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.
House Of Cards
Mary Chapin Carpenter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You knew the groan of every stair
All the walls seemed to listen in
All the years seemed to take up air
And when you dreamed, it was of the wind blowing cold and hard
And in those dreams you thought you lived in a house of cards
And I grew up in a town like this
On the surface it looked so safe
But it was perilous underneath
That's the place where you shoved your doubts
And hid your ugly scars
God forbid if word got out
About your house of cards
And now I feel the wind about to blow
Baby, I'm so scared
We're repeating the past instead of letting it go
And I don't want to go back there
Now we're standing here face to face
Afraid to move or else
I want to prop up this fragile place
But I can't do it all by myself
'Cause when we dream, it's of the wind blowing cold and hard
And when we wake up, we still live in a house of cards
When we dream, it's of the wind blowing cold and hard
And when we wake up, we still live in a house of cards
The lyrics of Mary Chapin Carpenter's song House of Cards reveal the singer's past experiences of growing up in a house and a town with a sense of fragility, danger, and concealment. The singer's upbringing was characterized by the feeling that everything was at risk of falling apart at any moment. She describes her childhood home as a house of cards, a metaphor that signifies the precariousness of life and the inevitability of collapse. The vulnerability and insecurity she felt growing up seemed to follow her into adulthood, and she fears that the same patterns will repeat themselves.
When the singer says, "And now I feel the wind about to blow, Baby, I'm so scared," she is expressing her trepidation at the thought of history repeating itself. The wind is a metaphor for change and uncertainty, and she fears that the wind will destroy the fragile structure of her life. She knows that the past should be left behind, but she can't help feeling like she's trapped in a house of cards that could collapse at any moment. She also knows that she can't navigate this treacherous terrain alone, as the final lines suggest that she wants to rebuild this fragile place with someone else's help.
In summary, House of Cards is a lyrical expression of vulnerability, insecurity, and the fear that the fragile structures of our lives might collapse at any moment. The song highlights the importance of facing our fears and opening ourselves up to others to build a stronger foundation for our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I grew up in a house like this
The singer had a childhood marked by the familiarity of their surroundings, even the groan of the stairs was known to them.
You knew the groan of every stair
The singer was deeply familiar with every part of the house they grew up in.
All the walls seemed to listen in
The singer felt like their house was alive and listening to everything happening in it.
All the years seemed to take up air
The weight of the years spent in the house was palpable to the artist.
And when you dreamed, it was of the wind blowing cold and hard
The artist’s dreams are haunted by the feeling of the wind and the cold, lending them an unsettling tone.
And in those dreams you thought you lived in a house of cards
The singer feels like their life and home are fragile and easily destroyed, like a house of cards.
And I grew up in a town like this
The singer grew up in a town that seemed safe on the surface, but held secrets.
You knew the names of every street
The artist was well-acquainted with every street and feature of their town.
On the surface it looked so safe
Although the town seemed secure and stable, it was hiding dangerous secrets below the surface.
But it was perilous underneath
The town was home to hidden risks and dangers that the artist was aware of.
That's the place where you shoved your doubts
The singer had to suppress their concerns about their community.
And hid your ugly scars
The artist had to hide any signs of struggle, pain, or vulnerability.
God forbid if word got out
The singer was afraid of anything getting out about what went on in their town.
About your house of cards
The singer feared that the delicate balance of their life and community would crumble.
And now I feel the wind about to blow
The singer is aware of an impending change or danger.
Baby, I'm so scared
The artist is deeply frightened about the coming change.
We're repeating the past instead of letting it go
The artist feels stuck in old patterns instead of being able to move on.
And I don't want to go back there
The singer is resisting the idea of returning to old challenges or struggles.
Now we're standing here face to face
There is a confrontation happening.
Afraid to move or else
The artist is hesitating or too scared to take any action.
I want to prop up this fragile place
The artist wants to stabilize their precarious situation.
But I can't do it all by myself
The artist realizes that they need help to overcome their challenges.
And when we dream, it's of the wind blowing cold and hard
Both the singer and their opponent carry the trauma of the past into their dreams.
And when we wake up, we still live in a house of cards
Their situation is still precarious and unstable.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SENTRIC MUSIC
Written by: MARY CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dahawk8574
If it is true that the best thing that a couple ever did was to divorce, then it stands to reason that an even better thing for them to have done was never get together in the first place.
But I see both of those conclusions to miss the primary issue. And that is that the core of the problem is this:
Lack of respect.
Spouses divorce because of the cumulative damage done by lack of respect in their interactions. Often, this split happens after they've brought children into the world. And guess how those children were treated. With a lack of respect. And those children grow up with this example as their way of life, and they get married, and the cycle continues.
So if anyone is looking for a solution that not only solves the immediate problem, but also breaks this cycle, then you will not look to divorce. You will not look to never getting married. You will strive with all your heart to maintain respect in every interaction you have with your spouse. And this will carry over with how you treat your children. And others.
When the Beatles sang "All You Need Is Love", this is actually the formula for success in relationships. So their message would not have caused so much confusion if they had used the more specific word: "All You Need Is Respect".
It will not succeed immediately with everyone. But if you honor your marriage vow, and maintain this through to your dying breath, if it had not succeeded while you were alive, then there is an excellent chance that your message of love will resonate after you are gone.
@jerrybrugoto4476
Love Mary & her Genuine Heart & Soul
@saracurran1238
' you'll never live up to others' expectations. Just live up to your own.' THAT....is a guide for life. Thank you. -I love MCC's work.
@juliagrabianowski9548
Have listened to this song so many times over the years...absolutely love it
@sharonvyse3686
Such a relatable song and so well sung by a stellar musician!! 🇨🇦 🍁
@daisyramos7386
Love this song so much hits. Home. Alot
@act4666
Fantastic song and music video!!!!! Not totally country not totally rock but a mixture of both. Great song!!!!’
@thinkofme14344
i am now starting collecting her songs.. honestly i dunno her but when i saw her singing with emmylou harris & sheryl crow i was amazed with her voice.. so now i love her songs.
@GleeGirlSherylMessenger
This song talks about Chapin's parents' divorce. They divorced when she was 16. From the album "Stones In The Road" released in 1994.
@tompaulcampbell
She sings "I can't don't it all by myself", with such powerful emotion and intention! 2:22
@coyotestory
I love Mary voice and spirit. She can sing a song and bring hope to the lucky listener. A excellent song.