One of her most widely known singles is "Passionate Kisses" (written by fellow singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams), a song with a rock flavor musically and lyrics listing simple desires such as "a comfortable bed", "food to fill me up", and "time to think". Another big hit was "Down at the Twist and Shout", which she performed in January 1997 at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans.
A number of Mary Chapin Carpenter's songs speak to women, urging them on through hard times or troubled relationships. In "He Thinks He'll Keep Her", co-composed by Carpenter and Don Schlitz, the singer makes the case for strength and self-respect. Another common theme in her music is that of taking life at your own pace, rather than rampant goal-driven materialism, such as "The Long Way Home" from her 2001 album Time*Sex*Love, which pokes fun at a man who "retire(s) at thirty to his big-ass house next to the putting green." The album has a relatively different feel musically, incorporating elaborate orchestra melodies, but with her characteristic lyrical depth.
Her album Between Here and Gone, was released in 2004.
Carpenter's 2007 album, The Calling, on Rounder Records' rock/pop imprint Zoë, features commentary about contemporary politics, a reaction to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on a track entitled "Houston," and an incendiary track entitled "On with the Song", dedicated to the Dixie Chicks, and addressing the visceral reaction to the trio. In less than three months after its release, The Calling sold more than 100,000 copies in the US.
Carpenter has won five Grammy Awards and is the only artist to have won four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, which she received from 1992 to 1995. On October 7, 2012, Carpenter was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Carpenter is a fifth cousin of the late singer and humanitarian Harry Chapin, along with his brothers Tom Chapin and Steve Chapin.
Down At The Twist And Shout
Mary Chapin Carpenter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gonna head on over to the Twist and Shout,
Find a two-step partner and a cajun beat,
When it lifts me up, I'm gonna find my feet
Out in the middle of a big dance floor
When I hear that fiddle, wanna beg for more
Wanna dance to a band from a Lousian' tonight
Never have drifted down a bayou stream
But I heard that music on the radio,
And I swore someday I was gonna go
Down a highway 10 past Lafayett
There's a Baton Rouge and I won't forget to send you a card with my regrets
'Cause I'm never gonna come back home
Saturday night and the moon is out
I wanna head on over to the Twist and Shout,
Find a two-step partner and a Cajun beat,
When it lifts me up, I'm gonna find my feet
Out in the middle of a big dance floor
When I hear that fiddle, wanna beg for more
Wanna dance to a band from a Lousian' tonight
Hey
They gotta alligator stew and a crawfish pie,
A gulf storm blowin' into town tonight
Livin' on the delta it's quite a show
They got hurricane parties ev'ry time it blows?
But here up north it's a cold, cold rain,
And there ain't no cure for my blues today
Except when the paper says Beousoleil is a comin' into town
Baby let's go down
It's Saturday night and the moon is out
I wanna head on over to the Twist and Shout,
Find a two-step partner and a cajun beat,
When it lifts me up, I'm gonna find my feet
Out in the middle of a big dance floor
When I hear that fiddle, wanna beg for more
Wanna dance to a band from a Lousian' tonight
Bring your mama, bring your papa, bring you sister too
They got lots of music and lots of room
When they play you a waltz form a nineteen ten,
You're gonna fell a little bit young again
Well you learn to dance with you rockin' roll,
You learn to swing with do-si-do
But you learn to love at the fais so do?
When you hear a little Jolie Blon
Saturday night and the moon is out
I wanna head on over to the Twist and Shout,
Find a two-step partner and a cajun beat,
When it lifts me up, I'm gonna find my feet
Out in the middle of a big dance floor
When I hear that fiddle, wanna beg for more
Wanna dance to a band from a Lousian' tonight
Hey, sure
"Down At The Twist And Shout" is a song by Mary Chapin Carpenter that celebrates Cajun culture and music. The lyrics express the desire to dance and have fun to the beat of Cajun music at a local dance hall, the Twist and Shout. The song describes the upbeat atmosphere of a Saturday night in Louisiana, people who are enjoying dancing with their partners, and the joy of listening to live music.
The lyrics also mention some of the foods of the region, such as alligator stew and crawfish pie, as well as the traditional Cajun dances like the two-step and the fais do-do. There is a sense of longing to experience the rich traditions of Cajun culture, even if the singer has never been to Louisiana. However, the song also acknowledges the beauty of the singer's home and how the music of Louisiana can momentarily cure the blues.
Overall, "Down At The Twist And Shout" is a celebration of Cajun culture, music, and dance, and the longing to experience it firsthand. The song captures the spirit of a Saturday night in Louisiana and speaks to the universality of music in bringing people together to share a common experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Saturday night and the moon is out
It's a Saturday night and the moon is shining, the perfect setting for a good time.
I gonna head on over to the Twist and Shout,
I'm going to the Twist and Shout club to dance and have fun.
Find a two-step partner and a cajun beat,
I want to find a dance partner and move to the traditional Cajun beat.
When it lifts me up, I'm gonna find my feet
When the music starts playing, I'll get lifted by the rhythm and dance without a care.
Out in the middle of a big dance floor
I imagine myself surrounded by the crowd, completely immersed in the music and dance.
When I hear that fiddle, wanna beg for more
When the fiddle starts playing, I can't resist the urge to dance more and more.
Wanna dance to a band from a Lousian' tonight
I want to enjoy dancing with a band from Louisiana, the home of Cajun music.
And I never have wandered down to New Orleans,
I have never had the chance to explore the city of New Orleans yet.
Never have drifted down a bayou stream
I have not experienced a leisurely trip down a bayou, a common attraction in Louisiana.
But I heard that music on the radio,
I have listened to the traditional Louisiana music on the radio and fallen in love with it.
And I swore someday I was gonna go
I promised myself that I would visit Louisiana and experience its music and culture someday.
Down a highway 10 past Lafayett
I would travel down highway 10, beyond the town of Lafayette.
There's a Baton Rouge and I won't forget to send you a card with my regrets
If I don't come back, I'll send you a postcard from Baton Rouge to apologize for not returning.
'Cause I'm never gonna come back home
I'm so enamored with Louisiana that I may never come back home.
They gotta alligator stew and a crawfish pie,
Louisiana cuisine offers unique delicacies such as alligator stew and crawfish pie.
A gulf storm blowin' into town tonight
A storm is brewing from the Gulf of Mexico and heading towards the town.
Livin' on the delta it's quite a show
Living on the delta is an exciting and entertaining experience.
They got hurricane parties ev'ry time it blows?
During hurricanes, the locals gather and throw hurricane parties, an interesting and unique tradition.
But here up north it's a cold, cold rain,
Where I come from, it's raining heavily and chillingly cold.
And there ain't no cure for my blues today
I'm feeling down and the weather is not helping at all.
Except when the paper says Beousoleil is a comin' into town
The only thing that can cheer me up is the news of Beousoleil's arrival in town.
Baby let's go down
Let's head down to the Twist and Shout to enjoy some good Cajun music and lift our spirits.
Bring your mama, bring your papa, bring you sister too
Bring your family and friends to enjoy this great night of Cajun music and dance.
They got lots of music and lots of room
The Twist and Shout club has plenty of space and a vibrant band playing all night long.
When they play you a waltz form a nineteen ten,
When the band plays an old waltz from the 1910s, it takes us back to a simpler time and makes us feel young again.
You're gonna fell a little bit young again
The environment and music will make you feel young and carefree again.
Well you learn to dance with you rockin' roll,
I've learned how to dance to rock and roll music in the past.
You learn to swing with do-si-do
I've also learned how to swing dance by participating in do-si-do step routines.
But you learn to love at the fais so do?
But the place where you fall in love is at the fais do-do, a popular Cajun dance party.
When you hear a little Jolie Blon
When a certain Cajun song called Jolie Blon plays, it sets the mood for a romantic night of dancing.
Hey, sure
A Cajun expression of agreement and enthusiasm towards the night ahead.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY CARPENTER, MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Irredeemable Deplorable
It says something when she can roll it all out and you can still understand every word she sings....she was indeed underrated.
Russ S
That's because she's a real live musician performing, and not a "performer" pretending to be a musician.
Laura Tanner
@Russ S And she wrote all her own stuff. Truly a unique artist in every respect!
tri5ford W
I am soooo tired of people saying "so and so was so underrated." 5 Grammy awards, ACW awards, gold records/albums etc. Not underrated
Linda Safley
Great Musi
Karna Wright
Thank you, I always loved this song, so uplifting, awesome job!
Clarence Wooten
One of the best song writers in my world, sensitive, thoughtful.... and she can rock when it's required. Love you Mary!
Philips Wood
She is the ABSOLUTE. BEST. There is no superior songwriter. Just saw her here in New Orleans this weekend, and it was a religious experience!
Clarence Wooten
@Philips Wood Thanks Philips, wished I could've been there.
Philips Wood
@Clarence Wooten She is on your right now!.. That was just the first night! Go check out her schedule!