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
Hey Peter Pan
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm going home now
I've done all I can
Besides I'm grown now
I'll think of you all painted with the night
You sit and watch from somewhere
As one by one the lights go out
When the rain came down
All the letters scattered
And washed away
Drifted off to Never
Where you'll be safe from me now forever
I believe you now when
You say that this will hurt
So I don't have to go and
Play with you in the dirt now
Hey Peter Pan
I'm going home now
I'm all grown up
Your on your own now
I'll think of you all painted with the night
You sit and watch from somewhere
As one by one the lights go out
In the song "Peter Pan" by Patty Griffin, the singer addresses the beloved childhood character Peter Pan. The singer announces that they are going home, as they have done all they can and they are now grown. The singer acknowledges that Peter Pan is always watching, "painted with the night," as the singer and their peers grow up and the lights go out one by one. The singer expresses gratitude towards Peter Pan, having written a note telling him how much he matters, but admits that the note was lost in the rain and washed away, drifting off to Neverland where Peter Pan will be safe from the singer.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of bittersweetness as the singer bids farewell to their childhood and to Peter Pan, the embodiment of eternal youth. The singer seems to be coming to terms with the reality of growing up and moving on from their past, even though it is painful. The line "I believe you now when you say this will hurt" suggests that Peter Pan had warned the singer of the pain of growing up, but the singer dismissed it until now.
"Peter Pan" is a poignant exploration of nostalgia, loss, and the complexities of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Through Patty Griffin's thoughtful and evocative writing, we feel the conflicting emotions of departing from a beloved childhood figure and saying goodbye to a part of our lives that we can never return to.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Peter Pan
The singer addresses Peter Pan, implying that he has been present throughout her life.
I'm going home now
The singer is leaving this place and moving on from her past experiences.
I've done all I can
The singer has tried her best and feels that it's time to move on.
Besides I'm grown now
The artist has matured and no longer needs Peter Pan's imaginary world to escape to.
I'll think of you all painted with the night
The artist will remember Peter Pan as a symbol of the nighttime and her childhood.
You sit and watch from somewhere
Peter Pan is still present, but from a distance.
As one by one the lights go out
The singer is saying goodbye to her childhood, represented by the lights going out one by one.
I wrote a note to tell you how you matter
The artist wants to express how much Peter Pan has influenced her life.
When the rain came down
The rain symbolizes the artist's emotional turmoil.
All the letters scattered
The artist's attempts to communicate her feelings have failed and been lost.
And washed away
Her feelings were not well received and have been disregarded.
Drifted off to Never
Her feelings have disappeared and she has moved on from them.
Where you'll be safe from me now forever
The singer has left behind her childhood and the imaginary world of Peter Pan, freeing herself from the hold it had on her.
I believe you now when
The singer finally understands and accepts reality.
You say that this will hurt
Peter Pan has warned her that growing up can be painful, but it's necessary.
So I don't have to go and
The artist no longer needs to cling to her past.
Play with you in the dirt now
She no longer needs to escape to an imaginary world with Peter Pan.
Your on your own now
Peter Pan is no longer necessary in the singer's life.
I'm all grown up
The singer has finally matured and moved on from her childhood.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PATRICK SKY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
onehotgossip
"Peter Pan"
Hey, Peter Pan
I'm going home now
I've done all I can
Besides I'm grown now
I'll think of you all painted with the night
You sit and watch from somewhere
As one by one the lights go out
I wrote a note to tell you how you matter
When the rain came down
All the letters scattered
And washed away
Drifted off to Never
Where you'll be safe from me now forever
I believe you now when
You say that this will hurt
So I don't have to go and
Play with you in the dirt now
Hey Peter Pan
I'm going home now
I'm all grown up
You're on your own now
I'll think of you all painted with the night
You sit and watch from somewhere
As one by one the lights go out
Mister Lackey
Such a beautiful song.
Reminiscent of the "goodbye" she gave in college. So many years ago, yet there are still days I want to give a hug, a kiss of thanks to her. That beautiful soul.
Can't help but wonder how life would be, had I been man enough to know how to really love her.
Peter Aldino
Rare do I find live records of a musician, as enchanting as this. Maybe it was the Rhyman Theater or the last concert on this tour, or the crowd, or just Patty being herself, but a Kiss in Time is not to be missed
onehotgossip
"Peter Pan"
Hey, Peter Pan
I'm going home now
I've done all I can
Besides I'm grown now
I'll think of you all painted with the night
You sit and watch from somewhere
As one by one the lights go out
I wrote a note to tell you how you matter
When the rain came down
All the letters scattered
And washed away
Drifted off to Never
Where you'll be safe from me now forever
I believe you now when
You say that this will hurt
So I don't have to go and
Play with you in the dirt now
Hey Peter Pan
I'm going home now
I'm all grown up
You're on your own now
I'll think of you all painted with the night
You sit and watch from somewhere
As one by one the lights go out
Pieter Meulendijks
One of my most favorite lady voices. She makes music so beautiful, thank you very much.
onehotgossip
It kind of heart breaking to listen to this song because i just saw in my mind Wendy leaving Peter to go back to her grown up life.
How she wrote him a letter about how much he means to her...and how it’s better for him, even though he watches her at night. She'll always remember him and loves him and the time they had together.
I'll think of you all painted with the night....
Neal Baker
Patty's song and her voice really moved me but it was your comment that brought it all together and caused the tears to fall. I thank you.
Debbe M
As always, bravo! Love this one.
Teresa Everingham
Love this song!
Kattra Kee
Beautiful 😢♥️
Stephanie Torres
Wow!! Your voice is really beautiful!!