Patty Griffin (born Patricia Jean Griffin on March 16, 1964, in Old Town, M… Read Full Bio ↴Patty Griffin (born Patricia Jean Griffin on March 16, 1964, in Old Town, Maine) is an American Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and musician. Known for her stripped-down songwriting style centered around the folk music genre, her songs have been covered by a host of musicians including Emmylou Harris, Ellis Paul, Rory Block, and the Dixie Chicks. In 2007, she was the recipient of the Americana Music Association's "Artist of the Year" award and her album, Children Running Through, won for "Best Album". In 2011, her album Downtown Church won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album.

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

Tracks of My Tears
Patty Griffin Lyrics

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People say I'm the life of the party 'cause
I tell a joke or two
Although I may be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I'm blue

So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer it's easy to trace

The tracks of my tears

Since you left me if you see me with another guy
Looking like I'm having fun
Although he may be cute he's just a substitute
Because you're the permanent one

So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears

ã'mokey Robinson
Outside I'm masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
I'm just a clown since you put me down
My smile is my makeup
I wear since my breakup with you

Baby, so take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place

If you look closer it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears

Overall Meaning

In Patty Griffin's version of "Tracks of My Tears," originally written and performed by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the lyrics depict a person who appears to be happy and the life of the party but is actually deeply saddened by a romantic loss. The singer talks about how people think they are the life of the party because they tell jokes and laugh loudly, but on the inside, they are filled with sadness. The person describes how the smile on their face looks out of place and how the tracks of their tears are easy to trace if someone looks closer. The singer also talks about how they may appear to be having fun with someone else, but that person is just a substitute because the one they really want is gone.

Line by Line Meaning

People say I'm the life of the party 'cause I tell a joke or two
People think I'm happy and outgoing because I try to entertain them, but it's just a facade.

Although I may be laughing loud and hearty Deep inside I'm blue
Even though I might seem joyful and carefree, my true emotions are sad and depressed.

So take a good look at my face You'll see my smile looks out of place If you look closer it's easy to trace The tracks of my tears
If you examine my face closely, you'll notice that my smile doesn't fit with how I'm really feeling - you can see the evidence of my sadness in the tears that have been shed.

Since you left me if you see me with another guy Looking like I'm having fun Although he may be cute he's just a substitute Because you're the permanent one
If you catch me with someone else who may appear attractive, please know that he is just a temporary fill-in because I still long for you.

Outside I'm masquerading Inside my hope is fading I'm just a clown since you put me down My smile is my makeup I wear since my breakup with you
I'm masking my true feelings and putting on a front, but on the inside I'm losing hope and feel like a fool ever since you ended our relationship. My false smile is the only thing covering up the tears.

Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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