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
Take It With Me
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one knows where we are
It's a long time since I
Drank champagne
The ocean is blue
As blue as your eyes
I'm gonna take it with me
When I go
Old long since gone
Now way back when
We lived in Coney Island
Ain't no good thing
Ever dies
I'm gonna take it with me
When I go
Far far away a train
Whistle blows
Wherever you're goin'
Wherever you've been
Waving good bye at the end
Of the day
You're up and you're over
And you're far away
Always for you, and
Forever yours
It felt just like the old days
We fell asleep on Beaula's porch
I'm gonna take it with me
When I go
All broken down by
The side of the road
I was never more alive or
Alone
I've worn the faces off
All the cards
I'm gonna take it with me
When I go
Children are playing
At the end of the day
Strangers are singing
On our lawn
It's got to be more
Than flesh and bone
All that you're loved
Is all you own
In a land there's a town
And in that town there's
A house
And in that house
There's a woman
And in that woman
There's a heart I love
I'm gonna take it
With me when I go
I'm gonna take it
With me when I go
ã•om Waits and Kathleen Brennan
The lyrics to Patty Griffin's song Take It With Me focus on the idea of taking our precious memories and experiences with us wherever we go, even after we die. The song is a reflective and introspective piece, with the singer acknowledging the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The first verse sets the scene, with the singer in a secluded and peaceful location, away from the chaos of everyday life. The imagery of champagne and blue oceans evoke a sense of luxury and relaxation, while the declaration of taking these moments with her when she goes hints at the sentimental tone of the song.
The second verse highlights specific memories the singer wants to hold onto. She reflects on past experiences from her youth, living in Coney Island and the fleeting nature of life. The third verse shifts gears and references the transient nature of relationships, as the train whistle blows goodbye to a loved one. The chorus then returns, reiterating the idea that the singer wants to bring all of the people and moments she cherishes with her wherever she goes.
The fourth verse tells the story of the singer at the end of a long journey, all alone, but full of life. The final verse brings the message of the song full circle, as the singer focuses on the importance of holding onto the people and things we love. The beautiful imagery of a house, a woman, and a heart capture the essence of love and the longing to keep our cherished relationships close to us, always.
Overall, Patty Griffin's song Take It With Me is a poignant and powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the moments and people we love. The song is a beautiful meditation on love, loss, and the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Phone's off the hook
The phone is not working and no one can call us.
No one knows where we are
Our location is unknown to anyone.
It's a long time since I drank champagne
It has been a while since I last enjoyed the luxurious taste of champagne.
The ocean is blue
The water in the ocean is a beautiful shade of blue.
As blue as your eyes
The color of the ocean reminds me of the shade of blue in your eyes.
I'm gonna take it with me When I go
I want to keep these memories and experiences with me forever, even after I am gone.
Old long since gone
The past memories are gone forever, but were still significant.
Now way back when
In the distant past, everything was different.
We lived in Coney Island
We resided in Coney Island at one point in time.
Ain't no good thing Ever dies
Things that we cherish and hold dearly in our hearts never really die.
Far far away a train Whistle blows
A train's whistle can be heard in the distance.
Wherever you're goin' Wherever you've been
It doesn't matter where you are going or where you have been, the memories and experiences you've gained will always be with you.
Waving good bye at the end Of the day
Saying goodbye at the end of the day signifies an end to one chapter and the start of a new one.
You're up and you're over And you're far away
You have moved on to a new chapter in your life, and have left behind the previous ones.
Always for you, and Forever yours
I will always be there for you, and you will always hold a special place in my heart.
It felt just like the old days
The same feelings and emotions that were felt in the past are being felt once again.
We fell asleep on Beaula's porch
We fell asleep on someone's porch named Beaula.
All broken down by The side of the road
Our car has broken down while driving on the side of the road.
I was never more alive or Alone
Even though I am alone, I have never felt more alive and in touch with myself.
I've worn the faces off All the cards
I have played cards so much that the pictures on them have worn off.
Children are playing At the end of the day
Children are playing, signifying that the day is coming to an end.
Strangers are singing On our lawn
Strangers are singing and enjoying themselves on our lawn.
It's got to be more Than flesh and bone
There is more to life than just our physical bodies.
All that you're loved Is all you own
The love you give and receive is the only thing you truly own.
In a land there's a town And in that town there's A house
In every land and town, there is a house that belongs to someone.
And in that house There's a woman
The house has a woman living in it.
And in that woman There's a heart I love
The woman in the house has a heart that I love.
I'm gonna take it With me when I go
I want to keep these memories and feelings with me forever.
I'm gonna take it With me when I go
I want to keep these memories and feelings with me forever.
Contributed by Sarah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
realmusiklover
Well that was just bloody tremendous.
Dave
Just LOVE Patty and the beautiful music that touches me so deeply.
M R
Beautiful version.
Wayne Simpson
Patty Griffin never fails to blow me away with her writing and vocals. Never heard this before so I don't even know if this is hers. Gave me chills. Seriously...
This was posted just 2 years ago but must be much older.
EditOkay, this is off of Flaming Red, her second album, but the arrangement here is totally different and just killer. I have got to go back through her catalog and see what other jewels I can find. Had totally forgotten this one.snoopdogg686
Thanks you made my day ❤️
Sandy Richardson
Patty Rocks It!!!
Blinx The Freakin' Time Sweeper
This has become a comfort video for me, whoops
Dreamwell
OK, so - who is this Doug Lancio?