Malvina Milder was born in San Francisco to David and Abagail Milder, Jewish and socialist immigrants, who opposed involvement in World War I.
She married William ("Bud") Reynolds, a carpenter and labor organizer, in 1934. They had one child, Nancy Reynolds Schimmel (a songwriter and performer in her own right), in 1935. Malvina had earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and later earned a doctorate there, finishing her dissertation in 1938.
Though she played violin in a dance band in her twenties, she began her songwriting career late in life. She was in her late 40s when she met Earl Robinson, Pete Seeger, and other folk singers and songwriters. She returned to school at UC Berkeley, where she studied music theory. She went on to write several popular songs, including "Little Boxes," recorded by Pete Seeger, Walk off the Earth and others, "What Have They Done to the Rain," recorded by The Searchers, The Seekers, Marianne Faithfull, Melanie Safka and Joan Baez (about nuclear fallout), "It Isn't Nice" (a civil rights anthem), "Turn Around" (about children growing up, later sung by Harry Belafonte), and "There's a Bottom Below" (about depression). Reynolds was also a noted composer of children's songs, including "Magic Penny" (a traditional London folk song during the 1940s) and "Morningtown Ride," a top five UK single (December 1966) recorded by The Seekers.
Four collections of her music are available on compact disc. The Smithsonian Folkways label released Another County Heard From (Folkways 02524) and Ear to the Ground (Smithsonian Folkways 40124), and the Omni Recording Corporation in Australia issued Malvina Reynolds (Omni 112) and Malvina Reynolds Sings the Truth (Omni 114).
A film biography, Love It Like a Fool, was made a few years before she died in 1978. Reynolds' most famous song, "Little Boxes" (made famous by Pete Seeger), has enjoyed renewed popularity by being featured in Showtime's TV series Weeds. "Little Boxes" was inspired visually by the houses of Daly City, California. Nancy Reynolds Schimmel, daughter of Malvina Reynolds, explained:
"My mother and father were driving South from San Francisco through Daly City when my mom got the idea for the song. She asked my dad to take the wheel, and she wrote it on the way to the gathering in La Honda where she was going to sing for the Friends Committee on Legislation. When Time Magazine (I think, maybe Newsweek) wanted a photo of her pointing to the very place, she couldn't find those houses because so many more had been built around them that the hillsides were totally covered."
In her later years, Malvina Reynolds contributed songs and material to PBS's Sesame Street, on which she made occasional appearances as a character called "Kate."
In 1979, the Supersisters trading card set was produced and distributed; one of the cards featured Reynolds's name and picture.
Quiet
Malvina Reynolds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And what I don't know I don't say,
And when I have nothing to say,
I'm quiet.
Chorus:
When there's occasion to holler, I'll buy it.
I can make noise with the best.
I've made mistakes in the past,
Things that I blush over yet,
But I hardly ever regret
Having been quiet.
(Chorus)
I have a T.V. at home
And I do truly enjoy it.
I can just leave it alone
And it's quiet.
(Chorus)
I'm not unsociable, no,
People are fine in repose;
Somehow my favorites are those
Who are quiet.
(Chorus)
Quiet's a wonderful sound,
Sweeter than oboe or fiddle,
Someday I'm going to be found in the middle
Of quiet.
(Chorus)
Sing me a song of the sea
Soft as the breath of a breeze,
Sing me to sleep and then please
Keep quiet.
The song "Quiet" by Malvina Reynolds is a celebration of silence and stillness in a world that is often too loud and chaotic. The singer acknowledges that she doesn't know everything and doesn't feel the need to speak unless she has something meaningful to say. She is comfortable with being quiet most of the time, but can also raise her voice when necessary. In the chorus, she says she can "make noise with the best," but emphasizes that quiet is her preferred state. She reflects on past mistakes, but doesn't regret being quiet. The singer also expresses her appreciation for quiet people, and even describes quiet as a "wonderful sound" that she hopes to someday be found in the middle of.
Overall, the lyrics of "Quiet" are an ode to the value of silence and the importance of self-reflection. In a world that prizes being loud and constantly connected, the singer is content to enjoy the simple pleasures of a quiet evening at home with her television turned off. She finds beauty in the peacefulness of nature, embodied in the soft song of the sea. The song encourages listeners to appreciate the stillness of life, and to find meaning and purpose in silence as much as in noise.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know much about much,
I admit that I have limited knowledge
And what I don't know I don't say,
I don't pretend to know things I'm not familiar with
And when I have nothing to say,
When there's nothing of value to contribute, I choose to remain silent
I'm quiet.
I value peace and tranquil moments of silence, and prefer them over unnecessary noise
When there's occasion to holler, I'll buy it.
If a situation calls for it, I can be vocal and make my voice heard
I can make noise with the best.
I can be loud and expressive if the moment necessitates it
But most of the rest of the time I'm quiet.
However, most times I prefer the calming remedy of serenity and being still
I've made mistakes in the past,
I am not perfect, I have erred in the past
Things that I blush over yet,
Mistakes or decisions that still make me feel embarrassed or uncomfortable
But I hardly ever regret
Despite this, I am at peace with having kept quiet and not making unnecessary noise
Having been quiet.
I cherish the peacefulness of silence instead of the unnecessary clatter of noise
I have a T.V. at home
I own a television
And I do truly enjoy it.
I genuinely find pleasure in watching television
I can just leave it alone
I can also appreciate the quietness of having it turned off
And it's quiet.
The peacefulness of stillness and lack of noise created by the television when it's turned off is refreshing
I'm not unsociable, no,
I am not opposed to being around people and socializing
People are fine in repose;
I actually prefer people around me when they are in calm, passive, or quiet states
Somehow my favorites are those
My personal preference is for those who prefer quietness and stillness to noisy chatter
Who are quiet.
I value that they too find serenity in tranquillity and stillness lack of noise
Quiet's a wonderful sound,
The placidity of muteness is a beautiful and peaceful thing
Sweeter than oboe or fiddle,
The sound of silence is even more beautiful than pleasant musical instruments
Someday I'm going to be found in the middle
It is my goal to seek inner peace in the midst of chaotic surroundings
Of quiet.
I will forever seek the fulfillment and solace of quietness
Sing me a song of the sea
I request that you sing me a serene song about the sea, with soothing melody and peaceful lyrics
Soft as the breath of a breeze,
This song should be harmonizing like the mild exhales of nature
Sing me to sleep and then please
Sing me to repose, and then would you kindly
Keep quiet.
Grant me the tranquil stillness of peacefulness after singing
Contributed by Cole G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AvitalShtap
Her voice is an instant ticket to me crying. She's wise beyond generations. I feel that this song is a direct response to a song from Malvina's childhood; "Daddy and Home" by Jimmie Rodgers, 1928. The chorus of that song is absolutely the major chord version of this song - hear it and you'll see! They are so similar in their soul.
@EvgeniyNeutralMusician
Simple yet genius lyrics. Hell yeah. Brilliant Malvina Reynolds, gentlemen and ladies.
@maylencairus5219
OMG, i'm brazilian guy and this voice make me cry ! Incredible !
@chazchavara3192
She's such an amazing, beautiful lady!
@anitalc1
I bet she knew a lot about a lot of things.
@deprogramr
SOOOOO GOOOD! it makes me want to BURST!
@sinterQ
this is genius
@TeresaJCigic
My theme song.
@superdragonslayer69
such a great gal.
@Jimpeacfammusic
T he essense of speaking truth to power,(that often isn't). But much more ...believing in truth, and betting all your cookies on it. The great singer-songwriters are writers of the new bible. Listen and pick up the candle and follow.