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Emmylou Harris — Deeper Well
Album: Wrecking Ball
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2702









Released: 1995
Length: 4:17
Plays (last 30 days): 3
The sun burned hot, it burned my eyes
Burned so hot I thought I'd died
Thought I'd died and gone to hell
Lookin' for the water from a deeper well.

I went to the river but the river was dry
I fell to my knees an I looked to the sky
I looked to the sky and the spring rain fell
I saw the water from a deeper well.

Well, lookin for the water
From a deeper well
Well, lookin for the water
From a deeper well.

I was ready for love I was ready for the money
Ready for the blood and ready for the honey
Ready for the winnin', ready for the bell
Lookin' for the water from a deeper well.

I found some love and I found some money
Found that blood would drip from the honey
Found I had a thirst that I could not quell
Lookin' for the water from a deeper well.

Well, lookin for the water
From a deeper well
Well, lookin for the water
From a deeper well.

Well, I did it for kicks and I did it for faith
I did it for lust and I did it for hate
I did it for need and I did it for love
Addiction stayed on tight like a glove.

So I ran with the moon and I ran with the night
And the three of us were a terrible sight
Nipple to the bottle, to the gun, to the cell
To the bottom of a hole of a deeper well.

Well, lookin for the water
From a deeper well
Well, lookin for the water
From a deeper well.

I rocked with the cradle and I rolled with the rage
I shook those walls and I rattled that gage
I took my trouble down a deadend trail
Reachin' out a hand for a holier grail.

Hey, there mama did you carry that load
Did you tell your baby 'bout the bend in the road
'Bout the rebel yell 'bout the one that fell
Lookin' for the water from a deeper well.

Well, lookin for the water
From a deeper well
Well, lookin for the water
From a deeper well...
Comments (138)add comment
Don't forget her bluegrass chops she earned with playing with Ricky Skaggs and his band.   
Check out this live version, it rocks out! https://open.spotify.com/track...
Rockwrok!
Well well well well
Looking for the water from a deeper well 
 
I like how the exclamation "well" got worked into a song about a well.
Emmylou is a nat'l treasure. When she leaves this wretched planet, there will be a noticeable "Bang" like a sonic boom announcing her departure.
I'm a big Emmylou fan, but her use of her lower vocal range made me think this was Stevie Nick's, though I acknowledge the disparate musicianship.  No one equals Emmylou.
 ExpatLarry wrote:

Wow...Somber..
 Grammarcop wrote:

The composer of this song, David Olney, died on stage on Jan. 18 while performing at a songwriters' festival in Florida. He was 71.

Witnesses said he was sitting on a stool when he stopped during the third song, said "I'm sorry," put his chin to his chest and closed his eyes. He never dropped his guitar or fell from the stool.

I have no doubt he left us on his own terms. We should all be so lucky. 



https://www.washingtonpost.com...
 CrackerjaxATX wrote:

Emmyloooooou I love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu   She takes her Catahoula on tour with her.  I saw her playing w it backstage.  She's so amazing :)

She also regularly does benefits for animal rescue

 drwhy wrote:

this whole album is great.  Daniel Lanois produced this album which I think is one of her best.



Daniel Lanois has the Midas touch
 Grammarcop wrote:
The composer of this song, David Olney, died on stage on Jan. 18 while performing at a songwriters' festival in Florida. He was 71.

Witnesses said he was sitting on a stool when he stopped during the third song, said "I'm sorry," put his chin to his chest and closed his eyes. He never dropped his guitar or fell from the stool.

I have no doubt he left us on his own terms. We should all be so lucky. 
 
Years ago there was a bar in Dallas' West End called 'Dick's Last Resort'. The kind of joint with bras stapled to the ceiling - their signature drink was 'Flaming Dr. Pepper'.

On Sundays they'd have a sort of ragtime band - think Preservation Hall Jazz Band. All old guys, 70s and up, and they just killed it. One Sunday night, in the middle of a tune, the bass player realized the drums had stopped. Looked back, and the drummer was slumped over his skins, dead. Not such a bad way to go, huh?
c.
Thanks RP for consistently hooking us up with awesome music !!   this song rocks !
A touch of Stevie Nicks here, nothing wrong with that!
 BebePassiflora wrote:
Such an awesome song. I love this eclectic station!  Glad I finally registered.
 

Time to Support RP, if you are able!
 BebePassiflora wrote:


I have seen here quite a few times appearing at other people's shows...she is so awesome! Nashville is my home.
 

Yep, I saw her come out and perform with Shawn Colvin's in her last set in Nashville's City Winery a few years. Classy and good stuff.
 folkes.tom wrote:
A buddy of mine and Boyd Tinsley once opened up for her.  He said that she was very gracious in her praise of them as they finished their set.  Class act!!!
 

I have seen here quite a few times appearing at other people's shows...she is so awesome! Nashville is my home.
Such an awesome song. I love this eclectic station!  Glad I finally registered.
A buddy of mine and Boyd Tinsley once opened up for her.  He said that she was very gracious in her praise of them as they finished their set.  Class act!!!
 Grammarcop wrote:
The composer of this song, David Olney, died on stage on Jan. 18, while performing at a songwriters' festival in Florida. He was 71.

Witnesses said he was sitting on a stool when he stopped during the third song, said "I'm sorry," put his chin to his chest and closed his eyes. He never dropped his guitar or fell from the stool.

I have no doubt he left us on his own terms. We should all be so lucky. 
 

And  he left us this masterpiece of a song!
Daniel Lanois' fabulous production and Emmylou Harris' brilliant performance put this among my all-time favorite songs.
I hate to give Emmylou a meh but meh.
The composer of this song, David Olney, died on stage on Jan. 18 while performing at a songwriters' festival in Florida. He was 71.

Witnesses said he was sitting on a stool when he stopped during the third song, said "I'm sorry," put his chin to his chest and closed his eyes. He never dropped his guitar or fell from the stool.

I have no doubt he left us on his own terms. We should all be so lucky. 
I love this whole album.  
So I ran with the moon 
and I ran with the night
And the three of us were a terrible sight
Nipple to the bottle, to the gun, to the cell
To the bottom of a hole of a deeper well.

Wow.
Anything Lanois touches is golden!
If you try and write Emmylou off as just another country artist, you're missing a lot.
this whole album is great.  Daniel Lanois produced this album which I think is one of her best.
The whole album is great!  Got turned onto it years ago.  The producer, Daniel Lanois, did a fantastic job with her on this album.  Very different from her other stuff.  Give it a listen and see what you think. 
Hey RP...

How about playing her duet music with Gram Parsons, from the Grevious Angel time period.  
That's mean of RabbitEars to make all the menfolk here pea green with the envy & jealously fever. 'Cause us womenfolk out here then have to deal with an all-day-long fallout of... all that kinda thing. 

But right, Mr. Bill likes us to stay on song topic when commenting. This song just gets richer and deeper with every listen. Swear I hear a new instrument with every one. But I've got a true fan's tin ear too; in that I mostly look to an Emmylou song to set a proper mood, because they sure do deliver in that regard.

I rarely listen as a musician, as I'm not much one of those. At all. Piss-poor keyboard banger (of words mostly) on a piano, even harpsichord but haven't even seen one of those in over 40-years; pity me. BUT I can still play House of the Rising Sun on guitar, and who can't?! I'm digressing! I'd say sorry, but the womenfolk are SURE in no mood lately to trot out apologies. For one damn thing. 
 sfyi2001 wrote:
NO.
 
Oh hell yes.
Photo from her 2017 concert at the Ryman in Nashville:


Emmylou in 2017
NO.
Is she a contralto?
 
Classy, classy lady and incredible musician. Not used to hearing her sing that low.
Can't believe this is more than 20 years old. D Lanois was great on this too.
I've never been a huge fan of Emmylou—I liked a few of her songs, but I LOVE this one!!  WOW
 rdo wrote:
{#Eek}wrecking ball?
 
Perhaps, but 2 octaves lower and a fuller, more compelling voice.
This made me stop and listen. Had not heard this version before. Very different from her fabulous SpyBoys album. Love this song! Agreed: she is a fabulous talent and has kept her career fresh by trying new things along the way. Heard her in concert years ago, would do so again if the chance arises. Twelve Grammys!
 On_The_Beach wrote:

There was also a recent photo to demonstrate that she is in fact still gorgeous, but that link was apparently broken.
Here's another:
...

 
Indeed. ELH, our national treasure, in 2013.

 Proclivities wrote:
Yes, she is, but that photo you posted is from 1978.
 
There was also a recent photo to demonstrate that she is in fact still gorgeous, but that link was apparently broken.
Here's another:
https://a2.files.biography.com/image/upload/c_fill,g_face,h_300,q_80,w_300/MTE4MDAzNDEwNzQwNDc5NTAy.jpg
This is THE album of hers that I really like, and this song is so cool.
10 for song, 10 for album, 10 for artist, 10 for album cover & 10 for producer

 
 Cynaera wrote:
Despite negative comments, I think this is a very valid song. Moreover, it just caught my attention while I was trying to an intelligent response to the question of why people fight.

I still don't have the answer to the question, but I do know that Emmylou Harris has all the answers. She just chooses to divulge those answers in her own sweet time. And she does it in her own sweet way.

 
What fantastic insight!
{#Eek}wrecking ball?
 On_The_Beach wrote:
https://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/231061.jpg

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . still gorgeous.


 
Yes, she is, but that photo you posted is from 1978.


well well well...  this is a deep song...
 


Today I would like to pay my most deserved tribute simultaneously to two important personalities of traditional American folk music and universal, Woody Guthrie and Emmylou Harris, and in doing so, firmly, leaving here a video with title "Emmylou Harris singing "Hobo's Lullaby" (Woody Guthrie's tribute)". Just to also remember that Woody Guthrie guitar labeled "This Machine Kills Fascists".
This performance also features the collaboration of Sam Bush, playing American bluegrass mandolin. The song  "Hobo's Lullaby" was written by Goebel Reeves (1899-1959), a texan singer and songwriter.




Emmyloooooou I love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu   She takes her Catahoula on tour with her.  I saw her playing w it backstage.  She's so amazing :)
i'm sure photoshop was involved in teh album, but I promise you, she is a smokin hot 65 yr old.  Still looks stunning and non-plastic.

 
Stingray wrote:

Not normal for a 65-year old to look as good as see does!

Photoshop...?

 


 copymonkey wrote:
An American Treasure.
Emmylou forgot more than the likes of Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood will ever know.
 
Maybe...but they have a lot of years ahead of them...don't write them off too soon.

Not normal for a 65-year old to look as good as see does!

Photoshop...?


 On_The_Beach wrote:
https://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/231061.jpghttps://www.clashmusic.com/files/imagecache/node_article_image/files/images/Emmylou-Harris.jpg

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . still gorgeous.

 
I think she got better looking... certainly more striking!
 Cynaera wrote:
Despite negative comments, I think this is a very valid song. Moreover, it just caught my attention while I was trying to formuate an intelligent response to the question of why people fight.

I still don't have the answer to the question, but I do know that Emmylou Harris has all the answers. She just chooses to divulge those answers in her own sweet time. And she does it in her own sweet way.
 
Some people fight to protect... some to take from the weak... some to vent anger...  some to have fun...  and some just because they ain't got shit to do.
 
Despite negative comments, I think this is a very valid song. Moreover, it just caught my attention while I was trying to formuate an intelligent response to the question of why people fight.

I still don't have the answer to the question, but I do know that Emmylou Harris has all the answers. She just chooses to divulge those answers in her own sweet time. And she does it in her own sweet way.
 phlattop wrote:
This, to me, is one of the weaker songs off a terrific record, one of the best of the 90s. Good to see a number of other superior tracks from Wrecking Ball played on RP.
 
I agree—Wrecking Ball is an incredible album but this is a marginal song in comparison to the others.
casey1024 wrote:
That depends entirely on what you think music is. Dolly Parton may be not on par w/Emmylou as a SINGER, but she is an amazing songwriter and lyricist.
And an extremely accomplished mandolinist. But why compare? Enjoy the two, joined by Linda Rondstadt on the Trio recordings they published.

If that info confounds you, imagine how you'll feel to discover that Charo is a celebrated Flamenco guitarist. Next I'll be claiming that 1940's beauty Queen/Actress Hedy Lamarr was a scientist who created weapons systems for the Allies.


Thought she was Stevie Nicks, for seconds...
This, to me, is one of the weaker songs off a terrific record, one of the best of the 90s. Good to see a number of other superior tracks from Wrecking Ball played on RP.

Yea, Emmylou is cool and everything as long as you don't get her warbling, it's like a big ball rolling down hill, she just can't stop and it drags on waaaaaay too long!{#Lol}


I never really liked or 'got' C&W and so never listened to Emmylou, I think that may have to change.
Thanks for opening my ears RP.

I was really digging the music... and then she started to sing.   

Just not my thing.
 FlatCat wrote:

Musically speaking, Dolly Parton is a mere shadow of ELH. 
 
That depends entirely on what you think music is.  Dolly Parton may be not on par w/Emmylou as a SINGER, but she is an amazing songwriter and lyricist.

Love this song and the rest on the cd.  {#Hearteyes}
 On_The_Beach wrote:
https://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/231061.jpghttps://www.clashmusic.com/files/imagecache/node_article_image/files/images/Emmylou-Harris.jpg

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . still gorgeous.

 
So true...

YIkes.


Pardon my language: Fucking Awesome. Nothing comes close. I worship you.
An American Treasure.
Emmylou forgot more than the likes of Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood will ever know.



Chet Atkins - "Mr. Sandman" Live (1954)

"atkins influenced countless players icluding george harrison,carl perkins,vince gill.he left a permanent mark on the way country guitar playing is done.he was as original as he was classy,and Gretch guitars named a guitar after him the "Gretch Country Gentleman" guitar.this was the model george harrison mostly used in the studio and live on stage.he was an important pioneer in nashville records. " dempsey981

"Good call...by the way, Chet has cut albums with Pops and Orchestras, Andres Segovia, etc...and as far as metal, on an album called Stay Tuned, Chet and Steve Lukather did a tune together called Stay Tuned...Steve of course, was blazing..with Chet hitting every lick, in harmony, on a fairly clean guitar..a bit of delay is about it. Chet was amazing as a guitarist and a human being. "  brainlowe


https://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/231061.jpghttps://www.clashmusic.com/files/imagecache/node_article_image/files/images/Emmylou-Harris.jpg

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . still gorgeous.

 Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
Dolly's much more than you give her credit for I think.  This song is a great follow up to a great song

 
Could be. To be honest I'm not that familiar with her stuff.
As for Emmylou Harris - I bought that album when it came out and still listen to it occasionally. I like a lot of her other stuff too.
I guess I'm just not in a "country" mood today.

 fredriley wrote:
A welcome antidote to the previous Dolly Parton number. A woman whose assets are talent and intelligence. 7 from the Nottingham jury.
  Dolly's much more than you give her credit for I think.  This song is a great follow up to a great song

This is a fabulous album.  U2's Larry Mullen drums on a lot of it, including this song.
 snowcat wrote:
Cool...sounds like a Massive Attack production underneath.
Thats Daniel Lanois Production underneath.  Super cool.



Willie Nelson & Emmylou Harris - "The Maker" Live

"composition by Daniel Lanois"

"Is there anybody on the planet that this woman can't sing with. I heard a comment once that everything tastes better with peanut butter on it and everything sounds better with Emmylou in it. I bought this cd and have about wore out this track."

"Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!!!! This is the kind of stuff that keeps this ol world of ours together. Thanks for makin music!!"     Trailrboy


A welcome antidote to the previous Dolly Parton number. A woman whose assets are talent and intelligence. 7 from the Nottingham jury.
Cool...sounds like a Massive Attack production underneath.
I like the way she has muted her voice so that the background music builds ominously.
 wycado wrote:
Disregard, Bill. Very nice song progression, and it won't hurt anyone to hear Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris back to back.
 
Musically speaking, Dolly Parton is a mere shadow of ELH. 
Best. Song. Ever.
 southernman wrote:
6.7??  Oh, please.  She's one of the most talented people in music, period and this song demonstrates that once again. 
 
I agree with you about Emmylou. This is also another brilliant Daniel Lanois production.
6.7??  Oh, please.  She's one of the most talented people in music, period and this song demonstrates that once again. 
Does not a powerful extraordinary lyric count for anything here?
And I for one thoroughly enjoy Emmy Lou Harris' delivery of David Olney's lyric, in what seems to me a beautifully produced piece of music.{#Clap}
This is pretty much my favorite song, ever. {#Moon} to the naysayers. I wish I'd tuned in in time to catch right after Shine, but alas.


Emmylou can do no wrong in my book. I've loved her music for over 30 years.
 wycado wrote:
Disregard, Bill. Very nice song progression, and it won't hurt anyone to hear Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris back to back.
 
Agreed. And RP has turned me on to a couple of later-day EH tracks that are outstanding—never mind her work with Mark Knopfler. I might add that she sure is "graying" nicely!

Disregard, Bill. Very nice song progression, and it won't hurt anyone to hear Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris back to back.
Jeez.  There's a time and a place for all this stuff ... but Radio Paradise, surely, ain't either.  Hell fire.
Emmylou, Emmylou....sweet singing voice, accomplished musician, long professional career, but.....BORING. 

I don't know what it is about her songs but they do nothing for me. I like and respect her abilities and approach, and that others like her a lot. I just haven't heard anything that makes me sit up and take notice. And I've seen her 5-6 times in concert. Oh, well....

Not a bad version - but - the Wailin' Jennies do it much better,
 bugleboy624 wrote:
Not exactly what I'd expect out of Ms. Harris. Quite interesting.
 
Yeah, this is a really good album. Daniel had a wonderful influence on Emmylou's sound.

You read my mind wise one.


Great to hear two of the best country songbirds back to back on RP.  I know there are a bunch of whiners out there, but I love that RP is willing to mix in more country... and classical.  Isn't that what eclectic means?  I would love to hear more real Jazz, and classical, and country and other extremes, and less mid-stream, overproduced, semi-inde, semi-emo, semi-crap.

 Roverfish wrote:
Great stuff! I could just as easily hear Peter Gabriel or Robbie Robertson singing along to Daniel Lanois' riffs.
 
Lanois does incredible work...don't forget U2 and Madonna also used him.

I love Emmylou in any incarnation, from her earliest truly country to her newest explorations.

This woman is such a treasure . . .  {#Notworthy}  She reaches the very depths of your soul . . . 
Not exactly what I'd expect out of Ms. Harris. Quite interesting.
I think this is a cover of a song by Buddy and Julie Miller, worth checking out in their own right.
Emmylou's deep, husky voice gets me to my soul - and has since I was a young lad - love the follow up from Dolly :)

One goddess follows another, gotta love it.

Emmylou sure does a lot for natural grey hair................

I'm normally not a huge fan of country but this isn't that flaky commercial stuff that's mostly popular now, and she really does something amazing with this song. My mom plays this CD all the time, and this song has always been my favorite track from it.
CamLwalk wrote:
Damn is that woman beautiful!
Check out the movie Songcatcher if you're a musical history buff - especially of American "roots" music....
I've seen her many times, I'm really a huge fan. That said, her earlier material (through, say, Luxury Liner) was so amazing and this is so.... ordinary.
Superb and much too sublime it seems for some; the slow welling of the guitar--Daniel the Man--makes this song aptly titled, the whole CD is a gem.
A little too simplistic for my liking. If it had a decent hook or some energy to it, I might like it.
a real monotonous snoozefest i reckon.
I try... but I just can not even begin to tolerate this kind of music.
Above avarage, but I only realize after it's ended. When the next song starts, I think, Hmm, what was that. Pretty good, but not worth buying.
Sorry, I've got to go sit on the porch stare at one of 13 abandoned cars in the front yard.
Patrick wrote:
I don't know how to classify her either, but this refrain definitely has its roots in upcountry rural music. I like it too, while I HATE anything that's Nashville-black-cowboy-hat-with-an-achey-breaky-voice.
I think Ms. Harris would say that she is a folkie at heart based on her involvement and many contributions to folk musicians over the years.
is this on every 12 hours or what!?
redezra wrote:
AGHHHHHH
Go back to podunk and take yer attitude wid ya!!
aharamanx wrote:
Absolutely excellent.
Exactly!! I give it a nine! I would give it a 10 but I don't want EmmyLou to get a big head!!
Wrecking Ball is the only album with Emmylou I've heard (apart from a song here & there). I know she has her roots in country, but this is what I associate with her - and I really like it!
I don't know how to classify her either, but this refrain definitely has its roots in upcountry rural music. I like it too, while I HATE anything that's Nashville-black-cowboy-hat-with-an-achey-breaky-voice.
I don\'t like anything except the tubas or whatever at the end, that momentarily give it a bit of a Tibetan monastery feel. Now if we could just do something about that nasal voice...and that annoying refrain...and...and....
Great stuff! I could just as easily hear Peter Gabriel or Robbie Robertson singing along to Daniel Lanois\' riffs.
One incredible song after another... How do you people do it!?
AGHHHHHH