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.
I Don't Know Why
Shawn Colvin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sky is so blue
And I don't know why
I'm so in love with you
But if there were no music
Then I would not get through
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
I don't know why
But somewhere dreams come true
And I don't know where
But there will be a place for you
And every time you look that way
I would lay down my life for you
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
I don't know why
But some are going to make you cry
And I don't know how
But I will get you by, I will try
They're not trying to cause you pain
They're just afraid of loving you
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
I don't know why
The trees grow so tall
And I don't know why
I don't know anything at all
But if there were no music
Then I would not get through
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
I don't know why
I know these things, but I do
Shawn Colvin's song "I Don't Know Why" is a contemplative love song that delves into the inexplicable nature of human emotions and the value of music for coping with difficult feelings. The opening line, "I don't know why the sky is so blue," sets the tone for the song's theme of unanswerable questions. The second line, "And I don't know why I'm so in love with you," emphasizes the intensity and depth of the singer's emotions, which cannot be explained or rationalized.
The chorus of "I Don't Know Why" revolves around the importance of music as a coping mechanism. The singer insists that "if there were no music, then I would not get through." The idea is that music provides comfort and solace in difficult times, and that without it, life would be unbearable. The line "I don't know why I know these things, but I do" suggests that even though the singer cannot explain the mysteries of love and life, they are still aware of them and feel them deeply.
The final verse of the song returns to the theme of unanswerable questions, with the lines "I don't know why the trees grow so tall, and I don't know why I don't know anything at all." Despite this sense of mystery and uncertainty, the chorus repeats once again, emphasizing the importance of music as a lifeline for the singer.
Overall, "I Don't Know Why" is a reflective and introspective song that grapples with the inexplicable nature of human emotions and the power of music to provide comfort and solace when words fail.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why
The singer is acknowledging their lack of knowledge regarding certain phenomena in life.
The sky is so blue
The singer is referencing the beauty and apparent randomness of nature.
I'm so in love with you
The singer is expressing their strong feelings of affection towards someone.
But if there were no music
Then I would not get through
The artist is emphasizing the importance of music in their life and how it helps them cope with difficulties.
I know these things, but I do
The artist acknowledges their awareness of certain things, even though they may not fully understand them.
Somewhere dreams come true
The singer expresses their belief in the possibility of dreams coming true, although they do not know where.
But there will be a place for you
The singer promises their love interest that there will be a place for them in the future.
I would lay down my life for you
The artist is expressing their willingness to protect and sacrifice for their loved one.
Some are going to make you cry
The artist acknowledges that some people will hurt their loved one and cause them pain.
But I will get you by, I will try
The artist promises to be there for their loved one and support them through difficult times.
They're just afraid of loving you
The singer suggests that those who hurt their loved one may do so out of fear of commitment or vulnerability.
The trees grow so tall
The artist comments on the natural world and its mysteries.
I don't know anything at all
The singer emphasizes their lack of knowledge and understanding.
I know these things, but I do
The singer reiterates their awareness of certain things, despite their lack of complete understanding.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHAWN COLVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thang Leminh
....but I do !
@Vazmusic
I'm proud of my guitar solo in this song. The session was late at night and I was called at the last minute. So the solo was very spontaneous. Great song, great artist.
@mellowjammer
They seem to have cut your solo out in this version...damn shame.
@Vazmusic
@@mellowjammer Must have been a "radio" track. Back then they did not run songs if they ran on too long.
@michellegonzalez7557
Fantastic solo very moving.
@Vazmusic
@@michellegonzalez7557 THANK U!!! Nice of you to say. I hope you will check out my music.
@robbyr9286
@@Vazmusic The full solo is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQQE-R22UtU&ab_channel=zoeytrapper1
Beautiful!
@dnabart
They're not trying to cause you pain, they're just afraid of loving u
@jarrodbutts716
One of the most beautiful tracks I've ever heard in my life. It's the perfect love song. Ms. Colvin's voice is beyond angelic.
@elizabethlinsay9193
So is the song...