In 1983, she decided to become a psychologist, enrolling in Yeshiva University. She continued playing music while completing her PhD, and began to have some success as part of a duo with Shawn Colvin. However, when they began to attract record company interest, Kaplansky declined, choosing instead to set up a private practice and become a staff psychologist at a New York hospital. For several years, she concentrated largely on her work, and played little in the way of concerts. However, she still did some session work, such as singing backing vocals in the studio for Suzanne Vega.
By the early 1990s she found herself increasingly drawn back to music. Colvin, who by this time had experienced some commercial success, offered to produce an album for her. The result, The Tide, a mixture of her own songs and several covers, was released by Red House Records (Greg Brown's label) in 1994. At this time, she decided to give up her psychology practice, and return to music full-time. She released her second album, Flesh and Bone, in 1996.
In 1998 Kaplansky joined with Dar Williams and Richard Shindell to form the folk group Cry Cry Cry, which made an album and toured extensively as a result of the success of the original six week tour.
1999's Ten Year Night won rave reviews and boosted her popularity, leading to performances on CBS-TV. She followed that album in 2001 with Every Single Day.
The Red Thread, released in early 2004, includes songs about adopting her new daughter Molly, who Lucy and her husband Rick brought home from China in late 2003, and several songs relating to her experiences living in downtown Manhattan during 9-11. In 2007 she released her latest album Over the Hills.
Amélia
Lucy Kaplansky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got married cause it was time
No reason to finish school
He didn't know how to be kind
I just took it on the chin
Never did learn to fight him
Gave up everything to him
Now the kids are all long gone
Never found much for myself out there
So it's here I stay
But I've got a little money
I'm here to run this home
Too old to spend it now
It's just a little something of my own
This is my story like so many girls before
Just another story that doesn't matter anymore
Ah, there's a pretty little girl I see from time to time
Got her picture here next to me, seeing myself in her sometimes
She holds on know what is hers
She's got nothing she needs to hide
She gives it away when she wants to
And this one knows how to fight
The world outside the room
Is a place she calls her own
My story is almost over
Hers has just begun
I slip her a few dollars
When nobody can see
A little something of my own
For that sweet girl for me
This is my story like so many girls before
Just another story that doesn't matter anymore
This is my story like so many girls before
Just another story that doesn't matter anymore
This is my story like so many girls before
Just another story that doesn't matter anymore
My story's almost over
Hers has just begun
She's telling it to everyone
The song "Amelia" by Lucy Kaplansky is a ballad about a woman named Amelia sharing her life story. She starts off with her childhood and how she used to be a pretty girl, but got married because it was expected of her. She gave up on finishing school because of it and later discovered that her husband wasn't kind. Despite taking it all on the chin, Amelia lost everything to him and now lives alone with her memories. Although her children are far away and busy with their own lives, she has come to accept her present life and the limited choices she made that led her there.
However, there is a glimmer of hope in Amelia's life. She comes across a pretty little girl from time to time and sees herself in her at times. This girl knows how to fight and doesn't hide anything because she has nothing to hide. This girl gives away what she needs to, and this inspires Amelia. She sees potential in this girl and slips her some money when nobody else is looking. Amelia hopes that the girl will have more opportunities than she had, and her story will be different from what she and so many other girls before her experienced.
Overall, the song is a commentary on how societal expectations and norms shape the lives of women. It also explores the theme of passing down hopes and dreams to the next generation in the midst of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
My name is Amelia, I used to be a pretty girl
Introducing oneself as Amelia, who was once considered attractive.
Got married cause it was time
Got married because society expected it at that time in life.
No reason to finish school
No motivation to complete education due to societal expectations of marriage.
He didn't know how to be kind
The husband was unkind and inconsiderate.
I just took it on the chin
Amelia suffered in silence from her husband's mistreatment.
Never did learn to fight him
Amelia never learned to stand up for herself against her abusive husband.
Gave up everything to him
Amelia sacrificed her life and dreams for her husband.
Now the kids are all long gone
Amelia's children have grown up and moved far away.
Busy and far away
The children are occupied with their lives and are not present in Amelia's life.
Never found much for myself out there
Amelia could not find fulfillment and purpose in her life outside of her family.
So it's here I stay
Amelia accepts her current circumstances and chooses to remain in her home.
But I've got a little money
Despite sacrificing everything, Amelia has some personal wealth to her name.
I'm here to run this home
Amelia is the caretaker of her house and takes pride in it.
Too old to spend it now
Amelia has reached an age where she cannot fully enjoy her savings.
It's just a little something of my own
The money she has is her only personal possession, a small piece of independence.
Ah, there's a pretty little girl I see from time to time
Amelia observes a young girl who reminds her of her former self.
Got her picture here next to me, seeing myself in her sometimes
Amelia keeps a photo of the young girl and relates to her struggles.
She holds on know what is hers
The young girl has a strong sense of ownership and self-worth.
She's got nothing she needs to hide
The young girl is unashamed of who she is and does not need to pretend or hide.
She gives it away when she wants to
The young girl is generous with her possessions with those she trusts.
And this one knows how to fight
The young girl is confident and unafraid to stand up for herself.
The world outside the room
The world beyond Amelia's home.
Is a place she calls her own
The young girl has claimed the world as her own.
My story is almost over
Amelia's story is coming to a close as she is getting older.
Hers has just begun
The young girl's story is just beginning.
I slip her a few dollars
Amelia gives the young girl some money secretly.
When nobody can see
Amelia does not want anyone to know she gave the young girl money.
For that sweet girl for me
Amelia gives the money to the young girl as a way to help herself.
Just another story that doesn't matter anymore
Amelia's story is one of many that go unheard and unacknowledged.
Writer(s): Lucy Kaplansky, Rick Litvin
Contributed by Oliver C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.