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
I Could Learn to Love You
Ashley Cleveland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could learn to love you, I'm brave enough
Not like a mother's love, decided from the womb
Not like a burning love that flares at night and fades at noon
I mean the stubborn kind that you choose
I could learn to listen and not be selective
I could learn to listen, to hear you and respect it
I could learn to let go of you and set aside my expectations
And put away the push and shove
I may not have what it takes for love
But I'm not afraid of the stakes for love
And I will weather the aches for love, grace will see me true
I have nothing here to prove
I could learn to love you, I could be faithful
I could learn to love, and lay it on the table
I could be your closest friend, I can take some distance
I could be your biggest fan, I can handle some resistance
I will tell the truth
The song "I Could Learn to Love You" by Ashley Cleveland is a powerful ballad about the possibility of choosing to love someone and putting in the effort to make a relationship work. The lyrics are impactful and raw, expressing the willingness to learn, change and grow for the sake of love.
The first verse talks about the different kinds of love: a mother's love, a fleeting infatuation, and the kind of love that is a choice. The singer acknowledges that she is at a point in her life where she is mature and strong enough to choose to love someone, even if it takes effort.
The next verse talks about the willingness to listen to the other person, to respect their thoughts and feelings, and to put aside one's own expectations. The singer also acknowledges that love is not easy, but she is willing to weather the storms of the relationship and be faithful. She states that she has nothing to prove, which suggests that this love would be authentic and not just for appearances or validation.
The chorus reiterates the possibility of learning to love the other person, and the singer also expresses her willingness to become their closest friend and supporter. She understands that there may be challenges and resistance, but she is willing to be honest and upfront about her feelings.
Overall, "I Could Learn to Love You" is a beautiful and honest depiction of the potential for growth and connection in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I could learn to love you, I'm old enough
At this stage in life, I have enough maturity to develop affection for you
I could learn to love you, I'm brave enough
Courage is not lacking in me to foster feelings of love for you
Not like a mother's love, decided from the womb
My love for you won't be an innate or instinctual mother-child bond
Not like a burning love that flares at night and fades at noon
This won't be a dangerous or ephemeral passion that quickly fades away
I mean the stubborn kind that you choose
It will be a persistent and determined love that is consciously chosen
I could learn to listen and not be selective
I am capable of actively hearing and considering your thoughts without bias or discrimination
I could learn to listen, to hear you and respect it
I can learn to genuinely hear and respect your views, opinions and experiences
I could get to know you apart from my own reflection
I am willing and able to know you as your own person, separate from my own thoughts, feelings and projections
I could learn to let go of you and set aside my expectations
I am prepared to relinquish all unrealistic expectations I may have of you and let you be who you are
And put away the push and shove
I won't try to control or force love, but rather allow it to develop naturally and peacefully
I may not have what it takes for love
I may not naturally possess all the qualities required for love, but I am willing to learn and work to develop them
But I'm not afraid of the stakes for love
I am not scared of the potential risks or rewards that come with loving someone
And I will weather the aches for love, grace will see me true
I will endure the inevitable pains and struggles that come with love, and rely on God's grace to sustain me through it
I have nothing here to prove
I am not trying to impress anyone or prove anything by loving you, but rather embracing love as a gift
I could learn to love you, I could be faithful
I am capable of being loyal and committed to loving you with honesty and sincerity
I could learn to love, and lay it on the table
I can learn to express and communicate my love for you openly, transparently and vulnerably
I could be your closest friend, I can take some distance
I am willing and able to be your intimate friend, but also respect your space and independence as needed
I could be your biggest fan, I can handle some resistance
I am willing and able to actively support and affirm you, while also being able to deal with any challenges or obstacles that come up
I will tell the truth
I will always strive to be honest and truthful in my thoughts, feelings and actions towards you
Contributed by Abigail B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.