Mary Chapin Carpenter - This Shirt

Music video by Mary Chapin Carpenter performing This Shirt. (C) 1990 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

[@bodinmuschinsky3742]

A candidate for the most reflective and touching song ever written.

[@PaulHarris-sw1ih]

Along with "Other streets, other towns."

[@PAUONE01]

And family hands. She's a treasure. So many good songs

[@scottkirby8204]

After all these years, and so many great songs, I have to say this is still my favorite Mary Chapin song. Beautiful!

[@Massivo07]

This song is a gem of popular music. I love these simple yet magical words. No one can describe everybody´s life so beautifully. This girl is unique!

[@jarnojarvelainen2811]

I could try to explain how beautiful this song is... but I'm not about to try.

[@lolitagrant3225]

Well said! One of my favorite songs of all time.

[@tinabegley5598]

Jarno Järveläinen lbbbbb

[@waynesanchez6504]

It's like Louie Armstrong said to a woman who asked him to explain what Jazz is, "Lady, if you dont know, I cant tell you."

[@lifetimes2983]

Exactly....No worries...No need !

[@DuggieMcRae]

I absolutely LOVE this song. I sing along with Mary Chapin (Chappy) and usually get teary eyed.

[@johnwbanjo]

The line about the cat gets me every time.

[@jaddison1112]

I'm happy to say a stray mama cat my neighbor and I are taking care of had 6 kittens April 27. All of those sweet kittens survived among all the death and misery of 2020. No crying, ... just joy from them ..... amen.

[@gardengnome3249]

Okay now it is 9 songs of Mary's in a row. Damn I am addicted. At 64 I am ashamed to say I have never heard of her until now. You tube rocks and more. So does Mary.

[@jeffcwatson]

30 years late is better than never ❤

[@bekahraible]

I've listened to this song as long as I can remember. It brings back memories from when things were simple, pure. Brings tears to my eyes every time.

[@TheWaltm]

This piece of material should have so many more views, it is so personal and makes you think of someplace, much more beautiful than this reality we call life we have to live in these days. I miss those days so much at times, something's in life you can never have again. Damn!

[@bobapelian8773]

Who else do we know that can write a great song about a "Shirt" ?

[@ankemerckx]

After careful thought, I chose 'This Shirt' when asked about my favorite song ever in a songwriting workshop. But it might just as well have been 'Only a Dream'. Or 'Hally Came to Jackson'. It was only a matter of choosing one of her songs. She's always been my favorite songwriter. Her music is what my feelings sound like. Hope to hear her live in Belgium some day!

[@billbrosius1830]

The Shirt is symbolic of each of our life’s journeys. One of the best written songs about life. I’ve been listening to it for years. Thanks MC2.

[@carlygrayson956]

We all have our own "this shirt", whatever it may be, that defines our life's journey. That's the beauty of this song, that we all relate in our own way.

[@larrycarroll7371]

A poem worthy of singing every day.

[@sharonvyse3686]

Such a beautiful song that honestly grew on me over the years, and I've had the sense and pleasure to follow this dear artist and humane being since her earliest career days. What a gift and treasure to us. So happy she is about to hit the road again on tour.

[@buckybucky5028]

Mary is one of the best songwriters around. This is the first country cd I've ever bought.

[@lloydpotts8308]

Mumford

[@TheRMSU1]

I say more folk than country

[@imthetwit68]

Absolutely my favorite Mary Chaplin song. So beautiful. Was so fortunate to see her in concert at Slims in SF when the power went out and she climbed up onto the bar and played acoustic until the power came back on. Absolutely incredible!

[@Ma_Ba]

Telling story about her!

[@theresabclayton]

I get to see her in Grass Valley and I am so excited. Love, love, love this song.

[@stevelambert5051]

I can believe that😄I saw Nanci Griffith do the same in Manchester long before she came to the attention of the world.Class is permanent👏👏

[@murmac61]

I am a man and not big on country music but I just Love this Lady---what an incredible songwriter---would love to meet her in person---

[@allanliversidge9827]

First seen this lady, along with Roseanne Cash , Lucinda Williams at Enmore Theatre in Sydney Aussie. Great concert, just 3 exquisite ladys, 3 guitars no band. Mary is a perfectionist ,so good❤

[@jeffcwatson]

This is the first song of hers that I heard on radio in the early 90s. 30 years, many albums, many concerts. Thank you 🇨🇦❤🇺🇸

[@OBparamour]

I've never heard this song on the radio, and I've been listening to her since the '90s.

[@vivianwilliams6344]

I always cry at the line about the kitties.

[@davidturner4086]

Saw her sing this twice. Dear God. Can't even put this into a description. Loved it.

[@Tompkins39]

My mother used to play this song over and over when I was a kid. Loved it, then actually listened to the lyrics when I got old. Great story behind the song

[@GrainneDhu]

No one can rip at my heartstrings the way Mary Chapin can. I wish I could see her in concert just one more time...

[@lastrada52]

What an incredible song -- what a great subject to sing about. We can probably all relate to it in some manner. A favorite pair of shoes, boots, jacket, sweater, pocket book, hat, even an old car....but, Mary Chapin Carpenter's "This Shirt" hits the nail on the head. This singer-songwriter is one of the finest ever.

[@g-mang-man7924]

I remember hearing this song the first time. Chapin played it live in Georgetown. I don't remember the bar, but Lord I remember Chapin and have been a fan since that night.

[@heyoka56]

Absolutely poetic lyrics !

[@debraarnold3703]

"And we wept when the last one died" I cry a little every time I hear it

[@karenbarr6617]

So much of this song relates truly to my life . Thank you Mary you have eased my heart ❤

[@topcog2006]

Such a beautiful song by a beautiful songbird.

[@SOLDbyYOU]

Ms Chaplin …you have always been one of my shiny buttons

[@zodiaccafe1]

My favorite MCC song ever. Nice to revisit it after all these years. Thank you for home concerts bringing us all back together.

[@captainjoebrown]

Still one of her all-time best.

[@SPONDNO8]

MCC communicates her pure heart into incredibly touching, beautiful songs. Brilliant.

[@robertmartin2600]

I saw Mary at the Canal Street Tavern in Dayton Oh. about a month before her first Grammy. A memory so old I should replace it, but I'm not about to try. The next time I saw her was at a sold-out Nutter Center in Ohio and as soon as she started playing guitar it brought tears to my eyes.

[@helpinghal]

It was a shirt a young lady who I really loved picked out for me. We did not last together and I kept the shirt a lot longer than I should have. Yeah, this song hits me hard every time I hear it.

[@larryreitz3425]

so much of life gets to be like 'this shirt'': softened with age, worn to slowly fit you and your shape, and irreplaceable.

[@patriciamcgrath7308]

I could play this song over and over. I treasure the times I have seen her perform. Thank you, Mary.

[@user-kx3mn8dy7o]

First MCC song I ever heard. I had to sit in my parked car in order to savor the whole song! Happy memory of driving through a rainy night.

[@rahang4126]

Again a real poet and musician. Thanks to exist, MCC, you bring so much heat in my heart.

[@davidwillsofthenorth]

Still a beautiful song from a beautiful lady! Thank you!

[@jameskaplan263]

My favorite of all her songs too!

[@lydee09]

Mary's music is magically moving! I love her! So talented!

[@ossian7]

I feel so privileged to have first heard this song back in the days when MCC was doing warm up gigs and only had a handful of songs, inc. this gem.

[@johnd746]

My favorite Mary Chappin Carpenter song. It just hits me in the right spot, and makes me feel very nostalgic. When I play it on my tape deck or my cd player, because I have both, I usually play this song twice. Love it.

[@fabfrith]

I've been in love with this woman all my life, never met her, never even seen her in concert but nobody sings or writes songs like her, nobody. And this is one of my favorites.

[@raynwolf2817]

I wish she was still performing but understand why not. Her songs probably speak more to me than anyone else’s. I will never stop listening and admiring❤

[@ChaseRiverBand]

Actually, she occasionally still does. I saw her in her "hometown" at Wolf Trap a few years ago, and I think she toured with Shawn Colvin last year. I believe she is taking a break in 2024!

[@Aboz]

I first heard this song when I worked at a country station in 1992. Always looked forward to playing it, and still get dewy-eyed whenever I hear it.

[@danielselvidge6270]

I have my duffel bag issued at Ft Jackson in 1983 and went all over the world until 2007. Strange how we become attached to inanimate objects.

[@kbencsik1]

I drove out to Kansas from PA with three small boys all by myself and it was so wonderful. We listened to this album the whole way out and back!

[@Massivo07]

What an adorable poem and tune. Inspiring to all.

[@michaelgiffey5108]

I have all her albums, State of The Heart is still the one I listen to most.

[@davidturner4086]

Same here. I don't think anyone can argue it's her best.

[@iracook8722]

Been a while since I've heard her poetry... Incredible

[@lorilori7126]

We all have that shirt. My Grandfather's work shirt from the Ranch. Grandma's shirt she wore collecting eggs with those big buttons and pockets. Even the Father of my Son. His plaid red and black shirt. Tatered and torn from a life long ago.

[@claudi.o]

What a beautiful song and singer.

[@mikegibbs3030]

Thanks Mary...GREAT SONG !!!!

[@iamintheburg]

The sleeve with your heart rolled into it, walking into the high school dance and hoping.......Just hoping. Things don't matter, except when they DO matter.

[@katepiekut1386]

Not one of MCC’s “hits” but I think my favorite. Or at least in the top three. Listened to her All. The. Time.; especially on road trips with my husband and my now adult daughter when she was just a baby. It was great driving music. (Landed on the PBS special tonight and it took me back 30 years in an instant. Love love love her distinctive voice.)

[@davidlionheart2438]

SO brilliant! I've never been able to get through it without crying. Ever.

[@SirenHooper]

[@rexdby2984]

Pure Energy The line about the fifth kitten dying really gets me. The come on come on album had songs that could rip your heart out as well, I am a town, and only a dream. Just listened to these exquisite songs in rapid succession and feeling beautifully melancholy. These songs seem seem much more poignant at 50 than when I wore them out at 24. Mary Chapin Carpenter, now that, my friends is a songwriter!

[@andrewlong6825]

Me either.

[@undeddjester]

Just before heading to Uni today I randomly remembered hearing this song when I was kid 16 years ago or so, but couldn't really remember it that well. Decided to quickly track it down, and had to even look it up by searching for a handful of lyrics I knew. Now I'm having to choke back the tears and dry my eyes again thanks to that little bit of curiosity. Damn it Mary!

[@JancisHarvey]

best in all the world of MCC's songs. Love it

[@josephwaters94]

My wife and I saw MCC years ago in Vermont. Great concert, she is an excellent singer/songwriter.

[@robparzych1905]

Makes me cry...every.damn.time.

[@Wyllough]

Beautiful song. Makes me cry every time.

[@AnthonyPeake1]

+Bob Smith Me to ....

[@sai-ij8es]

An article in Reader's Digest got me here. Amazing song.

[@marysalvi242]

2022 so many wonderful stories put to music of life, live on and on ~ 💕

[@KMCastor]

still my favorite MCC song. She was great in concert a few months ago in Morristown, NJ!

[@johnbutcher1710]

A great song wonderful lyrics , think we all have one of these shirts , stay safe all .

[@delanawhite2137]

I can never love this song enough! Or this whole LP, it is phenomenal!

[@KatsHouse]

Oh the Memories! I played this cassette so many times I wore it out! I have one of those shirts..still. It always makes me smile when I pass it in the closet looking for something else. But it's still there...as am I.

[@SOLDbyYOU]

From that era… I too grew up in DC… our orbits never crossing…. You growing a place in Americana… I was busy doing the Society Gig Black Tux thing…. Driving in to DC in the evenings for the gigs…. Go West, - From Baltimore to Paris… Icehouse - A Man of Color.. and every Mary Chaplin Carpenter…. You are… one of our silver buttons…

[@ctcv-to8kq]

I'm no bleeding heart but as many times as I've heard this song I still have to brace myself each time for the verse about watching the five kittens die. Easily my favorite musical artist.

[@stevejohnston555]

Pete, listen closely, if it's any consolation, only the last and fifth kitten dies....

[@beegeesee]

Love this song/story :-)

[@TerenceMarshall-cw5bt]

Beautiful

[@Charlotte071]

Love this song

[@cathiefredrickson]

Such a great song and wonderfully talented lady, love her voice and great guitar playing

[@OBparamour]

Every person I've ever loved who has died, I have one of their shirts.

[@peterlukaszyk6024]

One of these songs, when she sings shining like a memory inside those silver buttons i have tears in my eyes

[@jonkyser6451]

Beautiful Song, Beautiful Woman, Beautiful Story, Beautiful Music, Beautiful Memories.

[@lilithrogers5204]

OH, yes, beautiful song.........I'll think of it often as I slip into one of my many old shirts full of memories.....Thank you.....

[@georgemanes8295]

Beautiful song; beautifully sung.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

I have an old denim shirt that I've had for most of my adult life. It's worn and tattered, but I refused to let a be an old rag. The sleeves were removed long ago and now it's just a tired old worn and stained vest like it's owner.

[@Aranyl]

I love all her songs!!! sadly they are hard to find in France. My favo is Jubilee!

[@cvcoco]

Yeah. We all have that shirt and stories inside it, but we cant write them down the way Mary Chapin did. I knew that shirt so well, the red flanel one, and kept it 20 years past its prime just so I could listen to it speak to me so I could write it down and I couldnt do it. Maybe one day i'll hear it still, the weaves and threads finally letting go and giving up their treasure.

[@joannekozaroff7500]

I think we all have that one shirt that evokes memories and strong emotions but only MCC could turn it into a wonderful song.

[@broadwayrocks1]

this song is the reason I love MCC!

[@kenible]

me too but also Marys Land...

[@kawai99100]

She released another just a tad slower one and it is the best. No one like her.

[@gs7767]

I love this song too!

[@claudi.o]

What a so beautiful song!

[@sarina1014]

Johnny, you are wise beyond your years. I congratulate you on your mature taste I .am also a little concerned that you are listening to such introspective music. Please continue to keep your ears eyes and mind open

[@stevepyle6408]

My favorite.

[@JoMoMoss]

WOW! ... what Lyrics! ...... :-)

[@halfdoorclub7520]

Mary is a legend 😊

[@kosjeyr]

Still wear shirts from over 20 years ago...

[@johnmacleod4481]

So old should replace it but I'm not about to try the lyrics in this song are just so powerful and the singer mary chapin carpenter makes me cry in a nice way

[@peterkane8786]

…..Excellent, thank you.

[@clebus1]

My favorite!!!!!!

[@natashasealey5944]

every song tells a story, this is a beautiful story. :3

[@johngriffin968]

A beautiful song about life.

[@juliemartinez347]

I LOVE this song. I have a shirt that I’ve had for years - I stole it from one of my old boyfriends. I use it as my “sick” shirt now. Whenever I wear it, my husband knows that I’m not doing well.

[@wendymac5956]

Such memories~