Born to two neuroscientists, Ritter bought his first guitar from the local K-MART after hearing the Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash classic Girl From The North Country. He started at Oberlin College with the intent to follow in his parents' scientist footsteps, but instead discovered songwriting, and the music of artists like Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt, and Leonard Cohen. He graduated and then moved east, favoring its close proximity to historic folk clubs such as "Club Passim" in Boston. On a shoestring budget he recorded his critically acclaimed breakthrough album Golden Age of Radio in 2002 at various tiny, one-room studios on the East Coast. He has continued to grow from there, further developing his sound on subsequent albums.
Josh has recorded several records and E.P.s. In chronological order, they are:
Josh Ritter (Self Titled) (2000)
Golden Age of Radio (2001)
Come and Find Me EP (2003)
Hello Starling (2003)
4 Songs Live E.P. (2005)
The Animal Years (2006)
Girl In The War E.P. (2006)
Good Man E.P. (2006)
In The Dark: Live At Vicar Street (2006)
The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter (2007)
Live at the Record Exchange EP (2008)
So Runs the World Away (2010)
To the Yet Unknowing World (2011)
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Live at The Iveagh Gardens (April 2011)
The Beast In Its Tracks (2013)
Acoustic Live, Vol.1 (2015)
Sermon on the Rocks (2015)
Kathleen
Josh Ritter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They try to shine in through your curtains?you're too close and too bright
They try and they try but everything that they do
Is the ghost of a trace of a pale imitation of you
I'll be the one to drive you back home Kathleen
This party is made with the night air and the chance that a smile
Will wind its way from your face to one of the boys in your line
But a virgin Wurlitzer heart never once had a song
I'll be the one to drive you back home Kathleen
And I'll have you back by break of day
I'm going your way anyway
And if you'd like to come along
I'll be yours for a song
I know you are waiting and I know that it is not for me
But I'm here and I'm ready and I've saved you the passenger seat
I won't be your last dance just your last goodnight
Every heart is a package tangled up in knots someone else tied
I'll be the one to drive you back home Kathleen
So crawl up your trellis and quietly back into your room
And I'll coast down the length of your drive by the light of the moon
And the next time I see you?a new kind of hello
Both our hearts have a secret only both of us know
?bout the night that I drove you back home Kathleen
Josh Ritter's song "Kathleen" is a romantic tune about a man who admires a girl named Kathleen. The lyrics open with a simile, comparing Kathleen to the Northern Lights, implying her beauty and rarity. The next few lines describe how other girls try to imitate Kathleen's beauty but cannot simulate it as she is the original. The stanzas "I'll be the one to drive you back home Kathleen" serve as a chorus for the song. This phrase has a sense of ownership, suggesting that the singer is willing to be Kathleen's protector, and promises to take Kathleen home at the end of the party. The singer also acknowledges that Kathleen might not share the same feelings he does, but he's willing to take whatever he can get.
In the second verse, the singer mentions that Kathleen has a Wurlitzer heart, which is referencing a brand of a jukebox. The line "a virgin Wurlitzer heart never once had a song" suggests that Kathleen has yet to fall in love, and that she's too aware of the tricks that boys employ while courting her. The song acknowledges that the singer might not be the one Kathleen is waiting for, but he's willing to take the chance and ask her to join him on his journey. The phrase "I'll be yours for a song" evokes the spirit of youth, romance, and the idea of anything being possible.
Overall, the song is a beautiful metaphor of two people navigating their way through life and discovering their hearts' desires. It's a celebration of love's innocence and the beauty of the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
All the other girls here are stars?you are the Northern Lights
You are not just any girl, you are unique and you shine brighter than anyone else in this room.
They try to shine in through your curtains?you're too close and too bright
Other girls try to imitate you, but they can't get as close or be as brilliant as you are.
They try and they try but everything that they do
Is the ghost of a trace of a pale imitation of you
No matter how hard they try, they will never be able to replicate your uniqueness, they are just pale imitations of you.
I'll be the one to drive you back home Kathleen
I want to be the one to take care of you and make sure you get home safely, Kathleen.
This party is made with the night air and the chance that a smile
Will wind its way from your face to one of the boys in your line
This party is inspired by your presence and the hope that you'll smile and maybe even talk to one of the guys here.
You act like you're hip to their tricks and you're strong
But a virgin Wurlitzer heart never once had a song
You seem like you're strong and can see through their tricks, but deep down you're still innocent and never had a real romantic experience.
And I'll have you back by break of day
I'm going your way anyway
And if you'd like to come along
I'll be yours for a song
I'll make sure you're home before sunrise, I'm headed in the same direction anyway. If you want, you can come with me, and I'll be your companion for just a song.
I know you are waiting and I know that it is not for me
But I'm here and I'm ready and I've saved you the passenger seat
I understand you're waiting for someone else, but I'm here for you, and I want to take care of you. I even reserved a passenger seat for you.
I won't be your last dance just your last goodnight
Every heart is a package tangled up in knots someone else tied
I'm not looking for a one-night stand, but I do want to say goodbye to you properly. Everyone's heart has a past that they have to deal with.
So crawl up your trellis and quietly back into your room
And I'll coast down the length of your drive by the light of the moon
And the next time I see you?a new kind of hello
Both our hearts have a secret only both of us know
?bout the night that I drove you back home Kathleen
You should go back to your room now, I'll silently leave and drive away in the moonlight. The next time we meet, it'll be different, and we'll both have a secret about the connection shared during the drive home, Kathleen.
Lyrics Š Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH RITTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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"Kathleen"
All the other girls here are stars - you are the northern lights
They try to shine in through your curtains - you're too close and too bright
They try and they try but everything that they do
Is the ghost of a trace of a pale imitation of you
I'll be the one to drive you back home Kathleen
This party was made with the night air and the chance that a smile
Will wind its way from your face to one of the boys in your line
You act like you're hip to their tricks and you're strong
But a virgin Wurlitzer heart never once had a song
I'll be the one to drive you back home Kathleen
And I'll have you back by break of day
I'm going your way anyway
And if you'd like to come along
I'll be yours for a song
I know you are waiting and I know that it is not for me
But I'm here and I'm ready and I've saved you the passenger seat
I won't be your last dance just your last goodnight
Every heart is a package tangled up in knots someone else tied
I'll be the one to drive you back home Kathleen
So crawl up your trellis and quietly back into your room
And I'll coast down the length of your drive by the light of the moon
And the next time we meet - a new kind of hello
Both our hearts have a secret only both of us know
'Bout the night that I drove you back home Kathleen
Matthew Carey
What a great songwriter and lyricist. So underrated and under appreciated. Just a single example of the excellent musical talent that is out there that for whatever reason doesnât get picked up by the corporations.
Kraf Things
I loved this song the first time I heard it 7 years ago and I still love it now.
Mandy Prevo
"And the next time we meet, a new kind of hello
Both our hearts have a secret only both of us know" I love his lyrics!!
Mary Frances Helmers
Love this song!! Gives me a strange sense of hope and encouragement to believe in myself a little bit more đ
rorygal2991
Your cover was beautiful, Charlie!! đ Thanks for sharing a great song, you've got good taste đđť
Ryan McCann
I had a musician play this song when I proposed to my sweet Kathleen. I found this song when we were dating and still play it once and a while.
Ellie Eamigh
Thank you for this awesome song Charlie Mcelroy.
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right!!! reminds me of Wilco/Ryan Adams, id never heard of this guy before Charles
Pemily
Same!!
Lee Winegarden
Personal fav!!!amazin tune!!! love playing this song Josh :) well done my friend