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.
Simple Life
Mary Chapin Carpenter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of all the things you haven't done yet
You're driving everyone crazy
Are you having any fun yet?
Mother says you ought to get married
Shrink says here's a little blue pill
Too young for your mid-life crisis
[Chorus]
There's nothing wrong with you
The simple life gets complicated
There's nothing you can do
Just enjoy the view be glad you made it
You're making resolutions
And it isn't even New Year's
You could try a new religion
You could wait until the dust clears
Friends say you're way too choosy
Shrink says see you next week
Guru says control your breathing
You're afraid you might have peaked
[Chorus]
'Cause things could be better
'Cause things could be worse
'Cause life can be charmed and cursed
There's fast, slow, and stall, no reverse
[Chorus: x2]
Mary Chapin Carpenter's song Simple Life touches on the pressure and anxiety that we can feel in modern society to achieve certain milestones, especially as we approach mid-life. The singer of the song is making endless to-do-lists and resolutions as she tries to keep up with the expectations of her mother, friends, and shrinks. She's told to get married, take a blue pill, and try a new religion, but the mirror reminds her that she's getting older every day. It's a never-ending cycle of feeling like she's not enough, and it's driving everyone crazy, but she's not even sure if she's having any fun.
The chorus is a reminder that sometimes, we need to take a step back and appreciate what we have. While the simple life can get complicated at times, there's nothing wrong with enjoying the view and being glad that we made it. The song acknowledges that life has its ups and downs, and that there's no easy fix for the pressure and anxiety that can come with it. It's about finding balance and accepting that life is both charmed and cursed, fast and slow, and there's no going back once we've hit the gas.
Line by Line Meaning
You're making lists today
You are writing down things you need to do today.
Of all the things you haven't done yet
You are thinking of all the things you have not done yet.
You're driving everyone crazy
Your actions are making everyone around you annoyed.
Are you having any fun yet?
You are not enjoying yourself and people are wondering why.
Mother says you ought to get married
Your mother believes you should find a partner and get married.
Shrink says here's a little blue pill
Your therapist is giving you medication to help with your mental health.
Too young for your mid-life crisis
You are too young to experience a crisis related to your age.
Mirror says you're over the hill
You think you have aged and are no longer at your prime.
[Chorus] There's nothing wrong with you
You are okay the way you are.
The simple life gets complicated
Living a simple life is not always easy.
There's nothing you can do
Sometimes things are beyond your control.
Just enjoy the view be glad you made it
Take a moment to appreciate where you are right now and how far you have come.
You're making resolutions
You are setting goals for yourself.
And it isn't even New Year's
You are making resolutions at an unconventional time.
You could try a new religion
You are considering changing your beliefs, practices or faith.
You could wait until the dust clears
You are considering waiting for a challenging situation to settle down before making any decisions.
Friends say you're way too choosy
Your friends believe you are too picky when it comes to making choices.
Shrink says see you next week
You are seeing your therapist on a regular basis.
Guru says control your breathing
The guru is advising you to regulate your breathing to help you cope with stress.
You're afraid you might have peaked
You are worried that you may have already had your best moments and things will not get better.
There's fast, slow, and stall, no reverse
Life has its ups and downs, but there is no going back in time.
[Chorus: x2]
Same as above
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY CARPENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind