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
Little Fire
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lately, I'm feeling so lost
A flood came and washed the stones of the path away
And a hot sun turned the mud to dust
Calling the sheep in for the evening
There's a voice, calls above the howling wind
It says comes rest beside my little fire
My friend, you know me and my family
You've seen us wandering through these times
You've seen us in weakness and in power
You've seen us forgetful and unkind
All that I want is one who knows me
A kind hand on my face when I weep
And I'd give back these things I know are meaningless
For a little fire beside me when I sleep
All that I want is one who knows me
A kind hand on my face when I weep
And I'd give back these things I know are meaningless
For a little fire beside me when I sleep
The lyrics of Patty Griffin's song "Little Fire" featuring Emmylou Harris explore the desire for human connection and the comfort that comes from having someone to share life's hardships with. The opening lines see the singer asking for her friend to stand with her, as she feels lost and alone. She describes a flood that has washed the stones of her path away, leaving her with nothing but dust. The imagery here is powerful, depicting a sense of hopelessness and desolation.
However, the song also offers hope, as the singer hears a voice calling above the howling wind, inviting her to come rest beside a little fire. This fire represents warmth, comfort, and security, and the invitation to ride out the storm together symbolizes the importance of community and shared experiences. The singer reflects on the ups and downs of her own life, acknowledging that she has been weak and unkind at times, but ultimately all she really wants is someone who knows her, who can be there for her when she weeps. This sense of emotional vulnerability and the search for companionship is a universal human experience, and the song's sparse, haunting melody lends itself to many interpretations of its meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
My friend, come stand beside me
I'm feeling lost and need a companion
Lately, I'm feeling so lost
I'm feeling confused and uncertain
A flood came and washed the stones of the path away
Everything I was certain of is now uncertain
And a hot sun turned the mud to dust
Things that used to comfort me are now useless
Calling the sheep in for the evening
Preparing for the end of the day
There's a voice, calls above the howling wind
Someone is calling me to safety
It says comes rest beside my little fire
I'm being invited to a place of warmth and safety
We'll ride out the storm that's coming in
We'll weather the hardships to come together
My friend, you know me and my family
You know me and my loved ones well
You've seen us wandering through these times
You've witnessed us navigating difficult times
You've seen us in weakness and in power
You've seen us at our worst and our best
You've seen us forgetful and unkind
You've witnessed our flaws and mistakes
All that I want is one who knows me
All I need is someone who understands me
A kind hand on my face when I weep
Someone to comfort me in my vulnerable moments
And I'd give back these things I know are meaningless
I realize the things I once thought were important are not
For a little fire beside me when I sleep
But what is important to me is companionship and warmth
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PATRICIA J. GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Rebecc765
I could be crazy. Thinking this song was New.... ?? I am talking away to everybody .... like it just came out. How did I miss it when I have listened to her for decades?
Emmylou is from my hometown. Her father was a Marine Corsair pilot in the Korean War, MIA for two years, presumed deceased. He was liberated, and the family had two days' notice he was returning....thus, her song, "Bang the Drum Slowly."
My father was a Gestapo Prisoner and, later, in one of the three Stalag Lufts Hermann Goering set aside for Allied Airmen (Great Escape was from #3). We have photos of medals given to my grandparents for his death and my Stepfather, a POW, too, was presumed deceased in the Ardennes until he crossed on showed up at home in Crestwood, New York in a Taxi. His mother fainted.
My sisters and I have listened to Patti Griffin's and Emmylou's music for decades. From Maine, she is a national treasure in my opinion ...THEY ALL ARE!
Certain songs on which Buddy Miller plays guitar sound incredible to me.The Emmylou version of Julie Miller's, "All My Tears," with Daniel Lanois and Larry Mullen, Jr. of U2 on drums is, I think, my favorite. Recorded in an old house in New Orleans. I don't know anything of Julie's illness and death last year. Nothing is really published.
Think I found the version of Julie's song:
https://youtu.be/7naQUkKKmeo
@sarahwhyte55
"And I'd give back these things I know are meaningless, for a little fire beside me when I sleep"
One of my favourite lyrics by the genius that is Patty Griffin ♥️
@Rebecc765
Love her music, Sarah. Everything about it.
@jennifermmlefaive2975
“All that I want is one who knows me, a kind hand on my face when I weep,” a universal desire to connect, Patty has such a way with words to move and stir the soul. And Emmylou’s an Angel right alongside her with that elegant harmony 💜🎶
@Rebecc765
Isn't her songwriting incredible, Jennifer? It is part of my life. Have you heard the song she wrote to sing with Robert Plant? Highwaysong. It is great.
@jennifermmlefaive2975
@@Rebecc765 yes, mine too! I saw them on tour together, imagine they played it but the title isn’t ringing a bell. I’ll check it out, thank you!
@Rebecc765
@@jennifermmlefaive2975 How wonderful that you saw them on tour! Hope this works! Highway Song:
https://youtu.be/HXqPd7l3d3c?si=63cH--VvNhLa03aE
@ajh909
Just bought this CD and am loving it. What a sweet melodic voice, and Buddy Miller producing with Emmylou Harris' harmony...wow. I love the duet with Julie too. This is one sweet bit of music from front to back. THANKYOU!
@JackieDeeMusic
Patty Griffin ...... your gift to this world is immense. Love, light & Peace JDxxx
@loniduncan
She's an angel who touches my heart with her songs. I could listen to her all day and Emmylou's voice melds with hers so well.
@csanant1
Just bought the album this morning. I love it all...but this one is my favorite. Wonderful! How lucky to be alive when such music is made.