In a music scene overpopulated by breathy girls and melismatic vamps, Cleveland is that rare thing - a woman who sings like a woman. A woman with grit and passion. A woman who’s not afraid to follow her longings into places both light and dark. Yes, she can roar and wail with maximum soul wattage (her voice inspires regular comparisons to locomotives and hurricanes). But she can also be soft, tender, sly, wistful, open-hearted, melancholy, wise, seductive, wry - all those facets that make a vocalist deep and compelling. And whether she’s delivering a regretful ballad like "Streams Of Mercy" or a mighty rocker like "The Blessing," she connects emotionally with a strength and clarity that would make Cingular jealous.
It’s that emotional connection - a combo of Cleveland’s natural wonder of a voice and fierce songwriting talent - that has been thrilling listeners since her debut in 1991. Blending rock, blues, gospel and folk with her distinct open-tuned guitar playing, she has forged an unmistakable sound that has won her two Grammy Awards, three Dove Awards, a place on countless year-end Top Ten lists and a legion of devoted fans.
Beyond her own career, Cleveland is also one of Nashville’s most in-demand session singers, having performed on over three hundred albums, for artists including Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Jars Of Clay, Don Henley, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Delbert McLinton, Etta James, Rodney Crowell, Pam Tillis, Patty Smyth and Michael McDonald.
Her seventh album, Before The Daylight’s Shot, finds Cleveland at the height of her powers. Whether she’s singing about purpose ("Ready Or Not"), faith ("Deeper Walk"), fulfillment (a bluesy take on Stevie Wonder’s "Higher Ground") or enduring married love ("Twilight Hour"), there’s a clear-eyed maturity and depth of artistry that lifts her into an exclusive class.
She was the first ever artist to win the Best Gospel Rock Album award at the Grammys in 1996. She won the award again in 1999.
From:
Ashleycleveland.com
Better You Get Ready
Ashley Cleveland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get a message that your soul's to keep
Before you fall into a hole too deep
Or get a notion that you can't be beat
Try to wipe out each and every mile
Get twisted in your own good style
You're not arrested, don't you go on trial
[Chorus]
Better you get ready
Better you get ready
Better you get ready
On time
You can shuck and jive your whole life through
Go dancing even lose your shoes
Relax, have a joke or two
What'll happen you'll find someone new
Talk softly when you need to pray
It's not for me to really say
I know you're gonna go your way
Heaven knows I only wish you'd stay
[Chorus]
In Ashley Cleveland's song Better You Get Ready, the verses offer several pieces of advice to the listener. The first verse encourages the listener to avoid drowning their sorrows in alcohol and to take care of their soul. The second verse suggests that the listener should not get too caught up in their problems or mistakes, but should keep moving forward. Both verses advise the listener to prepare themselves for what is coming.
In the chorus, the phrase "better you get ready" is repeated several times. This emphasizes the importance of preparation and taking action in order to be ready for whatever might happen. The repetition of the phrase also gives the song a sense of urgency and emphasizes the importance of being proactive rather than reactive.
The song as a whole can be interpreted as a message of hope and encouragement. It acknowledges that life can be difficult and challenging, but encourages the listener to stay positive and prepared for whatever comes their way. The lyrics also suggest that there is always the possibility of finding someone new and starting over, even when things seem bleak.
Line by Line Meaning
You can drink your broken heart to sleep
You may choose to drown your sorrows in alcohol to forget your heartbreak.
Get a message that your soul's to keep
Receive the good news that your soul is eternal and will live on.
Before you fall into a hole too deep
Take precautions before you get trapped in a situation that may be difficult to escape from.
Or get a notion that you can't be beat
Don't become overconfident and think that you are invincible.
Try to wipe out each and every mile
Make an effort to eliminate any distance or barrier between you and your goals.
Get twisted in your own good style
Be creative and unique in your approach, even if it means taking unconventional paths.
You're not arrested, don't you go on trial
Don't let anyone accuse or judge you unfairly, especially when you are innocent.
You better get it on down that Nile
You should keep moving forward and not get stuck or lost as if you were in the Nile river.
[Chorus] Better you get ready Better you get ready Better you get ready On time
It's better to be prepared, punctual and ready when the time comes.
You can shuck and jive your whole life through
You may choose to live life carefree, relaxed and without stress.
Go dancing even lose your shoes
Enjoy life and dance without fear of losing your material possessions.
Relax, have a joke or two
Take it easy, unwind and have some fun with friends.
What'll happen you'll find someone new
Things happen for a reason and ultimately, you may meet someone even better than before.
Talk softly when you need to pray
It's important to use a soft spoken tone when you speak to a higher power in prayer.
It's not for me to really say
I cannot speak on someone else's behalf or decide their fate.
I know you're gonna go your way
I understand that you will make your own decisions and live your life accordingly.
Heaven knows I only wish you'd stay
Although you may choose to leave, I wish you would stay and continue a positive relationship.
[Chorus] Better you get ready Better you get ready Better you get ready On time
It's better to be prepared, punctual and ready when the time comes.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MCLAUGHLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind