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.
Feelin' Single-Seein' Double
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I really had a ball last night
I held all the pretty boys tight
I was feelin' single, seein' double
Wound up in a whole lotta trouble
But today I'll face the big fight
But I really had a ball last night
My baby was feelin' low
And he told me what was on his mind
Then he told me where I could go
Well I didn't go where he told me to
Cause the water was cold in the lake
Now there's something fishy 'bout this whole deal
I don't see where I made my mistake
Well I really had a ball last night
I held all the pretty boys tight
I was feelin' single, seein' double
Wound up in a whole lotta trouble
But today I'll face the big fight
But I really had a ball last night
When I woke up this morning
Like me, the sun was high
Well I started walking the long way home
Just to think of an alibi
Well I couldn't think of a darn gawn thing
That hadn't already been said
So I guess I better just play it by ear
Cause I'm already dead
Well I really had a ball last night
I held all the pretty boys tight
I was feelin' single, seein' double
Wound up in a whole lotta trouble
But today I'll face the big fight
But I really had a ball last night
Yes today I'll face the big fight
But I really had a ball last night
The song "Feelin' Single" by Emmylou Harris is a classic country song from the 1980s, written by Wayne Kemp. The song tells a story of a woman who becomes unfaithful to her partner for a night and then struggles to confront the consequences of her actions. The line "I was feelin' single, seein' double" suggests that the singer was intoxicated and did not make the best decisions. She admits to "wound up in a whole lot of trouble" and now has to face the consequences of her actions.
The chorus acts as a contrast to the verses, which have a slower and more melancholic melody. The chorus is upbeat and catchy, with the line "I really had a ball last night" being repeated several times. The contrast in the song adds depth to the storyline, as it suggests that the singer is trying to convince herself that the previous night was worth the trouble she is now in.
Overall, "Feelin' Single" provides a classic example of traditional country music, with its storytelling and use of musical contrast. The song's lyrics convey a relatable story about the consequences of infidelity, which is a topic that has been covered in country music for many years.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I really had a ball last night
I had a great time last night
I held all the pretty boys tight
I danced with many attractive men
I was feelin' single, seein' double
I was enjoying myself with alcohol and flirting
Wound up in a whole lotta trouble
I got into some kind of problem
But today I'll face the big fight
I'll deal with the consequences of my actions
When I came home from work this morning
After finishing my job, I returned home
My baby was feelin' low
My partner was upset or depressed
And he told me what was on his mind
He shared his thoughts and feelings with me
Then he told me where I could go
He suggested that I leave or go away
Well I didn't go where he told me to
I didn't follow his suggestion
Cause the water was cold in the lake
I made an excuse, saying the water was too cold to go to the suggested place
Now there's something fishy 'bout this whole deal
There is something suspicious or strange going on
I don't see where I made my mistake
I don't understand what I did wrong
When I woke up this morning
When I got up from sleep today
Like me, the sun was high
It was already daytime when I woke up
Well I started walking the long way home
I took a longer route home
Just to think of an alibi
To come up with an excuse for my actions
Well I couldn't think of a darn gawn thing
I couldn't come up with a convincing explanation
That hadn't already been said
All possible excuses seemed to have been used before
So I guess I better just play it by ear
I'll improvise and handle the situation as it comes
Cause I'm already dead
I feel helpless and doomed
Yes today I'll face the big fight
I'll have to confront the problems I caused
But I really had a ball last night
But I enjoyed myself a lot
Lyrics © GLAD MUSIC CO., ZELLS MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: WAYNE KEMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind