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

Don Felder

Don FelderSongwriter Interviews

Don breaks down "Hotel California" and other songs he wrote as a member of the Eagles. Now we know where the "warm smell of colitas" came from.

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.