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
Death's Got a Warrant
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't hide
You can't hide
Because you don't know how
God's got your number
And He knows where you live
Death's got a warrant out for you
You can't hide
You can't hide
You can't hide
Because you don't know how
God's got your number
And He knows where you live
Death's got a warrant out for you
The lyrics of Patty Griffin's "Death's Got a Warrant" speaks of an impending doom that one cannot escape. The repetition of "you can't hide" emphasizes the inevitability of one's fate, that no matter how one tries to escape or evade, it cannot be done. The lines "God's got your number, and He knows where you live" suggests a divine intervention, that one's life is being watched and judged, and that death is a consequence of one's actions or perhaps a predestined event. The song speaks of the fragility of life and the powerlessness of man over his own fate.
The phrase "Death's got a warrant out for you" refers to an official authorization to arrest or detain someone, in this case, death is personified as a law enforcer, carrying out a sentence, which is death. The song speaks of mortality, that no matter how wealthy or powerful one may be, they cannot escape the inevitable. Death is not just a physical ending but perhaps an end to one's legacy, their impact on the world, and their existence in the memories of those left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't hide
Your eventual demise is unavoidable.
You can't hide
Your efforts to evade death are futile.
You can't hide
Ignoring your mortality won't make it disappear.
Because you don't know how
You lack the knowledge or power to escape death's grasp.
God's got your number
Your fate is predetermined and known by a higher power.
And He knows where you live
You can't escape your fate, no matter where you go.
Death's got a warrant out for you
Death is coming for you and cannot be stopped.
You can't hide
Your fate is inevitable and cannot be avoided.
You can't hide
No matter what you do, death will find you.
You can't hide
Death will eventually catch up with you, no matter how well you hide.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DW
Here from New Amsterdam. Started looking for the song as soon as it began to play. Thanks to whoever chose it for the scene. Perfect! Now I am listening to more Patty Griffin music.
Alese Allen
Debb W me too!!!
nany langan
Debb W yes me as well
Nonhlanhla Mkhwanazi
Same here
amina benrabah
hehehe sameeeee
James O'Donnell
Watching it on Netflix so I'm behind the curve. It's a shame so many amazing artists are so hard to find.
Newt
Anyone else listening to this bop of a song from New Amsterdam? Anticipating it's return!!!
Martha Johnson
Just searched just now
Issam Hassan Ghosn
Me too 🙌🙌
Gerardo Salcedo
X3