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
Boston
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back to the city of lost love
I went back to the place
And recognized your face in the stone long gone
I walked around Harvard square
All the runaway kids are still hanging out there
I took the red line a wrong way
Something's changed track
And they never fly
And they never fly
Reach up from the waves
You'll find that you're only waving goodbye
I went walking in Boston
A little bridge I used to walk on
I was slipping on a hog
And I flung into that sea of strong
Processing need not apply
For you to license to fly
Hey young lady don't be so surprised
You know you're not alone
Something's changed track
And they never fly
And they never fly
Reach up from the waves
You'll find that you're only waving goodbye
It was memorial day
I went to where you lay
There were thousands of people
Just like you in a chain graveyard
You came out of there awake
Looking for the sky
And got a slap in the face
Well hey
Desperate needs a big led
And gets put in the place
You better know your place boy
Something's changed track
And they never fly
And they never fly
Reach up from the waves
You'll find that you're only waving goodbye
Only waving
You're only waving
You're only waving
You're only waving goodbye
Goodbye
The song Boston by Patty Griffin is a melancholic reflection on returning to a place where a lost love was once present. Griffin lyrically takes us on a journey through the city, passing through Harvard Square with an acknowledgement of the runaway kids who remain there. The singer walks on a bridge where she used to wander, but this time slips and falls into the Charles River. The song reflects on the theme of losing one's sense of direction or being set adrift, comparing it to losing one's love or feeling of belonging.
The song is a commentary on how life can take us on unexpected paths, and how life can change with or without us. Throughout, the lyrics describe the story of loss and the struggle to regain one's footing. When the singer visits a graveyard on Memorial Day, she notes the thousands of people, "Just like you in a chain graveyard." This somber reflection emphasizes the pain of losing love, while also recognizing shared human experience.
In conclusion, the song Boston by Patty Griffin is an introspective composition on love, loss and change. The song reflects on life's unpredictable paths and the struggle to remain grounded in the face of hardship. It is a song that speaks to the human experience of grief, while highlighting the importance of remembering those we have loved and lost.
Line by Line Meaning
I went back to Boston
I returned to the city of Boston
Back to the city of lost love
Boston reminds her of lost love
I went back to the place
She revisited a particular location
And recognized your face in the stone long gone
She saw a resemblance of someone she knew in an old statue
I walked around Harvard square
She took a walk through the Harvard square area
All the runaway kids are still hanging out there
The area is still populated by rebellious youth
I took the red line a wrong way
She accidentally took the wrong route on the red line train
Across the river Charles
She crossed the Charles River
Something's changed track
A change has occurred
And they never fly
Whatever has changed does not allow flight
Reach up from the waves
Making an effort to rise above
You'll find that you're only waving goodbye
Realizing that they are only saying goodbye
A little bridge I used to walk on
A small bridge she used to frequently walk across
I was slipping on a hog
She stumbled on some sort of obstruction
And I flung into that sea of strong
She metaphorically fell into a sea of turbulent emotions
Processing need not apply
Reasoning is not the appropriate response
For you to license to fly
You do not need permission to lift yourself up
Hey young lady don't be so surprised
Someone is advising her to not be shocked
You know you're not alone
She has someone supporting her
It was memorial day
A day of remembrance
I went to where you lay
She visited a grave site
There were thousands of people
A large crowd was present
Just like you in a chain graveyard
People who have passed away are buried together
You came out of there awake
Someone has risen from the dead
Looking for the sky
This person was searching for something greater
And got a slap in the face
Their expectations were not met
Well hey
An expression of surprise
Desperate needs a big led
In a time of desperation one requires guidance
And gets put in the place
Disappointing results can humble one
You better know your place boy
Advice to stay grounded
Only waving
Only saying goodbye with a wave
You're only waving
Reminding the listener that they are only saying goodbye
Goodbye
Farewell
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PATRICIA J. GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind