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.
Only Just Begun
Meg Hutchinson Lyrics
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The bell of the ice in the tall of my drink,
Sea tamed by nightfall, heaves in against my shore
Fire of the day, tucked back inside the sky
Tucked back inside, tuck me back inside your
Fire of the day, tucked back inside the sky, tucked back inside,
Tuck me back inside your …
Small conference of snails at the bottom of my stairs
Today I picked a buoy and swam out in the harbor
At the mercy of the current, and I thought of you there
Not because it took me, and I couldn't fight it
More than that your body next to me
After all of these years of empty shells of empty houses
I wanna climb inside one now
After all of these years of settling for less
Of calling something love every time I felt a pain inside my chest
Later on the balcony I heard voices of children
Running through the dune grass and I thought of you again
Later on the balcony I heard voices of children
Running through the dune grass and I thought of them again
My loves are many, my needs are few
Billions of light years it's taken me to get here
Driven as the bee to the lips of the flower
Driven as the mouth of the ant to the boulder of sand
After eons of craving designed for survival
Unclamp the teeth of my heart
Eons of craving designed for survival
Unclamp the teeth of my heart
After all of these years …
My best work has only just begun
Our best work has only just begun
The lyrics of Meg Hutchinson's song "Only Just Begun" seem to convey a sense of contemplation and reflection about life, love, and the passage of time. The first verse sets the tone by acknowledging the failures and disappointments that the singer has encountered, but also suggests that they are starting anew. The image of the bell in the ice and the sea heaving against the shore create a sense of immersion in the natural world, a contrast to the feelings of isolation and detachment that may have led to the singer feeling lost or unfulfilled. The "Fire of the day" recurs throughout the song, almost like a refrain or a mantra, and it seems to represent the light and energy that can reignite a sense of purpose and connection.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on past relationships and experiences that may not have been fulfilling, but acknowledges the importance of acknowledging those feelings and moving forward. The image of the snails and the buoy suggest a sense of curiosity and exploration, a willingness to take risks and engage with the world around them. The sounds of children playing evoke a sense of innocence and joy, and perhaps remind the singer of the possibilities of connection and love that they are seeking.
The final lines of the song contain the refrain "My best work has only just begun / Our best work has only just begun," which suggests a sense of optimism and potential. Despite the setbacks and disappointments that may have come before, the singer is ready to embrace the present moment and believe that there is still more to come.
Line by Line Meaning
In the harsh light of all that's failed, of all that sad dreaming, that's where I begin
Starting from the failures and disappointments, that's where I find my new beginning.
The bell of the ice in the tall of my drink, Sea tamed by nightfall, heaves in against my shore, Fire of the day, tucked back inside the sky, Tucked back inside, tuck me back inside your, Fire of the day, tucked back inside the sky, tucked back inside, Tuck me back inside your …
The ice in my drink makes a sound as I listen to the sea at night crashing against the shore. The brightness of the day vanishes into the sky, but I want to be held tightly like the day is tucked back inside the sky. I want to be held tightly like the fire of the day tucked back inside the sky.
Small conference of snails at the bottom of my stairs, Lean low and close I've never seen one in its home before, Today I picked a buoy and swam out in the harbor, At the mercy of the current, and I thought of you there, Not because it took me, and I couldn't fight it, More than that your body next to me
I noticed a group of snails near my stairs, and I moved closer to look to find that they were doing a secret gathering. Today, I swam out in the harbor, and I felt helpless by the direction of the water. In that moment, I thought of someone I cared for and not because the current took me forcibly but of feeling their presence next to me.
After all of these years of empty shells of empty houses, I wanna climb inside one now, After all of these years of settling for less, Of calling something love every time I felt a pain inside my chest
After experiencing disappointments for years of living in empty, soulless houses, I want to be able to find solace and meaning in such a space. Feeling like I settled for anything that made me feel a little better even if it wasn't love and I want to leave that behind.
Later on the balcony I heard voices of children, Running through the dune grass and I thought of you again, Later on the balcony I heard voices of children, Running through the dune grass and I thought of them again
While I was on the balcony, I heard the laughter and joyous sounds of children playing, which reminded me of someone special. Hearing the children again made me think of them once more.
My loves are many, my needs are few, Billions of light years it's taken me to get here, Driven as the bee to the lips of the flower, Driven as the mouth of the ant to the boulder of sand, After eons of craving designed for survival, Unclamp the teeth of my heart, Eons of craving designed for survival, Unclamp the teeth of my heart
I have experienced love many times, but I don't have much need for it. It has taken me quite a long time to be where I am today. I am driven to seek out the things that I want like a bee to a flower and an ant to a boulder of sand. After eons of desiring things for mere survival purposes, I want my heart to be free of any chains.
After all of these years …
A repetition of the previous verse that mentions how tired they are of having to settle for lesser and how they want to find something real.
My best work has only just begun, Our best work has only just begun
I am yet to reach my full potential, and my best work is yet to come. Our potential can still grow, and there's time to work together on it.
Contributed by Lauren S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheMom1854
Meg, Cannot wait until your new album is released. You have helped me through some hard times listening to your music. Please come to Chicago!!! Karen
@williamgustafson8329
Meg, can't wait to see you live again next month. Love the new music.
@ninarizou1885
Perfect
@camilleharris9832
Beautiful, beautiful video and song, Meg!
@edjestone11
Hi Meg, how are you these days? All the best from Holland...
@TonyPucci11
Great song, Meg! Beautiful video too. I can't wait to get your new cd: good luck with it!
@darrellgriffin5378
Meg, Great stuff! Hope you can plan another trip to Colorado Springs. It's been to long.
@odwulf
In the harsh light of all that's failed, of all that sad dreaming, that's where I begin
The bell of the ice in the tall of my drink
Sea tamed by nightfall, heaves in against my shore
Fire of the day, tucked back inside the sky
Tucked back inside, tuck me back inside your
Fire of the day, tucked back inside the sky, tucked back inside
Tuck me back inside your …
Small conference of snails at the bottom of my stairs
Lean low and close I've never seen one in its home before
Today I picked a buoy and swam out in the harbor
At the mercy of the current, and I thought of you there
Not because it took me, and I couldn't fight it
More than that your body next to me
After all of these years of empty shells of empty houses
I wanna climb inside one now
After all of these years of settling for less
Of calling something love every time I felt a pain inside my chest
Later on the balcony I heard voices of children
Running through the dune grass and I thought of you again
Later on the balcony I heard voices of children
Running through the dune grass and I thought of them again
My loves are many, my needs are few
Billions of light years it's taken me to get here
Driven as the bee to the lips of the flower
Driven as the mouth of the ant to the boulder of sand
After eons of craving designed for survival
Unclamp the teeth of my heart
Eons of craving designed for survival
Unclamp the teeth of my heart
After all of these years …
My best work has only just begun
Our best work has only just begun
@bmcblain
Wow very nice Meg
@canoestothemoon
Sonic seduction