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.
Now The Day Is Over
Shawn Colvin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Night is drawing on
Shadows are beneathing
Steal across the sky
Give to little children
Visions sweeter thee
Guard the sailors all sing
On the deep blue sea
When the morning awakens
Then the eye arise
Fresh and pure and sinless
In the holy eyes
And give to little children
Visions sweeter thee
Guard the sailors all sing
On the deep blue sea
On the deep blue sea
At first glance, Shawn Colvin's song 'Now The Day Is Over' appears to be a lullaby, with its gentle melody and soothing lyrics. However, a closer look at the lyrics reveals a deeper meaning beyond just putting children to sleep. The song speaks of the passage of time and the transition from day to night, a theme that is common in many cultures across the world. With the coming of night, shadows begin to "breathe" and "steal across the sky," creating an atmosphere of quiet stillness that is comforting to children. The singer also invokes a sense of protection by asking that the shadows "give to little children / visions sweeter than thee," suggesting that even in the darkness, there is still something to be found that is peaceful and reassuring.
The image of sailors on the "deep blue sea" further underscores the theme of protection and safety. Sailors have been known to use lullabies to help them sleep through rough seas or long nights on watch, and in this context, the song becomes a sort of protection for those who find themselves in unfamiliar or dangerous situations. The repeated refrain of "give to little children / visions sweeter than thee / guard the sailors all sing / on the deep blue sea" creates a sense of unity and fellowship, as those who are vulnerable are brought together under the umbrella of the song's comforting imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
Now the day is over
The day has come to a close
Night is drawing on
The night is approaching
Shadows are beneathing
Darkness is creeping in
Steal across the sky
The darkness is gradually taking over the sky
Give to little children
May their innocent hearts be filled with
Visions sweeter thee
Sweet dreams and aspirations
Guard the sailors all sing
May the sailors be protected and watched over
On the deep blue sea
While they journey on the vast ocean
When the morning awakens
As the new day dawns
Then the eye arise
The eyes awaken
Fresh and pure and sinless
Feeling pure and free from sin
In the holy eyes
In the eyes of God
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thang Leminh
on I Don't Know Why
....but I do !