In 1976, Chapman played with a rock and pop group called "Harmony" in Montgomery, Alabama, effectively replacing Tommy Shaw who had just left to join Styx. She played acoustic guitar and piano as well as providing vocals for the group in a locally-popular bowling alley bar called Kegler's Kove and has returned to play in the area on an infrequent basis ever since.
Chapman has had several popular songs on the Adult-Contemporary charts in the 1990's, such as "I Keep Coming Back To You", "Walk My Way", "The Moment You Were Mine" and "All I Have". In 1993, she sang a popular duet with Paul Carrack, "In The Time It Takes". In early 2010 Chapman's "Back To Love" album was #1 on the UK itunes country charts.
Co-songwriter of Faith Hill's hit song, "This Kiss", many other singers have interpreted her songs: Trisha Yearwood ("Down On My Knees"), Martina McBride ("Happy Girl"), Willie Nelson (“Nothing I Can Do About it Now”), Tanya Tucker (“Strong Enough to Bend”), Lorrie Morgan (“Five Minutes”), Mary Chapin Carpenter (“Almost Home”), Bette Midler ("The Color of Roses") and others.
Bonnie Raitt has sung background vocals on several songs, including "Shake My Soul".
Chapman's husband Ernest Chapman died of cancer in 1994. In 2000, Beth experienced her own battle with breast cancer. The song "Sand And Water" was written after Ernest's death; Elton John performed this song during his 1997 World Tour.
Discography
* Hearing It First (1980)
* Beth Nielsen Chapman (1990)
* You Hold the Key (1993)
* Sand and Water (1997)
* Greatest Hits (1999)
* Deeper Still (2002)
* Hymns (2004)
* Look (2005)
* Prism (2007)
Simple Things
Beth Nielsen Chapman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time won't wait
Life goes by
Everyday's a brand new scar
Every tear comes to dry
All that really matters in this crazy world
Is you and I together
The first leaves off the tree
The way you look at me
A thousand chiming church bells ring
The simple things are free
The sun, the moon, the stars
The beating of two hearts
How I love the simple things
The simple things just are
So here we go
Let's just dance
Teach my soul to take this chance
Put my heart in your hands
Out of all the moments that we leave behind
Turn around and tell me baby
We'll remember
The thunder and the rain
The way you say my name
After all the clouds roll by
The simple things remain
The sun, the moon, the stars
The beating of two hearts
How I love the simple things
The simple things just are
Oh oh oh ah oh
The ocean and the sun
The way we feel tonight
To know that it's the love that brings
The simple things to life
The sun, the moon, the stars
The beating of two hearts
I love the way the simple things
The simple things just are
I love the simple things
I love the way that simple things just are
The simple things
Just are
The simple things
Just are
In "Simple Things," Beth Nielsen Chapman encourages her listeners to appreciate the value of small moments and cherish them. She starts out by acknowledging the inevitability of the passing of time and how it leaves scars, but at the same time, tears also eventually dry. She believes that what really matters in life is the connection and bond she shares with someone special. Be it a romantic lover, a friend or a family member, as long as they are together, things will be okay. Chapman then goes on to highlight some of the simple things that are available to us all but often get overlooked. The way one looks at another, the first leaves off the trees, the sound of church bells ringing, the sun, the moon and the stars and the way two hearts beat. She suggests that these are the things that bring us joy and happiness in a world that is full of complexities.
Chapman then urges us to seize the moment, live life to the fullest and be present. She wants us to dance and teach our souls to take chances because life is too short. When we look back on our lives, we should have no regrets and be content with the little moments we have shared. She reaffirms that the thunder and the rain, the way we pronounce each other's names and the simple things will remain in our memories forever. The song ends by reiterating the beauty of the simple things that just are, and that we should cherish them.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey
An informal greeting or start of a conversation
Time won't wait
Time is constantly moving forward and waits for no one
Life goes by
Life passes by quickly
Everyday's a brand new scar
Every day presents new challenges and obstacles
Every tear comes to dry
Every sadness fades away with time
All that really matters in this crazy world
In this chaotic world, the only thing that truly matters is love
Is you and I together
Being together is the most important thing
Baby, just remember
A term of endearment and a reminder to hold onto love
The first leaves off the tree
The start of a new season
The way you look at me
The way someone looks at you can express love and admiration
A thousand chiming church bells ring
A metaphor for happiness and celebration
The simple things are free
It's the little, free things that bring joy and happiness
The sun, the moon, the stars
The beauty of nature is priceless
The beating of two hearts
The love between two people is the most important thing
How I love the simple things
An expression of love and appreciation for the little things in life
The simple things just are
Simple things are what they are and are perfect in their simplicity
So here we go
An expression of excitement and readiness
Let's just dance
Let's enjoy the moment and dance
Teach my soul to take this chance
A request to embrace the moment and take a chance on love
Put my heart in your hands
Trust and vulnerability in love
Out of all the moments that we leave behind
Reflecting on past moments in life
Turn around and tell me baby
Asking for reassurance and validation in love
We'll remember
Memories are valuable and cherished
The thunder and the rain
Acknowledgment of life's challenges and obstacles
The way you say my name
The way someone says your name can symbolize love and affection
After all the clouds roll by
After facing life's challenges, there is still happiness and love
The ocean and the sun
The beauty of nature brings joy and peace
The way we feel tonight
Being present in the moment and appreciating love
To know that it's the love that brings
Acknowledging that love is the source of happiness and joy
The simple things to life
The little things in life are what bring happiness
I love the way the simple things
Expressing love and appreciation for the little things in life
I love the simple things just are
Perfect simplicity in the little things in life
The simple things
An emphasis on the importance of the little things in life
Just are
The little things are perfect as they are
Writer(s): James Merrill Brickman, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Darrell R. Brown
Contributed by Hudson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sacred Fire Music
Your song is uplifting and carries such positive vibes Beth. Love it. xoxo
Hugs from Mj & Dean
Penny Thresher
Beautiful, I love this song. Thank you Beth x
Oscar Aparicio Pedrosa
Great, Great Song. I just discovered this song. Tasteful and sensible music and lyrics. Once in a while you discover a song that don't know for what reason you feel like it will be your favorite forever. This song, sure will be with me forever.
marla fields
Always INSPIRING us Beth - Thank you!
Anne Kingston
Love this song, great video too, touched me, thank you so much.
Debra L Adams
Simply beautiful. Blessings!
David Boswell
Wonderful song...I've loved BNC's music since 1990 All I Have.
Michael L. Morehead
Emily was it for me
Julie Anne Lackey
Love it!!!
RMTL *
Nice video. Just real people doing real things. Love it.