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
Half a Person
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've spent six years on your trail
Six long years
On your trail
Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
Six full years of my life on your trail
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life :
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
I went to London and I
I booked myself in at the Y ... W.C.A.
I said : "I like it here - can I stay ?
I like it here - can I stay ?
Do you have a vacancy
For a Back-scrubber?"
She was left behind, and sour
And she wrote to me, equally dour
She said : "In the days when you were
Hopelessly poor
I just liked you more..."
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life :
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
I went to London and I
I booked myself in at the Y ... W.C.A.
I said : "I like it here - can I stay ?
I like it here - can I stay ?
And do you have a vacancy
For a Back-scrubber ?"
Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent too long on your trail
Far too long
Chasing your tail
Oh ...
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life :
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
That's the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
The story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
The story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story ...
Patty Griffin's song Half a Person is a melancholic reflection on the painful experience of unrequited love. The first verse sets the tone, with the repeated line "Call me morbid, call me pale," creating an atmosphere of sadness and longing. The singer reveals that they have spent six years chasing after the object of their affection, with no success. The second verse provides a glimpse into the singer's past, describing their awkward teenage years and their decision to travel to London alone. The final verse underscores the depth of the singer's obsession, with the repeated line "I've spent too long on your trail/Far too long/Chasing your tail" conveying a sense of hopelessness and desperation.
The repetition of the second verse throughout the song serves to strengthen the connection between the singer's past experiences and their present situation. The repeated line "And if you have five seconds to spare/Then I'll tell you the story of my life" suggests that the singer is trapped in their own thoughts, unable to move beyond their fixation on the person they love.
In conclusion, Half a Person is a hauntingly beautiful song that captures the sadness and pain of unrequited love with remarkable skill and sensitivity. With its simple yet powerful lyrics and haunting melody, it is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt the ache of a broken heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me morbid, call me pale
I have a deep, depressing obsession with you.
I've spent six years on your trail
I've spent six full years of my life chasing you down.
And if you have five seconds to spare, then I'll tell you the story of my life:
If you have a short time to listen, I'll recount the tale of my existence.
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
At the age of sixteen, I was socially awkward and nervous.
I went to London and I
I traveled to London for an adventure.
I booked myself in at the Y ... W.C.A.
I made arrangements to stay at the Young Women's Christian Association.
I said : 'I like it here - can I stay?
I expressed my fondness for the place and inquired if I could remain.
And do you have a vacancy for a Back-scrubber?'
I inquired if there was an opening for a low-level position like back-scrubber.
She was left behind, and sour
A female acquaintance was left behind and became resentful.
And she wrote to me, equally dour
She wrote a pessimistic message to me, conveying her dissatisfaction.
She said : 'In the days when you were Hopelessly poor
She mentioned that my prospects were quite bleak in the past.
I just liked you more...'
Despite my dire financial situation, she grew fonder of me.
I've spent too long on your trail
I've devoted an excessive amount of time pursuing you.
Far too long
An extended period of time that is not justified by its outcomes.
Chasing your tail
Persistently chasing after someone who is out of reach or always one step ahead.
Contributed by Hudson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Doug Broughton
Stand up and take notice... in a world of throw away, bubblegum, overdubbed, voice synthed so called music ... THIS is what a REAL ARTIST looks like. ANYTHING performed by this woman will knock you down with it's imagery and the raw emotional power of her voice. So many years so many albums and she still amazes me.
LINDA SCANLAN
Adore her
Lisa Angell
Amen.
Leslie Scott
I so agree. I can't get enough of her music. And I'm going to see her in July with The Chicks. Can't wait.
Diogeses More
Just saw her at Levon’s. She lost much but on the path to gain much more. Blessed to hear her ride.
Michael Foley
Arguably one of the finest singer/songwriters in America today. We love you, Patty.
David Parnell
"Arguably"??
John Morrissey
She’s a total gem😊
River Art Studio
My granddaughter grew up listening to Patty Griffin with me; something we shared together. We would sing her songs together and make memories that will last her lifetime. My granddaughter is a vocal major now and when she sang a Patty Griffin song for a formal event recently, well, it just doesn't get better than that, thank you Patty Griffin.
Daniel Wilk
This is one of the best performances on Tiny Desk. Patty is the most underrated folk singers there has ever been.