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Issue Date: November 14, 2004
Music
Don't know Tift Merritt? You will.
By Michele Hatty
The first time you hear Tift Merritt sing "Good Hearted Man," it comes across as something written in the '70s, when love songs were arguably bigger and more heartfelt.
The music press has heaped praise on this singer-songwriter, who's back with her second album, "Tambourine."
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But the singer-songwriter, 29, with her porcelain-doll looks and sweet nature, is no '70s throwback. Merritt's catchy music -- a mix of country, blues and folk -- speaks to the problems and desires of today.
Currently on tour to promote her new album, "Tambourine," she recently spoke with USA WEEKEND Magazine:
Your songs sound very personal, but at the same time familiar.
I think it's really limiting to say, "This song is about this and this person," because there are things that transcend all of us, and that's the stuff you make paintings about and great songs about and build the links to. My personal experience, to me, seems way too trivial.
True, but a song like "Good Hearted Man" raises the question: "Where can I find one like him?"
That's true. One woman came up after a show and grabbed me and asked, "Do you know that guy?!" I wrote the song about someone I really deeply, deeply care for.
So who is he, really?
I could never reveal any details about it without wrecking my life!
A genuine, old-fashioned love song ... that is rare!
I think a good song is one written about a particular moment in your life but which has the capacity to mean something more. I'm reminded of older songs like [Carole King's] "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman." This song, it's just my version.
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