After time in the Army Reserves, Paxton moved to New York City where he frequented the city's Greenwich Village coffeehouse circuit. His early success in Greenwich Village coffeehouses led to an ever-increasing circle of work. He made his professional debut at the Gaslight, the renowned folk haunt that also issued the singer's first album. In 1962 Gaslight Records would press 2,000 copies of his debut album, I'm The Man Who Built The Bridges.
Paxton also auditioned to join the Chad Mitchell Trio, but although he failed, the group enjoyed a 1963 hit with "The Marvelous Toy," one of Paxton's early songs. Paxton performed at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival, a performance that would be recorded-and released-by Vanguard Records. Paxton would go on to record a second album with Vanguard-at the Newport Folk Festival the following year - but his association with that record company lapsed, and it would not be until the year 2000 that Vanguard once again released a Tom Paxton album, Tom Paxton: Best of the Vanguard Years. In 1964 Paxton was signed to Elektra Records for whom he recorded his best-known work. Then in 1965 he made his first tour of the United Kingdom - the beginning of a still-thriving professional relationship that has included at least one tour in each of the succeeding years.
He and his wife Midge have been married since 1963 and have two daughters, Jennifer and Kate. All three women have served as inspiration for many of Paxton's songs. He now has three grandsons, Christopher, Sean, and Peter.
In addition to songwriting, Tom Paxton has written many critically acclaimed children's books, some of which were inspired by his songs for children.
He has performed thousands of concerts around the world in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Scandinavia, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, England, Scotland, Ireland and Canada. Paxton enjoys a strong relationship with fans throughout the world. His songs have experienced enduring appeal, including modern standards such as "The Last Thing on My Mind" (perhaps Paxton's best-known song, it has been recorded by dozens of artists, including Judy Collins, Sandy Denny, Dolly Parton, and Porter Wagoner), "Ramblin' Boy", "Bottle of Wine", "Whose Garden Was This", "The Marvelous Toy", and "The Hostage" (which recounts the 1971 uprising at Attica State Prison).
In February 2002, Tom Paxton was honored with the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award in Folk Music. A few days later, he received three Wammies (Washington, DC, Area Music Awards); as Best Male Vocalist in the "traditional folk" and "children's music" categories, and for Best Traditional Folk Recording of the Year for Under American Skies (the duo album he made with Anne Hills in 2001). This was the first Paxton album to receive an award of any kind.
Paxton has been nominated four times for Grammy Awards in his career, all since 2002.
In 2004, the Martin Guitar Company introduced the HD-40LSH Tom Paxton Signature Edition acoustic guitar in his honor.
In 2005, Paxton received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting at BBC Radio 2's Folk Awards at London's Brewery Arts Centre.
In 2006, Paxton received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance.
On January 22, 2007, Paxton was honored with an official UK Parliamentary tribute at the British House of Commons at the start of his 2007 United Kingdom tour.
On May 3, 2008, Paxton was honored with a special lifetime tribute from the World Folk Music Association, and a concert was held at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus, in Alexandria, Virginia.
The First Song Is for You
Tom Paxton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's what I know that I was meant to do
Without knowing how I find I write your name again
Oh, it's always true the first song is for you
Every time I start it's still the same
When I move my pen it writes your name
I remember all you've done and all you've tried to do
I sit down with my guitar and try to write a song
About all the trials and trib' we've been through
Never would have come so far without love so strong
So it's always true the first song is just for you
Every time I start it's still the same
When I move my pen it writes your name
I remember all you've done and all you've tried to do
When I do the first song is for you
I think about the times when you were there for me
There for the long hard climb
I think about the many ways you cared for me
Cared for me time after time
I can see your picture where it hangs upon the wall
Every time I see it, it's still new
I might write a thousand songs but as I write them all
It'll still be true the first song is for you
Every time I start it's still the same
When I move my pen it writes your name
I remember all you've done and all you've tried to do
But when I do the first song is for you
And when I do the first song is for you
Tom Paxton's "The First Song Is for You" is a heartfelt tribute to that one special person in our lives who has been a constant source of love and support. The song is a reflection of the artist's deep gratitude towards this person, who has played a central role in shaping his life and his art. It is a song that speaks to the power of love and the importance of acknowledging the role that others have played in our success.
The opening lines of the song capture the essence of Paxton's inspiration - the urge to create and express his deepest feelings through his art. The repetition of the phrase 'it's always true, the first song is for you' reinforces the idea that this person serves as a constant source of inspiration for him. The song is a heartfelt acknowledgement of their role in his life, and the gratitude he feels towards them for their unwavering support.
Line by Line Meaning
I sit down each morning and I start to move my pen
Every morning I sit down to write with my pen
It's what I know that I was meant to do
Writing songs is my true calling
Without knowing how I find I write your name again
My pen often writes your name without me consciously trying to do so
Oh, it's always true the first song is for you
The first song I write is always dedicated to you
Every time I start it's still the same
My writing process remains consistent
When I move my pen it writes your name
Your name is often present in my initial drafts
I remember all you've done and all you've tried to do
I think about all of the ways you have helped me
When I do the first song is for you
The first song is always dedicated to you
I sit down with my guitar and try to write a song
I also write songs with my guitar
About all the trials and trib' we've been through
My songs reflect the challenges we have faced together
Never would have come so far without love so strong
Our strong love has helped us overcome obstacles
So it's always true the first song is just for you
The first song is a tribute to our love
I think about the times when you were there for me
I reflect on the moments when you supported me
There for the long hard climb
You were there for me during difficult times
I think about the many ways you cared for me
I also remember how you have cared for me
Cared for me time after time
Your love and care have been consistent
I can see your picture where it hangs upon the wall
I have a picture of you that I often look at
Every time I see it, it's still new
I never tire of seeing your image
I might write a thousand songs but as I write them all
I may write many songs, but
It'll still be true the first song is for you
The first song will always be dedicated to you
Contributed by Molly S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.