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.
I Feel Lucky
Mary Chapin Carpenter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I opened up the paper to the page in the back.
It only took me a minute for my finger to find
my daily dose of destiny under my sigh.
My eyes just about popped out-a my head.
It said,"The starts are stacked against you, girl. Get back in bed."
I feel lucky,
No Professor Doom gonna stand in my way.
Mm, I feel lucky today.
Well, I strolled down to the corner, gave my numbers to the clerk.
The pot's eleven million, so I called in sick to work.
I bought a pack of Camels, a burrito and a Barq's
crossed against the light made a beeline for the park.
The sky began to thunder, the wind began to moan.
I heard a voice above me sayin', "Girl, you'd better get back home."
I feel lucky,
I feel lucky, yeah.
No tropical depression gonna steal my sun away.
Mm, I feel lucky today.
Now Eleven million later, I was sittin' at the bar.
I bought the house a double, then the waitress a new car.
Dwight Yoakim's in the corner, try'n' to catch my eye.
Lyle Lovett's right beside me with his hand upon my thigh.
The moral of this story, it's simple but it's true:
Hey, the stars might lie, but the numbers never do.
I feel lucky,
I feel lucky, yeah.
Hey Dwight, hey Lyle, boys, you don't have to fight.
Hot dog, I feel lucky tonight.
I feel lucky,
I feel lucky.
Think I'll flip a coin I'm a winner either way.
Mmmmm I feel lucky today
The song "I Feel Lucky" by Mary Chapin Carpenter is a playful and upbeat tune about a woman who wakes up one day and realizes she feels lucky. She stumbles out of bed and reads her horoscope in the daily newspaper, but instead of discouraging words, she finds that the stars are on her side. She decides to play the lottery, calling in sick to work and taking the day for herself. As she walks to the convenience store, the weather turns stormy, and she almost turns back. But, she hears a voice telling her to keep going, and she decides to trust her luck.
In the end, after purchasing a lottery ticket worth eleven million dollars, she finds herself drinking with famous singers Dwight Yoakam and Lyle Lovett. They are both trying to win her favor, but she feels lucky in love already. The song's message is simple but uplifting: trust in yourself and your good luck, and you will be rewarded. The song is a fun and catchy tune that showcases Mary Chapin Carpenter's lyricism and musical talents.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I woke up this morning, stumbled out of my rack.
I got out of bed this morning and wasn't feeling too awake.
I opened up the paper to the page in the back.
I checked my horoscope in the paper.
It only took me a minute for my finger to find
my daily dose of destiny under my sign.
It didn't take me long to find what my horoscope for the day was.
My eyes just about popped out-a my head.
It said,"The starts are stacked against you, girl. Get back in bed."
I was surprised to see my horoscope said I was likely to have a bad day and should go back to bed.
I feel lucky,
I feel lucky, Yeah.
No Professor Doom gonna stand in my way.
Mm, I feel lucky today.
Despite my horoscope, I still feel like today will be a lucky day and nothing will stop me.
Well, I strolled down to the corner, gave my numbers to the clerk.
The pot's eleven million, so I called in sick to work.
I bought a pack of Camels, a burrito and a Barq's
crossed against the light made a beeline for the park.
I went to the store and bought some lottery tickets because the pot was worth a lot of money. I even skipped work to do it! Then I bought some snacks and headed to the park.
The sky began to thunder, the wind began to moan.
I heard a voice above me sayin', "Girl, you'd better get back home."
The weather started to get bad and I heard some voice tell me I should go home.
I feel lucky,
I feel lucky, yeah.
No tropical depression gonna steal my sun away.
Mm, I feel lucky today.
Even though the weather is getting bad, I still feel lucky and nothing can ruin my day.
Now Eleven million later, I was sittin' at the bar.
I bought the house a double, then the waitress a new car.
Dwight Yoakim's in the corner, try'n' to catch my eye.
Lyle Lovett's right beside me with his hand upon my thigh.
After winning the lottery, I was at a bar and feeling very generous. I bought a round of drinks for everyone and even bought the waitress a new car. Dwight Yoakim was there and trying to get my attention, and Lyle Lovett was being flirty with me.
The moral of this story, it's simple but it's true:
Hey, the stars might lie, but the numbers never do.
The lesson here is that sometimes horoscopes might be wrong, but when it comes to the lottery, the odds never lie.
I feel lucky,
I feel lucky, yeah.
Hey Dwight, hey Lyle, boys, you don't have to fight.
Hot dog, I feel lucky tonight.
I still feel lucky, and even though Dwight and Lyle are vying for my attention, everyone can be happy because I'm feeling generous and lucky.
I feel lucky,
I feel lucky.
Think I'll flip a coin I'm a winner either way.
Mmmmm I feel lucky today
I'm feeling so lucky that I could flip a coin and feel like a winner no matter which side it lands on. Today is definitely my lucky day.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DON SCHLITZ, MARY CARPENTER, MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TherealJessiCat
My grandma took me to her show in Arizona. 90s. I was a little kid and Mary chapin was my favorite. We waited after the show, she signed my cd and I remember she had 2 golden retrievers that licked my face. I was the happiest kid ever. Lucky 😅
@bieuxyongson
What a sweet memory!
@richiejohnson
awwww
@Robert-jc1dz
I find it interesting that she mentions stars Yoakam and Lovett, neither man known for good looks. Shows what true beauty is.
@angelaschalz9937
I'm 57 yrs old..This has been my go to song since it came out..raising two babies would go to job interviews blasting this in the car on cassete tape, it always gave me good luck...now getting out of a mentally and verbal abusive relationship and it's still my go to song and I still have the tape lol
@rjmcallister1888
1993: This was when her career really took off. A rare occasion; veteran writer Don Schlitz worked with her; Chapin usually writes all of her own stuff solo. Schlitz also collaborated on "He Thinks He'll Keep Her" and "I Take My Chances", Lucinda Williams chipped in with "Passionate Kisses". Mark Knopfler wrote "The Bug". And thus begat the flood of Grammys, CMA and ACM awards for the girl from DC. The hits may not be coming these days, but she's still writing, singing and recording great stuff today.
@SkyBlueMare
It’s 5am in Nashville. I just dropped off some people at the airport. Turned my radio on and played this on my drive back home. Hot damn. I DO feel lucky today!
@benstark5320
I loved this song and love her. I worked security at a concert venue she performed at and got to meet her. It was a blessing.
@vintvarner16
She always seemed humble and just very appreciative, please tell me I'm right? Lol, plus all her videos just looked like everybody had fun
@rayroark3333
Back when times were so much simpler