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.
What I Get Paid For
Shawn Colvin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It just took me a minute
But you said it all at the get-go
And I guess I've improved, 'cause my usual move would be to prove it right
down on the floor
With my heart on my sleeve, I'll get even no doubt
That's what I get paid for
Start at the beginning, keep grinning and shout
Getting up dizzy, it's okay to give up
Why kid yourself, you were gunning for glory
All attitude and honesty
But when you wind down to zero, there's things you won't face
And the buzzards start screaming
With your heart on your sleeve, you'll get even no doubt
That's what you get paid for
Start at the beginning, keep grinning and shout
That's what you get paid for
Just getting up dizzy, it's okay to give up*
That's what you get paid for
You're losing your head
With my heart on my sleeve, I'll get even no doubt
That's what I get paid for
Start at the beginning, keep grinning and shout
That's what I get paid for
Getting up dizzy, it's okay to give up*
That's what I get paid for
I'm losing my head
The opening lines of the song, "Okay I get it, it just took me a minute," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The song reflects on how life can be tough and how sometimes you just need to walk away from things, even if it means that you're losing. The line "With my heart on my sleeve, I'll get even no doubt. That's what I get paid for" suggests that the singer is ready to go head to head with anyone who challenges her, and that's what she's paid for. She's not afraid of losing, but she's not going to give up without a fight.
The line "Start at the beginning, keep grinning and shout. That's what I get paid for" suggests that the singer is always ready to start again, no matter how many times she's knocked down. She's a fighter, and that's what she's paid for. However, the line "It's okay to give up" suggests that sometimes, it's okay to walk away from things even if it means losing. The singer may be losing her head, but she's aware that sometimes, it's better to let go and move on.
Overall, the song What I Get Paid For is a reflection of the ups and downs of life. It's about knowing when to fight and when to let go, and how sometimes, losing is just a part of the journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Okay I get it
I finally understood what you were saying
It just took me a minute
It took me some time to understand
But you said it all at the get-go
You said everything from the beginning
And I guess I've improved, 'cause my usual move would be to prove it right down on the floor
I think I've gotten better because in the past, I used to argue and fight to prove my point
With my heart on my sleeve, I'll get even no doubt
I will seek revenge with my emotions on full display and with certainty
That's what I get paid for
This is what I am expected to do and get compensation for
Start at the beginning, keep grinning and shout
Begin at the start, keep a smile on your face, and speak loudly
Getting up dizzy, it's okay to give up
It's alright to admit defeat when you are disoriented from a setback
Why kid yourself, you were gunning for glory
Why deceive yourself? You were trying to achieve greatness
All attitude and honesty
Having a confident and truthful demeanor
But when you wind down to zero, there's things you won't face
But when you have nothing left, there are issues you will avoid dealing with
And the buzzards start screaming
And the consequences start to become apparent
You're losing your head
You are becoming mentally unstable
I'm losing my head
I am becoming mentally unstable
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NEIL MULLANE FINN, SHAWN COLVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@duncanpriestley964
There's a brilliant version of this by Neil Finn with Shawn on backing vocals. Can't seem to find it anywhere on youtube now.
@SongForSophia
Took me a hot minute to dig it up, but hope you enjoy: https://youtu.be/aZ7cukVwOxs
@duncanpriestley964
@@SongForSophia Nice one, thanks for the link. Haven't heard that in a while.
@alanfloyd5473
Thanks, nice bit of info. Love Neil Finn and what a combination!
@velvitjonze
I’ve loved that version for about 23 years too https://youtu.be/aZ7cukVwOxs?si=f2Jn94ZAwZXNFqUv
@CSorickOmaha
This is also a bonus track on the "Sunny Came Home" single. I ADORE this song! It's my 2nd favorite song by Shawn Colvin!!
@66marshallandrew
Simply brilliant!
@connectedsolutionsvirtuala6686
Hmm. I have this CD and What I Get Paid For is not on it. What CD is that on?
@kaghup6
Well, it was a b-side of "Sunny Came Home", and seems to have appeared on some of the issues of "A Few Small Repairs", like the European ones (but not just them). Try looking it up on Discogs.
@TheWendable
Hmmm is that the song that’s not written in the credits or lyrics but is sneaked on at the end of the Small Repairs cd??