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.
Walk The Way The Wind Blows
Kathy Mattea Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down along the stairs
I can see the pictures
We've made down through the years
And it makes me blue, darlin'
Thinking of the past
And I'm truly sorry
I couldn't make it last
Walk the way the wind blows
Cry the tears, I've cried
Hopin' for you, darlin'
To be here by my side
I've gotta do some thinkin'
Of where to go from here
Walk the way the wind blows
Wipe away the tears
I remember darlin'
When you first came to me
All the air was sweet then
And all our time was free
But like the leaves that wither
Our hearts fell away
I think I'll just go out alone
And walk my blues away
Walk the way the wind blows
Cry the tears, I've cried
Hopin' for you, darlin'
To be here by my side
I've gotta do some thinkin'
Of where to go from here
Walk the way the wind blows
Wipe away the tears
Walk the way the wind blows
Cry the tears, I've cried
Hopin' for you, darlin'
To be here by my side
I've gotta do some thinkin'
Of where to go from here
Walk the way the wind blows
Wipe away the tear
sWalk the way the wind blows
Wipe away the tears
The lyrics to Kathy Mattea’s song Walk The Way The Wind Blows is a melancholic tune that talks about the pain and heartbreak of a relationship that has ended. The song is an excellent example of how music can touch the soul and evoke strong emotions in the listener.
The first verse of the song paints a vivid picture of the singer's surroundings, with memories of past moments that were shared with a loved one. The line "it makes me blue, darlin', thinking of the past" is an indication of the pain that the singer is experiencing due to the relationship's end. The chorus describes the singer's desire for their loved one to return, crying tears that were shed, hoping for their beloved to come back to their side. However, they know they have to move on and start walking the way the wind blows.
In the second verse, the singer fondly remembers when their relationship was new and exciting, and time seemed to stand still. However, the inevitable setback that all relationships face eventually came, leading to their hearts falling away. The singer recognizes that they must accept the relationship's end and begin to move on, alone in this world.
Overall, the song beautifully illustrates the pain and heartbreak of a love lost, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and moving forward to a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Up along the hallway
Moving up the hallway, the memories of the past flash in front of me.
Down along the stairs
Descending the stairs, I recall moments of time gone by.
I can see the pictures
The images of memories we shared are vivid in my mind.
We've made down through the years
We've created and endured a lot through the times.
And it makes me blue, darlin'
Thinking of those moments makes me feel a sense of sadness.
Thinking of the past
Reflecting on the memories and moments gone by.
And I'm truly sorry
Feeling genuine regret for not being able to keep those memories alive.
I couldn't make it last
I wasn't able to preserve the good times and make them last forever.
Walk the way the wind blows
Go where life takes you and accept what comes your way.
Cry the tears, I've cried
Feel the same pain and sadness that I have experienced.
Hopin' for you, darlin'
Wishing and yearning for your presence beside me.
To be here by my side
Wanting you to stay close to me always.
I've gotta do some thinkin'
It's time for me to ponder and contemplate about the future.
Of where to go from here
Considering my options and decisions for what comes next.
Wipe away the tears
Dry your eyes and move on from the pain.
I remember darlin'
I recall fondly the moments we shared together.
When you first came to me
The time when you entered my life and made it better.
All the air was sweet then
The atmosphere of our relationship was peaceful and pleasant.
And all our time was free
We had all the time in the world to spend with each other.
But like the leaves that wither
Just like the leaves that lose their greenery, our love faded away.
Our hearts fell away
The love and warmth of our relationship disappeared over time.
I think I'll just go out alone
I'll venture out by myself to clear my head and heart.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tim O'Brien
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Macwench2006
Up along the hallway
Down along the stairs
I can see the pictures
We made down through the years
And it makes me blue, darling
Thinking of the past
And I'm truly sorry
I couldn't make it last
Walk the way the wind blows
Cry the tears I cried
Hoping for you, darling
To be here by my side
I got to do some thinking
Of where to go from here
Walk the way the wind blows
Wipe away the tears
I remember, darling
When you first came to me
All the air was sweet then
And all our time was free
But like the leaves that wither
Our hearts fell away
I think I'll just go out alone
And walk my blues away
Walk the way the wind blows
Cry the tears I cried
Hoping for you, darling
To be here by my side
I got to do some thinking
Of where to go from here
Walk the way the wind blows
Wipe away the tears
Walk the way the wind blows
Cry the tears I cried
Hoping for you, darling
To be here by my side
I got to do some thinking
Of where to go from here
Walk the way the wind blows
Wipe away the tears
Walk the way the wind blows
Wipe away the tears
Flo Ross
Wonder what this one is all about . Sure is different.
Walk The Way The Wind BlowsÂ
Kathy Mattea Songwriters: TIM O'BRIEN,
 TIMOTHY PAGE O'BRIEN
(Tim O'Brien)All those untold stories
All those silent lies
We'll never know each other
Keepin' them deep inside (let's)
Wash away the troubles
Keepin' us apart
Tell those untold stories
Let the healin' start
It's been so long ago
We went our separate ways
Now maybe time has changed us
And worn the hurt away
You look the same as ever
I'm glad you're here with me
Take a look into my eyes
And tell me what you see
All those untold stories
All those silent lies
We'll never know each other
Keepin' them deep inside (let's)
Wash away the troubles
Keepin' us apart
Tell those untold stories
Let the healin' start
Now, I don't want forgiveness
Honey, I don't need you now
We've built a wall between us
It's time to tear it down
Let's plant a tree together
Maybe we can make it grow
If not now then maybe never
We might not ever know (about)
All those untold stories
All those silent liesWe'll never know each other
Keepin' them deep inside (let's)
Wash away the troubles
Keepin' us apart
Tell those untold stories
Let the healin' start
Crazson34
What a beautiful lady with a beautiful voice. I've enjoyed her for over 35 years.
Mike Waddell
One of the finest female country voices of all time.
sandra cliburn
truly
Michael Myers
I LOVE KATHY MATTEA! I remember first hearing her on "Nashville Now," when I was maybe 15 or so? She sang a song called "Street Talk.". I have followed her Music ever since. I was a Country Singer myself, I recall hearing THIS SONG my first year in College and LOVED her VOICE Especially on THIS SONG...Then I moved to Nashville chasing my dream, and some great things DID happen for me back then mainly in the 90's, but I finally got to meet Kathy and it was so cool. 🤠👍
Timothy Gibbs
I just lost my nephew this month. His funeral service was just this past week. He was only 38 years old. I remember when he was just a toddler, about five or six at the most, if that, this song was at the top of the charts. His name was Jeffrey. He didn't know the meaning of the song at that age, but he had this long curly red hair and he loved to get out on a windy day and walk into the wind, with his hair blowing back and sing this song as loud as he could sing it. He would walk into the wind and sing Walk the Way the Wind Blows. I always thought that was precious. This was one of the first songs that came to my mind when I got the news that we lost Jeffrey. I'm sure that he's now off in a peaceful but windy place and walking into the wind and smiling and singing this song. RIP Jeffrey!
Pami Wahl
Great singer need to hear her more on radio
catherine belle
One of my all time favourites. It has a special meaning for me since the loss of my son.Thank you for posting it.
Macwench2006
Up along the hallway
Down along the stairs
I can see the pictures
We made down through the years
And it makes me blue, darling
Thinking of the past
And I'm truly sorry
I couldn't make it last
Walk the way the wind blows
Cry the tears I cried
Hoping for you, darling
To be here by my side
I got to do some thinking
Of where to go from here
Walk the way the wind blows
Wipe away the tears
I remember, darling
When you first came to me
All the air was sweet then
And all our time was free
But like the leaves that wither
Our hearts fell away
I think I'll just go out alone
And walk my blues away
Walk the way the wind blows
Cry the tears I cried
Hoping for you, darling
To be here by my side
I got to do some thinking
Of where to go from here
Walk the way the wind blows
Wipe away the tears
Walk the way the wind blows
Cry the tears I cried
Hoping for you, darling
To be here by my side
I got to do some thinking
Of where to go from here
Walk the way the wind blows
Wipe away the tears
Walk the way the wind blows
Wipe away the tears
subsailor
I have loved this song since the first time I heard it many years ago.
Daniel Burns
this song went to #10 on the country charts in 1986!!!