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
Unnecessary
Patty Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
no longer the height of fashion
or the subject of a passion
stretch pants, bee lines (?) love and soverance (?) trivialized
suddenly she realizes
unnecessary, unnecessary, unnecessary, unnecessary
she's unnecessary, no longer extraordinary
no longer the height of fashion or the subject of a passion
sister, brother, it's so hard to fuck a mother
what is it we give each other
what is it we take away?
unnecessary, unnecessary, unnecessary unnecessary
unnecessary, no longer extraordinary
no longer the height of fashion
or the subject of a passion
The lyrics to "Unnecessary" by Patty Griffin seem to convey a sense of loss and the realization that one's former importance has faded away. The lyrics first describe the subject - possibly a woman - as "no longer extraordinary" and no longer fashionable or a passion. This hints at a past where the subject was perhaps revered, but that glory has now faded away. The mention of "stretch pants, bee lines(?) love, and sovereignty trivialized" may be a nod to the subject's past pursuits that are no longer relevant.
The second verse brings in a bouncing baby, possibly to contrast the youth and promise of new beginnings with the inevitability of growing old and losing one's relevance. The subject then seems to come to the realization that she is unnecessary, and repeats the word like a mantra. The last two lines of the verse ask the poignant question, "what is it we give each other / what is it we take away?", which could be interpreted as a larger commentary on life and the inevitable loss that comes with it.
The final verse takes on a more unsettling tone, with the mention of incestuous relationships ("sister, brother, it's so hard to fuck a mother"). This adds a layer of complexity to the song, begging the question of whether the subject's irrelevance has led to desperation and taboo behavior. The final repetition of "unnecessary" underscores the feeling of loss and desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
Unnecessary, no longer extraordinary
Because of her current situation, the woman feels that she is no longer exceptional or important.
no longer the height of fashion
The woman's clothing choices are no longer trendy or fashionable.
or the subject of a passion
No one is expressing a deep and intense love for the woman; she is not the center of anyone's affection.
stretch pants, bee lines (?) love and soverance (?) trivialized
The things that she used to find meaningful, like comfortable clothing and relationships, now seem unimportant and meaningless.
bouncing baby on her big thighs
The woman has become a mother and is holding her baby on her lap, which seems like a small and mundane event.
suddenly she realizes
At this moment, the woman has a realization or an epiphany about her current situation.
unnecessary, unnecessary, unnecessary, unnecessary
The woman repeats the word 'unnecessary' several times, emphasizing her feelings of insignificance.
she's unnecessary, no longer extraordinary
The woman feels like she is no longer special, unique, or important.
sister, brother, it's so hard to fuck a mother
The woman expresses a feeling of alienation or difficulty in connecting with others, who may not understand her current situation as a mother.
what is it we give each other
The woman questions the value of relationships and what people are truly giving and receiving from each other.
what is it we take away?
The woman ponders what people are losing or taking away from each other in their relationships.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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