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.
Wolves
Gretchen Peters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But Lord this one beats all
The wind ain't quit for weeks now
And the drifts are ten feet tall
I been all night drivin' heifers
Closer in to lower ground
Then I spent the mornin' thinkin'
‘Bout the ones the wolves pulled down
Charlie Barton and his family
Stopped today to say goodbye
He said the bank was takin' over
The last few years were just too dry
And I promised that I'd visit
When they found a place in town
Then I spent a long time thinkin'
‘Bout the ones the wolves pull down
Lord please shine a light of hope
On those of us who fall behind
And when we stumble in the snow
Could you help us up while there's still time
Well I don't mean to be complainin' Lord
You've always seen me through
And I know you got your reasons
For each and every thing you do
But tonight outside my window
There's a lonesome mournful sound
And I just can't keep from thinkin'
‘Bout the ones the wolves pull down
Lord keep me from bein'
The one the wolves pull down
"Wolves" by Gretchen Peters is a poignant song that speaks to loss and the harsh realities of life. The first verse highlights the brutal impact of winter on the land and the people who depend on it for their livelihoods. We're introduced to a rancher who has been working tirelessly to keep his herd safe from the threat of wolves, who seem to be preying on his livestock with a fierce determination. The imagery of the "drifts ten feet tall" and the "wind [that] ain't quit for weeks now" is a testament to the difficult and unforgiving conditions of the winter season.
The second verse introduces Charlie Barton, a fellow rancher who has fallen on hard times due to the recent drought. He is being forced to leave his home and seek a new life in town. The juxtaposition of the wolves preying on the rancher's livestock and the banks preying on the ranchers themselves is a powerful illustration of the way in which nature and capitalism can both be devastating forces. The chorus of the song asks for a "light of hope" for those who struggle, for moments of grace and assistance when we need it most.
Line by Line Meaning
January's always bitter
The beginning of the year is always unpleasant.
But Lord this one beats all
This year is particularly bad.
The wind ain't quit for weeks now
The wind has been blowing continuously for weeks.
And the drifts are ten feet tall
The snow has piled up to ten feet high due to the persistent wind.
I been all night drivin' heifers
The artist has spent the whole night driving cows to a safer place.
Closer in to lower ground
The cows are being moved to a safer area.
Then I spent the mornin' thinkin'
The singer spent the morning reflecting on something.
'Bout the ones the wolves pulled down
The artist is thinking about the cows that were killed by wolves.
Charlie Barton and his family
Charlie Barton and his family are mentioned.
Stopped today to say goodbye
Charlie Barton and his family visited to say goodbye.
He said the bank was takin' over
Charlie Barton says that the bank is taking over.
The last few years were just too dry
The past few years have been too dry for farming.
And I promised that I'd visit
The singer promised to visit Charlie Barton and his family.
When they found a place in town
When Charlie Barton and his family find a new place in town.
Then I spent a long time thinkin'
The singer spent a long time reflecting on something.
'Bout the ones the wolves pull down
The artist is thinking about the cows that were killed by wolves.
Lord please shine a light of hope
The artist is asking the Lord for guidance and hope.
On those of us who fall behind
The ones who struggle to keep up need hope and assistance.
And when we stumble in the snow
When we face difficulties in life.
Could you help us up while there's still time
The artist is asking the Lord for help when it is still possible.
Well I don't mean to be complainin' Lord
The artist expresses gratitude and doesn't wish to complain.
You've always seen me through
The artist acknowledges that the Lord has always helped them in the past.
And I know you got your reasons
The singer understands that everything happens for a reason.
For each and every thing you do
The artist believes that the Lord has a purpose for everything.
But tonight outside my window
The singer describes what they are currently experiencing.
There's a lonesome mournful sound
The singer hears a sad and lonely sound.
And I just can't keep from thinkin'
The singer can't help but think about something.
'Bout the ones the wolves pull down
The artist is thinking about the cows that were killed by wolves.
Lord keep me from bein'
The artist prays to the Lord for protection.
The one the wolves pull down
The singer doesn't want to be a victim like the cows killed by wolves.
Contributed by Gabriel I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.