The Meaning Behind The Song: He Thinks He’ll Keep Her by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her” is a timeless classic that anyone who loves country music has heard. Released in 1993, it was one of the most successful songs of Carpenter’s career and won her a well-deserved Grammy. The song tells the story of a woman who realizes that her husband takes her for granted and is only interested in keeping her around to run the household. She decides to take control of her life and leave him, refusing to be just another trophy wife. Here is an in-depth look at the meaning behind the powerful lyrics of “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her”.
Verse 1: A Woman’s Life
The first verse of the song describes the monotonous and unfulfilling life of the protagonist. She’s a stay-at-home-mom who spends her days cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the kids. The lines “There’s a rat in the cellar, and a log in the hole/ You’d think that’s all she wrote” describe the woman’s frustration with her seemingly mundane life. It’s clear that the woman longs for something more, something that her husband isn’t willing to give her.
Chorus: “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her”
The chorus of the song is where the title comes from, and it’s a powerful statement. The protagonist realizes that her husband takes her for granted and only values her for what she does for him. He thinks she’ll stick around forever, but she’s had enough. The line “Maybe he’ll cry, but he can’t say I didn’t try” shows that she’s made the decision to leave, no matter how hard it may be.
Verse 2: Realizing Her Worth
The second verse of the song shows the protagonist finally realizing her worth and that she deserves more than what her husband is willing to give her. The line “She sees a lawyer and she learns the law/ She’ll divorce him and she’ll take it all” shows that she’s not going to settle for being just another trophy wife. She’s going to take control of her life and make sure that she gets what she’s entitled to.
Bridge: Independence and Empowerment
The bridge of the song is where the woman really takes control of her life. The lines “She’s gonna let him pay a little every month/ And have to keep on working” shows that she’s not going to rely on her ex-husband for support. She’s going to work hard and be independent. The line “She’s gonna keep the baby” is also powerful, as it shows that she’s not going to let her husband dictate her life any longer.
FAQs
1. What inspired Mary Chapin Carpenter to write the song?
Mary Chapin Carpenter was inspired by a friend’s life. The friend was a stay-at-home mom who was going through a divorce and feeling undervalued.
2. Was the song controversial when it was released?
Yes, it was. Many people saw the song as promoting divorce and female empowerment, which was not as accepted as it is today.
3. Did Mary Chapin Carpenter expect the song to be such a hit?
No, she didn’t. In fact, she was surprised that the song took off the way it did.
4. What was the impact of the song?
The song had a significant impact on the country music industry and women’s empowerment movements in the ’90s. It remains one of the most popular feminist anthems to this day.
5. Did Mary Chapin Carpenter write the song alone?
Yes, she did. She wrote the song alone in her kitchen.
6. What did the critics think of the song?
The song received widespread critical acclaim, with many critics praising Carpenter’s songwriting skills and the powerful message of the song.
7. Was the song based on Mary Chapin Carpenter’s own experiences?
No, it was not. While Carpenter was inspired by a friend’s life, the song was not based on her own experiences.
8. What other songs did Mary Chapin Carpenter write that have a similar message?
Carpenter has written many songs with similar messages, including “Broken Wings,” “I Am a Town,” and “The Hard Way.”
9. How did Mary Chapin Carpenter feel when she won a Grammy for the song?
Carpenter was thrilled to win a Grammy for the song, and she dedicated the award to all the women who have been through similar experiences.
10. What impact did the music video have on the song’s success?
The music video was well-received and helped propel the song’s success. It featured actresses such as Rosie O’Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres and showed women from all walks of life standing up for themselves.
11. Has the song been covered by other artists?
Yes, the song has been covered by many artists, including Rosanne Cash, Trisha Yearwood, and Miranda Lambert.
12. Why do you think the song remains so popular today?
The song remains popular today because it speaks to a universal message of female empowerment and the importance of valuing oneself. Its timeless message of standing up for oneself and refusing to be a doormat resonates with people from all walks of life.
