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.
Nothin on Me
Shawn Colvin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't take notes
You been sayin' there ain't much hope
You got nothin' on me
I got friends uptown
And they don't talk down
They been keepin' me safe and sound
We got somethin' to be
I'm alright
Not like I was before
Things used to be so hopeless
But not tonight
Tonight I'm walkin' out that door
I'm not gonna cry
I'm wavin' goodbye
And I know this time
You got nothin' on me
Well it ain't that tough
Just more of the usual stuff
One heartache is more than enough
There ain't nothin to see
I got friends uptown
And they still come 'round
They been keepin' me safe and sound
We got somethin' to be
So don't you try to save me
With your advice
Or turn me into somebody else
'Cause I'm not crazy and you're not nice
Baby keep it to yourself
I'm not gonna cry
And I'm wavin' goodbye
And I know this time
You got nothin' on me
The song "Nothin on Me" by Shawn Colvin is a powerful response to a person who has been belittling or trying to control her. The lyrics are straightforward but full of attitude and defiance. She starts off by saying that she doesn't tell jokes or take notes, her way of saying that she doesn't have to pretend or grovel. The person has been saying there's no hope for her, but she's not buying it, saying "You got nothin' on me." She has friends uptown who don't talk down to her and have been keeping her safe and sound. She's not going to be a victim, and she's not going to let the person tear her down. She knows she's all right now and that things are going to be different from now on. Tonight she's walking out that door, and she's not going to cry. She's saying goodbye to that person, and she knows that person has no power over her.
In the second verse, she tells the person that it's just more of the usual stuff, and one heartache is more than enough. She has friends who still come around, and they've been keeping her safe and sound. She knows that person is going to try to "save" her by giving her advice, but she's not interested. She's not crazy, and that person is not nice. She's telling the person to keep it to themselves. She's not going to cry, and she's waving goodbye. She's letting go of that person and moving on with her life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I don't tell jokes
I am not joking or being funny about what I am about to say next
And I don't take notes
I do not need to write things down, I remember them clearly
You been sayin' there ain't much hope
I know you have been telling others that things cannot be fixed or improved
You got nothin' on me
You cannot hurt or damage me with your words or opinions
I got friends uptown
I have friends who are supportive and trustworthy
And they don't talk down
They do not criticize or belittle me
They been keepin' me safe and sound
They have been providing me with emotional safety and well-being
We got somethin' to be
Our friendship has value and meaning
So in case you hadn't noticed
If you had not realized already
I'm alright
I am okay and doing well
Not like I was before
I am not in the same negative state or situation as I was previously
Things used to be so hopeless
I used to feel like there was no possibility for improvement or change
But not tonight
However, tonight is different
Tonight I'm walkin' out that door
I am leaving this situation or relationship behind
I'm not gonna cry
I am not going to show emotion or vulnerability to you
I'm wavin' goodbye
I am saying goodbye to this situation or relationship
And I know this time
I am confident that things will be different this time
Well it ain't that tough
It is not as difficult or challenging as you may think
Just more of the usual stuff
It is just the same old situation or problem
One heartache is more than enough
I have already experienced enough pain and heartache from this situation
There ain't nothin to see
There is nothing interesting or noteworthy about this situation
So don't you try to save me
Do not attempt to rescue or fix me
With your advice
By giving me your suggestions or opinions
Or turn me into somebody else
Do not make me into a different person or try to change me
'Cause I'm not crazy and you're not nice
I am not irrational or insane, and you are not kind or considerate
Baby keep it to yourself
Do not share your thoughts or advice with me
And I'm wavin' goodbye
I am saying farewell and moving on
You got nothin' on me
You have no power or influence over me and my choices
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHAWN COLVIN, JOHN LEVENTHAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CyeOutsider
Still one of my favorite albums of all time.
Nancy Kennedy
Probably one of my "desert island discs" (not sure if you're old enough to understand.) One of my faves, too. From beginning to end.
hocuspocusfocusable
@CyeOutsider Fat City is one of my 'go to's'...and Cover Girl does it for me too.
She's understatedly awesome...imo
Sue Larson
This is one of the best albums ever recorded.......worn out 3 cd's so far Thanks, Shawn!!
pianocricket64
This song reminds me of the wonderful sitcom, "Suddenly Susan". I wish they would release that old series on DVD. :(
lovellsjl
You can buy it streaming on Amazon. Bought them. Watching them. Loving them! A piece of 90s memorabilia!
Steve Mandl
the song was used for suddenly susan
JeffTheNebraskaDJ
SHAWN COLVIN is fricking awesome!! (AGAIN!!)the dj
Karin Lower
Suddenly Susan theme song! RIP David Strickland
Mark Trela
Burned this to a CD compilation yrs. ago for a friend and drew a blank when it came to remembering who did it....until now!