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
People Get Ready
Patty Griffin Lyrics
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And she kissed me in such a way
But to get anything, she said show me the ring
The way they did in those days
Well I never thought too much about it
If I was the marrying kind
But any young man worth his salt or a damn
Get ready Marie, get ready Marie
Get ready for dreams to come true
Get ready Marie, get ready for me
There's so many things we can do
Well I awoke drunk from the night before
On the morning of my wedding day
And the best man said man, the best thing to do
Is just keep going that way
But my pretty young bride wasn't laughing
When I tripped and fell down the aisle
And though I was a pain, still no one could complain
That I wasn't wearing a smile
Get ready Marie, get ready Marie
Get ready for dreams to come true
Get ready Marie, get ready for me
There's so many things we can do
No this isn't the end of our story
No our marriage stuck like a habit
But I had a good hunch, when she kissed me a bunch
She could do other things like a rabbit
Get ready Marie, get ready Marie
Get ready for dreams to come true
Get ready Marie, get ready for me
There's so many things we can do
In Patty Griffin's "People Get Ready," the singer tells the story of his courtship and eventual marriage to a pretty young girl named Marie. At first, the singer is unsure if he is the "marrying kind," but Marie insists on a ring. Despite his reservations, he eventually gives in and gets married. On the day of the wedding, the singer is hungover and stumbles down the aisle, but he is still wearing a smile. The song ends on a more risqué note, with the suggestion that Marie is good at "other things like a rabbit."
The lyrics to "People Get Ready" are somewhat tongue-in-cheek, with the singer poking fun at some of the conventions of marriage and courtship. The title itself is a reference to the famous Curtis Mayfield song of the same name and suggests that listeners should be prepared for what lies ahead. The singer's hesitations about getting married and the suggestion that Marie has a more adventurous side could be seen as a commentary on traditional gender roles and societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
She was a pretty good looking young girl
The singer meets a young girl who he finds physically attractive.
And she kissed me in such a way
The girl kisses the singer in a manner that he finds appealing.
But to get anything, she said show me the ring
The girl informs the singer that she is only willing to take things further if he proposes with a ring.
The way they did in those days
The girl references the traditional way of proposing with a ring in the past.
Well I never thought too much about it
Initially, the artist didn't think much about getting married.
If I was the marrying kind
The singer wasn't sure if he was interested in getting married at all.
But any young man worth his salt or a damn
However, the singer acknowledges that many young men are eager to get married.
Has other things on his mind
Despite their interest in getting married, young men still have other things that they desire and think about.
Get ready Marie, get ready Marie
The artist addresses his bride-to-be, urging her to get ready for what's to come.
Get ready for dreams to come true
He tells her to prepare for their future dreams to become a reality.
Well I awoke drunk from the night before
On the morning of his wedding, the singer wakes up hungover from the night before.
On the morning of my wedding day
It is the day of the artist's wedding.
And the best man said man, the best thing to do
The best man advises the singer to keep going forward despite his hangover.
Is just keep going that way
The best man instructs the singer to continue walking down the aisle.
But my pretty young bride wasn't laughing
The singer's bride is not amused by his drunken state.
When I tripped and fell down the aisle
The artist falls down while walking down the aisle.
And though I was a pain, still no one could complain
Despite his drunken behavior, no one speaks out against him.
That I wasn't wearing a smile
The singer is still happy despite his missteps.
No this isn't the end of our story
The singer assures the audience that their story doesn't end here.
No our marriage stuck like a habit
The artist and his wife's marriage is strong and lasting.
But I had a good hunch, when she kissed me a bunch
The artist had a feeling that his wife was interested in more than just marriage.
She could do other things like a rabbit
He implies that they have a healthy and active sex life.
Get ready Marie, get ready Marie
The singer once again tells his wife to prepare for their future together.
Get ready for dreams to come true
He reiterates that their dreams will soon become a reality.
Get ready Marie, get ready for me
He specifically instructs his wife to get ready for him.
There's so many things we can do
He reminds her that they have a beautiful life ahead of them, full of endless possibilities.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PATRICIA J. GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind