Phillips began her musical career as a vocalist in the early 1980s, singing background parts for Christian artists such as Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill, and others. After a short time, Phillips was signed to a solo contract with Myrrh Records (under her given name) where she went on to record four Christian pop albums: Beyond Saturday Night, Dancing with Danger, Black & White in a Grey World, and, The Turning, which teamed her with producer and future husband T-Bone Burnett. Throughout the Myrrh period, Phillips wrote more and more of her own songs and several were Top 10 singles on Christian radio.
Since Cyndi Lauper was popular at the time and also had an high-pitched, idiosyncratic vocal style, Myrrh insisted on promoting her as "the Christian Cyndi Lauper." Phillips was never comfortable with this image, and it was a bone of contention between her and the label. She began using the name "Sam" professionally in 1988 when she left Myrrh Records and signed with Virgin Records, partially in order to distance herself from her somewhat embarrassing Myrrh-imposed persona.
Like many Christian artists before her, she expanded into more secular content at the new label. She released The Indescribable Wow, which featured the orchestrations of Van Dyke Parks. Cruel Inventions, which was released in 1991, included a guest appearance from close friend Elvis Costello, and she (with her husband) supported Costello on his 1991 tour. 1994's Martinis & Bikinis was widely praised by music critics and was even nominated for a Grammy Award; this was Phillips' first nomination.
In 1995, Phillips made her silver screen debut in the Bruce Willis blockbuster Die Hard With a Vengeance, in which she played a mute terrorist. She was originally supposed to have a speaking part in the film but it was decided that her character would be silent, since it made her appear much more imposing and lethal, although it also placed her in a more stereotypically femme fatale role at the same time.
In 1996, Phillips released Omnipop (It's Only a Flesh Wound Lambchop), which was more experimental musically and ended up being her worst-selling album to date. After releasing a contractual obligation "best-of" album for Virgin in 1999, the label dropped Phillips from their roster.
In 2001, Phillips signed with Nonesuch Records and released a stripped-down acoustic album called Fan Dance, which featured some of the most critically acclaimed songwriting of Phillips' career. Van Dyke Parks contributed string arrangements for a track or two. Phillips also began writing music for and scoring the television series Gilmore Girls, and even appeared on-screen during the final episode of season six, performing Taking Pictures. In 2004 she released A Boot and a Shoe, another collection of acoustic cabaret songs in the same vein as her previous album.
Sam returned with a new album don't do anything in 2008. In October 2009 Sam launched Long Play, an exclusively web-based membership site which promised subscribers 5 digital EPs and 1 full-length digital album over the course of about one year. A physical "best of" compilation of Long Play songs, titled Solid State, was released in June 2011.
Hole In My Pocket
Sam Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I lost my solitude, I lost my balance
I lost my reverence and voice
Pieces of soap building up a mountain
Moving seeds of doubt
My life fell through a hole in my pocket
Only this moment
I hear my heart breaking into faith
Pieces of soap building up a mountain
Moving seeds of doubt
My life fell through a hole in my pocket
The lyrics of Sam Phillips's song "Hole in My Pocket" depict a personal struggle that the singer is going through. The opening line, "My life fell through a hole in my pocket," sets the tone for the rest of the song, indicating that the singer has lost control of their life. The following lines, "I lost my solitude, I lost my balance, I lost my reverence and voice," articulate the specific areas in which the singer has lost control, revealing that they have lost their sense of peace, stability, respect, and self-expression. The lyrics suggest that the singer is going through a period of confusion and chaos, trying to reclaim the parts of themselves they have lost.
The second stanza introduces a metaphorical image of "Pieces of soap building up a mountain, moving seeds of doubt." The mountain of soap suds suggests a buildup of something that is unstable and insubstantial, while the seeds of doubt suggest a lack of confidence and trust in oneself. The third and final stanza repeats the opening line, "My life fell through a hole in my pocket," but then adds the line "I can't see anything, only this moment." This line suggests that the singer has lost sight of their goals and motivations, but at the same time is embracing the present as a way to move forward. The final repetition of the second stanza reinforces the singer's struggle to find balance and faith amid the soap suds and seeds of doubt.
Line by Line Meaning
My life fell through a hole in my pocket
Everything I had that was valuable and meaningful has slipped away through a mishap or mistake.
I lost my solitude, I lost my balance
I have lost the peacefulness and stability in my life that kept me feeling level-headed.
I lost my reverence and voice
I no longer have a deep respect or admiration for anything, and I've also lost my ability to speak out confidently.
Pieces of soap building up a mountain
Small mistakes and sins can build up over time, leading to larger consequences and burdens in life.
Moving seeds of doubt
Uncertainty and distrust are starting to take root in my mind, causing me to question my decisions and actions.
I can't see anything
I'm blinded by my misfortunes and struggles, unable to see any hope or good in my situation.
Only this moment
My focus is solely on the present moment, as I am unable to look towards the future or remain fixated on the past.
I hear my heart breaking into faith
Despite my hardships, my heart is starting to believe in something greater and more powerful than myself, even if it hurts at times.
Pieces of soap building up a mountain
Small mistakes and sins can build up over time, leading to larger consequences and burdens in life.
Moving seeds of doubt
Uncertainty and distrust are starting to take root in my mind, causing me to question my decisions and actions.
Contributed by Juliana M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.