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.
Suicide Alley
Shawn Colvin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me be your wailing companion
Pass 'em on by don't look 'em in the eye
Suicide Alley is callin'
You thought you were dreaming
You could wake up dead
And you'll never know what's real
All this damage is runnin' loose in your head
Oh no baby don't go
Walkin' down Suicide Alley
Downtown baby it's a million to one
You might as well name your poison
And stand in line by the exit sign
Suicide Alley is waiting
You're a loose cannonball on a sinking ship
From the belly of the beast, shot from the hip
But you don't have to be going down the dark hall
You're not tied to the chair, you're not nailed to the wall
Oh, no, baby don't go
Walkin' down Suicide Alley
Sitting naked by the window in the middle of the night
I can see you wearing your halo
If only in the daybreak of the dirty street light
I know baby wasn't born to follow
You know I wasn't born I was spat out at a wall
And nobody even knew my name
The sun hatched me out, cradle and all
On the corner of First and Insane
For the souls of the departed and the renegades of love
You and me we gotta be all we dreamed of
In the ruins of mischief through the ravages of time
You got a place in this world of mine
Oh, no, baby don't go
Walkin' down Suicide Alley
The song "Suicide Alley" by Shawn Colvin is a haunting ballad that tells the story of a person on the verge of self-destruction. The lyrics paint a picture of a dark alley where people go to end their lives, and the singer pleads with the listener not to take that path. In the first verse, the singer offers to be a companion to the person, perhaps in an effort to dissuade them from going down the path of suicide. She warns that the damage of suicidal thoughts is real and that it matters to her.
The second verse paints an even darker picture, describing downtown as a place where people stand in line to name their poison. Suicide Alley is waiting for them, and the singer pleads with the listener not to join them. The verses are punctuated by the chorus, "Oh, no, baby don't go, walking down Suicide Alley" which reinforces the urgency and sadness of the song.
The final verse offers a glimmer of hope, with the singer telling the listener that they have a place in this world of hers. She acknowledges that life can be difficult and that she was "spat out at a wall" herself but suggests that they can get through it together. Overall, the song is a powerful message of compassion and hope for people struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Line by Line Meaning
Wait for me by the banshee tree
Come with me to the banshee tree and wait. Let's face life's challenges together.
Let me be your wailing companion
I'll be your companion in sadness, mourning or grief.
Pass 'em on by, don't look 'em in the eye
Don't give in to the negative thoughts and emotions, keep moving forward without fear.
Suicide Alley is callin'
The darkness and despair of life can lead one down the path of suicide.
You thought you were dreaming
You may feel lost and confused thinking that perhaps this is all just a bad dream.
You could wake up dead
The uncertain and dangerous nature of life can lead to death at any moment.
And you'll never know what's real
Life can be a blur of confusion and delusion, making it hard to discern what is truly real and what is not.
All this damage is runnin' loose in your head
The scars of life can have a lasting impact on someone's mind.
And it really matters to me
I care about you and want to help you through your struggles.
Oh no baby don't go
Please don't give up on life and give in to the darkness.
Walkin' down Suicide Alley
Referring to the path of self-destructive behavior that can lead to suicide.
Downtown baby it's a million to one
Life's obstacles can seem insurmountable and almost impossible to overcome.
You might as well name your poison
Life is full of temptations that can lead one down a path of destruction.
And stand in line by the exit sign
In the face of overwhelming challenges, it may seem easier to give up.
Suicide Alley is waiting
The temptation to end one's life can be all-consuming, especially in dark times.
You're a loose cannonball on a sinking ship
Life can feel chaotic and disorienting, leaving you feeling adrift and out of control.
From the belly of the beast, shot from the hip
Life can be unpredictable and unforgiving, throwing unexpected challenges your way.
But you don't have to be going down the dark hall
Despite the challenges, you have the power to choose a different path.
You're not tied to the chair, you're not nailed to the wall
You have the freedom to make choices that can change your life's path.
Sitting naked by the window in the middle of the night
Feeling lost and exposed in the darkness of night, feeling as if you have nothing left to hide.
I can see you wearing your halo
Even in your darkest moments, you have the capacity for good and light.
If only in the daybreak of the dirty street light
Finding a glimmer of hope and light in even the darkest of places.
I know baby wasn't born to follow
You have the potential to break free from life's patterns and create a path of your own.
You know I wasn't born I was spat out at a wall
Life can be harsh and unforgiving, sometimes feeling as if you were thrown into it without a choice.
And nobody even knew my name
Life can feel lonely and isolating, even when surrounded by others.
The sun hatched me out, cradle and all
Despite the difficulties, you were born into life with the promise of new beginnings and hope.
On the corner of First and Insane
Life can seem both exciting and insane all at once, especially when you're just starting out.
For the souls of the departed and the renegades of love
Reflecting on the struggles of those who have passed or those who challenge society's norms of love, feeling a sense of connection and solidarity with them.
You and me we gotta be all we dreamed of
Together, we can make our wildest dreams a reality.
In the ruins of mischief through the ravages of time
Despite the difficulties we face together, we will continue to persevere through the messiness and chaos of life.
You got a place in this world of mine
You are important and valued in my life, and together we will face whatever comes our way.
Oh no baby don't go
Please don't give up on life and give in to the darkness.
Walkin' down Suicide Alley
Referring to the path of self-destructive behavior that can lead to suicide.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN LEVENTHAL, SHAWN COLVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joecraven2034
I love this song. Shawn not only has a beautiful voice, but her poetry is powerful and always tells a story that gets to you. I'm happy to have rediscovered this wonderful talent.
@very7962
This song saved me, when I needed it most.
@sueanntippett1583
I get you. This album and song has been my "go to" for years.
@jurzeejozee41
Brilliant production, arrangement and musicians behind this outstanding song. Shawn Colvin is a fine singer and song writer.
@ashleyworthington8855
You can tell this Lady has been through some seriously hard times just by listening to this song. Love her. Wish she’d tour the UK.
@TraceLight
Ah. One of the best albums of its time. I miss those years. This helped me understand a lot.
@docjoyt
you're not tied to the chair.. you're not nailed to the wall... BRILLIANT!!
@bugger490
Damn I miss the nineties...
@supremeali9703
Memories. Beautiful album
@MARYBETHtattoo
Wow.....such quality . Esp the musicians on this one