Though her recording career had begun in the late 1970s with her eponymous debut album, it was with 1990's I Fell in Love that Carter's career really took off, with the album and title song topping the US country albums and singles charts, respectively. The album, which featured straight-ahead, retro-sounding country (her prior work had combined country, rock and roll and pop sounds), was among the first successes of the 1990s "neotraditionalist" movement in country. 1993's Little Love Letters featured the hit "Every Little Thing", which was accompanied by one of the top-rated music videos of the year.
Carter's winning stream ended with 1995's Little Acts of Treason, which, while critically well received, failed to achieve the commercial success of the Carter's two previous releases.
She also found limited amounts of fame with the song "It takes one to know me", which was released on the albums "Johnny Cash the Legend" and "Johnny and June duets". Originally recorded in 1977 with a full string backing group, it was lost in a tape collection in Hendersonville and uncovered in 2003. It was then remastered by her brother John Carter Cash. In the remastered version, John added his and his wife Laura's backing vocals and a guest appearance from Carlene herself - more than 35 years after she wrote and recorded the song.
She was played by Victoria Hester in the movie Walk the Line.
The track 'Every Little Thing' is also featured in the pinball machine 'Red and Ted's Road Show' released by Williams Electronic Games in 1994. Carter also does the voice of one of the main characters in the pinball game
Guardian Angel
Carlene Carter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where they've been or where they're going
I'm not one but I know some
I've been selfish with affection
I threw it all in one direction
To turn around and then I found
The ones I loved I'd let 'em down
I lived my life like no tomorrow
A lot of laughs and such sweet sorrow
But most the time I took for granted
And heaven knows somebody planned it
There must be someone watching over me
A guardian angel guiding me
A guardian angel just for me
About the company I'm keeping
I slipped away while they were sleeping
I kissed the boys and made them cry
Oh I never stopped to say good-bye
Some folks live their life not knowing
Where they've been or where they're going
I've been up to living it down
And heaven knows I know how now
There must be someone watching over me
A guardian angel guiding me
A guardian angel just for me
A guardian angel watching me
A guardian angel just for me
A guardian angel...
Carlene Carter's song "Guardian Angel" is a reflection on the choices we make in life and the impact they have on those around us. The first verse sets the scene for the singer acknowledging her own past mistakes in "throwing all [her] affection in one direction" and neglecting those she loved. However, she also recognizes that there must be something or someone watching over her, guiding her, and perhaps even atoning for her past actions. The chorus repeats the idea of a guardian angel watching over and guiding the singer, emphasizing how significant this presence is to her.
The second verse reveals more about the singer's past and the company she kept, highlighting the recklessness of her youth in kissing boys and leaving without saying goodbye. However, the final verse shows how the singer has changed and learned from her experiences, indicating that she now understands the worth of treating those around her with care and respect.
The title of the song, "Guardian Angel," suggests a hope for redemption and suggests that even when we make mistakes, someone or something is looking out for us. Perhaps this song is a reminder that we can all learn from our past and strive to do better in the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Some folks live their life not knowing
There are some people who go through life without any direction or purpose.
Where they've been or where they're going
These people are not aware of their past or have no idea what their future holds.
I'm not one but I know some
Although I'm not one of those people, I know some who are.
I've been selfish with affection
I haven't been generous enough with my love and care for others.
I threw it all in one direction
I focused all my love and attention on one thing, neglecting other important aspects of my life.
To turn around and then I found
After realizing my mistake and looking back, I discovered something important.
The ones I loved I'd let 'em down
Due to my selfishness, I disappointed and hurt those who I claimed to love.
There must be a guardian angel
I believe that there is a higher power looking out for me and guiding me through life.
I lived my life like no tomorrow
I lived recklessly and without a care for the future.
A lot of laughs and such sweet sorrow
My life was filled with both joyous and painful moments.
But most the time I took for granted
I didn't appreciate or value the good things in my life, instead taking them for granted.
And heaven knows somebody planned it
I believe that the events of my life were planned by a higher power for a purpose.
About the company I'm keeping
I am aware of the people I surround myself with.
I slipped away while they were sleeping
I left without saying goodbye or explaining myself to those I care about.
I kissed the boys and made them cry
I hurt and caused emotional pain to the men I had been involved with.
Oh I never stopped to say good-bye
I didn't take the time to properly end things and show my respect for others.
I've been up to living it down
I've been trying to fix my past mistakes and make things right.
And heaven knows I know how now
I've come to realize my mistakes and am ready to do better going forward.
There must be someone watching over me
I feel that there is a higher power looking out for me and guiding me through life.
A guardian angel guiding me
This higher power is acting as my guardian angel, helping me make better choices and decisions.
A guardian angel just for me
I believe that this guardian angel is there solely for me, taking care of me and helping me along the way.
A guardian angel watching me
I feel that this higher power is constantly monitoring my life and activities.
A guardian angel just for me
I believe that this guardian angel is specifically assigned to me, with my best interests at heart.
A guardian angel...
I trust and believe that my guardian angel will continue to watch over me and guide me on my journey through life.
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BEN HARRIS, PAUL HARRIS, STEVE SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind