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.
Windy Nights
Shawn Colvin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whenever the wind is high
All night long through the dark and wet
The man goes riding by
Late in the night when the fires are out
Why does he gallop and gallop about?
Whenever the wind is high
Whenever the trees are crying out loud
Ride on the highway low and loud
By at the gallop goes he
By at the gallop he goes
And then by he comes back at the gallop again
Whenever the wind is high
Whenever the moon and stars are set
Whenever the wind is high
All night long through the dark and wet
The man goes riding by
Late in the night when the fires are out
Why does he gallop and gallop about?
Whenever the wind is high
Wind is high
Windy nights
The lyrics of Shawn Colvin's "Windy Nights" take the listener on a haunting journey through stormy and dark times. The repeated use of the phrase "Whenever the wind is high" sets the stage for the mysterious figure who rides through the night. The image of the man galloping through the night, on a highway that is "low and loud," leaves the listener with many questions. Who is this man, and where is he going? Why does he ride all night long, even after the fires have gone out?
The lyrics suggest a sense of restlessness and unease. The wind is a powerful and unpredictable force, and it seems to mirror the man's restless energy. The lines "All night long through the dark and wet" also add to the sense of foreboding. The imagery of ships being tossed at sea and trees crying out loud creates a sense of chaos and danger. The man's galloping movements feel urgent and purposeful, but it's not clear what his true intentions are. The repeated questioning of "Why does he gallop and gallop about?" only adds to the sense of mystery and uncertainty.
Overall, "Windy Nights" is a haunting and evocative song that captures a sense of restlessness and unease in its lyrics. The repeated use of the phrase "Whenever the wind is high" suggests that the man's movements are tied to the unpredictable and uncontrollable forces of nature. The sense of mystery and uncertainty only adds to the song's compelling and eerie atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Whenever the moon and stars are set
Whenever the night has fallen and the celestial bodies are visible.
Whenever the wind is high
Whenever the gusts of wind are strong and noticeable.
All night long through the dark and wet
The man rides his horse through the long, dark and damp night.
The man goes riding by
The man travels on horseback past a certain location.
Late in the night when the fires are out
During the late hours of the night when bonfires or other sources of light are extinguished.
Why does he gallop and gallop about?
The reason for his fast and erratic movements is unknown.
Whenever the trees are crying out loud
Whenever the branches move noisily, due to the strength of the winds.
And ships are tossed at sea
Boats are behaving erratically and struggling to stay afloat, due to waves caused by the winds.
Ride on the highway low and loud
The man, on horseback, travels along a long and open road, producing a loud noise.
By at the gallop goes he
He travels at a quick pace on horseback.
By at the gallop he goes
He travels quickly on horseback.
And then by he comes back at the gallop again
He travels back past the location at high speed once again.
Wind is high
The winds are strong and noticeable.
Windy nights
The nights are characterized by strong gusts of wind.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALEC WILDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Bloom
When evening in the Shire was grey,
His footsteps on the Hill were heard,
Before dawn he went away,
On journey long without a word.
From Wilderland to Western Shore,
From northern waste to southern hill,
Through dragon-lair and hidden door,
And darkling woods he walked at will.
Why does he (Gandalf) gallop and gallop about?
Dorothy Bobo
Just read this in Richard Russo’s book “Trajectory “ the first short story “Horseman”! I was enchanted with this poem. Learned it was by Robert Louis Stevenson. Such a beloved author.
Windy Nights
BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
Whenever the moon and stars are set,
Whenever the wind is high,
All night long in the dark and wet,
A man goes riding by.
Late in the night when the fires are out,
Why does he gallop and gallop about?
Whenever the trees are crying aloud,
And ships are tossed at sea,
By, on the highway, low and loud,
By at the gallop goes he.
By at the gallop he goes, and then
By he comes back at the gallop again.
Armando Candeias
Shawn Colvin sings in a so sweet way.... cute song
texxylady
Rudyard Kipling