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.
Jezebel
Gretchen Peters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They see the world in black and white and red
And Jezebel, it's just as well, what's done is done
You'll never change the thoughts inside their heads
Oh Jezebel, with every cell you reached for love
And found it in an old familiar face
And Jezebel, it hurts like hell but then again
Wear it like a crown
Don't let them take you down
Hey Jezebel, you mustn't dwell on small details
There'll always be some battles you can't win
But Jezebel, you'll live to tell and love again
Your pride's your gift and love your only sin
Wear them like a crown
Your scarlet hand-me-downs
Hey Jezebel, they say you fell so far so fast
You burned your angel wings on your way down
Ah Jezebel, you've been to hell and heaven too
And love's the only refuge that you've found
Hey Jezebel, love's all that matters now
The song "Jezebel" by Gretchen Peters talks about a woman named Jezebel who faces societal judgments and scrutiny for the choices she has made in life. The first stanza talks about how Jezebel cannot express her true feelings due to the narrow-minded thinking of the people around her. They see the world in "black and white and red," implying that they do not have the capacity to understand the complexities of human emotions. In the second stanza, Jezebel's search for love is highlighted. She finds it in an "old familiar face" and even though it causes her pain, love is all she has to hold on to. The chorus urges her to wear her flaws like a crown and not let anyone bring her down.
The third stanza brings out the harsh reality that no matter how hard you try, some battles can never be won. But Jezebel is a survivor, and she realizes that her pride is her strength, and love is the only sin she has committed. The final stanza portrays Jezebel as a fallen angel who has been through heaven and hell, but her only refuge has been love. The song concludes with the message that love is all that really matters.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Jezebel, you can't just tell them how you feel
Jezebel, you cannot openly express your emotions because people see the world in binary categories and are stubborn in their beliefs
They see the world in black and white and red
People have a limited capacity to perceive the complexity of the world
And Jezebel, it's just as well, what's done is done
Jezebel, there's no use dwelling on past decisions because the result cannot be changed.
You'll never change the thoughts inside their heads
You cannot change peoples opinions or attitude easily
Oh Jezebel, with every cell you reached for love
Jezebel, you always have yearned for love
And found it in an old familiar face
Jezebel, found love with a person or a thing that is familiar to her
And Jezebel, it hurts like hell but then again
Love is not always easy, and Jezebel, it has caused you to suffer.
Where would you be without love's warm embrace?
Jezebel, love is essential, and without it, you would not be in a good mental state
Wear it like a crown
Embrace every experience, good or bad, and wear it like a crown
Don't let them take you down
Do not let the opinions of others take over you
Hey Jezebel, you mustn't dwell on small details
Jezebel, don't focus on little things and let them take over your thoughts
There'll always be some battles you can't win
You cannot always win every battle you face
But Jezebel, you'll live to tell and love again
Jezebel, you will have other opportunities in life to love and move ahead
Your pride's your gift and love your only sin
Jezebel, your pride is your biggest strength, and love is your only fault
Wear them like a crown
Embrace your struggles and experiences like a crown
Your scarlet hand-me-downs
Your past experiences are handed down to you like an heirloom
Hey Jezebel, they say you fell so far so fast
People say that you have declined swiftly and significantly
You burned your angel wings on your way down
You made mistakes during the fall
And love's the only refuge that you've found
Love is the only thing that has helped you move ahead and feel safe in your surroundings
Hey Jezebel, love's all that matters now
Jezebel, the only thing that matters is love
Contributed by Leah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.