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.
Sweet Inspiration
Rita Coolidge Lyrics
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Sweet Inspiration
I need your sweet, sweet inspiration
I need you here on my mind every hour of the day
Without your sweet, sweet inspiration
The lonely hours of the night just don't go my way
A woman in love needs sweet inspiration
I've gotta have your sweet, sweet inspiration, yeah
You know there just ain't no tellin' what a satisfied woman might do
When you call me baby, baby is such a sweet inspiration
And when you call me darlin, darlin', sets my heart to skating
And if I'm out in the rain, baby, and in a bad situation
You know I just reach back in my mind
And there I find your sweet, sweet inspiration
Sweet inspiration, oh, what a power
And I've got the power every hour of the day
I need your sweet, sweet, sweet sweet inspiration, yeah
To go on living, to keep on giving this way
I need your sweet, sweet sweet, sweet inspiration
(Sweet, sweet, sweet inspiration)
(Sweet, sweet, sweet inspiration)
And I've got the power every hour of the day
(Sweet, sweet, sweet inspiration)
(Sweet, sweet, sweet inspiration)
I need your sweet, sweet inspiration
To go on living, to keep on giving this way
Rita Coolidge's "Sweet Inspiration" is a soulful ballad about the yearning for love and the power of that love to uplift the spirit. The song's narrator expresses her need for her lover's "sweet inspiration" and how it is a constant presence in her life. She says that without it, the "lonely hours of the night just don't go [her] way." Through her deep desire for her lover's affection, she recognizes the power of love to transform her and give her a sense of purpose and strength.
The song's lyrics also highlight the profound impact small gestures of affection can have on a relationship. When her lover calls her "baby" or "darlin'," it sets her heart to "skating." Even in tough times, when she's "out in the rain" and facing adversity, she finds solace in her "sweet inspiration" and its transformative power.
Overall, "Sweet Inspiration" is a heartfelt ode to the power of love and its ability to inspire, uplift, and transform us. It speaks to the universal desire for connection and the human need for love and affection.
Line by Line Meaning
Anytime Anywhere Love Me Again
I want you to love me again, no matter when or where.
Sweet Inspiration
I need something to inspire me and give me hope.
I need your sweet, sweet inspiration
I need your love and support to help me through the hard times.
I need you here on my mind every hour of the day
I need to constantly think about you to keep me going.
Without your sweet, sweet inspiration
If I don't have your love and support, I feel lost and alone.
The lonely hours of the night just don't go my way
When I'm alone at night, I feel sad and hopeless without you.
A woman in love needs sweet inspiration
Being in love makes me feel strong and capable, but I need your help to stay that way.
Yeah, and honey that's all I ask, you know that's all I ask from you
I don't need anything extravagant, just your love and support to keep me going.
You know there just ain't no tellin' what a satisfied woman might do
If I feel loved and fulfilled, I can accomplish anything and be unstoppable.
When you call me baby, baby is such a sweet inspiration
Even small acts of affection from you give me the strength to keep going.
And when you call me darlin, darlin', sets my heart to skating
Hearing terms of endearment from you makes me feel happy and alive.
And if I'm out in the rain, baby, and in a bad situation
Even in difficult times, I can think of you and feel better.
You know I just reach back in my mind
I can remember all the good times with you and feel better.
And there I find your sweet, sweet inspiration
Thinking about you inspires me to keep going and stay strong.
Sweet inspiration, oh, what a power
The power of love and inspiration is incredible.
And I've got the power every hour of the day
With your love and support, I feel capable and strong every day.
To go on living, to keep on giving this way
Your love helps me to keep living and giving everything I have to offer.
I need your sweet, sweet sweet, sweet inspiration
Again, I need your love and inspiration to keep me going.
(Sweet, sweet, sweet inspiration)
Reinforcing the fact that the power of love is sweet and inspiring.
Contributed by Jonathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.