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.
Silent Night
Shawn Colvin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All is calm, all is bright
Round you virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Shawn Colvin's rendition of "Silent Night" is a haunting, yet soothing take on this traditional Christmas hymn. The song starts with the familiar opening lines that describe the peaceful atmosphere surrounding the birth of Jesus. The singer describes a serene night where everything is calm, and the only things visible are the "virgin mother and child." The baby Jesus is described as a "holy infant so tender and mild," highlighting his innocence and vulnerability in this world. The song paints a picture of a pure and tranquil moment that encapsulates the essence of Christmas.
However, the second half of the song takes a dramatic turn as the shepherds quake at the sight of what is happening. Suddenly, the once calm night becomes filled with glories streaming from heaven, and the heavenly hosts start singing alleluia. This sudden shift in tone suggests that while the birth of Jesus is peaceful, it is also a momentous event that shook the world. The song ends with the same peaceful sentiment, reminding listeners that despite the upheaval and disruption, the infant Jesus still sleeps in heavenly peace.
Overall, Shawn Colvin's "Silent Night" is a poignant and powerful rendition of this classic hymn. It captures both the peaceful and tumultuous aspects of the story of Jesus' birth and reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
Silent night, holy night
A peaceful and holy night has come upon us
All is calm, all is bright
Everything is peaceful and bright
Round you virgin mother and child
The virgin mother and her child are surrounded by this peaceful and holy atmosphere
Holy infant so tender and mild
The infant is pure and innocent with a gentle nature
Sleep in heavenly peace
Rest in the peaceful and holy atmosphere
Shepherds quake at the sight
The shepherds are afraid and trembling at the sight of what they see
Glories stream from heaven afar
Greatness and splendor descend from heaven and spread far and wide
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia
Angels in heaven sing praises to God
Sleep in heavenly peace
Rest in the peaceful and holy atmosphere
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thang Leminh
on I Don't Know Why
....but I do !