Jones settled in LA at the age of nineteen, doing the classic waiting tables stuff until she landed a recording contract with Warners. Her self-titled debut album in 1979 was a big success, as was the single, Chuck E.'s in Love, about her musician friend Chuck E. Weiss. At the 1980 Grammy Awards, she won a Grammy for Best New Artist, and also received four more nominations: for Record of the Year; Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female; Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female; and Song of the Year (for "Chuck E.'s in Love"). While none of her subsequent recordings achieved the same level of commercial success, Jones has continued releasing critically acclaimed albums that have explored a variety of sonic terrain from jazz standards to trip hop influenced works.
Jones' pursuit of jazz standards led to the recording of "The Moon Is Made of Gold" and "Autumn Leaves" for Rob Wasserman's album Duets in 1985. The latter track earned her another Grammy nomination. And in 1990, her duet with Dr. John, a cover of "Makin' Whoopee", earned the artist her second Grammy Award, this time in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group.
At the time of recording her debut album, Jones was in a romantic relationship with Tom Waits; she is the girl draped over the car on the cover of his 1978 album Blue Valentine.
Early in her career, Jones was known for her drinking and substance abuse. She eventually tempered those demons, and came to terms with herself, and her own uncertain spirituality, and has maintained respect of her musical peers.
She's devoted to her talents, beyond music, one of which is raising her teenage daughter, and has even run her own political website and made music critiquing the Bush administration. She is involved in left-wing politics and community activism, partly through her web community, Furniture for the People (http://www.furnitureforthepeople.com/).
A greatest hits collection on Rhino called The Duchess of Coolsville was released in 2005.
In 2007 she signed to New West Records releasing The Sermon On Exposition Blvd, a record exploring lyrical territory inspired by Lee Cantelon's 1991 book The Words, which attempted to translate Christ's teachings into a more accessible contemporary format. Cantelon's friend, Guitarist Peter Atanasoff was instrumental in the creation of the eventual record.
Discography
1979: Rickie Lee Jones – Warner Bros.
1981: Pirates – Warner Bros.
1983: Girl at Her Volcano (EP) – Warner Bros.
1984: The Magazine – Warner Bros.
1989: Flying Cowboys - Geffen
1991: Pop Pop - Geffen
1993: Traffic From Paradise - Geffen
1995: Naked Songs - Reprise
1997: Ghostyhead – Warner Bros.
2000: It's Like This - Artemis
2001: Live at Red Rocks - Artemis
2003: The Evening of My Best Day – V2
2005: Duchess of Coolsville - Rhino
2007: Sermon On Exposition Boulevard - New West
2009: Balm in Gilead
Running From Mercy
Rickie Lee Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a rainbow above me that the storm clouds hide
And kind works will never die
'cause the magic in kindness springs from the love, love, love
Little acts of kindness and little words of love
Make our earthly home heaven above
And there is no sorrow heaven cannot heal
Running from mercy, hidden and coy
Swimming upstream down oceans of joy
Die in the arms of a natural life
Waking our happiness drowning in light
Waking our happiness drowning in light
Little acts of kindness, little words of love
Make our earthly home like heaven above
And there is no sorrow heaven cannot heal
A fire within, no cross, no crown
This thing would end up on the wind
Slow to stop our ways sing
You, you wake up!, come on boy, come on little boy
Don't you stop her, don't you stop her
There's that door
I've got that door
I know where that door is
Just follow me and you wake up
Come on with me girl
Tomorrow
"Running From Mercy" by Rickie Lee Jones is a heartwarming ballad that celebrates kindness, love, and the transformative power of mercy. The lyrics are rich with poetic imagery and metaphors, inviting the listener to imagine a sacred place that awakens the soul, a rainbow that persists even in the midst of storm clouds, and little acts of kindness and words of love that can turn our earthly home into heaven above. The song suggests that mercy and love are interconnected, and that we can experience true happiness and healing when we open ourselves up to them.
At the same time, the song also explores the theme of running from mercy, which suggests that sometimes we may resist or hide from the very things that could heal us. The lyrics describe this resistance as being "hidden and coy", perhaps reflecting the fear or shame that can hold us back from fully embracing the love and kindness that are offered to us. Yet the song also offers hope, in the form of the refrain "You wake up!", which seems to be a call to action to not give up on the journey towards healing and happiness.
Overall, "Running From Mercy" is a powerful and uplifting song that invites us to embrace love and kindness in our lives and to overcome the obstacles that may stand in the way of our happiness and healing.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh sacred place that sets my soul alive
There is a place that holds great importance in my life, it gives meaning and purpose to my soul.
There's a rainbow above me that the storm clouds hide
Even though life may be difficult and tempestuous, there is hope and beauty waiting to be discovered if you just look for it.
And kind works will never die
Acts of kindness are immortalized in the hearts of those who receive them and are remembered long after they occur.
'cause the magic in kindness springs from the love, love, love
The ability to show kindness comes from a place of love and compassion, which is what makes acts of kindness so powerful.
Little acts of kindness and little words of love
Small gestures of kindness and expressions of love have the ability to transform our world and make it a better place.
Make our earthly home heaven above
By promoting kindness and love, we can create a better world that is closer to the ideal of heaven.
And there is no sorrow heaven cannot heal
Even the deepest pain and sadness we experience can be healed by something greater than ourselves, like heaven or the divine.
A fire within, no cross, no crown
True strength comes from within, and it cannot be earned through external rewards or recognition.
Running from mercy, hidden and coy
Sometimes we resist the possibility of forgiveness or compassion, perhaps out of fear or shame, and try to distance ourselves from it.
Swimming upstream down oceans of joy
Life can be challenging and require great effort, but the rewards can be immense and joyful if we choose to persevere.
Die in the arms of a natural life
Dying is a natural part of life, and accepting this reality can bring a sense of peace and a connection to the natural world.
Waking our happiness drowning in light
Happiness and joy can be overwhelming and all-encompassing, as if we are drowning in a sea of light.
This thing would end up on the wind
Sometimes things feel out of our control or ephemeral, like they will eventually disappear or blow away like dust on the wind.
Slow to stop our ways sing
We may be hesitant to change and slow to adapt, but we should embrace the opportunity to express ourselves and sing our own unique song.
You, you wake up!, come on boy, come on little boy
Awaken and recognize the beauty and potential of life, regardless of age or gender.
Don't you stop her, don't you stop her
Do not interfere with someone else's pursuit of happiness, freedom, or self-expression.
There's that door
There is always a way out or a way forward, even when life seems trapped or stagnant.
I’ve got that door
I have the knowledge, experience, or confidence to help lead others to that path of progress or growth.
I know where that door is
I have a clear understanding of what needs to be done, where to go, or how to succeed.
Just follow me and you wake up
I can help guide you to a better life if you are willing to trust and follow me.
Come on with me girl
Addressed to a female, this line could be interpreted as an invitation or encouragement to join a journey or adventure.
Tomorrow
A new day, with new opportunities and the possibility for change and growth.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LEO KOTTKE, RICKIE LEE JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Felice Marie Berkley
on It Must Be Love
One of my fav. songs..!
Felice Marie Berkley
on Comin' Back To Me
Very pretty song.