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]
Ball And Chain
Susan Ashton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or was it something from my past, come to call again?
It was the presence of the pain that I could not escape
And it wrapped around my soul like a ball and chain
[Chorus]
All of us have a heartache, all of us have been stained
All of us long for freedom, but there's only one who can break
In the middle of the night, wakened by the wind
Or did I hear it call my name like a faithful friend?
It was the presence of the peace that I could not escape
And it wrapped around my soul like a warm embrace
[Chorus]
Facing all my fears knowing that He's near
I stand tall, healing as His tears wash my lonely years
He calls to me in the middle of the night
[Chorus x2]
But there's only one who can break
There's only one who can break
There's only one who can break this ball and chain...
Susan Ashton's song "Ball and Chain" is a moving expression of the struggle to escape the pain of the past and find healing and spiritual freedom. The opening verse describes the haunting presence of past trauma, which the singer senses in the night like a persistent weight on her soul. The metaphor of the "ball and chain" captures the ways in which the pain of the past can become a heavy burden that feels impossible to escape. The chorus acknowledges that all of us carry heartache and are "stained" by our struggles, but that it is God alone who can ultimately break those chains and bring us the freedom we seek.
The second verse introduces a new possibility, however, as the singer also senses the presence of peace in the night. This peace is described as wrapping around her soul like a warm embrace, in contrast to the suffocating weight of the ball and chain. The final verse suggests that the singer has found a way out of this struggle, standing tall and facing her fears with the knowledge that God's healing tears are with her. The repetition of the chorus at the end reinforces the message that true freedom comes only from trusting in God's power to release us from our chains.
Line by Line Meaning
In the middle of the night, wakened by the wind
Susan wakes up in the middle of the night, perhaps by the wind which sets her mind off.
Or was it something from my past, come to call again?
She wonders if it is her past that always seems to haunt her and keep her from progressing.
It was the presence of the pain that I could not escape
Susan feels trapped in her pain which holds her down and prevents her from moving forward.
And it wrapped around my soul like a ball and chain
Her pain is so deep that it feels like a heavy burden weighing down on her soul which she describes as a ball and chain.
All of us have a heartache, all of us have been stained
Susan believes that every person goes through pain and hurt which leaves them with scars and bruises.
All of us long for freedom, but there's only one who can break
Everyone desires freedom from their troubles, but it's only through one source they can actually find that freedom.
This ball and chain
The pain and burden Susan's feeling which she refers to as a ball and chain.
Or did I hear it call my name like a faithful friend?
Susan wonders whether the voice she heard is that of God who may be reminding her that he's always there for her.
It was the presence of the peace that I could not escape
She realizes that the voice she heard brings a sense of peace within her that she couldn't run away from even if she tried.
And it wrapped around my soul like a warm embrace
The peace she felt is like a comforting hug that gives her strength to face her challenges.
Facing all my fears knowing that He's near
Susan is ready to face all of her fears knowing that God is always by her side to help her through them.
I stand tall, healing as His tears wash my lonely years
Susan stands firm and becomes healed by God's tears which she believes will cleanse her heart of all the hurt and loneliness.
He calls to me in the middle of the night
Susan believes that through God's voice she can find comfort and peace even in the midst of her darkest moments.
But there's only one who can break
Only God can truly break the chains and bring freedom to Susan and everyone else who seeks it.
There's only one who can break
Re-emphasizes the fact that is only God who can provide Susan and everyone else with true freedom.
There's only one who can break this ball and chain...
The ultimate solution to Susan's pain and burden is by relying on God as he has the power to break every chain and provide lasting freedom.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: DREW BARFIELD, PAUL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Quiverfull12
Lyrics
In the middle of the night, wakened by the wind
Or was it something from my past, come to call again?
It was the presence of the pain that I could not escape
And it wrapped around my soul like a ball and chain
All of us have a heartache, all of us have been stained
All of us long for freedom, but there's only one who can break
This ball and chain
In the middle of the night, wakened by the wind
Or did I hear it call my name like a faithful friend?
It was the presence of the peace that I could not escape
And it wrapped around my soul like a warm embrace
All of us have a heartache, all of us have been stained
All of us long for freedom, but there's only one who can break
This ball and chain
Facing all my fears knowing that He's near
I stand tall, healing as His tears wash my lonely years
He calls to me in the middle of the night
All of us have a heartache, all of us have been stained
All of us long for freedom, but there's only one who can break
This ball and chain
All of us have a heartache, all of us have been stained
All of us long for freedom, but there's only one who can break
This ball and chain
But there's only one who can break
There's only one who can break
There's only one who can break this ball and chain.
cheycaster
Susan, this music really changed my heart when life was at its worst. Thank You for your gifts.......sure did work in this Dads heart.....Shalom from Flathead Lake Montana USA
Linda Beaver
Love! Need to re-release! It's better than a lot of the gospel music being put out now!
Lance Marchetti
If only I had listened to The Lord in the 90's when He spoke to me through these songs...I would not have lost my precious marriage. :(
Quiverfull12
Lyrics
In the middle of the night, wakened by the wind
Or was it something from my past, come to call again?
It was the presence of the pain that I could not escape
And it wrapped around my soul like a ball and chain
All of us have a heartache, all of us have been stained
All of us long for freedom, but there's only one who can break
This ball and chain
In the middle of the night, wakened by the wind
Or did I hear it call my name like a faithful friend?
It was the presence of the peace that I could not escape
And it wrapped around my soul like a warm embrace
All of us have a heartache, all of us have been stained
All of us long for freedom, but there's only one who can break
This ball and chain
Facing all my fears knowing that He's near
I stand tall, healing as His tears wash my lonely years
He calls to me in the middle of the night
All of us have a heartache, all of us have been stained
All of us long for freedom, but there's only one who can break
This ball and chain
All of us have a heartache, all of us have been stained
All of us long for freedom, but there's only one who can break
This ball and chain
But there's only one who can break
There's only one who can break
There's only one who can break this ball and chain.
beardedba
I second that...one of the best Country tunes ever! Susan I love your style!!
arlete cristina Lima
To me this song is the best of ever! I love this song and i search it for a so much time! I'm happy!
Hooked on Photography
Lovely tune and great voice. Puts you in a good mood :-)
Robert and Taunya Foster
How are you today? Does this song still resonate? So sweet that you spent a lot of time finding it - those are the most important songs in life.
Haddy Nough
If I didn’t have shit term memory i’d take ken tamplin voice lessons. True story!😘
ogredad55
Wow! Another winner from the past! I love YouTube, but especially the caring people who post CCM!