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.
Wherever You Are
Mary Chapin Carpenter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm looking for a strong and steady heart
For a love that won't fall apart
At the first sign of trouble, near or far
I'm looking through eyes that have shed some tears
And I'm looking for that one who's gonna face my fears
Without thinking he must erase each scar
I'm gonna find you baby, wherever you are
Wherever you are love won't leave you stranded
Wherever you are love won't let you hide
Wherever you are, one of these days
We'll be walking side by side
All it takes is some time and destiny
A little courage for those days when all we see
Is a cold lonely rain coming down hard
I'm gonna find you baby, wherever you are
Wherever you are love won't leave you stranded
Wherever you are love won't let you hide
Wherever you are, one of these days
We'll be walking side by side
I'm looking for a love that's meant for me
I can't be bothered with some wannabe
Just like the light from heaven's stars
I'm gonna find you
I'm gonna find you
I'm gonna find you
I'm gonna find you baby, wherever you are
In Mary Chapin Carpenter's song "Wherever You Are," the singer is searching for a love that is strong and steady. She wants a love that won't fall apart at the first sign of trouble, whether they are together or apart. She has shed tears in the past and is looking for someone who will help face her fears without erasing each scar. She is confident that she will find this person, no matter where they may be.
Carpenter's lyrics are hopeful and optimistic, suggesting that love is worth searching for, even if it takes time and courage to find it. The phrase "love won't leave you stranded" speaks to the fear of being alone and abandoned, and "love won't let you hide" suggests that this love will encourage vulnerability and openness. The singer acknowledges that there may be tough times ahead, as represented by the "cold lonely rain," but she is determined to find the person who will be her partner in facing these challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking for a strong and steady heart
I seek a partner who possesses a resolute and consistent character
For a love that won't fall apart
One that won't crumble under duress
At the first sign of trouble, near or far
Even when faced with adversity, whether in proximity or not
I'm looking through eyes that have shed some tears
My search is driven by my past emotional experiences
And I'm looking for that one who's gonna face my fears
Seeking someone who can help me confront my anxieties
Without thinking he must erase each scar
Without the expectation that every emotional wound can be mended
I'm gonna find you baby, wherever you are
I am determined to locate my soulmate, no matter where they may be
Wherever you are love won't leave you stranded
Love will not abandon or leave you behind, regardless of your location
Wherever you are love won't let you hide
Love will not allow you to remain concealed or reclusive
Wherever you are, one of these days
A time will come when we will cross paths
We'll be walking side by side
Together, as equals in a romantic relationship
All it takes is some time and destiny
Finding love merely requires some patience and fate
A little courage for those days when all we see
Sometimes it takes some bravery to persevere through dark times
Is a cold lonely rain coming down hard
When life feels grim and cheerless
I'm looking for a love that's meant for me
I believe there is a love that is specially intended for me
I can't be bothered with some wannabe
I want a genuine, authentic love
Just like the light from heaven's stars
A love that shines brilliantly, like a heavenly celestial body
I'm gonna find you
I am certain that I will locate my true love
I'm gonna find you
I will not give up on my search
I'm gonna find you
I am destined to find my soulmate
I'm gonna find you baby, wherever you are
My love will lead me to my soulmate, no matter where they may be
Contributed by Josiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joann Loves
LYRICS
I'm looking for a strong and steady heart
For a love taht won't fall apart
At the first sign of trouble, near or far
I'm looking through eyes that have shed some tears
And I'm looking for that one who's ganna face my fears
Without thinking he must erase each scar
I'm gonna find you baby, wherever you are
Wherever you are
Love won't leave you stranded
Wherever you are
Love won't let you hide
Wherever you are,
One of these days
We'll be be walking
Side by side
All it takes is some time and destiny
A little courage for those days when all we see
Is a cold lonely rain
Coming down hard
I'm gonna find you baby, wherever you are
Wherever you are
Love won't leave you stranded
Wherever you are
Love won't let you hide
Wherever you are,
One of these days
We'll be walking
Side by side
I'm looking for a love that's meant for me
I can't be bothered with some wannabe
Just like the light
From heaven's stars
I'm gonna find you
I'm gonna find you
I'm gonna find you
I'm gonna find you baby,
Wherever you are
R.L. Brown
RESOLUTE is emblazoned in my spirit. So many auditions, many I failed...or I bowed out of an impossible union.
Alas, the “QUEST” was indelibly set in my mind and heart...Stubborn and Resolute!
Yes, I was convinced by my Faith and my moral compass that I was “...going to find her wherever she was,” (paraphrasing Mary Chaplin Carpenter’s edict in this ballad.
I did...August 23, 2017....married her during the Chesapeake Bay Trawler Fest!
To those with heavy hearts and loneliness....NEVER GIVE UP...NOR SETTLE FOR LESS THAN YOU DESERVE!
MCC is the prophetess of many in her captivating romantic style and, yes, sometimes joyfully raucous lyrics!
Thank you Mary!
Envious Green
It sucks that Mary Chapin Carpenter doesn't have over a million views. She deserves more recognition! She's one of my inspirations in songwriting.
Crystal Dunson
mine too!
James Harris
Unfortunately, Envious, most people do not want to think. Mary writes songs that require one to think, listen and then relate what she's saying to what most adults have experienced. Shame we live in a world that's being purposely dumbed down.
Mia and Reggie
Why is many of the comments turned off of her videos. She is a gem.
Theresa Belanger
What I've noticed is when her videos are uploaded by MCC herself, the comments are turned off.
Waldo Tibbetts
I absolutely love this song and her voice!
Jim Lynch
One of the very few artists that can hold my attention through an entire concert. I’m sitting here in quarantine playing her entire playlist and lovin it!🥰
kristaleighy
Don't miss her live songs on her Instagram twice a week.
Ursula Mulder
And - secretly - I am grateful that, because of quarantine, I found the time to retrieve ever so many of these amazing songs!!
I have been an ardent fan for many years, yet I was totally 'underexposed' to the sheer wealth of the volume and depth of the poetry in Ms Chapin's songs.
May she continue to bless all her loyal listeners, for a loooong time to come, and may she stay well, and ultra-MIGHTY! 🤩
Patricia Moore Murphy
Love love love this woman. So happy to be listening again to her great lyrics and music. Thanks for being who you are Mary Chapin Carpenter.