Williams has garnered considerable critical acclaim but her commercial success has been moderate. She has a reputation as a perfectionist and as a slow worker when it comes to recording; six years passed between the release of her second and third albums. However, she frequently makes guest appearances on other artists' albums and contributes to compilations and soundtracks. She has recorded with Elvis Costello, Nanci Griffith, John Prine, Leftover Salmon, and Steve Earle, among others. She has also opened concerts for artists such as Neil Young.
Early life
Williams was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the daughter of poet and literature professor Miller Williams. Her father worked as a visiting professor in Mexico and Chile as well as different parts of the American South, before settling at the University of Arkansas. His daughter showed an affinity for music at an early age, and was playing guitar at 12.
Career
By her early 20s, Williams was playing publicly in Austin, Texas and Houston, Texas, concentrating on a folk-rock-country blend. She moved to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1978 to record her first album, for Smithsonian/Folkways Records. Titled Ramblin', it was a collection of country and blues covers. She followed it up in 1980 with Happy Woman Blues, which consisted of her own material. Neither album received much attention.
In the 1980s Williams moved to Los Angeles, California (before finally settling in Nashville, TN), where -- performing both backed by a rock band and in acoustic settings -- she developed a following and a critical reputation. Nevertheless, it was not until 1988 that Rough Trade Records released the self-titled Lucinda Williams. The single "Changed the Locks", about a broken relationship, received radio play around the country and gained fans among music insiders, including Tom Petty, who would later cover the song.
Its follow-up, Sweet Old World (Chameleon, 1992), was a melancholy album dealing with themes of suicide and death. Williams's biggest success during the early '90s was as a songwriter. Mary Chapin Carpenter recorded a cover of "Passionate Kisses" (from Lucinda Williams) in 1992, and the song became a smash country hit for which Williams received the Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1994.
Williams had garnered considerable critical acclaim, but her commercial success was moderate. Emmylou Harris said of Williams, "She is an example of the best of what country at least says it is. But, for some reason, she's completely out of the loop. And I feel strongly that that's country music's loss."
Williams also gained a reputation as a perfectionist and slow worker when it came to recording; six years would pass before her next album release, though she appeared as a guest on other artists' albums and contributed to several tribute compilations during this period.
The long-awaited release, 1998's Car Wheels on a Gravel Road was Williams' breakthrough to the mainstream. Containing the single "Still I Long for Your Kiss" from the Robert Redford film The Horse Whisperer, the album received wide critical notice and soon went gold. It received a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. She toured with Bob Dylan and on her own in support of the album.
Williams followed up the success of Car Wheels with Essence (2001). This release featured a less produced, more stripped-down approach both musically and lyrically, and moved Williams further from the country music establishment while winning fans in the alternative music world. She won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Female Rock performance for the single "Get Right With God", an atypically uptempo gospel-rock tune from the otherwise rather low-key release. The title track was co-written and co-recorded with alternative country musician Ryan Adams.
Her seventh album, World Without Tears, was released in 2003. A musically adventurous though lyrically downbeat album, this release found Williams experimenting with talking blues stylings and electric blues.
In 2006, Lucinda recorded a version of the John Hartford classic "Gentle On My Mind," which played over the closing credits of the Will Ferrell filmTalladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby
Williams was a guest vocalist on the song "Factory Girls" from Irish punk-folk band Flogging Molly's 2004 album, "Within a Mile of Home", and appeared on Elvis Costello's The Delivery Man. She duetted with Steve Earle on the song "You're Still Standin' There" from his album I Feel Alright from 1996.
Williams released the album "West" on February 13, 2007, to mostly good reviews. The material is highly personal, chronicling the death of her mother and the breakup of a turbulent relationship.
Lucinda released her ninth studio album, "Little Honey", on October 14th.
Blessed
Lucinda Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who practiced what he preached
We were blessed by the poor man
Who said heaven is within reach
We were blessed by the girl selling roses
Showed us how to live
We were blessed by the neglected child
Who knew how to forgive
Who didn't seek revenge
We were blessed by the warrior
Who didn't need to win
We were blessed by the blind man
Who could see for miles and miles
We were blessed by the fighter
Who didn't fight for the prize
We were blessed by the mother
Who gave up the child
We were blessed by the soldier
Who gave up his life
We were blessed by the teacher
Who didn't have a degree
We were blessed by the prisoner
Who knew how to be free
We were blessed
Yeah, we were blessed
We were blessed by the mystic
Who turned water into wine
We were blessed by the watchmaker
Who gave up his time
We were blessed by the wounded man
Who felt no pain
By the wayfaring stranger
Who knew our names
We were blessed by the homeless man
Who showed us the way home
Blessed by the hungry man
Who filled us with love
By the little innocent baby
Who taught us the truth
We were blessed by the forlorn
Forsaken and abused
We were blessed
Yeah, we were blessed
Mmm, we were blessed
Yeah, we were blessed
We were blessed
The lyrics to Lucinda Williams's song "Blessed" showcase a beautiful tribute to the many blessings that come into our lives from unexpected sources. The singer is expressing gratitude for the different people she has met along the way who have touched her life in a deep and meaningful way. The song begins with the singer expressing gratitude towards the minister who practices what he preaches, and the poor man who understands that heaven is within reach. She then goes on to mention several other people who have impacted her life, including a girl selling roses who showed her how to live and a neglected child who knew how to forgive.
Williams also mentions a battered woman who didn't seek revenge and a warrior who didn't need to win. The song highlights people from all walks of life, including a blind man who can see for miles, a fighter who didn't fight for the prize, a mother who gave up her child, and a teacher who didn't have a degree. The singer goes on to thank a homeless man who showed her the way home and a hungry man who filled her with love. Finally, the song ends with a recognition of those who are forlorn, forsaken, and abused.
Overall, "Blessed" is a testament to the fact that there are blessings all around us, often in the form of unexpected people who come into our lives and teach us valuable lessons. Williams highlights the humanity of these people, showing that no matter who they are or what their circumstances may be, they have the power to touch our lives and make us feel blessed.
Line by Line Meaning
We were blessed by the minister
We were touched by the words and deeds of a religious leader, who truly embodied the teachings they preached.
Who practiced what he preached
This religious leader lived a life consistent with their spiritual message, setting an inspiring example for others to follow.
We were blessed by the poor man
We learned from someone who did not have material wealth, but had a deep sense of inner peace and purpose.
Who said heaven is within reach
This person had a profound spiritual insight, recognizing that true happiness can be found within oneself, rather than through external circumstances.
We were blessed by the girl selling roses
We were shown a valuable lesson about finding joy and beauty in even the simple things in life.
Showed us how to live
This young girl may have been poor or facing other struggles, but she modeled a way of life that emphasized positivity, perseverance, and kindness towards others.
We were blessed by the neglected child
Despite facing difficult circumstances, this child had a big heart and a remarkable capacity for forgiveness and empathy.
Who knew how to forgive
This child had learned, perhaps instinctively, the incredible power of letting go of anger and resentment in order to find inner peace and move forward in life.
We were blessed by the battered woman
We learned from a survivor of trauma who made the courageous choice to rise above and continue living with grace and compassion, rather than seeking revenge or retreating into bitterness.
Who didn't seek revenge
Despite being deeply wronged by others, this woman chose a path of forgiveness and love, recognizing that true healing and liberation comes not from hatred, but from compassion.
We were blessed by the warrior
We learned from someone who faced adversity head-on, but did not define themselves by their victories or defeats in battle.
Who didn't need to win
This warrior embodied a sense of inner peace and purpose that could not be shaken by whether they were successful in achieving a certain outcome or not.
We were blessed by the blind man
We gained insight from someone who faced significant hardship, but had a powerful gift of perception and intuition that transcended mere sight.
Who could see for miles and miles
This blind man had a remarkable ability to perceive truth and beauty in the world that others might miss, precisely because he lacked the distractions of visual stimuli.
We were blessed by the fighter
We learned from someone who faced significant adversity, but never lost sight of their values or what was truly important in life.
Who didn't fight for the prize
This fighter recognized that external recognition or rewards were ultimately less important than honoring one's own inner convictions and sense of purpose.
We were blessed by the mother
We gained wisdom from someone who knew how to make tough decisions out of love and compassion, even when those decisions were painful.
Who gave up the child
This mother recognized that in certain situations, the most selfless and loving choice she could make was to give up her child, trusting that they would be taken care of and have opportunities for growth and happiness.
We were blessed by the soldier
We learned from someone who was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country and for others.
Who gave up his life
This soldier recognized that sometimes the greatest act of love is to put oneself on the line for the safety and well-being of others.
We were blessed by the teacher
We gained wisdom from someone who may not have had formal credentials, but who was nevertheless an insightful, inspiring guide to others.
Who didn't have a degree
This teacher embodied the idea that true learning and insight comes not from formal education, but from a deep sense of curiosity, enthusiasm, and compassion for others.
We were blessed by the prisoner
We learned from someone who had faced significant challenges and mistakes, but who had taken responsibility for their actions and sought to use their experiences to grow and help others.
Who knew how to be free
This prisoner recognized that true freedom does not come from physical liberation, but from a profound sense of inner peace and purpose, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
We were blessed by the mystic
We gained insight from someone who had a remarkable spiritual vision, seeing beyond the mundane and material into deeper truths and mysteries.
Who turned water into wine
This mystic had a powerful ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, seeing deeper significance and meaning in life than most people can discern.
We were blessed by the watchmaker
We learned from someone who understood the delicate workings of the world with a sense of awe and wonder, and who sought to create beauty and meaning through their own craft.
Who gave up his time
This watchmaker recognized that time was one of the most precious and valuable resources they had, and was willing to sacrifice it in order to create something meaningful and lasting.
We were blessed by the wounded man
We learned from someone who had faced severe hardship or trauma, but who had nevertheless found a way to persevere and live with grace and purpose.
Who felt no pain
Despite physical or emotional scars, this person had found a deep sense of inner peace and resilience, allowing them to face life's challenges with equanimity.
By the wayfaring stranger
We gained wisdom and insight from someone who had traveled far and wide, broadening their horizons and bringing back stories and experiences that enriched their own life and the lives of others.
Who knew our names
This stranger had a remarkable capacity for empathy and connection, recognizing the unique value and worth of each and every individual they met along the way.
We were blessed by the homeless man
We learned from someone who was facing significant hardship and struggle, but who nevertheless held onto hope and generosity of spirit.
Who showed us the way home
Despite living on the streets or in difficult circumstances, this person had a remarkable ability to create a sense of comfort, safety, and welcome for others, showing them that they too could find a sense of belonging and purpose.
Blessed by the hungry man
We learned from someone who faced significant material deprivation, but who nevertheless had a deep sense of inner abundance and generosity.
Who filled us with love
This hungry man had a remarkable capacity to see the good in others and to love them unconditionally, reminding us that true happiness and fulfillment often come not from what we have, but from what we give.
By the little innocent baby
We gained insight and wisdom from someone who represented the purest and most vulnerable parts of humanity, reminding us of the core essence of our own being.
Who taught us the truth
This baby had a remarkable way of cutting through the noise and chaos of life, bringing forth the essential truths of love, connection, and compassion that form the bedrock of our existence.
We were blessed by the forlorn
We learned from someone who was facing despair, sadness, or feelings of abandonment, but who nevertheless held onto hope and resilience.
Forsaken and abused
Despite experiencing significant hurt or trauma, this person had a remarkable ability to transcend their pain and find meaning and purpose in life, offering wisdom and inspiration to others in the process.
We were blessed
Taken together, these various experiences and individuals represent a profound gift and opportunity for growth and learning, helping us to see the world and ourselves in a new light.
Yeah, we were blessed
This sense of gratitude and appreciation for our blessings is something that we should hold onto and cultivate at all times, recognizing the beauty and worth in all of life's experiences.
Mmm, we were blessed
This affirmation of our blessings comes from a deep place of inner peace and contentment, reminding us that even amidst life's challenges and struggles, there is always potential for growth, hope, and joy.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LUCINDA WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind