Mattea was born in South Charleston, West Virginia, because it had the nearest hospital to her parents' home in Cross Lanes, where she grew up, graduating from nearby Nitro High School. In 1976, while in college, she joined the bluegrass band Pennsboro, and two years later dropped out of school to move to Nashville. She worked as a tour guide at the Country Music Hall of Fame, did backup vocal work for Bobby Goldsboro , and sang demos for several Nashville songwriters and publishers including Nashville songwriter/producer Byron Hill, who brought her to the attention of Frank Jones (then head of Mercury Records), who signed her to her first record deal in 1983.
Mattea's third album, 1986's folky Walk the Way the Wind Blows, proved to be her breakthrough both critically and commercially. Her cover of Nanci Griffith's "Love at the Five and Dime" was her first major hit, reaching #3 (and in addition, earned Griffith notice as a songwriter); and the album produced three other top ten songs: "Walk the Way the Wind Blows" (#10), "You're the Power (#5), and "Train of Memories" (#6).
Further hit songs include her first #1, "Goin' Gone"; the truck-driving song "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" (1988); "Come From the Heart" and "Burnin' Old Memories" (both #1 hits in 1989); "She Came From Fort Worth" (1990); "Lonesome Standard Time" (1992); "Walking Away a Winner" (1994); "Nobody's Gonna Rain on Our Parade" (1994); "Maybe She's Human" (1994); and "455 Rocket" (1997). "Eighteen Wheels," in late May 1988, became the first single by a solo female to spend multiple weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart since Dolly Parton's "You're the Only One" in August 1979; both singles were on top of that chart for two weeks.
The heart-wrenching "Where've You Been," which Mattea's husband Jon Vezner co-wrote with singer/songwriter Don Henry, reached #2 on the country chart and won her a 1990 Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal. Mattea is a repeat winner of the County Music Associations Female Vocalist of the Year, which she won on the success of "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" and "Where've You Been."
The following year, Mattea took part in Voices That Care, a multi-artist project that featured other top names in music for a one-off single to raise money for the allied troops in the Gulf War. The project included fellow country singers Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers and Randy Travis. She has also been heavily involved in HIV/AIDS-related charities beginning in the early 1990s, and is often credited with leading the country music community, commonly regarded as the last segment of the entertainment industry to address the AIDS epidemic, to finally do so. She performed with Mary Chapin Carpenter on VH1's very first Save The Music concert, which also starred Bette Midler.
Mattea won another Grammy in 1993 for her gospel-oriented Christmas album Good News. Her first single from the album, "Mary, Did You Know?" went on to be covered by Kenny Rogers with Wynonna, as well as Reba McEntire.
Mattea subsequently moved to MCA and, in 2000, released the ballad-heavy The Innocent Years, a heartfelt tribute to her ailing father. Wanting to explore her taste for Celtic folk, Mattea hopped labels to Narada, for whom she debuted in 2002 with the eclectic Roses.
With her social activism and her taste for songs with introspective lyrics, it has been often said that Mattea owes as much to the traditions of folk music as mainstream country.
Though her recent work has failed to make the country charts, Mattea continued to enjoy a strong following throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s; her albums are critically well received, and she continues to tour and perform. She continues to have strong support from a very active fan club, run by Sue Phelps, whose members refer to themselves as Matteaheads.
Kathy travelled the country presenting Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" and speaking to crowds about the importance to fight global warming.
Before leaving Narada she released another album full of differing influences, Right Out Of Nowhere, including a cover of a Stones tune.
Her CD "Coal" released on her own label is a collection of songs about mining and received a nomination for a Grammy. She continues to tour across the US and in early 2008 she made a welcome return to the UK.
In 2018, Mattea announced a new album, Pretty Bird, which was released independently with Tim O'Brien serving as producer.
Christmas Collage
Kathy Mattea Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, oh Israel
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay
What child is this, who, laid to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The babe, the son of Mary
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant, king to own Him
The King of Kings, salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
Raise, raise the song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The babe, the son of Mary
The lyrics of the song 'Christmas Collage' by Kathy Mattea are a combination of two popular Christmas carols - 'Oh Come Emmanuel' and 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.' The opening lines from the first carol speak of the longing of the Israelites for their Messiah, who would come to ransom them from captivity. The phrase 'That mourns in lonely exile here' alludes to the physical and spiritual distance that the Israelites had from God. Through the birth of Jesus Christ, God appeared and fulfilled His promise of salvation for His people. The chorus, 'Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel Shall come to thee, oh Israel' signifies the joy that came with the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah.
The second part of the song combines the lyrics of 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' and 'What Child Is This.' The chorus speaks of the birth of Jesus and the salvation that has been brought to humanity through His birth. The lyrics 'To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray' emphasizes the importance of Jesus and what He came to achieve. The second verse, 'What child is this, who, laid to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping?' are some of the most recognizable Christmas lyrics. The answer to this question is that the child is the Christ, the King that the shepherds and angels are glorifying. The closing verses of the song ask people to come and recognize the Messiah by bringing incense, gold, and myrrh.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh come, oh come Emmanuel
Come, Emmanuel, the Savior whom Israel has been waiting for
And ransom captive Israel
Redeem the people of Israel, who are held captive
That mourns in lonely exile here
Israel is mourning while being exiled in solitude
Until the son of God appear
Until the Son of God arrives on earth
Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel
Celebrate, Emmanuel, our long-awaited Savior
Shall come to thee, oh Israel
Emmanuel will come to save Israel
God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay
Rest peacefully, dear gentlemen, do not be discouraged
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day
Recall that Christ was born on Christmas Day, as our Redeemer
To save us all from Satan's power when we were gone astray
He came to save us from the devil's control when we were lost
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
Good news that brings peace and happiness
What child is this, who, laid to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Who is this baby, lying asleep on Mary's lap?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
Whom angels welcome with harmonious songs
While shepherds watch are keeping?
As the shepherds keep an eye on Him
This, this is Christ the King
This, this is Christ, the King of kings
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Whom the shepherds protect and the angels sing about
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
Quickly go and praise Him
The babe, the son of Mary
The baby, who is the son of Mary
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Bringing gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh to the baby
Come peasant, king to own Him
Both peasants and kings can come and worship Him
The King of Kings, salvation brings
He is the King of Kings and brings salvation
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
May loving hearts enthrone Him
Raise, raise the song on high
Sing a joyful song
The virgin sings her lullaby
The virgin sings a gentle song to the baby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born!
The babe, the son of Mary
The baby, who is the son of Mary
Contributed by Ryan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.