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.
Every Day
Meg Hutchinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You walked into this city heat, all new air and ocean
You walked into my world, when I very least expected
I had just returned, from my own private war
My mind still wrapped in bandages, my nights still filled with fear
You filled my hands with song, and my heart fluttered
All the way home
Tell me why, I never found the words to say
Every day, every day
You took me to the sea, we ran into the water
And as the sun went down, I was filled with wonder
Perhaps you have to almost die, to feel so entirely alive
And I never wanted to take you for granted
And I wanted to give you all you gave me
Tell me why I never found the words to say
Be brave, you made me brave in so many ways
The lyrics to Meg Hutchinson's song "Every Day" are a heartfelt tribute to someone who came into the singer's life unexpectedly and transformed it for the better. The opening stanza describes the moment when this person entered the singer's world - they brought with them a sense of grandeur and possibility, like the sky and mountains. They also seemed to offer respite from the oppressive "city heat" and the singer's own internal struggles. The second stanza goes on to describe the impact this person had on the singer's life - they filled it with song and courage, and gave her a sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty of the world. The chorus consists of two repeating lines that capture the singer's sense of gratitude but also her regret at not having been able to adequately express it in words.
Overall, the song seems to be about the transformative power of connection with others. The image of the singer returning from her own "private war" suggests that she has been through some kind of trauma or emotional hardship, and this person has helped her to heal and find new meaning in life. The repeated refrain of "every day" emphasizes the idea that this person has become a constant presence in the singer's life, and that their influence is ongoing.
Line by Line Meaning
You walked into that room, all sky and mountains
You entered the room with an aura so captivating that it reminded me of the vast expanse of nature, stretching beyond the mountains and sky.
You walked into this city heat, all new air and ocean
You arrived with a freshness so unfamiliar to the chaos of city life that it felt like a breath of fresh air, akin to stepping onto a pristine beach.
You walked into my world, when I very least expected
You entered my life without any warning, when I least anticipated the arrival of someone who would change my life in significant ways.
I had just returned, from my own private war
I had just emerged from a personal struggle or battle that left me feeling drained and vulnerable.
My mind still wrapped in bandages, my nights still filled with fear
Despite the end of my personal battle, my mind and soul were still healing from the wounds, aching in fear of what the future held.
You filled my hands with song, and my heart fluttered
Your music touched me so deeply that it gave me a sense of comfort and joy I had been lacking for so long, causing my heart to skip a beat.
All the way home
Your influence lingered with me even as I left, filling my thoughts and heart all the way to my destination.
Tell me why, I never found the words to say
I am filled with regret at not having fully expressed how much your presence, your words, and your music have meant to me.
Be brave, you made me brave in so many ways
Your presence and the effect you have had on my life have instilled a sense of courage and strength within me, empowering me to take on challenges I never thought possible.
Every day, every day
The positive impact that you have made on my life lingers with me every day, becoming a constant source of joy and hope.
You took me to the sea, we ran into the water
You brought me to the shoreline and showed me the beauty of the ocean, guiding me as we ran into its embrace.
And as the sun went down, I was filled with wonder
As the day ended, I was struck with awe at the beauty of the moment and how much joy you had brought into my life.
Perhaps you have to almost die, to feel so entirely alive
The struggles and challenges that I had faced earlier in my life have heightened my awareness of the beauty and wonder of life, helping me appreciate life in a profound way.
And I never wanted to take you for granted
I have never once failed to show how much I appreciate and value your presence in my life, not wanting to risk losing the joy and love that you bring into it.
And I wanted to give you all you gave me
The joy and love that you have given me have made me want nothing more than to return the favor and bring the same kind of light into your life.
Contributed by Camilla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.