According to the Walking In Memphis Songfacts, Cohn was discovered by Carly Simon in the mid-'80s when he was with a 14-piece band called The Supreme Court. Atlantic Records signed him in 1989, but the first attempts to record his debut album with Tracy Chapman 's producer David Kerschenbaum failed. Ten months later, he tried again, producing the set himself with help from the little-known Ben Wisch, who had helped him with his demos. Finally released in 1991 when Cohn was 31 years old, his self-titled debut album was a huge hit, thanks to the massive success of "Walking In Memphis." Cohn won the 1991 Grammy for Best New Artist award, beating out both Boyz II Men and Seal. Cohn never matched the chart success of this song, but like his musical heroes Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne , he remained a critical and artistic success as a songwriter and performer.
He has issued two other studio albums to date, The Rainy Season (1993) and Burning the Daze (1998), both on Atlantic Records. A self-released live compilation, Live 04-05 (2005), is being sold at concerts on his current tour.
He is the most famous graduate of Beachwood High School in Beachwood, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb. He attended Oberlin College as well. In addition, Cohn is notably married to ABC News journalist Elizabeth Vargas whom he met at the 1999 US Open after being introduced by Andre Agassi. Cohn and Vargas have two sons: Zachary Raphael (born on January 31, 2003) and Samuel Wyatt (born on August 16, 2006). Cohn has two other children— Max and Emily—from a previous marriage.
On August 7, 2005, Cohn was shot in the head during an attempted carjacking, following a concert with Suzanne Vega in Denver, Colorado. He was hospitalized and released the next day. The remaining concerts on the tour were cancelled.
Cohn released The Very Best Of Marc Cohn in June 2006, and his 4th studio album, Join The Parade, was released on October 9, 2007. He continues to tour to this day. For photographs and additional information visit Marc's official website, www.MarcCohn.net.
Providence
Marc Cohn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's when I see the light
But she has visions on the hillside
Then she speaks in tongues all night
You've got such a faithful little servant
Why don't you pay her no mind?
She prays for providence
She needs a little more of your attention
She waits for providence
Just a little intervention
She was driving out on Highway 1
She felt the presence of something strange
She could not tell if it was alien
She only knew her life would change
If you were sending down a message
Why do you hang her on a line?
She prays for providence
I don't know why you cannot hear her
She waits for providence
Are you just waiting to be near her
Are you thinking something
And not letting on?
Will she understand what you planned
Before she's gone?
The lyrics of Marc Cohn's song Providence reveal a conversation between two individuals, one of whom is speaking during a turbulent moment while the other is experiencing some form of vision or spiritual encounter. The first individual expresses concern for the second, questioning why they are not paying attention to their "faithful little servant". The chorus then reveals that the second individual is praying for providence and in need of intervention from a higher power.
As the song progresses, the second individual shares a mysterious experience they had while driving on Highway 1 where they felt the presence of something strange, unable to discern if it was alien but certain that their life would change. The song concludes with the first individual questioning the intentions of the higher power and whether they have a plan for the second individual before they depart this life.
Line by Line Meaning
I talk to you in turbulence
During the hardest times, I find myself communicating with some higher power
That's when I see the light
It's in these moments of difficulty that I gain some insight or clarity
But she has visions on the hillside
She sees a certain picture of how things should be from her vantage point
Then she speaks in tongues all night
She spends countless hours trying to convey her message in a way that can be understood
You've got such a faithful little servant
You have someone who follows you without question and is always there when called
Why don't you pay her no mind?
Why do you ignore her even though she is always loyal and dedicated to you?
She prays for providence
She hopes for a sign or some divine intervention in her life
She needs a little more of your attention
She requires further attention from the divine being to reaffirm her faith and improve her situation
She waits for providence
She waits patiently for that divine help she seeks
Just a little intervention
Only a small, miraculous act is needed to change her life for the better
She was driving out on Highway 1
She was traveling a desolate road with many questions and uncertainties in her mind
She felt the presence of something strange
She sensed something supernatural or mystical around her
She could not tell if it was alien
She was unsure of the source of her feeling and whether it was otherworldly
She only knew her life would change
She had a strong feeling that something momentous was about to happen to her
If you were sending down a message
If there was some divine being sending a message to her
Why do you hang her on a line?
Why do you keep her in suspense rather than making things clear?
I don't know why you cannot hear her
I don't understand why her words aren't being heeded
Are you just waiting to be near her
Are you holding back because you want to appear at the most opportune moment?
Are you thinking something
Do you have some grand plan or a specific desire for her?
And not letting on?
Are you not straightforwardly expressing yourself and your intentions?
Will she understand what you planned
Will she be able to comprehend your master plan and the role she has in it?
Before she's gone?
Will she be able to grasp her purpose before it's too late?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marc Cohn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind