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.
Nobody
Kathy Mattea Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody's listenin' to the band tonight
Nobody feels like dancin' in this sad cafe
Oh, but you and me, baby, we got somethin' to live for
One more step and we'll be out that door
I don't know where we're goin', but we're already on our way
[Chorus]
We got one-way tickets on a one-way track
Nobody's gonna get their hands on the plans we made
And nobody's gonna rain on our parade
Well there's a red light blinking on an empty street
Church bells ringing in the dog-day heat
The more we try to change things, the more they stay the same
But there ain't no tellin' just what we'll find
Out past the city limit sign
There's a voice out there, and I heard it callin' our name
[Chorus]
Well there ain't nobody
Don't need nobody
Couldn't be nobody
Don't see nobody
Nobody's gonna rain on our parade
[Chorus]
The train is leavin' and it won't come back
One-way ticket on a one-way track...
Nobody's gonna rain on our parade...
The lyrics of Kathy Mattea’s song “Nobody” have a theme of independence and living life on one’s own terms. The song tells the story of two people who are in a small town where no one else wants to dance or listen to the band. Despite the somber mood of the town, the pair has a thirst for adventure and decides to leave together. They do not know where they are going, but they are happy to be making the journey together.
The first verse sets the scene with a blue moon hanging in the sky and nobody feeling like dancing in the sad café. The second verse describes the attempt to change things, yet everything always stays the same, but the couple hears a voice calling them out past the city limit sign. The chorus asserts that the train is leaving and it will not come back, and they have one-way tickets on a one-way track. Nobody will rain on their parade of independence and freedom.
The lyrics of “Nobody” convey a sense of individuality and the desire for adventure. The words are open to interpretation and can be seen as a call to action for people to take their own path in life. It encourages people to be brave enough to take risks and not to be held back by the opinions of others. Ultimately, the song is about finding happiness and living life according to one's own rules.
Line by Line Meaning
Well there's a blue moon hangin' in a small town sky
The sky is lit by a rare blue moon in a small town, but no one is really paying attention.
Nobody's listenin' to the band tonight
The band is playing, but no one is interested in listening to them.
Nobody feels like dancin' in this sad cafe
The atmosphere of the place is too melancholic and no one wants to dance.
Oh, but you and me, baby, we got somethin' to live for
Despite the environment, the person singing believes that they and their partner have something to look forward to.
One more step and we'll be out that door
The couple is ready to just leave the place that makes them feel so blue.
I don't know where we're goin', but we're already on our way
Although they're unclear about their destination, the couple is excited to be on their way, regardless.
The train is leavin' and it won't come back
The opportunity to get on the train is fleeting and it's now or never.
We got one-way tickets on a one-way track
The two of them have made a decision and there's no turning back now.
Nobody's gonna get their hands on the plans we made
They are determined to keep their plans for the future to themselves.
And nobody's gonna rain on our parade
They believe that nobody can dampen their spirits or break their resolve.
Well there's a red light blinking on an empty street
They're seeing a warning sign about the journey they're taking, but push ahead regardless.
Church bells ringing in the dog-day heat
In the sweltering heat, even the sound of church bells ringing had little effect.
The more we try to change things, the more they stay the same
Despite all the effort they put in, it seems like the world around them stays static.
But there ain't no tellin' just what we'll find
Although the journey is uncertain, they know that there's potential for discovery along the way.
Out past the city limit sign
Once they leave town, the possibilities become wide open.
There's a voice out there, and I heard it callin' our name
They feel like there's an opportunity, signified by a beckoning voice that calls them to take a certain path.
Well there ain't nobody
There is no one else.
Don't need nobody
They only really have each other and that's all they need.
Couldn't be nobody
There is no better person for them.
Don't see nobody
They don't pay attention to the naysayers or those who doubt them.
The train is leavin' and it won't come back
The final call to action that there's only one chance to catch that train.
One-way ticket on a one-way track...
The journey is one way, with no turning back.
Nobody's gonna rain on our parade...
They're set on having a good time and nothing is going to stop them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRAD PARKER, WILL RAMBEAUX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cheri
My son, Nathanael, is the boy in this video. We sure had fun with this. It's now 2015, and he's in his 30s. I still love watching the video, and I love the positive message.
Darren Crispin
+Cheri Partain that had to be a complete honor working with Kathy on this video
Cheri
She was very nice. Gave us a tour of her bus, and shared some insights on her work. The coat she's wearing in this video was something a good friend of hers found at a second hand store. Then her friend cut the shape and did some very intricate bead and embroidery work on it. That old coat could sell for at least $600.
Bill Fariss
She's a true legend. Your son was an excellent choice for the video. 🤗
Brad Parker
Tell him thanks for me... one of the writers of the song... the video is aces!
J Alan
Very cool! She’s a fellow Mountaineer.
Kenny Fettkether
There isn't one female singer now (2018) that can compete with gals like Kathy, Patty Loveless, Pam Tillis, Mary Chapin Carpetner, and the list goes on. A nice country sound, and a song that you can relate too and enjoy. Just my .02
Nick R.
Awh, you listed the big greats of the 90's all right there. Totally agree. :)
Jeff
I beg to differ. Ever heard of Sarah Harris (Trinity River Band)?
jetclntn
You’re right on