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
No Bad News
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't need none of your bad news today
You're a sad little boy, anyone can see you're just a sad little boy
That's why you're carrying on that way
Why don't you burn it all down, burn your own house down, burn your own house down
Try to kill your own disease
And leave the rest of us, there's a lot of us, leave the rest of us
Who wanna live in peace to live in peace
I'm gonna find me a man, love him so well, love him so strong, love him so slow
We're gonna go way beyond the walls of this fortress
And we won't be afraid, we won't be afraid, and though the darkness may come our way
We won't be afraid to be alive anymore
And we'll grow kindness in our hearts for all the strangers among us
Till there are no strangers anymore
Don't bring me bad news, no bad news
I don't need none of your bad news today
You can't have my fear, I've got nothing to lose, can't have my fear
I'm not getting out of here alive anyway
And I don't need none of these things, I don't need none of these things
I've been handed
And the bird of peace is flying over, she's flying over and
Coming in for a landing
The opening lyrics of Patty Griffin's song, "No Bad News", speak strongly to the desire of the human heart to live a life that is not impacted by the negativity and pain of the world around us. The singer of the song urgently pleads with the "sad little boy" in her life to leave her in peace and to deal with his own issues without spreading his negative energy to others. The song conveys a feeling of weariness and a need for respite from the pain and the chaos. The singer yearns for a love so strong and so complete that it is enough to overcome the darkness and the fear.
The final verse of the song introduces a new element, the image of the bird of peace flying over and preparing to land. This symbolizes the possibility of a new beginning and a fresh start. The singer expresses a readiness to let go of the things that burden her and to embrace the light and the peace that the bird of peace represents. The song ends on a reassuring note, with the singer declaring that she has nothing to lose and that the bird of peace is on its way.
Overall, "No Bad News" is a powerful song about the human search for peace and love. It acknowledges the pain and the darkness that surround us but also affirms the possibility of healing and renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't bring me bad news, no bad news
I do not want to hear any news that would make me feel sad.
I don't need none of your bad news today
My day is already going well and I do not want any negativity to affect it.
You're a sad little boy, anyone can see you're just a sad little boy
It is evident that you are in a sorrowful state and need help to overcome your sadness.
That's why you're carrying on that way
Your current behavior and actions are a result of your sadness.
Why don't you burn it all down, burn your own house down, burn your own house down
Instead of affecting others with your negative energy, you should focus on destroying your own negativity and problems.
Try to kill your own disease
Deal with your own problems before they worsen and spread to others.
And leave the rest of us, there's a lot of us, leave the rest of us
Other people do not want to be affected by your negative energy.
Who wanna live in peace to live in peace
People want to live peacefully and without any negativity.
I'm gonna find me a man, love him so well, love him so strong, love him so slow
I am going to find a man and love him with all my heart and take time to build our relationship stronger.
We're gonna go way beyond the walls of this fortress
We are going to explore boundaries and limits that have kept us in a confined space.
And we won't be afraid, we won't be afraid, and though the darkness may come our way
We will not be scared even if tough situations arise.
We won't be afraid to be alive anymore
We will not be scared of living and enjoying life to the fullest.
And we'll grow kindness in our hearts for all the strangers among us
We will develop compassion and a good heart towards everyone, even those we do not know personally.
Till there are no strangers anymore
We will strive to create a world where everyone is known and included like family.
You can't have my fear, I've got nothing to lose, can't have my fear
I refuse to let fear control me because I have nothing to lose.
I'm not getting out of here alive anyway
I know that my life will eventually come to an end, but I am going to enjoy it to the fullest while I am here.
And I don't need none of these things, I don't need none of these things
I am content with what I have, and material possessions do not define my happiness.
I've been handed
I have received many things in life, but I am still happy without them.
And the bird of peace is flying over, she's flying over and
There is a presence of peace that is around us and we should take notice.
Coming in for a landing
Peaceful times are ahead and we should welcome them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PATRICIA J. GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind