After dropping out of high school, Marshall started performing under the name Cat Power, while in Atlanta, backed by musicians Glen Thrasher, Mark Moore, and others. She soon moved to New York City, New York, United States in 1992, then later opening for Liz Phair in 1994, she met Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth and Tim Foljahn of Two Dollar Guitar, who encouraged her to record, and played on her first two albums, 1995's Dear Sir and 1996's Myra Lee. In 1996 she was signed to Matador Records, and released her third album, What Would the Community Think, which spawned a single and music video, "Nude as the News".
Shortly following the release of What Would the Community Think Marshall disappeared from the musical scene, initially working as a baby sitter in Portland, Oregon and then moving to a farmhouse in Prosperity, South Carolina with boyfriend Bill Callahan (who performs under the name Smog). The plan was to permanently retire from music but during a sleepless night resulting from a nightmare, Marshall wrote several new songs. These songs would make up the bulk of Moon Pix. The album was recorded at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne in eleven days with backing musicians Mick Turner and Jim White of the Dirty Three. The album was well-received by critics, and gained her recognition in the indie rock scene. However, during the subsequent tours she grew tired of her own material. This resulted in a series of shows during 1999 involving Marshall providing musical accompaniment to a series of screenings of the silent movie The Passion of Joan of Arc. The shows combined original material and many covers, many of which would later see release on The Covers Record, a collection of cover songs recorded at various sessions in 1998 and 1999. A selection of covers that didn't make it on to the album were recorded at Peel Acres, home of the highly influential and legendary British DJ John Peel. The session was broadcast on his BBC Radio 1 show and featured Marshall's own interpretations of Bob Dylan's "Hard Times in New York Town" amongst others.
In 2003 she resumed releasing original material with You Are Free, a diverse and critically acclaimed album that featured guest musicians such as Eddie Vedder, Dave Grohl, and the Dirty Three's Warren Ellis.
2004 saw the release of Speaking for Trees, a critically polarizing DVD which featured a single two-hour static shot of Marshall performing in a woodland. It was accompanied by an audio CD containing the 18-minute song "Willie Deadwilder", which featured M. Ward on guitar. 2005 found Cat Power out on the road again, touring the world and playing sold-out solo shows, including an Australian tour supporting Nick Cave. The shows largely consisted of material for her next album.
Cat Power's seventh record, The Greatest, was released in January, 2006. This was not a "Greatest Hits" record but rather a collaboration with Al Green's guitarist Teenie Hodges and many other well-known R&B musicians. A tour followed in the fall of 2006.
Early in 2006, Marshall announced the cancellation of her upcoming United States tour, citing "health-related issues". A few days later, Matador announced the cancellation of her two shows in London and Paris. She resumed touring in April 2006, playing some of the most well received shows of her career both with the Memphis Rhythm Band and as a solo performer.
In 2007, she played live music for the spring/ summer Chanel Haute Couture collection in Paris and appeared in Wong Kar Wai's film My Blueberry Nights as Katya. Also in 2007, she became the first female ever to win the Shortlist Music Prize when The Greatest was voted album of the year in June. Earlier in the year she was nominated in the Best International Female category at the annual Brit Awards, alongside more mainstream artists like Christina Aguilera and Nelly Furtado.
On January 22, 2008, Cat Power released a second collection of covers called Jukebox--her eighth LP overall. It included versions of songs by artists such as Hank Williams, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Patsy Cline and Janis Joplin.
Since then, she has released an EP called "The Dark End of the Street" on vinyl, only.
Cat Power released her first original song since 2008 just before Christmas 2011 when an MP3 of "King Rides By" was made available on her official site, in exchange for a donation of at least $0.99 to the Festival of Children Foundation and the Ali Forney Center charities. (King Rides By Songfacts).
In 2012, Cat Power released her 9th studio album, Sun which received generally positive reviews from critics. The album was included in several year-end lists by music critics and publications. Rolling Stone magazine, in their list of the "50 Best Albums of 2012", ranked it at sixteenth place, writing "the idea of the brilliantly morose Chan Marshall making a dance-rock record is almost absurd. Yet the groove-powered Sun is a perfect fit." The A.V. Club placed the album at number twenty-two on their list of the "Best Albums of 2012." Billboard also placed the album at number nine in their list of the "10 Best Albums of 2012."The L.A. Times and Filter magazine both placed the album at number six in their lists of the best albums of 2012. Sun was also included on two separate "Best Music of 2012" lists compiled by NPR, appearing at number five on the list compiled by Bob Boilen,while topping the list compiled by Robin Hilton. The album was also listed twenty-eighth on Stereogum's list of top 50 albums of 2012. Thus, becoming Cat Power's most successful original album.
In April 2015, Marshall announced that she recently had a baby.
In February 2016, Marshall had to cancel her New Zealand shows due to health reasons. According to an official press release, this is the first time in Marshall's 18-year touring history she has been forced to postpone, but is "determined to make it back ASAP, and in good health".
Hate
Cat Power Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone will tell you there's no place to hide
There's no laws or rules to unchain your life
But the ones who didn't make it
The ones who couldn't take it
So glad they have made it out alive
Everyone loves the fun everyone comes by
They can give me pills
Or let me drink my fill
The heart wants to explode far away
Where nobody knows
Do you believe she said that
Do you believe she said that
I said I hate myself and I want to die
Half of it is innocent
The other half is wise
The whole damn thing makes no sense
I wish I could tell you a lie
Hey come here
Let me whisper in your ear
I hate myself and I want to die
Do you believe she said that
Can you believe she repeated that
I said I hate me myself and I
I said I hate myself and I want to die
Cat Power's song "Hate" is a powerful yet ambiguous song that explores themes of depression, self-harm, and suicide. The opening lines, "Anyone can tell you there's no more road to ride, everyone will tell you there's no place to hide," suggest a sense of hopelessness and despair. The following lines, "there's no laws or rules to unchain your life, but the ones who didn't make it, the ones who couldn't take it, so glad they have made it out alive," add a darker tone to the song. The use of "the ones who didn't make it" refers to those who succumbed to their depression or suicidal thoughts, and the use of "so glad they have made it out alive" is a subtle yet poignant reminder that suicide is not the answer.
Later in the song, the lines "they can give me pills, or let me drink my fill, the heart wants to explode far away where nobody knows," suggest a sense of desperation and a longing to escape. The repetition of "I hate myself and I want to die" adds to the overall tone of the song and highlights the weight of these emotions.
Overall, "Hate" is a haunting song that brings attention to the complexities of depression and suicidal thoughts. The ambiguity of the lyrics leaves room for interpretation and reflection, making it a powerful piece of art.
Line by Line Meaning
Anyone can tell you there's no more road to ride
People might say that you can't go further in life or achieve your goals anymore.
Everyone will tell you there's no place to hide
People might say that there's no escape from problems or issues that you face.
There's no laws or rules to unchain your life
There aren't any particular laws or regulations that would hamper your freedom in life.
But the ones who didn't make it
However, those who had failed to achieve success in life.
The ones who couldn't take it
Those who couldn't bear the burden or pressure that came with life.
So glad they have made it out alive
They are now glad to have survived through life's struggles and difficulties.
Everyone loves the fun everyone comes by
People enjoy having fun and socializing with others.
In the wind I crunch I want to die
However, the artist feels overwhelmed and is driven to suicidal thoughts.
They can give me pills
The artist may be presented with medications to cope with their mental health issues.
Or let me drink my fill
Alternatively, they are being offered indulgences such as alcohol as a way to cope.
The heart wants to explode far away
The singer experiences intense feelings of despair and demotivation.
Where nobody knows
They desire to escape their current situation, and be in a place where they are free and undiscovered.
Do you believe she said that
The singer is reflecting on the disbelief that others may have regarding the rawness of her statements.
I said I hate myself and I want to die
The singer is explicitly stating their suicidal thoughts; the pain they feel is so great that they would rather die.
Half of it is innocent
Part of the feeling is pure and uncontaminated by external factors.
The other half is wise
The rest of the sentiment is equally wise, its gravity and importance must be acknowledged.
The whole damn thing makes no sense
Despite the duality of the artist's emotions, the overall negative and overwhelming feeling is still not understandable.
I wish I could tell you a lie
The singer may wish to deceive others about the truth of their painful emotional state to avoid scrutiny and harsh criticism.
Hey come here
The singer tries to grab the attention of the listener.
Let me whisper in your ear
They try to make a secretive, intimate conversation with the listener.
Can you believe she repeated that
The artist thinks the listener is shocked about their repeated reference to their suicidal ideation.
I said I hate myself and I want to die
The artist repeats their previous line for emphasis and to reaffirm the gravity of their emotional pain.
I said I hate me myself and I
The repeated phrase highlights the depth and severity of the singer's self-loathing emotions.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Coraline2000
Lyrics
Anyone can tell you there's no more road to ride
Everyone will tell you there's no place to hide
There's no laws or rules to unchain your life
But the ones who didn't make it,
The ones who couldn't take it,
So glad they made it out alive
Everyone loves the fun
Everyone comes by
In the wind I crunch, I want to die
They can give me pills
Or let me drink my fill
The heart wants to explode
Far away where nobody knows
Do you believe she said that?
Do you believe she said that?
I said “I hate myself and I want to die”
Half of it is innocent
The other half is wise
The whole damn thing makes no sense
I wish I could tell you a lie
Hey, come here
Let me whisper in your ear
I hate myself and I want to die
Do you believe she said that?
Can you believe she repeated that?
I said, “I hate me, myself and I”
Said “I hate myself and I want to die”
Anita Amini
Anyone can tell you there's no more road to ride
Everyone will tell you there's no place to hide
There's no laws or rules to enchain your life
But the ones who didn't make it, the ones who couldn't take it
So glad they made it out alive
Everyone loves the fun, everyone comes by
In the wind I crunch, I want to die
They can give me pills or let me drink my fill
The heart wants to explode far away where nobody knows
Do you believe she said that?
Do you believe she said that?
I said I hate myself and I want to die
Half of it is innocent, the other half is wise
The whole damn thing makes no sense
I wish I could tell you a lie
Hey, come here let me whisper in your ear
I hate myself and I want to die
Do you believe she said that?
Can you believe she repeated that?
I said, I hate me, myself and I
Said I hate myself and I want to die
Read more: Cat Power - Hate Lyrics | MetroLyrics
Da Giant Ratt
We’ve been sent good weather.
We’ve been sent good weather.
We’ve been sent good weather.
We’ve been sent good weather.
We’ve been sent good weather.
We’ve been sent good weather.
We’ve been sent good weather.
We’ve been sent good weather.
We’ve been sent good weather.
We’ve been sent good weather.
We’ve been sent good weather.
Christine S
Blessed be the fruit and blessed be this song.
Travis K
Tell it.
Mary Wilson VOCALIST
May the lord close their leggies firmly!
cha inare
blessed be the fruitloops
slowed it down
Under his eye
Ant
HFS y'all...,,.............
sfincione2000
Nice to see some of the people working in Hollywood / the movie industry still have good taste in music. Chan Marshall kicks ass. Her voice is incredible. I love how she sings. It's captivating.
edith bunker
So poignant and visceral. Cat Power deserves more recognition.
Chrissy Gurrola
I adore her soothing voice and ruff, primitive guitar. it just speaks to me
Coraline2000
Lyrics
Anyone can tell you there's no more road to ride
Everyone will tell you there's no place to hide
There's no laws or rules to unchain your life
But the ones who didn't make it,
The ones who couldn't take it,
So glad they made it out alive
Everyone loves the fun
Everyone comes by
In the wind I crunch, I want to die
They can give me pills
Or let me drink my fill
The heart wants to explode
Far away where nobody knows
Do you believe she said that?
Do you believe she said that?
I said “I hate myself and I want to die”
Half of it is innocent
The other half is wise
The whole damn thing makes no sense
I wish I could tell you a lie
Hey, come here
Let me whisper in your ear
I hate myself and I want to die
Do you believe she said that?
Can you believe she repeated that?
I said, “I hate me, myself and I”
Said “I hate myself and I want to die”