Chris Smither (born November 11, 1944 in Miami, Florida) is an American fol… Read Full Bio ↴Chris Smither (born November 11, 1944 in Miami, Florida) is an American folk/blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He grew up mainly in New Orleans and attended the University of the Americas in Mexico City, planning on becoming an anthropologist, but transferred to Tulane University after a year, during which time he discovered the music of Mississippi John Hurt. While in Paris for a junior year abroad, he spent his time playing guitar rather than attending classes and was kicked out of college as a result. In 1965, he left for Florida to meet Eric von Schmidt, another musical hero of his. von Schmidt encouraged Smither to move to New York City or Cambridge, Massachusetts, and so Smither moved to Cambridge and when he showed up at Club 47, found von Schmidt performing there, who invited him to play a few songs on stage. His first album, I'm a Stranger, Too was released on Poppy Records in 1970. Chris Smither has been touring since then.

Chris Smithers song "Love you like a man" from Smithers first album has been famously covered by Bonnie Raitt who has made it a signature song of hers under the title "Love me like a man" (published on her second Album "Give it up")- she has openly expressed admiration for Chris Smithers songwriting and guitarplaying. Later Raitt's version of the song has been covered by The Dixie Chicks and Diana Krall.

The protagonist of Linda Barnes's series of "Carlotta Carlyle" mysteries is a fan of Smither's music and several of her books mention it.

Thanks to You
Chris Smither Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well goodness is it really real
It would take a baby child to know the way I feel
On my flutter in the blue
I would take the credit but it's thanks to you

Ooh yeah I'm a sinner and
I ain't some beginner
I'll uncork a pint of trouble

Sit down and drink a double
I'm thirsty for somethin' lighter
That'll get me even tighter
And tighter until one day
I think I hear angels play

Well goodness is it really real
It would take a baby child to know the way I feel
On my flutter in the blue
I would take the credit but it's thanks to you

Now someday up in glory
Well I'll weep and tell the story
To someone who will smile and say
You're a mess but you're my child

Goodness is it real
It would take a baby child to know the way I feel
On my flutter in the blue
I would take the credit but it's thanks to you

Now someday up in glory
Well I'll weep and tell the story
To someone who will smile and say
You're a mess but you're my child

Goodness is it real
It would take a baby child to know the way I feel

On my flutter in the blue
I would take the credit but it's thanks to you

Overall Meaning

This song, "Thanks to You," by Chris Smither, is a reflective ode to the transformative power of love and the effect it has on a person's life. The opening lines "Well goodness is it really real, it would take a baby child to know the way I feel," suggests the innocence and pureness of love unbeknownst to adults who may be blinded by the complexities of the world. The "flutter in the blue," may refer to a newfound euphoria or a moment of clarity that comes with love.

The next verse expresses the singer's flaws and troubles, suggesting they've had a rough past, but the subject of the song has helped them find something "lighter" that brings them a feeling of wholeness. The final verse touches upon the idea of an afterlife, where the singer will tell their story to someone who accepts them despite their flaws. The repetition of the line "goodness is it real" acts as a reminder of the transformative power of love that the singer keeps returning to throughout the song.

Overall, "Thanks to You" is an emotional love song that acknowledges the subject's impact on the singer and how the love they share has changed their life for the better.

Line by Line Meaning

Well goodness is it really real
Expressing disbelief or surprise at the reality of goodness or a positive feeling

It would take a baby child to know the way I feel
Only someone who is innocent and naive like a baby would truly understand how I feel

On my flutter in the blue
Referring to a feeling of being lost or confused

I would take the credit but it's thanks to you
I may want to take credit for my positive feelings, but really, it's because of someone else's influence on my life

Ooh yeah I'm a sinner and
Admitting to being imperfect and making mistakes

I ain't some beginner
I am experienced and familiar with my flaws

I'll uncork a pint of trouble
I will allow myself to indulge in trouble or negativity

Sit down and drink a double
To make the mistake again or to truly indulge in something negative

I'm thirsty for somethin' lighter
I am looking for something more positive or uplifting

That'll get me even tighter
I am seeking something that will have an even greater positive effect on me

And tighter until one day
My positive feelings will continue to grow and become more intense, until one day

I think I hear angels play
I will have a profound, positive experience

Now someday up in glory
At some point in the future, in a state of enlightenment or higher power

Well I'll weep and tell the story
I will be emotional and share my story

To someone who will smile and say
To someone who will be compassionate and understanding

You're a mess but you're my child
Despite my imperfections, I am loved and accepted by a higher power