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.
Serve You
Chris Whitley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Know exactly where, don't know why
Some day I will serve you, some day
Some day I will serve you, some day
See the water falling from the cloud
Know exactly when, don't know how
Some day I will serve you, some day
Some day I will serve you, some day
Some day I will serve you, some day
Some day I will serve you, some day
Now the moon will rise on your naked faith
Cause a wave to break where you bathe
Some day I will serve you, some day
Some day I will serve you, some day
Some day I will serve you, some day
Some day I will serve you
The lyrics in Chris Whitley's "Serve You" are both puzzling and captivating at the same time. The song opens with an image of a "migrant wing against the sky," which immediately sets a tone of movement and transience. However, Whitley's choice to include "know exactly where, don't know why" lets listeners know that this isn't just any type of migration - there's a sense of purpose and directive behind it that's yet to be revealed.
This intriguing sense of mystery carries through the rest of the song, as Whitley invokes various natural elements and imagery. He speaks of water falling from clouds, the rise of the moon, and waves breaking on a shore. However, he always couples these descriptions with a sense of ambiguity - listeners have no idea when or how the water is falling or how the moon rising will affect the listener. This lack of certainty is mirrored in the repeated refrain of "some day I will serve you," where it's unclear exactly who or what Whitley is serving.
Overall, "Serve You" is a song that's open to many interpretations, and part of its beauty is in that ambiguity. It could be seen as a meditation on fate, or an ode to the unpredictability of nature. Whitley's haunting guitar and voice only add to the sense of mystery, creating a song that stays with the listener long after it's over.
Line by Line Meaning
See the migrant wing against the sky
Observing birds flying in formation against the backdrop of the sky, recognizing the sight but not comprehending the reason behind it.
Know exactly where, don't know why
Being able to identify the location of the birds but lacking the understanding of the purpose behind their flight path.
Some day I will serve you, some day
Expressing the desire to offer oneself for some greater purpose, without a specific timeline or plan.
See the water falling from the cloud
Observing rain falling from the clouds above, a phenomenon that is known and recognizable.
Know exactly when, don't know how
Being able to predict the timing of rainfall, but lacking knowledge of the mechanics or forces that generate it.
Now the moon will rise on your naked faith
Having the belief in something or someone exposed and illuminated, like the rising of the moon, a symbol of enlightenment.
Cause a wave to break where you bathe
The manifestation of the revealed belief causing an effect, like waves breaking on a beach where someone is bathing.
Some day I will serve you, some day
Reiterating the aspiration to contribute to a greater purpose, without specifying when this will happen.
Some day I will serve you, some day
Reiterating the aspiration to contribute to a greater purpose, without specifying when this will happen.
Some day I will serve you, some day
Reiterating the aspiration to contribute to a greater purpose, without specifying when this will happen.
Some day I will serve you
Stating the intention to offer oneself for some greater purpose, with conviction and determination.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS WHITLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind