Kathleen

Album: Draw The Line (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a duet with American singer Jolie Holland. Gray commented to Billboard magazine: "It's got some charm to it, that one. It's just held its own amongst these bigger numbers. Holland's vocals just lifts the song out. She's a star; she's a rare thing."
  • Gray admitted to Sunday Times August 31, 2009 that Holland wasn't his first choice. He explained: "I sang these backing vocals on the song and when I heard them back, they were so country, I thought, I've got to get Dolly Parton singing this. So I wrote her a letter: 'Dear Dolly, you wouldn't believe how many times I've listened to you and Chet Atkins singing Do I Ever Cross Your Mind,' and so on... The next morning, I called my management and said, 'Don't send it, it's too gushy, I'll rewrite it,' and they said, 'Don't bother, we've already sent it, and we've already got the reply. Dolly's busy for the next five years.'" So Gray had to think again and the answer came when he went to see Holland in concert. "We were both a bit nervous when she came into the studio," said Gray. "It was the first time I'd done anything like that, and I was trying to make her sing like me - which, surprisingly, didn't work. Eventually, Robbie [Malone, bass] pointed out that what she was doing was so much better than what I wanted her to do."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

Famous Singers' First Films

Famous Singers' First FilmsSong Writing

A look at the good (Diana Ross, Eminem), the bad (Madonna, Bob Dylan) and the peculiar (David Bowie, Michael Jackson) film debuts of superstar singers.

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.