According to Songfacts, Nettles made inroads on the independent circuit, gaining a small degree of national attention, then later becomes a pop-country superstar. With Jennifer Nettles Band, the future Sugarland artist released three independent albums and went on the Lilith Fair in 1999. The band drew praises from a number of music publications including Performing Songwriter magazine, and accumulated a substantial fan base along the East Coast.
Nettles formed Sugarland in 2003 and when they hit it big, her Jennifer Nettles Band pretty much vanished
With a presentation of engaging tunes, dynamic vocals, and poetic flair in a passionately charged live setting, Jennifer Nettles and her band were quite successful during the mid- to late '90s. Originally a native of Atlanta, GA, Nettles successful career began with the release of Story of Your Bones and quickly a following was created. Over the course of her touring, Nettles received rave reviews from many publications including Jezebel, Atlanta City Mag, the Album Network, Southeastern Performer, and the Performing Songwriter. Nettles was rewarded with gigs at such momentous occasions such as the 1999 Lilith Fair Tour, Big Day Out 2000, and Music Midtown 1999.
Though much of her crafty songwriting and poetic expression merited a listen on their own, Nettles joined the royal company of a gifted and charismatic backing band. Drummer Brad Sikes put forth the group's ever-changing and diverse rhythms. Scott Nicholson bought to life the magic of the piano's keys with stirring ebony-and-ivory passages. Wesley Lupold lays down the framework of the songs chord structures with bass. And Mike Cebulski presented an eclectic array of sounds and rhythms with his gift of percussion. Nettles received airplay in major cities such as New York, Cleveland, Memphis, Atlanta, and throughout the Carolinas. Because of her songwriting magic and growing fan base, and those behind the scenes who devote their time toward helping market her music, Jennifer Nettles received the distinguished honor of being presented the Independent Musician of the Year award for 2001.
Nettles was influenced and inspired by a splendid mix of rock, blues, folk, and soul, and those influences reflected clearly in her work. She began her singing career in 1996 while performing with Soul Miner's Daughter in the Atlanta and Decatur music scene. A singer since the age of seven, Nettles certainly was not shy of showing her witty charm, and was not afraid of challenging herself to continually write and sing powerful, honest, soul-charging songs with engaging lyrical content. At times her tunes were filled with amazing richness and personality, while others left the listener dazed and haunted.
Jennifer Nettles Band made routine trips to such notable venues as the Variety Playhouse (Atlanta), the 40 Watt (Athens), and the Mercury Lounge (New York City). Her songs are full of poetic meaning, and the band plays with a sense of attitude, winning over her audiences each and every time, and making a crop of fresh new listeners happy as well. Her release Gravity: Drag Me Down appeared in February 2002.
With Me
Jennifer Nettles Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're looking awfully good tonight
And if this glass has anything to do with inhibitions
I'll come right out and tee you you're a sight.
For these poor eyes, I'll cut the lies and playing hard to get
I'll stop and pray that you will stay and I'll have no regrets
Look in this face I'll give you grace if you haven't understood it yet.
Now with the iron nerve of ten thousand seasoned soldiers,
A conversation I move to strike.
But as my mouth moves to make these first advances
My breath gets caught up in mid flight
My face is red
I hang my head
I'm awe-inspired by
Your every move,
I start to swoon,
Oh God I think I'll cry.
Look in this face, please give me grace, allow me to tell you why.
You don't have to go home if you will stay with me tonight.
Well, I got myself a hand on the bottle
And I know just what that means cause,
Just like you it ain't easy to swallow and I fight off all that it brings.
Well, I can lie to myself and deny it.
But that ain't nothing new to you.
Here's my story for you to analyze.
My book is open to you.
And you don't have to go home if you will stay with me tonight.
The Jennifer Nettles Band's song With Me is a tale of a man who is trying to build up the courage to make a move on a woman that he finds attractive. The lyrics describe his initial nervousness and hesitation before finally heeding the whisperings of the alcohol in his glass and telling her just how he feels. The imagery of "iron nerve" and "seasoned soldiers" suggests that he is drawing on all his reserves of courage to make a move. However, his nerves get the better of him and he finds himself overwhelmed by his feelings for her. He becomes tongue-tied and lost for words, completely at the mercy of her charms. Ultimately, he reveals that he is struggling with his own inner demons and is looking for someone to help him through it all. The lyrics capture his longing for her to stay with him tonight, providing comfort as he tries to work through his issues.
The lyrics of this song are rich with symbolism, using alcohol as a symbol of the man's inhibitions and the struggles he is facing. The reference to "iron nerves" and "seasoned soldiers" suggest a deep internal struggle for the singer, and his vulnerability in the face of the woman he desires is palpable. The song is a powerful portrayal of the human need for connection and the desire to be seen and understood by someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, There's something I've got to tell you
I need to open up and be honest with you.
You're looking awfully good tonight
I find you very attractive right now.
And if this glass has anything to do with inhibitions
If the alcohol we're drinking is affecting our behavior...
I'll come right out and tee you you're a sight.
...I want you to know that you look amazing.
For these poor eyes, I'll cut the lies and playing hard to get
I'll be honest and not pretend to be uninterested in you.
I'll stop and pray that you will stay and I'll have no regrets
I hope you'll agree to spend the night with me so I won't regret not asking.
Look in this face I'll give you grace if you haven't understood it yet.
If you haven't realized my feelings yet, I will explain them to you with kindness.
You don't have to go home if you will stay with me tonight.
If you spend the night with me, you don't have to leave.
Now with the iron nerve of ten thousand seasoned soldiers,
With all my courage...
A conversation I move to strike.
...I will try to start a conversation with you.
But as my mouth moves to make these first advances
As I try to make a move...
My breath gets caught up in mid flight
...I become nervous and struggle to speak.
My face is red
I feel embarrassed.
I hang my head
I feel ashamed of my nervousness.
I'm awe-inspired by
I am deeply impressed by...
Your every move,
...everything you do.
I start to swoon,
I become infatuated.
Oh God I think I'll cry.
I am overwhelmed with emotion.
Look in this face, please give me grace, allow me to tell you why.
Please listen to me and understand my feelings.
Well, I got myself a hand on the bottle
I'm drinking alcohol...
And I know just what that means cause,
...and I understand the consequences.
Just like you it ain't easy to swallow and I fight off all that it brings.
Like you, I struggle with my emotions and I try to resist temptation.
Well, I can lie to myself and deny it.
I could pretend otherwise, but...
But that ain't nothing new to you.
...you know I can't hide my true feelings.
Here's my story for you to analyze.
I am sharing my innermost thoughts with you.
My book is open to you.
I am willing to be vulnerable and honest with you.
And you don't have to go home if you will stay with me tonight.
If you spend the night with me, you can stay instead of going home.
Contributed by Cole K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
gabby williams
wow is almost all i can say!! its so fun and lively and i am sooo glad that she has brought that to sugarland!!! i don't think i could live with out jenn's fun personality!! i absolutely love ya jenn and always will <3GABBY WILLIAMS
Verna Jonathan
I had the pleasure of being introduced to Jennifer Nettles music in 1999 and I had the awesome experience of seeing her live in Black Mountain, North Carolina twice. She was wonderful then and is great now as well. Keep making music Jennifer!
RaymieS
This is awesome ,way go Jennifer !
daancincurlz
i love this song!! thanks for posting!
frenchhornlio
Oh thank you for uploading this!!! Do you have any more?!
L.J. Eljay
Frickin' Incredible!!
dmmac417
She could sing the Phone Book and it would be Great.
Sarah Savannah
love love L O V E this!
barbary q
she's cute