Though born in New York, Peter's was raised in Boulder, Colorado, and then moved to Nashville in the late 1980s. There, she found work as a songwriter, composing hits for Martina McBride, Etta James, Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless, George Strait, Anne Murray, as well as for Neil Diamond and co-writing songs with Bryan Adams. She has twice been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Song, in 1995 and 1996, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 2003.
Peters has released a string of studio albums of her own. The title track of her 1996 debut album The Secret of Life was later recorded by Faith Hill in 1999.
In the case of her new album, 'Blackbirds,' "juice" is certainly understatement. Recorded in Nashville, the album features a who's who of modern American roots music: Jerry Douglas, Jason Isbell, Jimmy LaFave, Will Kimbrough, Kim Richey, Suzy Bogguss and more. But it's not the guests that make 'Blackbirds' the most poignant and moving album of Peters' storied career; it’s the impeccable craftsmanship, her ability to capture the kind of complex, conflicting, and overwhelming emotional moments we might otherwise try to hide and instead shine a light of truth and understanding onto them.
'Blackbirds' is, in many ways, an album that is unafraid to face down mortality. But rather than dwell on the pain of loss, the music finds a new appreciation for the life we're given.
If anyone can open up that conversation, it's Peters. Inducted into the prestigious Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014, she has long been one of Music City's most beloved and respected artists, known never to shy away from darkness and struggle in her writing. Martina McBride's recording of her stirring "Independence Day," a song that deals with domestic abuse, was nominated for a Grammy and took home Song of the Year honors at the CMAs, and her work has been performed by everyone from Etta James and Neil Diamond to George Strait and Trisha Yearwood. "If Peters never delivers another tune as achingly beautiful as 'On A Bus To St. Cloud,'" People Magazine wrote, "she has already earned herself a spot among country's upper echelon of contemporary composers."
'Blackbirds' follows Peters' 2012 album 'Hello Cruel World,' which NPR called "the album of her career" and Uncut said "establishes her as the natural successor to Lucinda Williams." If anything, though, 'Blackbirds' truly establishes Peters as a one-of-a-kind singer and songwriter, one in possession of a fearless and endlessly creative voice.
In a Perfect World
Gretchen Peters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About me and you
Baby, I've been dreaming
Like we used to do
Things ain't what they used to be
I can't change them anyway
But the world would be a better place
Superman would win the fight
Everyone would do what's right
And I would always be your girl
In a perfect world
Maybe we were crazy
Breaking all the rules
Maybe we were dreamers
Maybe we were fools
Maybe it was madness
To believe that we could win
But boy, I would give anything
Just to feel that way again
Superman would win the fight
Everyone would do what's right
And I would always be your girl
In a perfect world
Maybe this is all there is
Maybe we just pack it in
Spread our wings and fly
But baby, that don't make it right
That don't get me through the night
I still believe in a perfect world
Superman would win the fight
Everyone would do what's right
And I would always be your girl
In a perfect world
One interpretation of Gretchen Peters's song "In a Perfect World" could be that it's about nostalgia for a past relationship that was once perfect, or at least seemed that way. The singer is reminiscing about a time when she and her partner were happy, dreaming of their future together, and breaking the rules. However, something has changed since then, perhaps due to factors beyond their control, and the singer acknowledges that she can't fix everything. Nonetheless, she longs for a world in which all of her dreams could come true - a world in which Superman always wins the fight, everyone does what's right, and she always has her partner by her side.
In the second verse, the singer acknowledges that her past actions may have been foolish or naive, but also emphasizes that she would do anything to relive that feeling of hope and possibility. She's aware that flying away and starting over might seem like an appealing option, but it wouldn't make things right. In the end, she still maintains hope that there could be a "perfect world" out there somewhere.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I've been thinking
I've been contemplating about us.
About me and you
I'm reflecting on our relationship.
Baby, I've been dreaming
I have been fantasizing.
Like we used to do
About the ideal times we shared.
Things ain't what they used to be
The present is different than how it was in the past.
I can't change them anyway
I cannot modify these things not in my control.
But the world would be a better place
The planet would be improved.
If I had my way
If I could dictate how things go.
Superman would win the fight
The hero would always be triumphant
Everyone would do what's right
People would make ethical decisions.
And I would always be your girl
We would stay together forever.
In a perfect world
If everything was flawless.
Maybe we were crazy
Perhaps our past actions were foolish.
Breaking all the rules
Disregarding societal norms.
Maybe we were dreamers
We were hopeful for a future that may not come true.
Maybe we were fools
Acting carelessly.
Maybe it was madness
It could have been insanity.
To believe that we could win
To think we could succeed.
But boy, I would give anything
I am willing to sacrifice anything.
Just to feel that way again
To relive those moments.
Maybe this is all there is
This might be the limit to what we have.
Maybe we just pack it in
Perhaps it's time to let go.
Spread our wings and fly
To explore and venture out.
But baby, that don't make it right
But that doesn't mean it's the correct decision.
That don't get me through the night
It doesn't comfort me.
I still believe in a perfect world
I still hold on to the idea of a flawless world.
Superman would win the fight
Good will always conquer evil.
Everyone would do what's right
Everyone would make moral choices.
And I would always be your girl
We would remain devoted to each other.
In a perfect world
In a utopian society.
Contributed by Henry F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Werner Krugjohann
WONDERFUL Song Gretchen.😀
Rosemary Downey
Awesome song great singer thank you john 👍👍
john sandiford
Thanks for listening Rosemary
Marryann Lamb
Thanks John great day to you and wife.
Marryann Lamb
@john sandiford you welcome john.
john sandiford
Thanks for listening Marryann