In 1991, she released her debut album, Wakened by the Wi… Read Full Bio ↴1991-1993[edit]
In 1991, she released her debut album, Wakened by the Wind, which became the top-selling debut in the history of the Sparrow Records label, with Ashton repeatedly reaching number one in the Christian charts that year. She was nominated for a Dove award for New Artist of the Year and won a CCM readers and reporters poll for Best New Artist. Ashton claimed that her fondest memories with Sparrow Records were during the recording of her first album, "That was so special and since I was so young and green, there was a real innocence in that process that's still beautiful to me. I can listen to anything on that record, and it's all very clear with distinct emotions attached to making it. I love everything about the lyrics, musicianship and instrumentation. There's one song, "No One Knows My Heart," where the drummer played a shoebox. On "Suffer in Silence," one of the instruments credited was a "pencil guitar."[1]
In 1992, her second album, Angels of Mercy, produced four CCM number one singles and was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Pop Gospel Album category.
On her eponymous 1993 release, Ashton was quoted during the recording of the album track "Heart Like a Rock, "I was messing around doing vocals and singing along trying to sound like an electric guitar. We actually recorded it and that sound of me imitating the guitar is still kept in the final record. There was so much fun stuff on all those records and they were all a reflection of growth and maturity and life experience through those years."[1]
Ashton won the 1993 CCM readers award for Favorite Inspirational Album and a reporters poll for Best Female Artist. Later that year, she married John David Cunningham.
1994-1997[edit]
In 1994, Ashton, in collaboration with CCM artists Margaret Becker and Out of the Grey's Christine Denté, released a trio album Along the Road. The title track is a remake of the composition by Dan Fogelberg, while the remaining songs are original to this album. Lead vocals are split evenly among the three singers.
Also in 1994, Garth Brooks approached Ashton to open for him on his European Tour. She stated in 2005,"I did a leg of his '94 European tour, but we weren't playing to his largest crowds. But there was still something very special about his audience. Initially I was a little nerve-wracked, worrying they'd boo me off the stage, but I got a wonderful response. I was also really nervous about meeting him, but he was so nice and supportive. He told me if there was anything I ever needed, just to let him know."
So Far... The Best of Susan Ashton Volume 1, an album of mostly previously released singles, was released in 1995, and featured a newly recorded track entitled "Stand."
A Distant Call was released in 1996. This album included two songs co-written by Sheryl Crow, and one with the late Kevin Gilbert who wrote many hit songs for Crow. Wayne Kirkpatrick once again provided significant songwriting for the album, co-writing several songs with Ashton. Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith also provided co-writing credits on one song each. Alison Krauss provided background vocals for "Love Profound." Garth Brooks would release his own version of Ashton's single "You Move Me" on his own album "Sevens" the following year, which became an international hit.
Ashton provided vocals along with Collin Raye for the 1997 Jim Brickman single "The Gift", from Brickman's album of the same name. That single was number one on the pop charts for three consecutive weeks.
1997-2003[edit]
In 1999, Capital released her first non-CCM album Closer. She reached the country music charts with "You're Lucky I Love You," which peaked at No. 38. Included on this album is Ashton's cover of Can't Cry Hard Enough, a song previously covered by Julie Miller. This album was not a commercial success. When asked about this, Ashton responded in 2005, "My perspective is that it did not turn out what I wanted it to be. I wanted it to be a great country record because I'm from Texas and I love that music. But the producers I was working with—who I wholeheartedly believed wanted the best for me—loved my Christian records [with Sparrow], and they were trying to emulate those a little bit. I'm proud of those records, but they aren't country records."[1] Song writing for this album includes Kim Richey, Matraca Berg, Bill Mann and Diane Warren. Ashton only co-wrote one song. Closer was produced by Emory Gordy, Jr., husband and producer to Patty Loveless.
Around this time, Ashton and her husband divorced.[2]
Ashton widened her audience even further when, in 2000, she debuted on the PBS music television program Austin City Limits.
A second album for Capital was recorded, but the album was shelved and has never been released (although the first single "She Is", was released).[3] Ashton has stated, "I spent three years making a follow-up record for Capitol and then early last year they dropped me from the label. So I've spent the last year being a nanny, sitting, waiting and hearing what God wants me to do with my life. It was really difficult, but at the same time I've I needed some healing and clarity. This past year has been really emotional and ultimately turned out really good. I think I was probably aware that I was going to lose my deal, but it's a whole different story knowing you're going to lose it and then actually having it be gone."[1] This interview came after years of silence from Ashton.
2005-2009[edit]
In 2005 Ashton released a second trio album. Originally released only in Australia and Europe as Kisses from Heaven, the album was eventually released in the United States as Lost in Wonder: Voices of Worship. This album was recorded with Michelle Tumes and Christine Denté. The album was conceived in 2003. When asked how the project came about, Ashton replied, "About two years ago I became friends with [the project's producer] John Hartley. Before I lost my record deal, I was asked to sing some demos for what would become a worship project releasing in England. When I lost my deal, John asked if I would still be interested in continuing with the project. God had been healing me, growing me and helping me find my center again, and this seemed to fit as part of his plan."[1] Ashton did not record the vocals in person with Denté and Tumes. The three were only together for the cover's photo shoot.
In 2006 Sparrow Records released Susan Ashton: The Ultimate Collection, a two-CD set of previously released material.
Ashton started a myspace.com page in 2006, on which she posted two demo versions of new songs.
In 2009, she appeared on Collin Raye's album Never Going Back, sing a duet with Raye on a cover of "Without You".
2013-present[edit]
On March 5, 2013, Ashton released Thief, a self-distributed six-song EP. This marks her return to the music business.[citation needed]
Alice in Wonderland
Susan Ashton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She measures her phrases, tipping the scales of reality
But does she know that it's cold to sing songs to a troubled heart
Tho' her aim is sincere she's missing the mark
[CHORUS:]
She paints her world in yellow and green, covering over the greys
'Cause life's demands are hard to understand
I said - Alice look around you, people are falling to pieces
Yea, even the faithful, the ones who still believe in Jesus
But that doesn't mean they've fallen from grace
But in her landscape, their heartache is so out of place
(Chorus)
So can we talk of shoes and of ships?
Can we talk of cabbages and kings?
And of learning to live with the mystery of things
(Chorus)
So Alice stays lost in her Wonderland
The song "Alice in Wonderland" by Susan Ashton is about a girl named Alice who lives in her own world of wonderland, and how she is unable to reach out or understand the troubles of those around her. In the first verse, the lyrics describe how Alice's responses to problems are rational and straightforward, but she is unaware of the fact that sometimes the heart needs more than just logical answers. While her intentions may be pure, she misses the mark in her attempts to comfort others. The chorus explains how Alice decorates her world with yellow and green to avoid the harsh realities of life that are difficult to understand, causing her to remain lost in her wonderland.
The second verse describes how the singer reaches out to Alice to look around herself and see the people who are struggling, even those who seemingly have faith in Jesus. However, despite their struggles, their faith remains intact. Yet, from Alice's perspective, the heartaches and troubles of others are out of place in her world. The final lines of the verse describe how the singer asks Alice to indulge in simpler topics of discussion such as shoes, ships, cabbages, and kings and learn to live with the mystery of things. The chorus repeats, emphasizing how Alice stays lost in her wonderland.
Overall, the song speaks to the idea of escaping reality and how sometimes it can be detrimental to oneself and those around them. It suggests the importance of acknowledging and understanding the pain of others and learning to live with the mysteries that life presents.
Line by Line Meaning
When Alice has an answer it's a common rationality
Alice has a tendency to provide obvious and logical answers.
She measures her phrases, tipping the scales of reality
Alice chooses her words carefully to ensure they match the reality of the situation.
But does she know that it's cold to sing songs to a troubled heart
Alice is unaware that soothing words can often be inadequate for someone experiencing emotional pain.
Tho' her aim is sincere she's missing the mark
Despite her genuine intentions, Alice fails to understand the needs of those she seeks to help.
She paints her world in yellow and green, covering over the greys
Alice focuses only on the bright and positive things in life, ignoring the harsh realities and complexities of the world.
'Cause life's demands are hard to understand
Alice avoids facing the difficulties and uncertainties that come with life.
So Alice stays lost in her wonderland
Alice remains withdrawn from the real world, preferring to live in her own fantasy land.
I said - Alice look around you, people are falling to pieces
Someone tries to show Alice the pain, distress and suffering of those around her.
Yea, even the faithful, the ones who still believe in Jesus
Even those with religious faith can experience hardship and struggles in life.
But that doesn't mean they've fallen from grace
Experiencing hardship doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of spiritual grace or divine favour.
But in her landscape, their heartache is so out of place
Alice's narrow view of the world doesn't allow for the existence or acknowledgement of suffering and sadness.
So can we talk of shoes and of ships?
Alice prefers to discuss trivial matters rather than confront more serious issues.
Can we talk of cabbages and kings?
Alice prefers to discuss things that are fanciful or imaginary.
And of learning to live with the mystery of things
Alice needs to learn to accept and embrace uncertainty and the unknown.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: BILLY LUZ SPRAGUE, WAYNE KIRKPATRICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jean Marivel
on All Kinds Of People (Distand Call Album Version)
"ALL KINDS OF EOPLE" Great lyrics, awesome voice & style. I love this song and the lady who sings it. We're of "all kinds" and all in one likeness; JESUS-CHRIST OUR GRACIOUS CREATOR.