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.
Just Because
Mary Chapin Carpenter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Except you'd seen the light inside their eyes?
Have you ever loved someone just because
Nothing felt so easy or so right?
And I think of you like the others do
Wondering if you think of me
And if you do, if you really do
Have you ever loved
Whether right or wrong
Have you ever loved someone
Just because?
Have you ever tried to speak the truth instead of lie
When it seemed you had everything to lose?
Have you ever tried to stand your ground instead of hide
When staying only made you look a fool?
And I stayed by you though I think I knew
It wouldn't change a thing
Changes come to hearts with ease
But they come so hard to me
Have you ever tried to make it last, not knowing why
Except you had to try
Just because?
And every day that passes now
I suppose I'm getting older
Wiser with the things I've done
But I hope I don't grow colder
And now I see the ones who've lost so much
They swear they're done
With love and all the chance it brings for pain
But have you ever touched, and by itself it was enough
To make you want to reach out once again?
And I'll touch you when I need a friend
Or just a small reminder
That I haven't grown too cold to feel
You penetrate my armor
Have you ever loved
Whether right or wrong
Have you ever loved someone
Just because?
Have you ever loved someone
Just because?
In this song, Mary Chapin Carpenter explores the complex and often contradictory nature of love. She starts by asking a question that many people can relate to: have you ever loved someone without really knowing anything about them? Maybe the only thing you know about them is the light in their eyes, but that's enough to make you feel drawn to them. The simplicity and naturalness of this feeling are captured perfectly in the line "nothing felt so easy or so right?".
The song then shifts to the idea of unrequited love and wondering if the person you love thinks about you in the same way. The line "who is it that you see?" captures the sense of uncertainty and vulnerability that comes with being in love. The second verse deals with honesty and standing up for what you believe, even when it's not easy. Even when you know it won't make a difference, sometimes you have to try. The line "changes come to hearts with ease, but they come so hard to me" shows the struggle that comes with growth and change.
The final verse brings a sense of reflection and maturity. As Carpenter gets older, she realizes that love is not always easy and comes with pain and loss. But even then, the desire to connect with someone and touch them is enough to make her reach out once again. The song ends with the question, "have you ever loved someone just because?", highlighting the power and mystery of love that defies explanation.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever loved someone you knew nothing of
Have you ever developed feelings for someone despite not knowing much about them?
Except you'd seen the light inside their eyes?
Did you sense that special something in their eyes?
Have you ever loved someone just because
Did you love someone purely because it felt so easy and right?
Nothing felt so easy or so right?
Did the relationship come naturally without issues?
And I think of you like the others do
Do others wonder about whether you think of the person you love?
Wondering if you think of me
Do you ever wonder if the person you love thinks of you?
And if you do, if you really do
If the person you love thinks of you, do they truly mean it?
Who is it that you see?
When you think of the person you love, who do you really see?
Have you ever loved
Have you ever experienced love?
Whether right or wrong
Regardless of whether it was socially acceptable or not?
Have you ever loved someone
Have you ever had romantic feelings for someone?
Have you ever tried to speak the truth instead of lie
Have you ever been honest instead of deceitful?
When it seemed you had everything to lose?
Even though it could have resulted in negative consequences?
Have you ever tried to stand your ground instead of hide
Have you ever stood up for yourself instead of taking the easy way out?
When staying only made you look a fool?
When staying put would have only damaged you further?
And I stayed by you though I think I knew
Have you ever remained steadfast in a situation you knew was futile?
It wouldn't change a thing
Even though your actions wouldn't have had any impact?
Changes come to hearts with ease
People change their feelings easily.
But they come so hard to me
For me, changing my feelings is difficult.
Have you ever tried to make it last, not knowing why
Have you ever tried to elongate a relationship you had no rational explanation for?
Except you had to try
Despite having no logical reason to, you felt the need to proceed?
And every day that passes now
As time goes on
I suppose I'm getting older
I'm getting older, and with age comes maturity.
Wiser with the things I've done
I've learned from my past experiences.
But I hope I don't grow colder
I hope I don't grow more apathetic or distant.
And now I see the ones who've lost so much
Looking at those who've suffered significant pain
They swear they're done
They claim to be finished with love
With love and all the chance it brings for pain
With love's risks outweighing its benefits.
But have you ever touched, and by itself, it was enough
Despite all the negatives, have you ever experienced the touch of a loved one that made it all worth it?
To make you want to reach out once again?
Did the experience make you yearn for that connection again?
And I'll touch you when I need a friend
I'll draw close to you when I need companionship and love.
Or just a small reminder
Or as a gesture to remind myself that people care.
That I haven't grown too cold to feel
That I haven't let life's challenges make me apathetic.
You penetrate my armor
You break down my emotional barriers.
Have you ever loved someone
Have you ever been in love with somebody?
Whether right or wrong
Without regard to morality, custom or culture.
Have you ever loved someone just because?
Have you ever been in love with somebody just because it feels right?
Have you ever loved someone just because?
Have you ever been in love with somebody just because it feels right?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: MARY CARPENTER, MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind