Daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and the sister of Rufus Wainwright, she has frequently appeared on recordings by her family members, the McGarrigle Sisters and Family and has released several independent EPs. Wainwright released an independent cassette, Ground Floor, in 1997. The following year, her song "Year of the Dragon" appeared on The McGarrigle Hour, an album released by Kate & Anna McGarrigle. Shortly after this recording, Martha began singing backup vocals for her brother, and released the six-song EP Martha Wainwright in 1999.
Her full length self-titled first album was released in 2005, followed in 2008 by I Know You're Married but I've Got Feelings Too, and in 2009 by Sans fusils, ni souliers, Ã Paris: Martha Wainwright's Piaf Record. The Prosperpina Songfacts reports that her 4th album, Come Home To Mama, was recorded at Sean Lennon's studio in New York City. Speaking about the album, Wainwright said: "This record is a culmination of my life experiences so far. Everything changed for me a couple of years ago and this record is a representation of that and a return to the reason I started writing songs."
In the middle of the night
Martha Wainwright Lyrics
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In the middle of the night
Comes a knockin' at my door
There's a limousine outside
And I know whom it's for
And I heard it bein' read
And I heard it bein' said
And I wonder if it doesn't create a sense of shame
[Chorus: ]
And you're leanin' on your wheel in your car
As you walk to the top of the hill
And you hope the will in your mind
Does not jump from the edge to the climb
With a sense of shame
It was the time before the last
And you did not give up
And I threw you on the ground
And you did not get up
And I don't know why
And I don't know why
But the tears in your eyes
It made me want to cry
But with a sense of shame
It was the time before the last
We did not make up
And I threw you on the ground
And you did not get up
And I don't know why
And I don't know why
Something in your eyes
It made me want to cry
With a sense of shame
You meet me heather deep
I bury your heart on my knees, all the time
[Chorus: ]
The lyrics to Martha Wainwright's song, In The Middle Of The Night, describe the singer's feelings of shame and regret surrounding a past relationship. The song begins with a knock on her door, signaling the arrival of someone she knows. She speculates that it's a limousine outside waiting for her, which indicates someone of importance, at least in her mind. However, as the song continues, it becomes clear that the arrival of this person is causing her shame and embarrassment. She's heard that this person is comforted in their head, but she wonders if that comfort is masking a sense of shame.
The second verse describes the singer's actions in a previous encounter with this person, seemingly a lover, where she threw him on the ground, but he did not give up. She is confused about why she behaved that way and why he persisted, but she was moved to tears by something she saw in his eyes. The repetition of this verse emphasizes the pain and difficulty of that relationship, especially because they never fully reconciled. The final line, "You meet me heather deep, I bury your heart on my knees, all the time," is cryptic but possibly refers to burying the memory of the relationship deep within herself, as if it's a part of her body that she can't shake off.
Line by Line Meaning
In the middle of the night
At an unexpected time, possibly after dealing with troubling thoughts or issues
Comes a knockin' at my door
An unexpected visitor or situation appears in my life
There's a limousine outside
A symbol of wealth and luxury, something that is not attainable for everyone
And I know whom it's for
I have an idea of who or what this visitor or situation is related to
And I heard it bein' read
I heard something being communicated, possibly a letter or document
And I heard it bein' said
I heard something being spoken out loud
Aw, that the comfort in your head
The thoughts and beliefs that bring you comfort and peace of mind
And I wonder if it doesn't create a sense of shame
I question whether relying on certain thoughts and beliefs is something to feel ashamed about
And you're leanin' on your wheel in your car
You are in a vulnerable state, leaning on something for support
As you walk to the top of the hill
As you face a challenge or obstacle in your life
And you hope the will in your mind
You hope that your strength of will and determination will carry you through
Does not jump from the edge to the climb
You hope to not lose your motivation and will to keep going
It was the time before the last
Referring to a specific past incident or period of time
And you did not give up
Describing a past moment of perseverance
And I threw you on the ground
Possibly metaphorical language for causing emotional harm or distress
And you did not get up
Describing a moment of failure or lack of resilience
And I don't know why
Emphasizing confusion or lack of understanding
Something in your eyes
A facial expression that reveals emotion or pain
It made me want to cry
It elicited a strong emotional reaction from me
You meet me heather deep
You meet me in a secluded or private place, possibly away from prying eyes
I bury your heart on my knees, all the time
Metaphorical language for taking care of and tending to someone else's emotions or well-being
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Martha Wainwright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind