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Patty Griffin — What You Are
Album: Silver Bell
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1758









Released: 2013
Length: 4:36
Plays (last 30 days): 1
All the ladies, on the lake they start to dance
Its been a long time, don't you wish you had the chance

What do you wish you were?
Do you wish you were the silence on the moon?
Nobody knows but maybe you will be soon

I used to think the sidewalk was the way
Always waiting for my lucky day
Over and over every patch of gray
One day inside me I was lucky anyway...

What do you wish you were?
Do you wish you were the light of every star?
Nobody knows but, maybe that's just what you are

All night count all the singing stars
Alright is where you want to know you are

What do you wish you were?
Do you wish you were the light of every star?
Nobody knows.. but maybe that's just what you are
Nobody knows.. but maybe that's just what you are
Nobody knows.. but maybe that's just what you are
Comments (53)add comment
On the face of it this song is not my bag at all, but I've heard it played on RP a handful of times now and it's starting to resonate with me somewhere deep down. It's a slightly unsettling but not unwelcome experience. Sort of like being forced to question dogmatic views that you've held fast to for decades. It turns out RP isn't just a station: it's a journey.
 easmann wrote:

It might be strange for a songwriter when another singer’s interpretation is more popular than their own, that happens sometimes. But not in this case for me. Joan’s rendition is very nice but I do think Patty’s is just right. And a subtle but solid 10 on the RP scale. 


It's a close call for me but I think Patty's simpler take with less instrumentation gives it the edge.
Patty Griffin is THE MOST underrated singer songwriter out there for decades. Other than Jonatha Brooke. Seen her in Gruene, TX twice and her shows are an outpouring of grief, bouyance and joy. Moses is the most beautiful song ever written IMO. 
always brings tears to my eyes...especially now
First time hearing gave it a 9
very nice
It's a beautiful song. brings a damn tear to the eye. 
Good Gosh!!! The playlist, on this melancholy Christmas day evening is, to quote Colorado John... eargasm after eargasm!! Thanks Bill & Rebecca! Hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas. And, thanks for the awesome lineup!!
It might be strange for a songwriter when another singer’s interpretation is more popular than their own, that happens sometimes. But not in this case for me. Joan’s rendition is very nice but I do think Patty’s is just right. And a subtle but solid 10 on the RP scale. 
Seems like this belongs on mellow mix
Simply beautiful. It stops me in my tracks each time I hear it.  Love you RP
Shades of L Cohen here. Just breathtaking
 raulman1 wrote:
Actually Joan Osborne is the author.
 

No. Joan sings it nicely, but Patty wrote it.
 amoreena wrote:
Anyone know who wrote this incredible song?  I prefer Joan's version too, but am in awe of Patty's talent.  Amazing live too!
 

Patty wrote it.
I am struck by the way Patty can make her voice sound breathy and weak here. And cut glass with the next track!

Not my fave track on Silver Bell, but I could never pick one 'best' anyway.
c.
I hear new reasons  to listen here each time I have time to tune in.  I'm feeling what my buddies say... "AMAZEBALLS" (but they say that about almost everything even remotely awesome)... but if you have good eyesight, please look at what's on the board behind this baller.

ball-tracking-animated-02
Hadn't heard this version of this. That's why I listen here I guess. Very nice.
 Grammarcop wrote:
Earworm.

 
I had to look it up.

An earworm is a catchy piece of music that continually repeats through a person's mind after it is no longer playing.  
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!  Patty!
Earworm.
Wow .... so calming.

Thanks Bill!!
I enjoy both Patty's and Joan's.  Tis a beautiful song.
Oh nooooooooo could it be that I'm experiencing a guy-cry!

dammit 
I disagree with some of you on here. I much prefer Patty's version to the cover that Joan did. 
What a talent!
I love where Joan took this song. Further, deeper, more solemn, more hymn-like.
So this album was finally and formally released?
(Ref: here)
Great album! {#Cheers}
 Some ghosts chasing will-o'-the-wisp on sidewalks, and finding figments only.
 raulman1 wrote:
Actually Joan Osborne is the author. {#Music}
ktirko wrote:
I believe its Patty wrote the song......

 

 
Nope, Patty wrote it with Craig Ross. Check the AMG link
8 to 9 with this listen. Beautiful song. 
Actually Joan Osborne is the author. {#Music}
ktirko wrote:
I believe its Patty wrote the song......

 


I believe its Patty wrote the song......
Anyone know who wrote this incredible song?  I prefer Joan's version too, but am in awe of Patty's talent.  Amazing live too!
Maybe that's just what you are....
 hayduke2 wrote:

BobcatGoldthwaitHWOFJan2013.jpg
including Bobcat Goldthwait?

 
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
 rdo wrote:
Such a great song it dont matter who singing it...
 
BobcatGoldthwaitHWOFJan2013.jpg
including Bobcat Goldthwait?
I LOVE it when Patty uses her whisper-soft voice and gets such rich, deep tones.
As some others, I like the Joan Osborne version better.  Nothing wrong with this version, though.
Patty griffth is a. Amazing artist. Mary has to be one of the best songs ever written 
Haven't listened to the version from the bootlegged version from  a few years back in a while. But this version sounds a bit different.

edit: it's been remixed by Patty and Glyn Johns.
... late morning coffee - looking at the mountains... carried away
This absolutely stopped me in my tracks...a gorgeously mournful song of hope.
Such a great song it dont matter who singing it...
Get to see her live in less than two weeks!
Nice, but I just want her to let loose and emote. Makes me tense, waiting for her to kick it in gear, but she never really does.

Very much prefer the Joan Osborn version.
 Dosequis wrote:
I don't typically like Patty Griffin mostly because her voice is often too shrill and thin. 
But this is nice. 

 


I don't typically like Patti Griffin mostly because her voice is often too shrill and thin. 
But this is nice. 
This is my favorite song from the CD. Well, at least one of the many favs. I appreciate your diving more deeply into this fantastic CD.

"I used to think the sidewalk was the way." - Sing it Patty!
This quietly pulls you in.
Strategically placed leaves make me laugh. Really love the song.