Performing Songwriter calls Hutchinson, "...A master of introspective ballads filled with understated yearning and an exquisite sense of metaphor." The twenty-six year old describes her style as "lyric-based, folk-pop, with a whole lot of small town idealism and one devastating break up thrown in for good measure." Among her influences she is quick to include poet Mary Oliver along with the likes of David Grey, Patty Griffin, Greg Brown and Shawn Colvin. Her songs are characterized by a weathered but unselfconscious optimism, a love of language and of the natural world. Having grown up in a town of 5,000 people, "just outside the National Historic District," her songs possess all the charm of Lake Wobegon, tempered by a sweet and timeless voice.
Any Given Day
Meg Hutchinson Lyrics
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changes back to snow again
Freezing on the roads forcing us to choose a new way
home,
And here we go
On any given day, ten years from now
She will decide
If she was wrong or right to leave behind
And, call me crazy call me mad
Just being alive is the best thing I've ever had
In the end you know all we really have
Is the ticking of these little hands
And if we're lucky maybe a love that lasts
On any given day, you'll find her slouched
In the back of a matinee
Immersed in someone elses' private pain
Waiting for that familiar light on a stranger's face
On any given day, misplaced keys could make you
seconds late
To the intersection where that truck has run the
red light
Allowing you to stay here for another night
The song "Any Given Day" by Meg Hutchinson is a contemplative and introspective piece about the unpredictability and fleeting nature of life. The first verse talks about how things can change unexpectedly and force us to make decisions; snow can turn into rain and then turn back into snow, and in the same way, life can throw us curve balls that force us to recalibrate our plans. The chorus, "Just being alive is the best thing I've ever had," highlights the singer's gratitude for the simple fact of existence, and acknowledges that our time on earth is finite.
The second verse is more somber, as it contemplates the choices we make and how they can impact our lives in the future. The singer imagines a woman who left everything behind on a winter night, and wonders whether she will regret her decision in ten years' time. This serves as a reminder that the actions we take in the present can have consequences that reverberate long into the future.
The song's final verse brings things full circle, as it returns to the theme of chance and the randomness of life. The singer describes a scenario in which something as simple as misplaced keys could mean the difference between life and death, and how those moments of luck or fortune shape our lives in profound ways. Overall, "Any Given Day" is a poignant and thoughtful meditation on the fragility of life, and how we should cherish every moment we have.
Line by Line Meaning
On any given day, snow changes to rain
Weather can be unpredictable and can change quickly
changes back to snow again
The change in weather can be cyclic
Freezing on the roads forcing us to choose a new way home,
Harsh weather can cause inconvenience and redirect people's routes
And here we go
Accepting things as they come
On any given day, ten years from now
The future is unknown and unpredictable
She will decide
A person has the freedom to make choices and decisions
If she was wrong or right to leave behind
Reflecting on past decisions and their outcomes
One whole life on that winter night
A pivotal moment or decision can change one's entire life
And, call me crazy call me mad
Acknowledging other people's opinions and perceptions
Just being alive is the best thing I've ever had
Appreciating the value of life
In the end you know all we really have
Realizing the limited time and resources that are available to us
Is the ticking of these little hands
Time moves quickly and cannot be stopped
And if we're lucky maybe a love that lasts
Relishing the rarity of true and lasting love
On any given day, you'll find her slouched
Finding comfort in familiar situations and routines
In the back of a matinee
Escaping to a movie and taking a break from reality
Immersed in someone elses' private pain
Being empathetic and compassionate towards others
Waiting for that familiar light on a stranger's face
Finding hope and comfort in small familiarities
On any given day, misplaced keys could make you seconds late
Small mistakes or mishaps can have a significant impact on life
To the intersection where that truck has run the red light
Realizing that life can be unpredictable and dangerous
Allowing you to stay here for another night
Gratefulness for life and survival
Contributed by Alexander O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.