Harris is truly an innovator. For over 30 years, Emmylou has flowed effortlessly between genres achieving popularity in pop, folk, country and now alternative. The common bridge is an exquisite vocal style and a gift for discovering the heart of a song.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Eugenia Harris grew up near Washington, D.C. As a college student in the late 60s, she sang with a local folk duo and eventually moved to Greenwich Village. She played the clubs on the local folk scene occasionally sharing the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and David Bromberg.
Discovered in 1971 by Chris Hillman, Hillman brought Gram Parsons to hear her sing in a small club in the Washington D.C. area. In 1972, she answered the call from Gram to join him in Los Angeles to work on his first solo album, "GP." According to Songfacts, Parsons tragic early death in 1973 left Harris at an emotional and musical crossroads. Her earliest signature song, Boulder To Birmingham was written shortly after Gram's death, and it showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing her friend and mentor.
After the loss of Gram, Emmylou went back to the D.C. area and formed a country band, playing with them until her 1975 major label debut, Pieces of the Sky, when she formed the first version of the legendary Hot Band. Over the years the Hot Band included world class players such as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.
Emmylou has been called by Billboard Magazine a "truly venturesome, genre-transcending pathfinder." Throughout her career, she has been admired for her talent as an artist and song connoisseur, but it was with her 2000 album, Red Dirt Girl, for which Ms. Harris was awarded her tenth (out of eleven total to date) Grammy, that she revealed she is also a gifted songwriter. Continuing the trend with her September 2003 album, Stumble Into Grace, Emmylou wrote ten of the album's eleven tracks. Though Emmylou is the most admired and influential woman in contemporary country music, her scope extends far beyond it. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, The Chieftains, Lyle Lovett, Roy Orbison, The Band, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
She sings with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on the incomparable albums Trio and Trio II, making all three artists living American legends.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes. She is active in cultural preservation issues, notably the Country Music Foundation and the Grand Ole Opry. As an animal rights activist and the owner of several dogs and cats, Emmylou also supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society. Since 1997 she has been the most visible spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, drawing public attention and notable musical artists to the cause.
Defying Gravity
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never do dream I may fall
But even the day that I do
I jump off and smile back at you
I don't even know where we are
But they tell us we're circling a star
Well I'll take their word I don't know
I'm riding a big blue ball
I never do dream I may fall
But even the high may lay row
So when I do fall I'll be glad to go
Interpreting Emmylou Harris's song Defying Gravity, one can say that it is a song about living in the moment and taking risks, even if it means falling in the end. The verses depict the singer's realization of living on a planet, despite not knowing where they are located in the vast universe. The use of the phrase "big blue ball" indicates the Earth, and the sense of unfounded confidence of never falling may imply the beauty and mystery of the world we live in.
The chorus of the song, however, offers a different perspective, as if inviting the listener to let go of their insecurities and embrace the uncertainties of life. The words "So when I do fall, I'll be glad to go" suggest that the singer perceives failure or falling as part of the journey, and that experiencing it may open new opportunities. It may also be interpreted as a metaphor for death, implying that embracing the inevitable end of life can enhance the way it is lived. Overall, the song may encourage living life fully, taking risks, and seeing the beauty behind the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
I live on a big blue ball
I exist on a massive, sapphire sphere known as Earth, orbiting through the vast emptiness of space.
I never do dream I may fall
I do not contemplate the possibility of failing or succumbing to the obstacles that life may present.
But even the day that I do
However, if or when circumstances do cause me to stumble, I am unafraid.
I jump off and smile back at you
In the face of adversity, I maintain my composure and continue on my journey, perhaps even encouraging others to do the same.
I don't even know where we are
Though I exist on this planet, I am unsure of our precise location in the universe.
But they tell us we're circling a star
Scientists and astronomers insist that we are rotating in an eternal cycle around a fiery, luminous celestial body.
Well I'll take their word I don't know
Although I cannot personally confirm this assertion, I trust in the knowledge and expertise of those who make this claim.
But I'm dizzy so maybe that's so
Despite my uncertainty, I am occasionally overwhelmed by a sense of disorientation, lending credence to the theory of our planetary rotation.
I'm riding a big blue ball
I continue to journey through space atop this colossal blue sphere, my place of temporary dwelling.
I never do dream I may fall
Once again, I do not dwell on the possibility of failure or inadequacy.
But even the high may lay row
However, even the period of greatest triumph may ultimately give way to misfortune.
So when I do fall I'll be glad to go
When my time comes to depart from this world, I will not lament my fate; instead, I will embrace it with serenity and grace.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JESSE WINCHESTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angelo Greeno
Emmylou singing this song puts me in a good place. Beautiful lady, beautiful voice and a beautiful song.😍
Blueforyou
She's so awesome with a voice like an angel .. hope I can see her perform live one time in my life
world oceans
This song was written by Jesse Winchester. It is one of the most profound and beautiful songs of our age, especially when Emmylou sings it.
Jennie Anderson
world oceans I surely agree with you, Simply Beautiful..🌎
Sue Buschmann
Waylon Jennings Plus it is on a movie called the executioner song.
Jennie Anderson
I Love this beautiful song , So tired of the deep pain and tears that comes with the sickness that has invaded my life... Anyone who is suffering,I pray God give you peace ✨So much peace in Emmylou’s voice 🎶 “I’ll jump off and smile back at you!”...🕊
Howard Olson
Jennie, hope your doing better.
steve harris
Never heard this beautiful song till today when I started randomly watching the movie 'Executioner's Song.' In checking out the writer and Waylon's version I stumble across the great Emmy Lou. Never knew it existed let alone a live version, gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous... I will get around to watching the movie at another time...
Darci Tarascio
I love this song!
Donna Pelletier
Wow, I have never heard Emmylou do this song. I have heard it in concert many times by Jimmy Buffet. I love Emmylou and I love her version of this song by Jesse Winchester.