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
Don't Come Easy
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wonder if we're gonna ever get home
I wonder if we're gonna ever get home tonight
Everywhere the waters getting rough
Your best intentions may not be enough
I wonder if we're gonna ever get home tonight
But if you break down
If you forget my love
I'll try to remind you
And stay by you when it don't come easy
I don't know nothing except change will come
Year after year what we do is undone
Time keeps moving from a crawl to a run
I wonder if we're gonna ever get home
You're out there walking down a highway
And all of the signs got blown away
Sometimes you wonder if you're walking in the wrong direction
But if you brake down
I'll drive out and find you
If you forget my love
I'll try to remind you
And stay by you when it don't come easy
So many things that I had before
That don't matter to me now
Tonight I cry for the love that I've lost
And the love I've never found
When the last bird falls
And the last siren sounds
Someone will say what's been said before
Some love we were looking for
But if you brake down
I'll drive out and find you
If you forget my love
I'll try to remind you
And stay by you when it don't come easy
The opening lines of "Don't Come Easy" by Patty Griffin paints an image of urgency and uncertainty. The singer seems to be on a highway facing a potential danger with flashing red lights. They are not sure if they will make it home safely or at all. Throughout the song, there is a sense of anxiety and questioning about the unknown. The lyrics continue with a realization that the best intentions may not always be enough when the waters are getting rough.
However, the chorus provides comfort and reassurance that a love that is strong and unwavering will always be there. If you break down, I'll find you. If you forget my love, I'll remind you. I'll stay by you when it doesn't come easy. The lines illustrate the profoundness of love and how it can often be the anchor we need in times of uncertainty and turmoil.
In the final verse, Patty Griffin portrays the fear of loss but also the impact love can have on us. Through a series of events and disappointments, the singer comes to an understanding that perhaps the search for love is futile. Still, the chorus holds strong, promising to be there even when it doesn't come easy.
In summary, "Don't Come Easy" is a song that captures the importance of love and the fear of the unknown. It highlights how, in times of crisis, the unwavering love of another can provide the support and comfort we need to navigate through life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Red lights are flashing on the highway
There are warning signals on the way ahead
I wonder if we're gonna ever get home
There is doubt whether we will make it back home or not
I wonder if we're gonna ever get home tonight
There is uncertainty whether we will reach home tonight or not
Everywhere the waters getting rough
Things are becoming difficult to manage and handle
Your best intentions may not be enough
No matter how hard you try, things may not go as planned
But if you break down
In case you face any setbacks or difficulties
I'll drive out and find you
I'll come to your rescue and help you out
If you forget my love
In case you lose faith in me
I'll try to remind you
I'll make sure to renew and restore our bond
And stay by you when it don't come easy
I'll be with you even when things are tough and rough
I don't know nothing except change will come
The only certain thing is that change is inevitable
Year after year what we do is undone
No matter how hard we work, things can go wrong and be undone
Time keeps moving from a crawl to a run
Time continues to move forward, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly
You're out there walking down a highway
You are on a journey, facing life's challenges
And all of the signs got blown away
The signs of guidance and direction are no longer there
Sometimes you wonder if you're walking in the wrong direction
At times, it's difficult to know if the path you're on is the right one
So many things that I had before
There were a lot of things that mattered to me earlier
That don't matter to me now
Now those things are insignificant and do not hold value
Tonight I cry for the love that I've lost
I feel sad for the love that has left me
And the love I've never found
I also feel sad for the love that I have not yet discovered
When the last bird falls
When the end comes
And the last siren sounds
When it's all over
Someone will say what's been said before
Someone will repeat what has already been said numerous times
Some love we were looking for
We were all searching for love in our own ways
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Patricia J. Griffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hartscontent123
First, Thank you. 😊
Second, please forgive me if this is a repeat comment.
(I won't have time to read all 132 Comments today.)
Tiny Corrections on each Chorus: "When it don't come easy" REPEATS.
Also, on the LAST Chorus, It's "WHEN", instead of "But if" or "If".
When if you break down
I'll drive out and find you
When you forget my love
I'll try to remind you
And stay by you, when it don't come easy
When it don't come easy
@gabiiris
"A LION IN THE HOUSE" brought me here. So sad and so beautiful.....
@nania992
this is one of those songs that will NEVER EVER get old. Absolute perfection.
@ThankGod4life
Hello! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day…Stay Safe!
@RaeDiaz-qx3dx
Omg this song hits me so hard, makes me think of lost ones, God, and the unknown busy desired love I hope I find or found in life.
@marksavage1744
One of those rare songs that can bring you to your knees with the tears dripping on the floor.
@surgag
I’ve loved this song for a long time but heard/saw it differently last night. My dad has Alzheimer’s & my mom whispered to him several times last night I love you….you could see he wasn’t getting the message but she didn’t stop smiling as she said it. This part of life & love sure does not come easy but I see how my mom is standing by his side.
@barbarasanders2656
I first heard this song after my son was shot in Afghanistan. The lyrics brought me to my kness. "If you break down, I'll drive out and find you." I was ready to go anywhere to find him.
@ThankGod4life
Hello! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day…Stay Safe!
@delpharudisill6679
Heard it on "In Plain Sight"...💖
@nicoleaiken
Me too!