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.
West Memphis
Lucinda Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want it so and I figure it out how crew that terrible sound
And somebody gone away with murder and a car full of fence
Well that's the way we do things in West Memphis
But if they lock the music I whistle to
But they don't lock the way I dress
They set me up with a for confection, I never had a chance
But that's the way we do things on West Memphis
That's the way we do things on West Memphis
That's the way we do things on West Memphis
Is never been any difference
So don't come round here try to mess some thoughts
Cuz that's the way we do things on West Memphis
Those innocents to arriving
Prisons for a crime didn't [?]
When nobody listen I rose 'out of fence
Somebody play with the evidence and he's been lying ever since
But that's the way we do things on West Memphis
And after all these years they still on fuse
To say what really happen
They cooking [?] that they're used
Afraid to make some end
Hiding in the dark make secret behind every pick of thing
And that's the way we do things on West Memphis
That's the way we do things on West Memphis
Yeah that's the way we do things on West Memphis
Is never been any difference
So don't come round here try to mess some thoughts
Cuz that's the way we do things on West Memphis
Yeah that's the way we do things on West Memphis
Yeah that's the way we do things on West Memphis
Is never been any difference
So don't come round here try to mess some thoughts
Cuz that's the way we do things on West Memphis
That's just the way we do things on West Memphis
That's just the way we do things on West Memphis
The lyrics of "West Memphis" by Lucinda Williams seem to be commenting on the justice system and societal norms of West Memphis, Arkansas. The first verse describes a murder that has taken place, with the killer getting away in a car full of fence (likely stolen goods). The music and fashion of the singer are scrutinized, but despite being looked down upon by society, they feel as though they have no choice but to conform to the way things are done in West Memphis. The second verse speaks to a wrongful conviction, with somebody playing with evidence and lying, and despite years having passed, the truth has yet to be uncovered. The repeated phrase, "That's the way we do things on West Memphis," seems to be a commentary on the systemic issues and corrupt practices that pervade the town.
The lyrics suggest that the justice system and societal norms of West Memphis are flawed and corrupt, with innocent people being wrongly convicted and criminals getting away with murder. The repeated phrase "That's the way we do things on West Memphis" highlights the acceptance and normalization of these issues, with little effort being made to enact positive change. The song's somber and melancholic tone only adds to the commentary on the broken system, with a sense of resignation and hopelessness permeating the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
[?] found on the river Swelters on the night
A body was found on the riverbanks on a hot and oppressive night.
I want it so and I figure it out how crew that terrible sound
I desire something and will find a way to attain it, even if it involves committing a heinous crime.
And somebody gone away with murder and a car full of fence
Someone successfully got away with committing murder and attempted to cover their tracks by removing and disposing of evidence.
Well that's the way we do things in West Memphis
This kind of behavior is normal and accepted in West Memphis.
But if they lock the music I whistle to
If they were to silence the music that I enjoy, I would still find a way to express myself.
But they don't lock the way I dress
I am free to dress however I want without fear of consequences or persecution.
They set me up with a for confection, I never had a chance
I was unfairly framed for a crime and never had a fair chance to prove my innocence.
They did the bug on me on my excrill say got no common sense
They falsely accused me of lacking intelligence and used it against me in court.
But that's the way we do things on West Memphis
Unfair treatment and wrongful convictions are common occurrences in West Memphis.
Is never been any difference
There has never been a change or improvement in the justice system of West Memphis.
So don't come round here try to mess some thoughts
Don't try to challenge our ways or beliefs, as it will not result in any change.
Those innocents to arriving
Innocent people are being sent to prison for crimes they did not commit.
Prisons for a crime didn't [?]
People are being unjustly punished and imprisoned for crimes they did not commit.
When nobody listen I rose 'out of fence
When no one would listen to my claims of innocence, I had to take matters into my own hands.
Somebody play with the evidence and he's been lying ever since
Someone tampered with the evidence and has continued to lie in order to cover up the truth.
And after all these years they still on fuse
Even after many years, there is still confusion and disagreement about what really happened.
To say what really happen
To determine the true events of what occurred.
They cooking [?] that they're used
They are manipulating the evidence to suit their own purposes.
Afraid to make some end
They are afraid to come to a conclusion for fear of exposing their own wrongdoing or incompetence.
Hiding in the dark make secret behind every pick of thing
They are hiding in the shadows, concealing secrets and manipulating every aspect of the case to their advantage.
That's just the way we do things on West Memphis
Regardless of the injustice and corruption, this is just the way things are done in West Memphis.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: LUCINDA GAYL WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Zuggster
What a band
Melissa Wells
She’s definitely awesome
Cristine Rego
doesn't matter to me who did it first, I for one, love her talent
molloyxx1
By far the best work she has ever done and her catalogue provides hard competition. Is anyone doing better work just now? I dont fucking think so.
Zulema Karshian
El mejor disco de la pasada decada
seurynck
molloyxx1 ~ Nothing will ever top her World Without Tears album. Just my opinion... ~. Peace!
Melissa Wells
Thank you Lucinda for fighting the fight
JaCee Music
We luv Lucinda!
Cynthia Armes
Thank you, Lucinda Williams. I am Christopher (Murray) Byers' aunt. He was my brother, Ricky's only child. This song breaks my heart, but I really appreciate you writing a song about this story.
Melissa Wells
The truth needs to come to fruition. The step father should have already been arrested♥️♥️♥️RIP boys so sorry