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
Never Been To Spain
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I kinda like the music
See the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to use it
They don't abuse it
Never gonna lose it
I can't refuse it...hmmmm...
Well I never been to England
Well I headed for Las Vegas
Only made it out to Needles
Can you feel it, must be real
It feels so good, feels so good
Well I never been to heaven
But I've been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
But I really don't remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter, what does it matter
〩oyt Axton
The song "Never Been To Spain" describes the experiences of the singer who has never travelled to certain places like Spain, England, and Heaven but has significant interest in the music and cultures of these locations. The opening lines indicate the singer's interest in Spanish music and female companionship there. Interestingly, the singer acknowledges the beauty of Spanish women but also emphasizes how skillful they are in utilizing their beauty. Besides, he appreciates their qualities, stating "They don't abuse it, never gonna lose it, I can't refuse it," indicating that they understand how to use their qualities without overusing them.
The next verse talks about the singer's interest in English music, and he specifically mentions The Beatles, a legendary British music band. The following lines describe his attempt to travel to Las Vegas but only managing to make it as far as Needles. In this section, the use of sensory language such as "can you feel it, must be real, feels so good" communicates a sense of excitement and adrenaline emanating from the trip to Las Vegas.
In the final verse, the song's setting changes to Oklahoma, and the singer states his birth there. Although he does not remember much about the place, he adds, "What does it matter, what does it matter," communicating his relative indifference to where he was born. This verse suggests that the places we come from and the experiences we have shape who we are but that they do not necessarily define us.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I never been to Spain
I have never physically visited the country of Spain.
But I kinda like the music
However, I enjoy the type of music that originates from the region.
See the ladies are insane there
The women there are wild and liberated in their behavior.
And they sure know how to use it
Furthermore, they are skilled at utilizing their freedom and sexuality.
They don't abuse it
Despite their uninhibited behavior, they do so without causing harm or mistreatment.
Never gonna lose it
Their freedom and confidence is something they will not give up or compromise.
I can't refuse it...hmmmm...
Their wild behavior is so enticing and captivating that I cannot resist it.
Well I never been to England
Just like Spain, I have never physically visited England.
But I kinda like the Beatles
Despite never visiting England, I enjoy the music that originated from the country, particularly the Beatles.
Well I headed for Las Vegas
I once attempted to travel to Las Vegas.
Only made it out to Needles
However, I only ended up reaching the town of Needles.
Can you feel it, must be real
Although I didn't quite make it to my intended destination, the thrill of traveling and taking risks is palpable and must be genuine.
It feels so good, feels so good
The excitement of adventure feels great and fulfilling.
Well I never been to heaven
Just like Spain and England, I have never been to the afterlife realm of heaven.
But I've been to Oklahoma
However, I am familiar with and have visited the state of Oklahoma.
Well they tell me I was born there
According to others, I was actually born in Oklahoma.
But I really don't remember
Despite being told that I was born there, I have no memory of it myself.
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
To clarify, I was born in Oklahoma and not the neighboring state of Arizona.
What does it matter, what does it matter
In the grand scheme of things, where I was born is not particularly important or consequential.
Contributed by London J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.