Coolidge's early career was as a backing vocalist, for artists such as Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, and Leon Russell. Her performance of "Superstar" on the Cocker/Russell Mad Dogs and Englishmen album helped gain her attention. She became known as "The Delta Lady" and inspired Leon Russell to write a song of the same name for her. It was during this time that she met Kris Kristofferson; the two married in 1973. With him, she recorded several duet albums which sold well, and earned them a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1974 for From the Bottle to the Bottom, and in 1976 for Lover Please.
In 1997, Coolidge was one of the founding members of Walela, a Native American music trio, that also includes Coolidge's sister Priscilla and Priscilla's daughter Laura Satterfield. The trio released albums in 1997 and 2000. Walela means hummingbird in Cherokee.
Circle Of Light
Rita Coolidge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I dont′t know what this love of ours is built upon
We are shadows, tiny sparrows
Safe inside clear blue sky of another storm
Moving in and out of time
In and out of the circle of light
We are children of the angels, keepers of the fire
We are not strangers, we are all brothers
I know we came here to love each other
Here, in the circle of life
Each one thinks
He has the answer, each believes that he can see
The way, the only one
Truth lies waiting, was always waiting
Like a love, a peaceful dove
Right there inside your soul
From another place and time
Moving into a circle of light
We are children of the angels, keepers of the fire
We are children of the angels reaching for the light
We are not strangers, we are all brothers
I know we came here to love each other
Here, in the circle of light
From another place and time
Moving into a circle of light
We are children of the angels, keepers of the fire
We are children of the angels reaching for the light
We are not strangers, we are all brothers
I know we came here to love each other
Here, in the circle of light
The song "Circle of Light" by Rita Coolidge is a beautiful ode to humanity and the search for meaning and connection. The opening lines acknowledge that there is no right or wrong in matters of the heart, and the singer admits to being unsure of what has brought the two lovers together. This uncertainty is juxtaposed with a sense of security and safety - the two are like tiny sparrows sheltering safely in the clear blue sky during a storm. They move in and out of time, and the circle of light offers hope and comfort.
The song's chorus taps into a universal truth - that we are all children of the angels and keepers of the fire, all reaching towards the elusive light of understanding and love. The idea that we are not strangers, but rather all brothers, suggests a sense of unity and shared purpose. The search for truth and answers is a common human quest, and the lyrics suggest that there is no one correct path. Rather, truth lies waiting within each of us, like a peaceful dove resting in our souls.
Ultimately, the song's message is one of hope and optimism. Even in times of uncertainty and darkness, there is a circle of light to guide us, and the knowledge that we are all connected and seeking the same things can give us the strength and courage to continue our journey.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not right and you're not wrong
Neither of us is completely right or wrong in this relationship.
And I dont't know what this love of ours is built upon
I don't know what foundation our love is built on.
We are shadows, tiny sparrows
We are like shadows or small birds in the grand scheme of things.
Safe inside clear blue sky of another storm
We are sheltered in the clear sky while another storm rages on.
Moving in and out of time
We move through time and space together.
In and out of the circle of light
We enter and leave the circle of light, or love, together.
We are children of the angels, keepers of the fire
We are spiritual beings, guardians of the light.
We are children of the angels reaching for the light
We are striving for enlightenment, divinity.
We are not strangers, we are all brothers
We are all connected and share a familial bond.
I know we came here to love each other
Our purpose in life is to love each other.
Here, in the circle of life
We are living in a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
Each one thinks he has the answer, each believes that he can see the way, the only one
We all believe that we have the answer.
Truth lies waiting, was always waiting
The truth has always been there waiting for us to discover it.
Like a love, a peaceful dove right there inside your soul
The truth is like a peaceful, loving presence within us.
From another place and time
The truth comes from another realm beyond our current existence.
We are children of the angels, keepers of the fire
We are spiritual beings, entrusted with preserving the light.
We are children of the angels reaching for the light
We are striving to connect with the divine light.
Here, in the circle of light
We are in a sacred space of love and illumination.
Moving into a circle of light
We are moving closer to the divine light.
Writer(s): Rita Coolidge, Priscilla Coolidge
Contributed by Matthew C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.