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]
Call Of The Wild
Susan Ashton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His son was born when he was 23
He watched his wreckless days of youth
Turn to years of responsibility.
His world became routine and he got restless
The family ties that bind just tied him down
He felt his life was passing him by
And that grass was looking greener
Beyond the limits of that simple town.
Cause he wanted a life of adventure
So he left behind a wife and a child
They begged him to stay
But he threw it all away
And he answered the call of the wild.
He lived it up out there in Arizona
He got rowdy down in Tennessee
Making up for lost time
Crossing the line now that he was free
But when the dust finally settled
He saw just how alone a man can be.
But he wanted a life of adventure
So he left behind a wife and a child
But the freedom he loved
He was now a prisoner of
Since he answered the call of the wild.
And somewhere in the darkness
He began to see the light
He wondered what his chances might be
To make things right so.
He went running back to where he came from
In hopes he'd be received like the prodigal son
But in the place he once called home
He found it was no longer home to anyone
And in a house cold and empty
Through tears he cried,"My God what have I done?"
But he wanted a life of adventure
So he left behind a wife and a child
They begged him to stay
But he threw it all away
And he answered the call of the wild.
Yeah, he answered the call of the wild...
The song "Call of the Wild" by Susan Ashton tells a story of a young man who yearns for adventure and life beyond the boundaries of his small town, family, and responsibilities. At the age of 21, he gets married and becomes a father two years later. He becomes trapped in the routine of domestic life, but his burning desire for adventure doesn't fade away. He wants to explore the unknown, leave everything behind, and start life anew. His yearning for something beyond his current existence drives him to abandon his wife and child and follow the call of the wild.
The man heads West to Arizona and later moves on to Tennessee, where he indulges in the wild, reckless lifestyle he always dreamed of. However, he soon discovers that the freedom he sought comes with a heavy price. He is now alone, lost, and devoid of love and support. He realizes his mistake and attempts to return to his family, but it is too late. He finds his home empty and devoid of love, and he is left to contemplate his foolish choices and lack of foresight.
This song explores the human condition of yearning for something more in life and the consequences that follow when one acts on impulse and ignores the consequences of their actions. The man in the story wanted a life of adventure but finds himself in a sea of loneliness and despair, longing for the warmth of his family.
Line by Line Meaning
He was 21 when he got married
He tied the knot in his young age of 21
His son was born when he was 23
Two years later, at the age of 23, his son was born
He watched his wreckless days of youth
He noticed the carefree nature of his youth fading away
Turn to years of responsibility.
His life turned into a responsible one after becoming a parent
His world became routine and he got restless
His life became a routine which caused restlessness
The family ties that bind just tied him down
The responsibilities of family became a burden for him
He felt his life was passing him by
He realized that he was missing out on a lot in his life
Felt his dreams were crashing to the ground.
He was disappointed as his dreams seemed to be fading away
And that grass was looking greener
He started believing that the life he dreamed of was in a different place
Beyond the limits of that simple town.
He felt that his life's potential was greater beyond his small town
Cause he wanted a life of adventure
He craved for an adventurous life
So he left behind a wife and a child
Opting for his own desires, he left his family
They begged him to stay
His family pleaded him to stay
But he threw it all away
Despite their plea, he abandoned his family
And he answered the call of the wild.
He went after his thirst for a wild and adventurous life
He lived it up out there in Arizona
He began a lively life in Arizona
He got rowdy down in Tennessee
He lived wilder in Tennessee
Making up for lost time
He believed that he was redeeming lost time by living freely
Crossing the line now that he was free
There were no limits for his actions after achieving freedom
But when the dust finally settled
When things calmed down
He saw just how alone a man can be.
He finally realized the loneliness that comes with independence
But the freedom he loved
The freedom he enjoyed
He was now a prisoner of
He now felt trapped in that freedom
Since he answered the call of the wild.
He regretted answering the call of the wild
And somewhere in the darkness
When he was lost and confused
He began to see the light
He started to see things clearly
He wondered what his chances might be
He thought of the possibility of making things right
To make things right so.
To fix the wrongs he committed
He went running back to where he came from
He returned to his past life
In hopes he'd be received like the prodigal son
He hoped to be forgiven like the biblical prodigal son
But in the place he once called home
He found that his former home had changed
He found it was no longer home to anyone
No one recognized him or felt like he belonged there anymore
And in a house cold and empty
In an empty and abandoned house
Through tears he cried,"My God what have I done?"
He broke down and regretted his past actions
Yeah, he answered the call of the wild...
Despite the realization of his mistake, he once again answered the call of the wild
Contributed by Adam B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.