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.
Nobody's Darling But Mine
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come lay your cool hand on my brow
And promise me that you will
Never be nobody's darlin' but mine
Be nobody's darlin' but mine
Love be honest be faithful be kind
And promise me that you will
You're as sweet as the flowers of springtime
You're as pure as the dew from the rose
I had rather be somebody's darlin'
Than a poor boy that nobody knows
Be nobody's darlin' but mine love
The opening lines of Emmylou Harris's "Nobody's Darling But Mine" are inviting the listener to a cozy place by the singer's side. Harris is talking directly to someone she calls "little darlin'" and is asking for them to put their "cool hand on [her] brow." The image evokes a sense of vulnerability and humility, which deepens as the song progresses. Harris then makes a request of her companion: She asks them to promise her that they will never belong to anyone else but her. She repeats this phrase, "never be nobody's darlin' but mine," throughout the song, emphasizing the depth of her affection and devotion.
The song continues with Harris telling the listener how sweet and pure they are, as sweet as the flowers of springtime and as pure as the dew from the rose. Despite this praise, Harris does not want her companion to be with anyone else. She talks about how she would rather have the listener as hers, rather than being a poor boy that nobody knows. The implication is that Harris's little darlin' holds a highly valued place in her life and is someone she wants to cherish and hold onto. The song is a proclamation of her love and an urging for her companion to reciprocate it.
Line by Line Meaning
Come sit by my side little darlin'
Please come sit next to me, my love
Come lay your cool hand on my brow
Place your hand on my forehead to soothe me
And promise me that you will
Never be nobody's darlin' but mine
Promise me that you will never belong to anyone but me
Be nobody's darlin' but mine
Love be honest be faithful be kind
Stay loyal, trustworthy, and kind, and belong only to me
You're as sweet as the flowers of springtime
You are as sweet as the beautiful flowers in spring
You're as pure as the dew from the rose
You are as pure and innocent as the dew on a rose
I had rather be somebody's darlin'
Than a poor boy that nobody knows
I would rather belong to someone and be loved than be unknown and poor
Be nobody's darlin' but mine love
Belong only to me, my love
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JIMMIE DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@williambrown5822
I am Bonnie, Billy’s wife. We always kept this song in our hearts. Billy went to heaven May 20, 2022. He passed at home. I laid by his side laid my hand on his brow….I’ll never be anyones darlin after 40 yrs together.
@darrelllambert438
I'm 81inyrs and still in love with Emmy lou she s 79yrs hope she gets this message
@darrelllambert438
Emmy I can still drive the other day I was doing 125m and hr.
@theresaheyer537
just makes ya cry
@gregoryphilip221
Hello 👋 Theresa how are you doing today?
@MsMbpayne
I miss this real country
@sharleencronje8132
When Emmylou starts singing, everything in me still to listen to her angelic voice. There never has been and never will be another Emmylou. Her voice touches the soul and soothes the pain and hurt with every note.
@jeannettegilbert5075
She is beautiful love her ❤️
@garvlaw
Absolutly!
@WBYeats009
I first heard Emmylou back in 70’s on Bob Dylan’s Desire album . I’ve often said that I’ve never been quite the same .