”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.”
Bittersweet
Elisabeth Withers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On an August day that took me back to all way back when
We were deep in love and not a single care on our minds
But the sun on my face, summertime
I was breathless as I stood there staring in your eyes
In a flash it came back to me like we never said goodbye
I was prayin', hopin' you would grab me right then and there
But it was bittersweet, so incomplete
So much to say but we walked away
Couldn't find the words, I didn't have the nerve
Just could not speak, not on that street
When love's incomplete, it feels so
(Bittersweet)
I was hopin' when I see you that I get my chance
To tell you that I'm ready, now I'm a much better man
Trust me, I meant to call you but life got in the way
I guess somehow it was fate
But now it's bittersweet, so incomplete
So much to say but we walked away
Couldn't find the words, I didn't have the nerve
Just could not speak, not on that street
When love's incomplete, it feels so
How can two people be so unreasoned?
We were avoidin' each other like we hit a wall
(But we still)
We still love each other but how can we go back?
There's too many questions to ask
(Bittersweet)
Bittersweet, so incomplete
(Bittersweet)
So much to say but we walked away
Couldn't find the words, I didn't have the nerve
Just could not speak, not on that street
When love's incomplete, it feels so
Bittersweet
Yeah
The lyrics to Elisabeth Withers's song "Bittersweet" describe a chance encounter with an old flame on an August day that brings back memories of their past love. The singer recalls the deep connection they shared and how carefree they were at the time. However, now that they have met again, the passion and love is still in the air but they are unable to express their feelings. The word “bittersweet” is used to depict the mixed feelings they have as well as the song's overall tone, which is melancholic and reflective.
The singer is hoping for a second chance to tell their former lover that they are ready and are now better equipped as a person. However, despite the lingering love between them, they are unable to communicate their desires and emotions due to a lack of words and courage. Towards the end of the song, the singer grapples with the fact that their relationship may have ended for a reason and the possibility of finding a way back to each other is uncertain.
Overall, the song explores the emotions of regret and missed opportunities, and how we often struggle with trying to make sense of these feelings in the present.
Line by Line Meaning
What are chances that I bump into you once again?
What is the probability that I will run into you again?
On an August day that took me back to all way back when
On this August day, I was suddenly taken back to the past.
We were deep in love and not a single care on our minds
During the past, we were deeply in love and carefree.
But the sun on my face, summertime
The feeling of the summer sun on my face was a reminder of that particular time.
I was breathless as I stood there staring in your eyes
I was awestruck and unable to speak as I stared into your eyes.
In a flash it came back to me like we never said goodbye
Memories of our past resurfaced in my mind, making it feel like our goodbye never happened.
I was prayin', hopin' you would grab me right then and there
I was silently hoping that you would pull me close at that moment.
The passion was still in the air
There was still a strong feeling of passion between us.
But it was bittersweet, so incomplete
The encounter was both sweet and sad at the same time, as it felt incomplete.
So much to say but we walked away
Although there were many things I wanted to tell you, we ended up walking away.
Couldn't find the words, I didn't have the nerve
I was unable to find the right words and was afraid to speak my mind.
Just could not speak, not on that street
It felt impossible to express myself, especially on that particular street.
When love's incomplete, it feels so
The feeling of love being incomplete can be overwhelming.
I was hopin' when I see you that I get my chance
I was anticipating the possibility of finally having my chance to talk to you again.
To tell you that I'm ready, now I'm a much better man
To explain that I am now prepared and have grown since our last encounter.
Trust me, I meant to call you but life got in the way
I promise that I had intended to call you, but life's circumstances intervened.
I guess somehow it was fate
Perhaps this unexpected encounter was meant to be.
How can two people be so unreasoned?
How is it possible for two people to act in such an irrational way?
We were avoidin' each other like we hit a wall
Our avoidance of each other felt insurmountable, like we had hit a wall.
(But we still)
Despite this, we still...
We still love each other but how can we go back?
We still love each other, but how can we return to the past?
There's too many questions to ask
There are too many unanswered questions that we need to address.
Bittersweet, so incomplete
This situation feels both sweet and bitter at the same time, as it is incomplete.
Yeah
Additional lyrics to the song.
Contributed by Natalie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.