that there is something wrong. It is said "she doesn't ask why," which suggests that she has accepted the reality of the situation and has chosen to just let things be. The singer acknowledges that "worry ain't no need to worry" emphasising the importance of living in the present moment and not letting the past or the future affect the present.
In the end, the song reassures the listener that the mockingbird is doing fine, reminding us that sometimes all we need to do is keep pushing through the tough times, much like the bird, and everything will eventually be okay.
Line by Line Meaning
Mockingbird singin' a tune
The mockingbird is singing a melody.
No one knows shes got the blues
No one knows that the mockingbird is sad.
A man alone
A man is alone.
Singing her song
The man is singing the mockingbird's song.
Like mockingbirds do
This is what mockingbirds usually do.
Hangin' on mind to the ground
The mockingbird is focusing intently and staying grounded.
Ain't nothin' gonna bring her down
Nothing can bring the mockingbird down.
Its just her and the sky
The mockingbird is alone with the sky.
She doesn't ask why
The mockingbird does not question why things are the way they are.
So I do you
The man singing the song is wondering why things are the way they are.
Worry, ain't no need to worry
There is no need to worry.
She ain't in a hurry no
The mockingbird is in no rush.
Shes right where
The mockingbird is exactly where she needs to be.
Shes needs to be
Where the mockingbird currently is, is where she needs to be.
For watching the world rolling by
The mockingbird is watching the world go by
Taking her minute on high
The mockingbird is enjoying each moment to the fullest.
A man alone singing her song
The man is still singing the mockingbird's song.
She's doing fine
The mockingbird is doing well overall.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ZAD NAVID DARIUS DANESH, PETER WILFRED GLENISTER, DENI LEW, NICKY GRAHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ganczha
This song used to be on my iPod many years ago before it broke to smithereens. Chosen because of the fantastic lyrics. I just love this song!
@tediumlive3567
This is how a female singer should sound. Full, strong, beautiful voice. Not like a little girl. Beautiful voice, and a beautiful song.
@blazingchris5048
Well man , THIS is beautifull !!!!!!!