It was after relocating to New York City in the early '90s (to study at N.Y.U.'s film school) that Osborne began to take a singing career seriously after singing Billie Holiday's classic "God Bless the Child" at a local bar's "open mic night." In addition to Holiday, Osborne looked to such legendary vocalists as Etta James and Ray Charles as role models, as the up-and-coming singer decided not to cater to major record companies and formed her own label, Womanly Hips, which resulted in such releases as 1992's in-concert Soul Show, among others. But eventually, Osborne decided to sign on with a major label, Mercury, which in turn issued the singer's next release, 'Relish,' in March 1995. The album eventually racked up sales of three million copies and proved to have a long life, as almost a year after its initial release the track "One of Us" became a massive MTV and radio smash, camping out at the number-one spot on the U.S. singles chart for 2 weeks. Other tracks ("Right Hand Man" and "St. Teresa") failed to match the success of Osborne's first hit, but the singer still managed to connect with a large and appreciative audience, especially while touring as part of the 1997 edition of Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair tour. Osborne received numerous Grammy nominations in both 1996 and 1997.
Producing a worthy followup to Relish proved to be a time-consuming challenge for Osborne. Mercury tried to buy her some time by issuing a compilation release, 'Early Recordings' (which collected the early releases 'Live at Delta '88' and 'Blue Million Miles'). In the meantime, Osborne focused on supporting a few groups/causes she felt strongly about, such as Rock the Vote and Planned Parenthood (eventually being named an honorary member of Planned Parenthood's Board of Advocates), besides covering "I'm Just a Bill" as a duet with Isaac Hayes on the 1998 'Schoolhouse Rocks the Vote' benefit album. Osborne also studied briefly with the late Qawwali master Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and performed alongside such notables as Stevie Wonder, Melissa Etheridge, Taj Mahal, Luciano Pavarotti, Spearhead, Bob Dylan, and the Chieftains.
September 2000 finally saw the release of Osborne's second all-new studio album, titled 'Righteous Love'; but it failed to match its predecessor's commercial success and sank from sight shortly after its release. In 2002, Osborne bounced back with 'How Sweet It Is,' a collection of covers that leaned heavily on classic soul and R&B tunes from the 1960s and '70s. A career retrospective, 'One of Us,' came out in 2005.
Osborne played a prominent role in the 2002 film "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," performing with the legendary Motown house band the Funk Brothers in a concert performance segment, and appearing with several members of the group in an interview segment. She and her band accompanied the Dixie Chicks for a national tour in the summer of 2003, during which time she also joined veteran San Francisco jam-rockers the Dead as a vocalist, and released her fourth album, titled 'How Sweet It Is,' a collection of classic rock and soul covers.
During 2005 and 2006, she performed on numerous occasions with Phil Lesh and Friends. In February 2007, she appeared at the Grand Ole Opry.
In November 2006, Osborne released 'Pretty Little Stranger,' her self-described "Nashville album."
In May 2007, Osborne issued 'Breakfast in Bed,' a return to the soul music that she had covered on 'How Sweet It Is'. 'Breakfast in Bed' also featured the two songs ("Heatwave" and "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted") that she had covered for the film Standing in the Shadows of Motown.
She sings lead vocals on the cover of "Spoonful" on Vivian Campbell's solo album 'Two Sides Of If'.' Osborne also provided some vocals for "Wayfaring Stranger" on Spearhead's 1997 album 'Chocolate Supa Highway.' Joan is featured on The Holmes Brothers 2007 collection 'State of Grace' performing "Those Memories of You," an old Allan O'Bryant and Bill Monroe bluegrass tune.
Her album Bring It On Home was released on March 27, 2012. It is a collection of vintage blues and soul covers, and it received a 2013 Grammy Awards nomination for Best Blues Album.
Osborne was a member of Trigger Hippy from 2012 to 2018.
Osborne released the original album Love and Hate in 2014, and in 2017 the album Songs of Bob Dylan. A new album of original songs, Trouble and Strife, is due in September 2020.
Dracula Moon
Joan Osborne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What if the cure is worse than the disease
Serve me up some pretty pretty people
Serve me up somebody I can believe
Don't feel sorry for me
I hate that look on your face
You say just let go
I say I'm just fallin' from grace
I'm naked in a hotel room
My station comin' in comin' in loud and clear
I'm makin' out with my one true love
I'm makin' this hotel room disappear
Stop feelin' sorry for me
I hate that look on your face
You say, just let go
You say, come back home
I say, I'm just fallin' from grace
I say that like fallin' from grace
You never know it to look at me
A Dracula moon
See love come down any way you want to
Doesn't ask for your permission
Open up your arms and we will break you in too(two?)
Stop feelin' sorry for me
I hate that look on your face
You say, just let go
You say, come back home
I say, I'm just fallin' from grace
I say, I'm just fallin' from grace
Just fallin'
Just fallin
I'm smooth and heavy all over the world
I'm smooth and heavy all over the world
The lyrics of Joan Osborne's song "Dracula Moon" are mysterious and cryptic, yet the image they evoke is quite clear. The opening lines suggest that the singer is searching for something or someone, perhaps human remains, in a dark and creepy setting. As the song progresses, we get the sense that the singer is grappling with some internal struggle and is looking for something or someone to believe in. The idea of falling from grace suggests that the singer is experiencing a moral or spiritual crisis, and is looking for redemption.
The lines "Don't feel sorry for me / I hate that look on your face" suggest that the singer is tired of being judged or pitied, and wishes to be seen as an equal. The mention of a "naked hotel room" and "making out with my one true love" creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, but also suggests that the singer is experiencing a moment of recklessness or impulsivity. The final lines of the song, "I'm smooth and heavy all over the world," are enigmatic and could be interpreted in a number of ways. Perhaps the singer is reflecting on their own capacity for love, or suggesting that they are carrying a heavy burden that is felt throughout the world. Overall, the song's cryptic lyrics and moody tone create a sense of intrigue and mystery that leaves the listener wanting more.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are the bones on that one
Questioning the substance or foundation of something
What if the cure is worse than the disease
Uncertainty about the potential outcome of decisions
Serve me up some pretty pretty people
Wanting others to please and entertain her
Serve me up somebody I can believe
Desiring someone trustworthy and dependable
Don't feel sorry for me
Rejecting pity from others
I hate that look on your face
Disliking the way others perceive her
You say just let go
Being urged to release control over a situation
You say come back home
Being encouraged to return to a place of comfort
I'm just fallin' from grace
Acknowledging personal shortcomings and failures
I'm naked in a hotel room
Feeling vulnerable and exposed
My station comin' in comin' in loud and clear
Feeling confident and certain about a situation
I'm makin' out with my one true love
Experiencing intense passion and love
I'm makin' this hotel room disappear
Being fully immersed in the moment and ignoring surroundings
See love come down any way you want to
Love will present itself in unexpected ways
Doesn't ask for your permission
Love does not need approval or permission
Open up your arms and we will break you in too
Inviting others to experience the intensity of love
I'm smooth and heavy all over the world
Feeling confident and powerful globally
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC M BAZILIAN, ROB HYMAN, JOAN OSBORNE, RICK CHERTOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind