Known for an eclectic style that incorporates elements of folk, country, and indie pop, Andrews began penning her own lyrics in her early teens and began touring at the age of 16. She eventually made her way east to New York City, landing work as a backing singer and session guitarist for many established artists, including Damien Jurado and Jimmy Eat World.
She made her full-length debut in 2016 with her album, Honest Life. Having stated that the bulk of the album's songs were written while she was in Belgium for four months and feeling homesick, Andrews finished writing after arriving home and taking a job bartending at a tavern just outside of Seattle. Establishing a rapport with some of the patrons of the bar, she realized that there were unifying themes in the cycle of life and humanity in the songs she'd been writing. Released by Mama Bird Recording Co. and Loose Music (Europe), 'Honest Life' received widespread acclaim from critics, and Andrews signed with Fat Possum in 2017. The following year, Andrews’ second full-length album, May Your Kindness Remain, was released. Recorded in Los Angeles with producer Mark Howard (Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan), it addressed the theme of empathy within the sociopolitical climate of the day with soulful vocal performances.
In June 2018, Rolling Stone named May Your Kindness Remain as one of the 25 Best Country and American Albums of 2018. In the United Kingdom, The Guardian similarly listed the album as one of the 25 Best Albums of 2018.
Andrews' announced her album 'Old Flowers' will be out June 5 2020 along with the first single, 'If I Told' and follow-up music video for the second single, "Burlap String".
It's Okay I Understand
Courtney Marie Andrews Lyrics
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And I′m sure after a few drinks, you say exactly what you mean,
We were lovers in december but it got colder, it got wetter,
And you told me in my car that you're leaving in the summer,
So I drove around,
Looking for stable ground,
But this road is full of turns,
My wheel it won′t work
You kept me underneath your bed like another one of your secrets,
And it′s okay, I understand, I will move on I will forget,
But you can still call me when it's really late or when you′re really drunk or on saturdays,
It's the only time I can talk to you, it′s the only time you'll listen to me,
But summer it will come, And I′ll find a new love, someone brave and unafraid, of the possibilities,
La la la la...
So why'd you sing to me, if it didn't mean a thing,
Why′d you look me in the eyes, if it just meant goodbyes
The song "It's Okay I Understand" by Courtney Marie Andrews is a heartbreaking tale of unrequited love, dashed hopes, and coming to terms with the harsh realities of relationships. The singer acknowledges that her lover has been sending mixed signals and that she isn't fooled by his words. She knows that when he's had a few drinks, he says what he means, but that doesn't make things any easier for her. She's been kept hidden from the rest of his life like a dirty secret, and she realizes that it's time to move on.
The singer tells the story of how she searched for stability on a road that was full of twists and turns, but her wheel wouldn't work. She's been kept hidden from the rest of the world like a dirty secret, and she realizes that it's time to move on. But even as she prepares to do so, she acknowledges that there will still be a part of her that yearns for what she can't have. She's resigned to the fact that she'll always be an afterthought for her lover, someone to call when nothing else is going on or when he's feeling lonely.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't confuse me, I get exactly what you're saying,
I understand you perfectly well.
And I'm sure after a few drinks, you say exactly what you mean,
I know that alcohol makes you more honest and straightforward.
We were lovers in december but it got colder, it got wetter,
Our relationship started off well, but deteriorated over time.
And you told me in my car that you're leaving in the summer,
You informed me that you'll be leaving soon.
So I drove around,
I tried to find direction.
Looking for stable ground,
Looking for a stable path in a tumultuous situation.
But this road is full of turns,
But the path of life is unpredictable.
When my wheel it won't work,
When I am struggling to navigate my path.
My wheel it won’t work
I am feeling stuck and unable to move forward.
You kept me underneath your bed like another one of your secrets,
You kept me hidden away like a shameful secret.
And it's okay, I understand, I will move on I will forget,
I accept that we are no longer together and am ready to move on.
But you can still call me when it's really late or when you're really drunk or on saturdays,
But you can still reach out to me during certain times when I am available.
It's the only time I can talk to you, it’s the only time you'll listen to me,
I am only able to communicate with you during those specific times.
But summer it will come, And I'll find a new love, someone brave and unafraid, of the possibilities,
The future holds new opportunities for me, including finding a new love who is unafraid.
So why'd you sing to me, if it didn't mean a thing,
Why did you share your feelings with me if they didn't matter?
Why'd you look me in the eyes, if it just meant goodbyes
Why did you give me false hope and say goodbye?
Writer(s): Courtney Marie Andrews
Contributed by Aaliyah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.