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.
Mary Did You Know?
Kathy Mattea Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would someday walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Mary, did you know your Baby Boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you've kissed your little Baby
Then you've kissed the face of God
Mary did you know?
Mary, did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Was Heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the great, "I am"
The song, "Mary Did You Know?" asks the mother of Jesus, Mary, if she knew what her son would go on to achieve in his life. It questions whether Mary was aware that Jesus would perform miracles such as walking on water, raising the dead and healing the sick. The song also mentions Jesus' ultimate destiny to become the savior of mankind and his divine nature. The lyrics are a reflection on the importance of Jesus' birth and the magnitude of his impact on the world.
The song was written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene in 1984, and has since become a Christmas classic. It has been recorded by numerous artists, including Kathy Mattea, Pentatonix, and CeeLo Green. Despite not being a traditional Christmas carol, "Mary Did You Know?" has been included in many religious services and performances during the holiday season.
The song has not been without controversy, with some critics arguing that the lyrics are inaccurate and misinterpret biblical passages. However, its popularity and widespread adoption in the Christian community have ensured its enduring legacy.
Line by Line Meaning
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would someday walk on water?
Did you have any idea, Mary, that your child, Jesus, would perform miraculous feats, like walking on water?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Mary, were you aware that your son, Jesus, would one day become our savior and save us all?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has come to make you new?
Were you aware, Mary, that the child you gave birth to would be the one to bring spiritual renewal and change in you and others?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you
The child you have given birth to will bring salvation to you, Mary.
Mary, did you know your Baby Boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Were you aware, Mary, that your child, Jesus, would have the power to give sight to those who were blind?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know that your son, Jesus, would be able to control even the forces of nature, such as calming a storm?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Has walked where angels trod?
Were you aware, Mary, that your child, Jesus, had been in the realm of the angels?
When you've kissed your little Baby
Then you've kissed the face of God
Know that when you kiss your child, Mary, you are embracing God in human form.
The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb
Through your son, Jesus, people who cannot see, hear, speak or even the dead will be able to do so, and will give praise to the Lamb of God.
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Did you know, Mary, that your son, Jesus, is the Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Were you aware that your son, Jesus, would one day be the ruler over all nations?
Did you know that your Baby Boy
Was Heaven's perfect Lamb?
Did you know, Mary, that your child, Jesus, was the sinless and perfect sacrificial lamb of Heaven?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the great, "I am"
The infant you are holding, Mary, is the ultimate and divine being, the great and eternal "I am".
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Buddy Greene, Mark Lowry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@9gunner9peace54
Best version by far
@patriciacress1795
I am 74 and woke up with this song at 5am. So I looked up Kathy Mattea. She was always the very best rendition for me There’s emotion in her voice and a quiet strength. Thank you for sharing this beautiful song with us. ❤️
@Paradisepuppy1919
I grew up listening to Kathy mattea and her voice This is one of my favorites Christmas albums by Kathy mattea she still makes me cry today. I'm sure we all miss her and her voice I played this for my grandma at her funeral made me cry hope you all have a Blessed night & CHRISTMAS!
@FLTlingit
Kathy's version was the first time I heard this song.
Powerful stuff indeed!
@miketheshanmanmangan
A Lyrical Masterpiece and a great rendition from KATHY MATTEA
@pproferes
Perfect balance of emotion, clarity and power. Gorgeous voice.
@stonefly69
Best version ever!
@annorarubio7678
Still wonderful best version Jesus gave this song
@marciapierce8025
My very favorite Christmas album is the Kathy Mattea version! Sadly it’s almost impossible to find CDs for friends.
@williampaz2092
I had to order it through Barnes and Noble Bookstore. It took forever to arrive. It was/is worth the wait.