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
Fly
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't no pretty other side
Ain't no way to understand the stupid words of pride
It would take an acrobat and I already tried all that
So I'm gonna let him fly
(Gonna let him fly)
Things can move at such a pace
The second hand just waved goodbye
But you can't recall just where or why
So there was really nothing to it
I just went and cut right through it
I said, I'm gonna let him fly, ooh yeah, yeah
There's no mercy in a live wire
No rest at all in freedom
Of the choices we are given
It's no choice at all, oh-huh
The proof is in the fire
You touch before it moves away, yeah
But you must always know how long to stay and when to go
And there ain't no talkin' to this man
He's been tryna tell me so
Took awhile to understand
The beauty of just letting go
'Cause it would take an acrobat and I already tried all that
I'm gonna let him fly
I'm gonna let him fly, fly, oh
I'm gonna let him fly, fly, oh
I'm gonna let him fly
Patty Griffin's song Fly is a poignant tune that reflects on the difficulty of letting go of someone you care for deeply. The song revolves around the singer's realization that the man she loves cannot be persuaded to stay, and she must, therefore, set him free. The first few lines, "Ain't no talkin' to this man, Ain't no pretty other side, Ain't no way to understand the stupid words of pride," establish that the man in question is stubborn and won't listen to reason. The use of the word "stupid" shows that the singer feels frustrated with the man's inability to communicate his feelings.
In the chorus, the singer repeats the phrase "I'm gonna let him fly," indicating that she has finally accepted that she cannot control the man's choices. She recognizes that there is no point in trying to hold onto someone who wants to leave. Instead, she must let go and allow him to find his way. The song's acoustic guitar and delicate piano chords create a melancholic atmosphere that lends itself well to the song's bittersweet message.
The second verse "There's no mercy in a live wire, No rest at all in freedom" suggests that freedom comes at a cost. While the man may feel liberated by leaving, he will also suffer the pain of separation. The singer, however, recognizes that she cannot hold onto him out of fear of the pain that separation will cause. The phrase, "The proof is in the fire You touch before it moves away," symbolizes the fragility of love and how sometimes, no matter how much we care about someone, they slip away.
Overall, Fly is a beautiful, introspective song that delves into the complexities of love and how sometimes, we must let go of someone we love to give them the freedom they need to find their happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no talkin' to this man
Communication is futile with this person
Ain't no pretty other side
There is no ideal solution to this situation
Ain't no way to understand the stupid words of pride
Pride can cloud judgement and prevent understanding
It would take an acrobat, and I already tried all that so
Dealing with this person requires a great deal of skill and effort, which have already been expended
I'm gonna let him fly
It's time to let this person go and move on
Things can move at such a pace
Life can move quickly
The second hand just waved goodbye
Time has passed and can't be regained
You know the light has left his face
He no longer has the same spark or energy
But you can't recall just where or why
It's difficult to pinpoint what changed and when
So there was really nothing to it
It wasn't a difficult decision
I just went and cut right through it
I made a clean break
There's no mercy in a live wire
Danger is unforgiving
No rest at all in freedom
Freedom can be exhausting
Of the choices we are given it's no choice at all
Some situations allow for no good options
The proof is in the fire
The truth is revealed through adversity
You touch before it moves away
You have to act quickly to seize opportunities
But you must always know how long to stay and when to go
Timing is crucial
He's been tryin' to tell me so
He's been signaling his desire to leave
It took awhile to understand the beauty of just letting go
Releasing someone can be liberating
'Cause it would take an acrobat, I already tried all that
Dealing with this person is too challenging, and I've exhausted all efforts
I'm gonna let him fly
I'm gonna let him fly
I'm gonna let him fly
I am resolute in my decision to allow this person to move on
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Patricia J. Griffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@VIBECHECK481
"Let Him Fly"
Ain't no talkin to this man
Ain't no pretty other side
Ain't no way to understand the stupid words of pride
It would take an acrobat, and I already tried all that so
I'm gonna let him fly
Things can move at such a pace
The second hand just waved goodbye
You know the light has left his face
But you can't recall just where or why
So there was really nothing to it
I just went and cut right through it
I said I'm gonna let him fly
There's no mercy in a live wire
No rest at all in freedom
Of the choices we are given it's no choice at all
The proof is in the fire
You touch before it moves away
But you must always know how long to stay and when to go
And there ain't no talkin to this man
He's been tryin to tell me so
It took awhile to understand the beauty of just letting go
Cause it would take an acrobat, I already tried all that
I'm gonna let him fly
I'm gonna let him fly
I'm gonna let him fly
@MegaDerek1975
One the best albums ever created by any artists on any planet within any microcosm of any universe.
@kandyrain6777
Omgeeeeeeee!! Just heard this song/version, tonight (1-11-22) on 9-1-1 Lone Star, and cried my lashes off! 😩
This song hits different when you don’t want to let go, but you know you have to do what’s best for YOU!! 💔
Praying for all of us that were touched by this song and/or lyrics. 🙏🏾
@gracessioson1702
That's where I heard it, too
@christinamitchell6796
I really wasn't going to say anything here because many people have made comments I agree with, but I'm very much in love with this song. I can as of recent relate to this, I just let someone go yesterday. every line signifies my pain, heartache but also the "beauty of letting go". I tried "acrobats" with this man, but all this time "there was no talking to this man" "he was trying to tell me so", so now it took a while but I'm gonna let him fly. sorry for so many quotes but it directly pointed to what I felt and knew in my heart, this song sealed my true reality.
@reemhosam6061
I feel the pain. I hope you're in a better place now.
@christinamitchell6796
very kind of you to say, believe it or not its still a work in progress not sure the direction we are not romantically involved but i still love him very much.I am trusting in the Lord for his will no matter what.
@eccentricflower29
Christina Mitchell ❤ I know it all too well
@Betcsbirds
Same boat here.. needed to happen but hurts. thanks for sharing...I hope you are doing well now!! hugs
@pameladarlenewoodward8385
Stellar post. Putting you'r truth on a forum?. Helps orthers too. Thanks for your honesty.
@feverloca
Just like many the documentary " The Fear of 13" brought me here. Im just speechless. The way this man told his story, makes you feel like you jumped into a time machine and went back with him to see/hear it all. Not many writers/storytellers can do that. He could have achieved so much, but not is not always on your side unfortunately.