”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.”
Simple Things
Elisabeth Withers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Makes me smile when I'm lonely, comforts me when I'm sad
(How do you) explain this sweet, sweet smile on my face
That just keeps (getting better) with each passing day?
For so (long) I didn't (know) I was searching in all the wrong places
(Thinking if I) spent more money than I could
(If I) worked harder than I should
Losing my breath in the hustle
Just stressin' over nothin'
Forgetting the real joys that lie in the simple things
How do you explain when there's more month at the end (of the money)?
Your situations tell (you to worry), but you see the flowers in bloom
(How do you) explain the soft caress on your face
That tells you it'll get better with each passing day?
For so (long) I did not know I was looking in all the wrong places
(Thinking if I) played more games then I could
(If I) worried more than I should
Spinnin' my wheels with the lover that meant me no good
Losing my breath in the hustle
Just stressin' over nothin'
Forgetting the real pleasures that lie in the simple things
The sun shining on my face, your strong embrace
Mama calling, daddy calling to see if I'm okay
The fresh air I breathe, enough food to eat
A warm place to sleep at night are the simple things
The lyrics of Elisabeth Withers's song "Simple Things" touch on the theme of finding joy in the little or simple things in life, rather than trying to find happiness in material possessions or external sources. The first verse describes a feeling of comfort and warmth that the singer experiences, even when she is lonely or sad. She questions how to explain this "funny feeling" that seems to come from within, and suggests that she has been searching for happiness in the wrong places, such as through money or work, when the real joys lie in the simple things of life.
The second verse expands on this theme, with the singer noting that when times are tough and money is tight, she can still find beauty and positivity in life. Instead of worrying about financial struggles, she suggests that we should focus on the good things around us, such as flowers in bloom or a soft touch on the face. The chorus repeats the idea that the real pleasures of life are found in the simple things, such as the warmth of the sun, the love of family, and basic necessities like food and shelter.
The song's overall message is one of gratitude and mindfulness, encouraging listeners to appreciate what they have and to find joy in the things that truly matter. It reminds us that happiness can be found in the present moment and the everyday experiences, and that chasing material possessions or external validation will not bring lasting fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
How do you explain this funny feeling deep inside?
Trying to understand the happy emotion that one feels within
Makes me smile when I'm lonely, comforts me when I'm sad
Brings joy and comfort during lonely and sad times
(How do you) explain this sweet, sweet smile on my face
Questioning the reason for the sweet smile on one's face
That just keeps (getting better) with each passing day?
Noticing that the smile is getting better with time
For so (long) I didn't (know) I was searching in all the wrong places
Realizing that the search for happiness was in the wrong places for a long time
(Thinking if I) spent more money than I could
Believing that spending more money would bring happiness
(If I) worked harder than I should
Thinking that working harder than necessary would bring joy
Always having friends to feel good (I'd be happier)
Assuming that having a lot of friends would bring happiness
Losing my breath in the hustle
Getting caught up in the hustle and losing sight of what truly matters
Just stressin' over nothin'
Stressing over unimportant matters
Forgetting the real joys that lie in the simple things
Forgetting the simple joys in life
How do you explain when there's more month at the end (of the money)?
Questioning how to handle financial struggles
Your situations tell (you to worry), but you see the flowers in bloom
Being told to worry about the situation, but seeing the beauty around
(How do you) explain the soft caress on your face
Trying to understand the feeling of a gentle touch on one's face
That tells you it'll get better with each passing day?
Feeling the touch gives the assurance that things will improve with time
For so (long) I did not know I was looking in all the wrong places
Being unaware that the search for happiness was in the wrong places for a long time
(Thinking if I) played more games then I could
Assuming that playing more games would bring joy
(If I) worried more than I should
Thinking that worrying more than necessary would bring happiness
Spinnin' my wheels with the lover that meant me no good
Getting caught up in an unhealthy relationship
The sun shining on my face, your strong embrace
Finding joy in the warmth of the sun and the comfort of a loving embrace
Mama calling, daddy calling to see if I'm okay
Being comforted by the concern of family
The fresh air I breathe, enough food to eat
Taking pleasure in the simple things, like fresh air and having enough food to eat
A warm place to sleep at night are the simple things
Finding comfort and warmth in having a place to sleep at night
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ELISABETH WITHERS, ELIZABETH WITHERS, TOBIAS GAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DEBORAH DAVIS aka DeBo
I'm not sure why we always feel like we've got to compare each other to each other, when GOD made us all unique. Girl can just SANG. Maybe we are all influenced by every note of music that we've ever heard but I really think she has her own voice. Soul, Clear, Honest, Pure NATURAL talent. No pretending to be, wanna be. Just anointed with God's Blessings of a Great instrument. I'm glad her friend mentioned her name so I checked her out. Love it!
Shyianca
Fantastic! Heard for the 1st time on XM Sirius- already telling my friends.
Etta-Rhys Johnson
Always loved this song. when I'm stressed over bills or relationships. I play this song.
shyianca
Beautiful & so well performed!
Secured LLC
Awesome lyrics n voice. This one on repeat. Solider....Boss
GodsButtafly
Song definitely put everything I feel into words...It is the SIMPLE THINGS!!
Peejay Bee
Absolutely love this song!
Taneka Bellamy
Love love love this song!!!
Niles Banks
I bought the CD for this song and every so often something happens in life and I listen to this song and it gives me hope
Catherine Mann
Makes you realize what's important in life...beautiful song..........