Marshall studied music extensively in childhood, attending the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, but she first grabbed attention while attending high school at Jarvis Collegiate, often performing as an 'opening act' for other local bands performing cover songs by artists like Janis Joplin at venues like The Concert Hall, The Horseshoe Tavern, and Lee's Palace. While performing on the Queen Street West bar scene she eventually met guitarist Jeff Healey, who was struck by her powerful voice and took her on tour. She was subsequently signed to a management contract by Jeff's drummer, Tom Stephen, who had formed Forte Management and Forte Records to handle Jeff's career, and Tom successfully negotiated a record deal with Sony's Epic Records.
In 1995, Marshall released her self-titled debut album, and it was a massive hit in Canada, spawning six Top 40 hits -- "Let It Rain", "Beautiful Goodbye", "Dark Horse", "Fall From Grace", "Sitting on Top of the World" and "Birmingham". Unfortunately, it was not immediately released in the USA, and it did not receive the same radio attention when it eventually hit the shelves; although it did crack Billboard's Heatseekers Chart for several months. The album remains her biggest hit internationally. Elton John described Amanda as "his favourite new American artist" while being interviewed on Late Night with David Letterman, when asked who he's listening to.
In 1999, she released her follow-up album, Tuesday's Child, which was produced by Don Was (B-52's, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Michael McDonald, Iggy Pop, Bonnie Raitt, The Rolling Stones), and features collaborations by songwriting heavyweights Carole King and Eric Bazilian. It followed in the same vein as her debut, with a mix of soulful pop songs and ballads, highlighting her powerful voice. Her song "Ride" would be featured in the film The Replacements and on its soundtrack. Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi was the guest guitarist on the track called "Why Don't You Love Me". Another one of the CD's hit singles, "Believe In You," which she co-wrote with Eric Bazilian, was featured on the TV show `Touched By An Angel` and its official soundtrack, and the song is currently on the Believe fund-raising compilation marketed by CharityCDs.com.
In 2001, she released her third album, Everybody's Got A Story, which was produced by Peter Asher (Cher, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Chantal Kreviazuk, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Ross, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor). It marked a change in style and sound for Marshall, with a more noticeable R&B direction. Her singles "Everybody's Got a Story" and "Sunday Morning After" received major Canadian airplay.
In 2003, Sony released a 16 song singles compilation entitled Intermission - The Singles Collection. Unfortunately, shortly after this release Sony BMG did not renew Amanda's contract, and she has been without the support of a major record label. On November 28, 2006, Sony BMG released another greatest hits "anthology" entitled Collections.
Amanda is currently in a legal dispute with her former management that has prevented her from releasing new material.
Fans of Amanda Marshall can join her fan group at Last.fm by clicking this link:
http://www.last.fm/group/Amanda+Marshall
Best of Me
Amanda Marshall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You jumped in thinking this was holy water
Well surprise surprise
This is not a test
Welcome to the party
I've been on my best behavior but I think it's time
You saw the other side
I'm a tall tall tale no one believes
I'm a long dark night with no morning after
Lucky you
You get the best of me
Brand new day honeymoon's over
Peace and quiet puts me in a coma anyway
It's just a waste of time
This is not a dream
Do you get the picture
I know I may seem peculiar
Baby gimme time
'Cause when I hit my stride
I'm a tough tough game that no one can master
I'm a tall tall tale no one believes
I'm a long dark night with no morning after
Lucky you
You get the best of me
I'm a tough tough game that no one can master
I'm a tall tall tale no one believes
I'm a long dark night with no morning after
Lucky you
You get the best of me
I'm a tough tough game that no one can master
I'm a tall tall tale no one believes
I'm a long dark night with no morning after
I'm a thundercloud when you're out at sea
And if you try to run, baby I can run faster
Lucky you
You get the best of me
The lyrics of Amanda Marshall's song "Best of Me" introduce the listener to a persona who is tough and complicated. The persona warns the listener, presumably a new romantic partner, to back away slowly because they may not be able to handle what is underneath the surface. The persona is not to be fooled with; they cannot be tamed by anyone. The persona then goes on to describe themselves as a "tough game" that "no one can master," a "tall tale" that "no one believes," and a "long dark night with no morning after." The persona seems self-aware of their image, telling the listener to "gimme time" because "when I hit my stride," they are not always what they seem.
The refrain of the song states "lucky you, you get the best of me." This phrase is used sarcastically because the persona knows that they are not giving their all to the listener, rather they are showing only a small part of themselves. The persona is aware that they are difficult to be with and may cause problems for others. The second verse tells the listener that the honeymoon period is over, and now peace and quiet puts the persona in a coma. The ending verses reveal the darker side of the persona, telling the listener that they are a thundercloud when the listener is out at sea, and if the listener tries to run, the persona can run even faster.
Line by Line Meaning
Drop those flowers, back away slowly
You made a mistake by thinking that I'm an easy person to handle, and it's time for you to realize that.
You jumped in thinking this was holy water
You thought you found something pure, but I'm not what you were expecting.
Well surprise surprise
I'm not who you thought I was.
This is not a test
This is real, and it's not easy.
Welcome to the party
Now that you're here, let's have some fun.
I've been on my best behavior but I think it's time
I've been holding back, but now it's time for me to show you who I really am.
You saw the other side
Now you know the truth about me.
I'm a tough tough game that no one can master
I'm not easy to handle or understand.
I'm a tall tall tale no one believes
I have a complex story that people don't often believe or understand.
I'm a long dark night with no morning after
I'm not the kind of person who offers easy solutions or happy endings.
Lucky you
You're in for an adventure.
You get the best of me
You get the full experience of who I am, both good and bad.
Brand new day honeymoon's over
The initial excitement is gone, and things are going to get real.
Peace and quiet puts me in a coma anyway
I don't like things to be too calm or easy; I prefer a challenge.
It's just a waste of time
I don't have patience for things that are easy or dull.
This is not a dream
This is reality, and it's not always pleasant.
Do you get the picture
Do you understand what you're getting into by being with me?
I know I may seem peculiar
I understand that I'm not like everyone else.
Baby gimme time
Don't expect to understand me right away; it will take time.
'Cause when I hit my stride
When I'm at my best, I'm unstoppable.
I'm a thundercloud when you're out at sea
I can be dangerous, especially when you're vulnerable.
And if you try to run, baby I can run faster
You can't escape me, no matter how hard you try.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BAZILIAN, MARSHALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind