A man of rare poetic honesty, Whitleymaintained a resolute musical integrity throughout his career. His more than a dozen albums range from raw-boned folk-rock to lush electro-blues.
Whitley was born in Houston, Texas. Though relatively unknown to the mainstream, he worked with many top named musicians throughout his career. In 1991, U2/Peter Gabriel producer Daniel Lanois and his protégé, Malcolm Burn, recorded Whitley's debut album Living With the Law (Malcolm Burn also produced 2005's Soft Dangerous Shores). In 2000, Whitley worked with Chris Wood and Billy Martin from the famed trio of Medeski, Martin and Wood, on the Perfect Day album. Others like Dave Matthews and Bruce Hornsby also appeared on 2001's Rocket House.
Whitley played a unique brand of confessional acoustic and electric blues, mixed with inspired modern rock. His lyrics often contained overt sexual references and sometimes bordered on the surreal. An avid fan of jazz saxophone legend John Coltrane, Whitley was a master of the National / Dobro, made famous by many of the great Mississippi delta blues players of the 1930's. Whitley also appeared in the concert documentary Hellhounds on my Trail - The Afterlife of Robert Johnson, with Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir, Fleetwood Mac co-founder Peter Green, jam band Gov't Mule, and blues guitarist Keb' Mo. In addition to recording his original material, Whitley has also guested on albums by Mike Watt, Rob Wasserman, Cassandra Wilson, Dave Pirner (of Soul Asylum) and Shawn Colvin.
"The notable constant has been the quality of craftmanship, and the consistent question of how Whitley's combination of super songs, muscular-but-poetic lyrics, athletic voice and rock-god guitar work hasn't earned him a wider audience." - Detroit Free Press
"The post-Hendrix explosion of whammybar wankers hasn't produced a single axeman who can compare to Chris Whitley. His eerie, bluesy voice and American gothic tunes frequently draw attention from the fact that he picks like a pissed off Doc Watson jacked through a Marshall stack" - RollingStone.com
Health and death
In fall 2005, Chris Whitley cancelled his tour due to health issues. Dan Whitley, his brother, revealed on November 11, 2005 that he was "in a comfortable warm home with hospice care at his disposal". Later that week it was revealed that he was terminally ill with lung cancer. On November 20, 2005, his death (at the age of 45) was announced by Dan Whitley and Chris' daughter, Trixie Whitley.
Little Torch
Chris Whitley Lyrics
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Casting all restraints to the wind
Fanning out her flame to little men
Well, they never gonna take your heart away
Like a million to one, you're the one
I would side with you, you're the one
Now about to rise and run
But they never gonna let you get away
Well, the world will follow always
Here she comes sending the faithless home
Tending these fuses alone
Offending the ice age, you're the one
I would side with you, you're the one
As bright as you want to, you're the one
I would side with you, you're the one
In Chris Whitley's song Little Torch, the singer presents an empowering message to a woman who he sees as strong and fiery. He describes her as catching on fire again, casting off restraints, and fanning out her flame to little men. The fire imagery could symbolize passion, confidence, and a refusal to be held back. The little men could represent those who try to diminish her power, but Whitley believes that they will never be able to take her heart away. He sees her as one in a million, bright, and unstoppable.
The chorus repeats that sentiment, with Whitley declaring that he would side with her and that she is the one who shines as brightly as she wants to. He also adds that the woman is about to "rise and run," but that the world will always follow her. The final verse continues with the fire imagery, stating that the woman offends the ice age, a metaphor for societal norms and expectations that would suppress her, but she perseveres alone, tending to her own fuses and sending the faithless home.
Overall, the song seems to be a celebration of a woman who refuses to be held back by anyone or anything. Whitley praises her strength, power, and fire, and declares his support for her. The lyrics might inspire listeners to similarly embrace their own strength, confidence, and passion in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Here she comes catching on fire again
She is full of passion and energy, ready to take on the world
Casting all restraints to the wind
She is unapologetically living her life without any inhibitions
Fanning out her flame to little men
She is sharing her light and energy with those who are not as strong as she is
Well, they never gonna take your heart away
No one can ever break her spirit or take away her passion
Like a million to one, you're the one
Despite the odds being against her, she is unique and special
I would side with you, you're the one
I would support her and stand by her
Bright as you want to, you're the one
She can be as brilliant and radiant as she desires
Now about to rise and run
She is ready to spread her wings and take flight
But they never gonna let you get away
There will always be obstacles and people who try to hold her back
Well, the world will follow always
Despite the challenges, she has the power to inspire and lead others
Here she comes sending the faithless home
She is making a statement by showing those who lack faith what is possible
Tending these fuses alone
She is managing her own passions and pursuits without the need for anyone else's help
Offending the ice age, you're the one
She is breaking through old-fashioned and outdated beliefs with her own modern approach
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS WHITLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind