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
Little Love Letter #2
Carlene Carter Lyrics
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Although you didn't agree with the way that I dressed
We were the business, oh what a team
Now our hillbilly heaven's turned into a bad, bad dream
Is it something you drank, is it something you ate
Did I somehow rain on your hit parade!
I can't please you, no there ain't no way
I'm gonna wash my hands of you
The lyrics of Carlene Carter's "Little Love Letter #2" express the frustration and disappointment of a woman in a relationship that has gone sour. The song begins with the woman recalling how her partner used to love her deeply and thought she was the best. However, his disapproval of the way she dressed has put a strain on their relationship. We then hear the woman reminiscing about how great their relationship used to be, with them being a great team that conquered everything together. But, now that their relationship has gone south, it seems like they are living a nightmare.
The song then moves on to the woman asking her partner what went wrong. She questions whether he drank or ate something that made him change his feelings towards her, or whether she somehow ruined something in his life. But it seems like all those questions will go unanswered as the woman realizes that she can't please her lover anymore. The song ends with her making the difficult decision of washing her hands of him and moving on from the dead-end relationship.
Overall, "Little Love Letter #2" is a powerful song that showcases the emotions of a woman who has been let down by her partner. The song highlights the struggles and the pain of a relationship that has lost its spark.
Line by Line Meaning
You used to love me a lot, you said that I was the best
You expressed your fondness towards me and admired me in the past.
Although you didn't agree with the way that I dressed
Despite disliking my choice of clothing, you still cared for me.
We were the business, oh what a team
Together, we were successful and worked well as a team.
Now our hillbilly heaven's turned into a bad, bad dream
Our happy and peaceful life has transformed into a nightmare.
Is it something you drank, is it something you ate
Did you consume something that caused a change in your behavior?
Did I somehow rain on your hit parade!
Did I ruin your plans or affect your success?
I can't please you, no there ain't no way
I am unable to satisfy you or make you happy.
I'm gonna wash my hands of you
I am going to cut ties with you and move on from this situation.
I'm gonna wash my hands of you
I am going to cut ties with you and move on from this situation.
Contributed by Allison C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.