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
Not Alone
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The only thing a touching him is a crack of light
Pieces of her hair are wrapped around and 'round his fingers
He reaches for her side for any sign of her that lingers
And she says you are not alone
Laying in the light
Put out the fire in your head
And lay with me tonight
There were people running,
A flash of light then everything changed
Nothing really matters in the end you know all the worries sever
Don't be afraid for me my friend
One day we all fall down forever
She says you are not alone
Laying in the light
Put out the fire in your head
And lay with me tonight
The wedding date was June just like any other bride
She loved him like no one before and it was good to be alive
Sometimes that can slip away as fast as any fingers through your hands
So you let time forgive the past and go and make some other plans
You are not alone
Laying in the light
Put out the fire in your head
And lay with me tonight
You are not alone
Laying in the light
Put out the fire in your head
And lay with me tonight
The song "Not Alone" by Patty Griffin is a heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, and the need for human connection. The lyrics tell the story of a couple who have gone through a traumatic experience together, but have ultimately grown apart. The opening lines describe the man lying alone in bed, with nothing but a crack of light touching him. Evidence of his missing lover can be found in the hair wrapped around his fingers, as he tries to hold onto something he's lost. The woman then reassures him that he's not alone, and encourages him to let go of his worries and be present with her in the moment.
The second verse describes the traumatic event that caused their separation - a shooting or act of violence that has left the woman injured or dead. The singer acknowledges that in the grand scheme of things, all worries and fears are insignificant, and that one day we all "fall down forever." Despite the tragedy that has occurred, the woman still tries to offer comfort to her partner, reminding him that he's not alone and encouraging him to release his troubled mind.
The final verse paints a picture of the couple's past happiness, and the bittersweet realization that sometimes these moments can slip through our fingers all too quickly. The singer advises the listener not to dwell on the past, but instead to focus on the present and the future. The song ends with a final restatement of the message that no matter what happens, there is comfort in the connection between two people.
Overall, "Not Alone" is a poignant meditation on the meaning of love and the vital role that human connection plays in our lives. It is a reminder to cherish the people we love, and to reach out for comfort when we need it most.
Line by Line Meaning
She sees him laying in the bed alone tonight
She notices that he is lying in bed by himself tonight
The only thing a touching him is a crack of light
The only thing that is touching him is a small ray of light
Pieces of her hair are wrapped around and 'round his fingers
He has hair wrapped around his fingers that belongs to her
He reaches for her side for any sign of her that lingers
He reaches for her side looking for any evidence that she may still be there
And she says you are not alone
Laying in the light
Put out the fire in your head
And lay with me tonight
She reassures him that he is not alone in the darkness and asks him to calm his racing thoughts and join her in bed
One of them bullets went straight for the jugular vein
There were people running,
A flash of light then everything changed
A violent attack occurred with people moving in a panicked rush and the outcome was life-changing
Nothing really matters in the end you know all the worries sever
At the end of life, nothing else matters and all the worries we have will fade away
Don't be afraid for me my friend
One day we all fall down forever
Assuring a friend that there is no need to worry about them because eventually, we all will face our demise
The wedding date was June just like any other bride
She loved him like no one before and it was good to be alive
Their wedding was typical, but she had a deep love for him and cherished life
Sometimes that can slip away as fast as any fingers through your hands
So you let time forgive the past and go and make some other plans
Sometimes, that love can be lost easily, so it's important to let go of the past, move forward, and make new plans
You are not alone
Laying in the light
Put out the fire in your head
And lay with me tonight
Repeating the previous reassurance that he is not alone and asking him to join her in bed, calming his racing thoughts
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERNIE PARADA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jenny McCoy
She sees him laying in the bed alone tonight
The only thing a touching him is a crack of light
Pieces of her hair are wrapped around and 'round his fingers
He reaches for her side for any sign of her that lingers
And she says you are not alone
Laying in the light
Put out the fire in your head
And lay with me tonight
One of them bullets went straight for the jugular vein
There were people running,
A flash of light then everything changed
Nothing really matters in the end you know all the worries sever
Don't be afraid for me my friend
One day we all fall down forever
She says you are not alone
Laying in the light
Put out the fire in your head
And lay with me tonight
The wedding date was June just like any other bride
She loved him like no one before and it was good to be alive
Sometimes that can slip away as fast as any fingers through your hands
So you let time forgive the past and go and make some other plans
You are not alone
Laying in the light
Put out the fire in your head
And lay with me tonight
You are not alone
Laying in the light
Put out the fire in your head
And lay with me tonight
Daniel Konya
If it wasn't for NCIS I never would of discovered this amazing song! You can really feel it in her voice and relate!
Bernhard Mauerer
same what I thought
Patrick Farrell
Me too
david muir
Same
Audrey Thomas
Same here
Russ Grunert
Whoever chooses music for NCIS is a freaking genius
Anitra Moore
They have some amazing songs! No doubt!!!!❤ I only know evanescence from one show.
ABHISIMA BHOWMICK
Fri, 18 Nov, 2022 Just finished the episode💔
Bill Dillingham
AGREED!
Roberta Henry
What a fitting song for that NCIS episode! Just watched it on Netflix tonight.