After a short marriage which ended in 1992, Griffin began playing in Boston coffee houses and was scouted by A&M Records who signed Griffin on the strength of her demo tape. This resulted in her debut album Living With Ghosts -- a set of demos featuring only Ms. Griffin and her guitar -- which garnered critical acclaim in 1996. Her sophomore album, Flaming Red, demonstrated a more rocking, full-band sound. The ill-fated Silver Bell album was never released by her record label, however, and the label terminated her recording contract shortly after that. Many of the songs from Silver Bell were re-recorded for subsequent albums.
After switching to ATO Records Griffin brought out three albums in rapid succession: 1000 Kisses and Impossible Dream, which were both nominated for Grammy awards, and A Kiss in Time, a well-received live album. In March 2007, she released Children Running Through to great critical acclaim.
She has penned a wide variety of songs - Long Ride Home, Top of the World, Tony, Forgiveness, Chief, Mad Mission--that touch her listeners deeply. A number of high profile artists have covered Patty's songs, including the Dixie Chicks, Bette Midler, Emmylou Harris, The Wreckers, Solomon Burke and pop star Kelly Clarkson; these have brought her exposure in the more mainstream pop and country worlds outside of folk music circles. Upon hearing Solomon Burke's cover of one of her tunes, she said she almost didn't feel worthy of singing it anymore.
Following her collaboration with Mavis Staples on a tune for a compilation album Peter York, suggested Griffin make an album of gospel songs. Griffin agreed on the condition that Buddy Miller, a friend and bandmate, produced the record. Downtown Church was recorded at the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville with a 2010 release date. The album features long-time friends Buddy and Julie Miller, as well as Shawn Colvin and Emmylou Harris. It also includes songs by Hank Williams, Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, and "All Creatures of Our God and King," a song accredited to St. Francis of Assisi.
Griffin featured on Robert Plant's solo album, Band of Joy, which was released in September 2010
Griffin's album American Kid was released on May 7, 2013
05 Be Careful
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the girls in the pale moonlight
All the girls with a shoppin' bags
All the girls with the washin' rags
All the girls on the telephone
All the girls standin' all alone
All the girls sittin' on the wire
Who one by one fly into the fire
Be careful how you bend me
Be careful where you send me
Careful how you end me
Be careful with me
All the girls standin' by your beds
All the girls standin' on their heads
All the girls with the broken arms
All the girls with the deadly charms
All the girls in the restaurants
Pretending to be nonchalant
Funny girls on the T.V. shows
Close your eyes and they've turned to snow
Be careful how you bend me
Be careful where you send me
Careful how you end me
Be careful with me
All the girls workin' overtime
Tellin' you everything is fine
All the girls in the beauty shops
Girls tongues catchin' the raindrops
All the girls that you'll never see
Forever a mystery
All the girls with their secret ways
All the girls who have gone astray
Be careful how you bend me
Be careful where you send me
Careful how you end me
Be careful with me
Be careful how you end me
Be careful with me
In Patty Griffin's song "Be Careful," the singer addresses all the girls in different situations and settings, ranging from the streets of Paris at night to the world of television shows. The girls are viewed through both positive and negative lenses, with references to shopping bags and nonchalant attitudes counterbalanced by deadly charms and girls who have gone astray.
The repeated phrase "Be careful" serves as a warning throughout the song, cautioning those who come into contact with the girls to act intentionally and thoughtfully. The singer is keenly aware of the power dynamics at play in each setting and urges others to be mindful of their actions towards these mysterious and enigmatic figures.
On a broader level, the song could be viewed as a commentary on the ways in which women are objectified and stereotyped in society. Each reference to "all the girls" emphasizes the homogenizing of female identity and the ways in which women are often reduced to superficial or one-dimensional traits. The repetition of the warning phrase emphasizes the importance of treating others with care and respect, particularly in situations where power imbalances exist.
Line by Line Meaning
All the girls in the Paris night
All the women who walk the streets of Paris at night
All the girls in the pale moonlight
All the women who are visible under the soft glow of the moonlight
All the girls with a shoppin' bags
All the women carrying shopping bags
All the girls with the washin' rags
All the women who do laundry
All the girls on the telephone
All the women talking on the phone
All the girls standin' all alone
All the lonely women standing by themselves
All the girls sittin' on the wire
All the women perched on the edge, ready to take risks
Who one by one fly into the fire
Who take chances and end up in dangerous situations
Be careful how you bend me
Be mindful of how you influence me and affect me emotionally
Be careful where you send me
Be cautious of where you lead me and who you introduce me to
Careful how you end me
Be wary of how you end our relationship or interactions
Be careful with me
Be cautious of how you treat me and my feelings
All the girls standin' by your beds
All the women who are in your life and close to you
All the girls standin' on their heads
All the women who are insecure or struggling to maintain balance
All the girls with the broken arms
All the women who have been hurt and are still trying to function
All the girls with the deadly charms
All the women who can seduce or manipulate you into harm's way
All the girls in the restaurants
All the women eating alone or pretending to seem unbothered
Pretending to be nonchalant
Faking a sense of coolness or indifference to hide true emotions
Funny girls on the T.V. shows
All the women portrayed as comedic relief or as objects of desire on TV shows
Close your eyes and they've turned to snow
If you can't see past their appearances, their worth will be diminished
All the girls workin' overtime
All the women working tirelessly to support themselves and their loved ones
Tellin' you everything is fine
Trying to maintain a façade of everything being okay
All the girls in the beauty shops
All the women who take care of themselves and their appearances
Girls tongues catchin' the raindrops
Women who take advantage of moments and opportunities for growth
All the girls that you'll never see
All the women who live in anonymity or invisibly
Forever a mystery
Women will always have secrets and aspects that remain a mystery
All the girls with their secret ways
All the women who have secretive or mysterious qualities
All the girls who have gone astray
All the women who have gone off the path and taken risks
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PATRICIA J. GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Colerain Fan
How many smart, beautiful, and thought provoking songs can one woman write? Patty is extraordinary.
J M RIVERA
Stunningly poignant song. Forwarded to my daughter.
Deborah Lydon
So then that is one of the most beautiful songs that was ever written, and the added video is absolutely perfect!
Rapunzzl
Thank you! beaming with pleasure
Brookita's Adventures
Definitely one of my favorite songs, put to a wonderful tribute to us women. Brilliant and beautiful. Thank you.
Jim Atkins
That was so beautifully done Rapunzzl! And a lovely and touching song it is! (It gets me every time).
Rapunzzl
@Jim Atkins Thank you, I appreciate your compliment and comment!
Andrew Hayes
Most beautiful song thank you 🇮🇪
nb
This song just floors me. Squeezes my heart till it almost stops. I know Im not alone in feeling this way.
Kelly Moran
Love her voice so much!