She received a guitar from her parents for her 14th birthday. Three years later, after sending a demo tape to Hanson and opening for them on tour, had signed a deal with Maverick Records. She subsequently had four top ten hits. The inspiration for writing her own songs can be found by The Beatles and other bands. Songs like "Something To Sleep To" are musically inspired by The Beatles.
She made her debut in 2000 and released the platinum-selling albums The Spirit Room and Hotel Paper in later years.
The Spirit Room was released in 2001. The album, which was produced by John Shanks (Melissa Etheridge, Chris Isaak), was an immediate hit. The Spirit Room sold 2.5 million copies and earned Branch a Grammy and an MTV Viewer’s Choice Award. The album also spawned three top ten hits.
Michelle performed a duet with Carlos Santana on the album Shaman. The single “The Game of Love” became an international hit. On June 23, 2003, Branch released her second album, Hotel Paper.
In 2004 she formed the band The Wreckers with fellow musician Jessica Harp. Their album "Stand Still Look Pretty" was also released on Maverick Records, although the Wreckers' country sound shocked many of Branch's old fans.
Stand Still, Look Pretty spawned four singles, including “Leave the Pieces,” which reached #1 on the U.S. country chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Citing creative differences, the duo have since put the project on hold to work on their own solo projects. Branch's latest album, Everything Comes and Goes, has been released on August 30th 2010, it's a Six Pak mini album containing only 6 songs that she wrote and finished about 2-3 years ago. The first single from the album is “Sooner or Later.”
The Loud Music Songfacts reports that the first single from singer-songwriter Michelle Branch's third studio album, West Coast Time was titled "Loud Music." It finds her singing about a rocker beau and referencing Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. The song was released on June 14, 2011 via her own label, Sticks n' Stones Recordings Ltd.
After a long hiatus, in 2017 she released the album "Hopeless Romantic."
Lay Me Down
Michelle Branch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause after all
It seemed like the right thing to do
I closed my eyes
And let you fall
I wonder what you could possibly know
About breaking down that I don't
It's been awhile
Since I begged for
Anything but now I want more
So lay me down
I'm lonely
You don't understand me
And you'd never even try to
Anyway
I hear you say
It's not the same
I'm sorry
It's something I just can't explain
So shut your mouth
And hold me close
We both know
It's better than being alone
I don't mind
Killing time
As long as I can't see it in your eyes
If wanting you's so wrong then I'm wrong
I'll admit it
Time after time you'll realize
You don't mean it
Michelle Branch's song Lay Me Down is a heartfelt plea from someone who is feeling lost and lonely. The lyrics open with the singer acknowledging that she has been welcomed into someone's life, but it's not clear if this is a romantic relationship or not. She then goes on to describe a feeling of detachment, as if the person she is with can't possibly understand the pain she is feeling. The chorus is a plea for comfort, with the singer asking to be held close, despite the fact that her partner may not understand or be able to help her.
The second verse is more self-reflective than the first. The singer acknowledges that she hasn't asked for help in a long time, but now she needs it more than ever. She is desperate for comfort, even if it's only temporary. The bridge is a moment of conflict between the singer and her partner. He seems to be telling her that he can't help her, but she needs him to be there for her anyway. The final lines of the song are a bit ambiguous, but they suggest that the singer may be holding on to something that is not good for her and that she may need to let go.
Overall, Lay Me Down is a song that explores some difficult emotions with honesty and vulnerability. The singer is struggling with feelings of isolation and needing someone to help her feel better, even if it's only for a little while. The song's sparse instrumentation and Branch's powerful vocals combine to make a simple, yet moving ballad about the complexities of human emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
You let me in
You allowed me to enter into your life, probably because it was the right thing to do.
'Cause after all
Perhaps, it is because we share something or we have a connection that made you let me in.
It seemed like the right thing to do
From your perspective, it was the right decision to let me in.
I closed my eyes
I have surrendered to your power and probably hoping that Your Presence would take all anxiety and insecurity away.
And let you fall
I gave you my trust and allowed myself to be vulnerable to you, hoping you would not disappoint.
I wonder what you could possibly know
I doubt if you have ever felt vulnerable like I just did.
About breaking down that I don't
I may not have enough experience about breaking down or being vulnerable, at least compared to how you may make it seem.
It's been awhile
It sure has been long since I begged for anything.
Since I begged for
Demanding anything from someone, it's been a long time since I have had to.
Anything but now I want more
Even though I may have given up everything by trusting you, it seems that I want more from you.
So lay me down
Lay me down if you would, it's a clear indication of how much trust I have in you.
I'm lonely
I feel neglected or not cared for enough, otherwise, I wouldn't be this vulnerable.
You don't understand me
You have no idea how vulnerable or how much it's taking out of me to be in this situation.
And you'd never even try to
Even if you haven't been in the situation that I'm in right now, you would never have thought of trying this hard to show you care.
Anyway
However you react to what I said or do, I still trust you.
I hear you say
I'm listening to what you have to say.
It's not the same
I sense a change. Our connection doesn't seem the same as before.
I'm sorry
I'm sorry you may have misread my signals.
It's something I just can't explain
There may be something going on that even I cannot put a finger on.
So shut your mouth
Be with me, even without words.
And hold me close
We would feel better together right now.
We both know
We both have an understanding of what's happening or what's not happening, right now.
It's better than being alone
Being around each other, without having to say words or do things is better than being by ourselves right now.
I don't mind
It doesn't bother me much.
Killing time
Utilizing the moment by being with you without necessarily doing much.
As long as I can't see it in your eyes
As long as I don't see the feeling of guilt or apologies in your eyes for how our connection has become.
If wanting you's so wrong then I'm wrong
If it's not okay to be with you and feel safe, loved, and cared for in every sense of it, then I'm sticking to my guns that I want you more.
I'll admit it
I understand my feelings and thoughts better than I make it seem.
Time after time you'll realize
In the future, you might see how genuine this is for me.
You don't mean it
You may show up or say something, but it doesn't mean you are present or you care enough.
Contributed by Elizabeth J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ADRIAN MENDOZA HILIS
on Everywhere
8/3/2023