”My music is a reflection of my life,” says a matter-of-fact Elisabeth. “Through my work, I want people to know that with a strong self-love, work ethic and fearlessness, anything is possible.” Indeed, It Can Happen To Anyone makes its case for the Berklee School of Music and NYU graduate. It is uplifting and honest but it is also sensuous and passionate and at times seriously sexy, unpredictable and just plain infectious.
Fans of Elisabeth Withers’ Broadway work will be taken aback by the impressive range of her album, which mines everything from R&B, gospel and pop to old school cabaret and rock. Not surprising when you consider Elisabeth loves both Millie Jackson and Sheryl Crow.
The title track finds Elisabeth warning the object of her affection over a funked-up groove with such bold proclamations as, “When you are born until ya grow old, somewhere it’s blowing in the wind. Love don’t care because it comes on, it’s own time!” The church inflected track “Simple Things,” showcases Elisabeth’s deep timbre vocals as she encourages listeners to see the beauty in everyday life. “The World Ain’t Ready” showcases its message of female empowerment over an infectious reggae dancehall rhythm. And on the warm love letter feel of “Heartstrings,” she coos of a love that makes you “want to scream like Tina,” and “shine like the brightest star.”
At first glance, music seemed like an unlikely path for a young and confident Elisabeth. Raised in a middle class, Midwest household, where her mother excelled as a mathematical engineer and her father was a political powerbroker, an interest in anything remotely resembling the arts might have raised eyebrows. Luckily Withers, her sister and two brothers were supported by parents who created a loving environment where individuality was as much a premium as a discipline. At five-years-old, Elisabeth began singing along to her parents’ record collection.
”All of my brothers, including my dad, would laugh at me,” she muses. “Just picture a little me belting out some Natalie Cole or Gladys Knight over dinner, veins popping out of my neck, trying to reach all of these notes” it was too funny. But I remember my mom would get angry and say, “You guys will not laugh at your sister. She’s going to sing!”
Elisabeth saw the meaning of sacrifice first hand as mom placed her professional life on hold to raise the kids while her father worked extra hard to make sure all four kids had everything they needed to excel. By her early teens, performing at talent shows and social engagements had become the norm. The gifted singer saw her exceptional talents garner notice when, in 1993, she received a scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Four years later, Elisabeth did what virtually every aspiring singer-songwriter has done since the dawn of the jazz age: She set out to conquer New York. By the time she graduated NYU in 2000, Withers had caught the attention of respected producer, arranger and songwriter Tony Moran (Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross).
A string of studio back-up sessions followed as Elisabeth began to cultivate a reputation as a first-rate vocalist; so much so that Moran recruited her to co-write the dance club classic “Rising” (2002), a track that reached the top 5 on the Billboard charts. Elisabeth Withers was now going under the diva alias Elle Patrice. Another hit single followed “Emotions”, and in 2005 Elisabeth received a call from industry friend and music legend Nick Ashford, who suggested the vocalist audition for the Oprah Winfrey-produced stage adaptation of The Color Purple. She was more than up for the challenge as she won over producers Quincy Jones and Winfrey. Elisabeth’s triumphant run on Broadway soon attracted the interest of record labels. With its rich musical heritage and underlining focus on the art, Blue Note was the perfect home.
“I’ve never been afraid to try anything. I guess that’s why I’ve had a chance to try so many different things,” Elisabeth says of her budding career. “The values that my parents taught me growing up allowed me to go into any situation, from being asked to sing for Paul McCartney to doing “The Color Purple” on Broadway in front of someone as iconic as Oprah and to recording an album for Blue Note, having an album of songs that I actually had the chance to write. It’s been a wild ride and a humbling experience.”
“I hope people will listen to the songs on the album and come away with the feeling that I have, which is why I called the album It Can Happen To Anyone. For that is truly what I believe.”
Alright
Elisabeth Withers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been through my share of pain
I've had some ups and downs and
There's been some crazy days
In the midst of a storm I learned that
I had to wait it out
I found if I be patient
Smilin' through all my troubles
It just might be too much
Sometimes your fall is just
A set up for your comin' up
Everything, everything's gonna be alright
(In the midst of all your troubles, you don't have to worry)
And I know everything, everything's gonna be alright
(Don't you worry, don't you worry)
It's gonna be alright
I've wrapped in a toothpick home
I swear I've done it all
Lived check to check, I've been the
Highlight of my girlfriends gossip
I've warmed water on the stove
Used the oven to warm my home
But I don't regret it, it made me better
I appreciate it all
In the midst of a storm I learned that
I had to wait it out
I found if I be patient
The noise would quiet down
Smilin' through all my troubles
It just might be too much
Sometimes your fall is just
A set up for your comin' up
Everything, everything's gonna be alright
(Ooh, your laughs and cries is gonna be alright)
And I know everything, everything's gonna be alright
(Tell your worries, tell your pain goodbye)
It's gonna be alright
There's a reason for everything
Any promised words are for the good
Find the goodness in all the things
Good or bad and it's understood
You can lose love just to find it
You can find joy when you're cryin'
And I know everything's gonna be alright
Everything, everything's gonna be alright
(I know, you gotta know, we got to know that it's gonna be alright)
And I know everything, everything's gonna be alright
(Hold on, hold on, hold on now, now, hold on now, yeah)
It's gonna be alright
Everything, everything's gonna be alright
(Your grandmama prayed for you, your mamas did the same thing too)
And I know everything, everything's gonna be alright
(We've been layin' door from the night but joy, joy comes in the morning)
It's gonna be alright
The song "Alright" by Elisabeth Withers celebrates tenacity and optimism in the face of adversities. The lyrics tell the story of a person who has gone through rough times, but through patience and resilience, they have learned to overcome struggles and find hope in difficult situations. The opening lines acknowledge the hardships of life, conveying that the singer has not had it easy but has experienced pain, ups and downs, and crazy days. However, in the midst of a storm, the singer discovered the power of waiting it out and being patient, emphasizing that the noise would eventually quiet down.
Despite her troubles, the singer keeps a positive attitude and a smile on her face, recognizing that every fall is just a setup for a comeback. She acknowledges that life is not always easy and sometimes it may seem too much, but she is confident that everything will be alright. Furthermore, the lyrics encourage listeners to find the good in everything and understand that there is a reason for every situation. Whether it is losing love only to find it again or finding joy in moments of sadness, everything happens for a reason, and it will ultimately lead to hope and positivity.
In conclusion, Elisabeth Withers delivers a powerful message of hope and resilience in "Alright." By embracing the idea of patience and finding the good in everything, the singer stands firm and remains optimistic in every challenge.
Line by Line Meaning
My life ain't been so easy
My life has been difficult
I've been through my share of pain
I have experienced a lot of pain
I've had some ups and downs and
I have experienced both positive and negative events
There's been some crazy days
There have been some challenging times in my life
In the midst of a storm I learned that
During difficult times, I learned that
I had to wait it out
Patience is necessary
I found if I be patient
Being patient helped me
The noise would quiet down
The situation would become less chaotic
Smilin' through all my troubles
I tried to remain positive despite my difficulties
It just might be too much
Sometimes it can feel overwhelming
Sometimes your fall is just
Failing can be a precursor to success
A set up for your comin' up
It can set the stage for future success
Everything, everything's gonna be alright
Things will improve
(In the midst of all your troubles, you don't have to worry)
Even during difficult times, there is hope
And I know everything, everything's gonna be alright
I am confident that things will improve
(Don't you worry, don't you worry)
There is no need to worry
I've wrapped in a toothpick home
I have lived in poor conditions
I swear I've done it all
I have experienced a lot
Lived check to check, I've been the
I have struggled financially
Highlight of my girlfriends gossip
My life has been a topic of gossip
I've warmed water on the stove
I have had to resort to unconventional methods to meet my needs
Used the oven to warm my home
I have had to use my oven for warmth
But I don't regret it, it made me better
My experiences have made me stronger
I appreciate it all
I am grateful for everything in my life
There's a reason for everything
Everything happens for a reason
Any promised words are for the good
Promises are meant to be positive
Find the goodness in all the things
Look for the positive in everything
Good or bad and it's understood
This applies to both positive and negative experiences
You can lose love just to find it
Love can be lost and regained
You can find joy when you're cryin'
Happiness can be found even during sad times
Hold on, hold on, hold on now, now, hold on now, yeah
Stay strong and don't give up hope
(Your grandmama prayed for you, your mamas did the same thing too)
Your loved ones have prayed for you
(We've been layin' door from the night but joy, joy comes in the morning)
Even during dark times, there is hope for a brighter future
It's gonna be alright
Things will be okay
Contributed by Benjamin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.