Mary Chapin Carpenter

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Mary Chapin Carpenter (born February 21, 1958 in Princeton, New Jersey) is a highly successful country music singer-songwriter and guitarist. According to Songfacts, Carpenter had a fairly privileged upper middle class upbringing. Her father was at least partly responsible for her embarking on a musical career. The song “House of Cards” was inspired by the divorce of her parents when she was sixteen.

One of her most widely known singles is “Passionate Kisses” (written by fellow singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams), a song with a rock flavor musically and lyrics listing simple desires such as “a comfortable bed”, “food to fill me up”, and “time to think”. Another big hit was “Down At The Twist And Shout”, which she performed in January 1997 at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans.

A number of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s songs speak to women, urging them on through hard times or troubled relationships. In “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her”, co-composed by Carpenter and Don Schlitz, the singer makes the case for strength and self-respect. Another common theme in her music is that of taking life at your own pace, rather than rampant goal-driven materialism, such as “The Long Way Home” from her 2001 album Time*Sex*Love, which pokes fun at a man who “retire(s) at thirty to his big-ass house next to the putting green.” The album has a relatively different feel musically, incorporating elaborate orchestra melodies, but with her characteristic lyrical depth.
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  • MyMusicMyDivas

    I Never Fall in Love Again...

    last month
  • Salonni

    10,000 Miles s2

    last month
  • her035

    captivating voice

    October 2011
  • tndrft54

    One of my favorite artist ... love the music ...

    February 2011
  • Lady3gal3ntin3

    she makes me nostalgic every time I listen to her songs...reminding my days w/ her songs n my teenage dreams...her voice...it's just wonderful!

    January 2011
  • sleeve_face

    I can't help it, but this woman is absolut wonderful!

    December 2010
  • sleeve_face

    wonderful!

    December 2010
  • Ruminator

    I just snagged a copy of "The Calling" and am listening. I love the songs (all of the back catalog too) and the voice. Thank you, ma'am!

    November 2010
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