Her songwriting has been praised for its wit, and her technical guitar playing has also received praise (which she made light fun of in her feminist song, Not Bad for a Broad).
In 1990, she joined Christine Lavin, Megan McDonough, and Sally Fingerett to form the Four Bitchin' Babes, with whom she toured and recorded one album.
In 2005, Larkin produced La Guitara, a compilation of songs performed by female guitarists designed to answer the question, "Why are there no great female guitar players?" with the answer being that "There are–and here they are."
Louder
Patty Larkin Lyrics
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The opening line of Patty Larkin’s song “Louder” is packed with meaning that sets the tone for the entire piece. It speaks of a growing cacophony in the world around us as so many voices, opinions, and beliefs compete for our attention. The metaphor of “louder” speaks to the increased volume of the discourse but also suggests an urgency as if something critical is at stake.
As the lyrics progress, Larkin explores the idea that we’ve become more disconnected from each other as we’ve grown louder. She speaks of people retreating into their own worlds and engaging only with content that affirms their existing beliefs. All of this is set to an upbeat tempo and poppy melodies, creating a sense of irony that belies the seriousness of the underlying message. The chorus admonishes listeners to “listen harder,” which seems to be the key to reconnecting with each other and finding solutions to the problems we face.
“Louder” is a thought-provoking commentary on the state of the modern world and the way that the internet, social media, and other technologies have shaped it. It’s a reminder that even as we constantly seek to make our own voices heard, we also have a responsibility to listen closely to others and find common ground. By doing so, we can begin to overcome the differences that divide us and come together as a more united and empathetic society.
Line by Line Meaning
This old world is getting louder
The world we live in is becoming increasingly noisy and chaotic.
Seems like every day it's just shouting in my ear
Every day feels like a bombardment of loud, overwhelming noises that are hard to ignore.
And I can hardly hear you cry
The constant noise is so overwhelming that it's difficult to even hear the cries of people in need of help or comfort.
And I can hardly hear you sigh
The noise drowns out even the soft, subtle expressions of emotions like sighing.
This big life is spinning faster
The pace of modern life is accelerating and becoming more intense.
It's pulling me along in its wake
The rapid pace of life is carrying the singer along with it, without regard for their own needs or desires.
And I can hardly see your face
The constant motion and distractions make it hard to focus on what's truly important, such as the faces of loved ones.
And I can hardly breathe some days
The stress and pressure of modern life can make it feel suffocating and hard to take a moment to breathe and relax.
But I know that you are calling me to a quiet place
Despite the chaos and noise, the artist hears a call to seek out a peaceful, quiet place to find solace and clarity.
Louder, louder, shouting in my ear
The noise of the world only seems to grow louder and more overwhelming as time goes on.
But I hear you louder, calling me, calling me
Despite the noise, the singer can still hear a calling to something greater and more meaningful than the chaos of the world.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PATTY LARKIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind