Colvin's formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age of 10. Her first public concert was at age 15 at the University of Illinois campus. Colvin cites Joni Mitchell as a primary influence on her music, and her initial performances closely mirrored Mitchell's inflections and guitar tunings.
Colvin began working in the music scene in earnest in the late 1970s, first in Austin, Texas and then nationally. She met music partner John Leventhal during this time; Leventhal would go on to be Colvin's producer on several albums. Colvin often lends her talent to contemporaries in the music business - she can be heard singing the backing vocals on the Suzanne Vega hit, "Luka" from 1987. Vega returned the favor, singing backup on Colvin's, "Diamond In The Rough", from her debut album, "Steady On". Colvin, again can be heard singing backing vocals on Mary Chapin Carpenter's, "The Hard Way" and "Come On Come On" and Mary Chapin returns the favor on Colvin's, "Climb On (A Back That's Strong)", from Colvin's "Fat City" album.
Colvin's first several albums were met with critical acclaim, but did not sell in substantial numbers. After several albums of original work, Colvin released "Cover Girl", a collection of cover songs, but the work was a departure for her and was not well received.
Colvin experienced breakthrough success with "A Few Small Repairs" in October of 1996. The single "Sunny Came Home" reached the US Top Ten, and won Grammy Awards for Song and Record of the Year. She has released several subsequent albums that were nominated for Grammys, and has also released a greatest-hits album and a collection of Christmas music.
A new album from Colvin, entitled "These Four Walls", was released on September 12, 2006.
She was the guest vocal artist on the Lisa Loeb single "Falling in Love" as well as appearing at various Lilith Fair music festivals. She also has been featured on the popular live music show Austin City Limits and played at the 2003 Austin City Limits Music Festival. She also appeared in a tribute to her idol Joni Mitchell in 2001 that was broadcast on the cable network TNT.
She has made two guest appearances on The Simpsons as Rachel Jordan, lead singer for a Christian rock band. She first appears in "Alone Again, Natura-diddly," where Rachel wins Ned Flanders' heart after the untimely death of his wife, Maude. Later, in the episode "I'm Going to Praiseland," Ned dates Rachel, only to scare her off when he tries to turn her into a version of Maude.
Colvin lives with her daughter, Caledonia, and husband, Mario Erwin in Austin, Texas, and still participates in the Austin music scene.
Between Two Worlds
Shawn Colvin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A cool wind is blowing
I'm not who I was
And I'm not where I'm going
I'm so tired of knowing
That there's no way of knowing
You left me stranded
Between two worlds
You left me stranded between two worlds
Two worlds
Is it nicer where you are?
Do you ever think of me?
Is it easier now
That you don't have to love me?
Like a fool I allowed you
To coddle and drug me
And the you left me stranded
Between two worlds
You turned me into a mixed up girl
You left me stranded between two worlds
Two worlds
A weak shadow of death
Across a bowl of bitter milk
I borrowed symbols
On my funeral silk
Reflections of you
In each fall's drooling rain
And still you stay with me
Like a knife in my brain
You left me stranded
Between two worlds
You turned me into a mixed up girl
You left me stranded between two worlds
Two worlds
Two worlds
The lyrics to Shawn Colvin's song Between Two Worlds describe a feeling of being lost and hopeless after a relationship has ended. Colvin sings about feeling like she is not who she used to be and not knowing where she is going. She is tired of feeling like there is no way of knowing what the future holds. Colvin then turns her attention to her ex-partner, wondering if they ever think of her and if their life without her is easier. She admits to allowing herself to be coddled and drugged by her ex, and now feels stranded between two worlds. She is unable to move on and feels like a mixed-up girl.
The line "A weak shadow of death across a bowl of bitter milk" is particularly poignant, as it seems to symbolize the feeling of being consumed by pain and bitterness. Colvin also mentions reflecting on her ex in each fall's drooling rain, which could be interpreted as her realizing that her feelings for this person will always be there in some way.
Overall, the lyrics to Between Two Worlds are powerful and emotional, capturing the pain of a breakup and the struggle to move on. The song is a testament to Colvin's ability to write lyrics that are relatable and insightful.
Line by Line Meaning
Off ion the distance
In the far distance
A cool wind is blowing
The atmosphere is calm
I'm not who I was
I have changed
And I'm not where I'm going
I am lost and unsure of my future
I'm so tired of knowing
The knowledge I have is burdensome
That there's no way of knowing
Unknowable things weigh heavy on me
You left me stranded
You abandoned me
Between two worlds
Caught between different paths
You turned me into a mixed up girl
You confused me
Two worlds
Two distinct realities
Is it nicer where you are?
Are you happy without me?
Do you ever think of me?
Do I cross your mind?
Is it easier now
Has your life improved without me?
That you don't have to love me?
Is it a relief that you are no longer obligated to care for me?
Like a fool I allowed you
I was naive to trust you
To coddle and drug me
To treat me with kid gloves and manipulate me
And the you left me stranded
And then you left me on my own
A weak shadow of death
A feeble reminder of mortality
Across a bowl of bitter milk
Amidst unpleasant circumstances
I borrowed symbols
I used trite expressions
On my funeral silk
In preparation for death
Reflections of you
Memories of you
In each fall's drooling rain
The rain reminds me of our history
And still you stay with me
I am haunted by thoughts of you
Like a knife in my brain
You cause me pain
Writer(s): Gerald Goffin, David Francis Baerwald, Louise Lynn Goffin
Contributed by Lila S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@UrGworlCanCan
One of the best soundtracks and an underrated movie.
@blkbeast1980
OMG I have been looking for this song for 13 years, Thank you sooo much for posting it
@devildoll9929
totally underated film. this was one of the highlights
@angeljones586
One of my favorite movies and soundtracks! Thanx for posting!
@susanm436
No one has "I DO" from the soundtrack uploaded, a sweet upbeat song. Am I the only one who likes it?
; )
@theblackbanana
I like it.
@ZakEdwardsOfficial
mine too Angel. Such a special film and soundtrack
@ForcesInMotion
@Susan M Hey Susan. Better late than never? :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAiBCC0CnA8
@Brendan2063
Just saw "Grace of My Heart" for the 20th time. Thank you for posting this. I will listen to it often.
@UrGworlCanCan
I know I saw this movie in the theaters like 10xs and when it came out of DVD and the soundtrack on CD...Let's just say I had to buy multiple duplicates.