Beth Nielsen Chapman: The Stories Behind the Songs
Beth Nielsen Chapman has spent decades writing songs that other artists turn into hits—and songs that carry deeply personal meaning for her. A member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Chapman is still working on new music, and she’s bringing those songs, stories, and a remarkable catalog to Caffè Lena in Saratoga Springs on October 8.
In my conversation with Beth, we talk about the art of songwriting and what happens when a song takes on a life of its own. That includes “This Kiss,” the massive Faith Hill hit that Chapman co-wrote with Robin Lerner and Annie Roboff. The song became a country and crossover hit, was named ASCAP’s 1999 Song of the Year, and earned Chapman a Grammy nomination.
But the most revealing part of our conversation may be when Beth talks about what particular songs mean to her—and how their meanings can change over time. It’s a fascinating look inside the creative process from a songwriter who knows that sometimes the song you write becomes something much bigger than you ever imagined.
Beth Nielsen Chapman performs at Caffè Lena Thursday, October 8 at 7pm.
