As live performers they are second to none. Their stirring concerts have earned them a huge body of fans over the years. But as gifted songwriters Robin and Linda have earned an even rarer honor, the devotion and deep respect of their musical peers. As The Washington Post put it, "The Williamses are able to sum up a life in a few details with moving completeness." The list of artists who have covered their original songs include some of the greats of country music, names like Emmylou Harris, Tom T. Hall, George Hamilton IV, Tim & Mollie O'Brien, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kathy Mattea and The Seldom Scene.
"Among contemporary country performers,, Robin and Linda Williams shine like a diamond amid rhinestones ..." __ David W. Johnson, The Boston Globe
Linda is a native of Anniston, Alabama and Robin (the son of a Presbyterian minister) was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. They met and fell for each other in 1971 on a visit to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina while Linda was teaching school and Robin was a full-time musician on a national coffeehouse circuit. It wasn't long before they discovered additional magic when they combined their voices in harmony.
Despite being true children of the South, their career got its initial momentum up north in the Minneapolis folk scene. Robin had made many friends and connections there as a solo artist and in 1975 they recorded their first album in Minneapolis for a local record company. The same year they made their first appearance on a little radio show just getting off the ground called "A Prairie Home Companion" and their rich relationship with that icon of American broadcasting has continued for three decades.
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Arizona
Robin & Linda Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But he finally learned the truth
He licked his wounds and stopped the bleeding
But his scars are living proof
She took everything she needed
The wreckage never follows her
She leaves it with the ones still grieving
For things to be the way they were
[Chorus]
We donʼt hear much news from Arizona
She said sheʼd be back in the fall
But itʼs warm and sunny in Sedona
And I donʼt think sheʼll be coming back at all
Now sheʼs way up in the pinons
Some place sheʼs never been before
Sheʼll never look back on Virginia
Now sheʼs found another open door
Sheʼs used to moving in and out
Thereʼs nothing she canʼt leave behind
Lifeʼs too short and not about
A ring or towing some old line
[Chorus]
Everyone does what they must
He knew the odds were risky
He sits in the dying dusk
And pours another whisky
Still he held on to his pride
Through all the doubt and suspicion
And all the hollow spin she tried
To use for ammunition
[Chorus]
The song "Arizona" by Robin & Linda Williams is a powerful narrative about deception and loss. The lyrics speak of a woman who has a talent for deceiving those around her, but eventually her deception catches up with her. The man who was taken in by her lies and charm eventually learns the truth about her and is left with physical and emotional scars as a result. Despite the pain she caused, the woman is able to move on to another place and start anew, leaving the wreckage of her past behind her.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the idea that sometimes people we love or care about can disappear from our lives without warning or explanation. The reference to Arizona and Sedona is interesting in this context, as these locations have a reputation for being spiritual and mystical. It's possible that the woman in the song is seeking a new, enlightened path for herself, but it's equally possible that she is simply running away from the pain and damage she has caused.
Overall, "Arizona" is a great example of how storytelling can be used in songwriting to convey powerful emotions and ideas. The lyrics are beautifully written and engaging, and the melody and instrumentation complement them perfectly. Listening to this song is an experience that will leave you thinking long after it has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
Sheʼs a master at deceiving
She is very skilled at tricking and lying to people.
But he finally learned the truth
Despite her deceit, he eventually discovered what was really happening.
He licked his wounds and stopped the bleeding
He recovered from the emotional pain she caused him.
But his scars are living proof
Even though he healed, he still carries emotional scars from the experience.
She took everything she needed
She selfishly took what she wanted from him.
The wreckage never follows her
She always leaves a trail of destruction behind her, but it never seems to catch up with her.
She leaves it with the ones still grieving
She abandons those who are still hurt and suffering from her actions.
For things to be the way they were
She leaves behind people who still long for the way things used to be before she came into their lives.
[Chorus] We donʼt hear much news from Arizona
They don't hear from her anymore, but Arizona is symbolic of her new life and freedom from her past.
She said sheʼd be back in the fall
She promised to return, but he no longer believes her.
But itʼs warm and sunny in Sedona
Sedona represents a warm and pleasant new life that she has found.
And I donʼt think sheʼll be coming back at all
He believes that she has moved on and has no intention of returning to him.
Now sheʼs way up in the pinons
She has moved far away into the mountains.
Some place sheʼs never been before
She has found new experiences and adventures in her new location.
Sheʼll never look back on Virginia
She has completely left her old life behind and has no desire to return to it.
Now sheʼs found another open door
She has found a new opportunity or relationship that she is pursuing.
Sheʼs used to moving in and out
She is used to leaving people and places behind and starting anew.
Thereʼs nothing she canʼt leave behind
She has no hesitations about leaving anything or anyone behind to pursue what she wants.
Lifeʼs too short and not about
Life is too short to waste it on something that doesn't make you happy.
A ring or towing some old line
She has no interest in being tied down by a traditional relationship or conforming to societal expectations.
[Chorus]
Repeating the meaning of the Chorus.
Everyone does what they must
Everyone has to make their own decisions and choices in life.
He knew the odds were risky
He understood the possible outcomes and risks when he got involved with her.
He sits in the dying dusk
He is alone and contemplative as the day comes to an end.
And pours another whisky
He turns to alcohol to help him forget and ease his pain.
Still he held on to his pride
Despite the hurt and disappointment, he refused to let his dignity and self-respect be destroyed.
Through all the doubt and suspicion
He had to deal with a lot of uncertainty and distrust because of her actions.
And all the hollow spin she tried
She tried to justify her actions with shallow excuses and stories.
To use for ammunition
She used these excuses and stories to hurt and manipulate him.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT PETER WILLIAMS, DANNY SPENCER, KELVIN ANDREWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Marriott-lodge
Great song and sound guys!