In the beginning, Columbia Records signed Carlile in late 2004 on the strength of songs she'd been recording periodically at home. Released in 2005, Brandi Carlile showcased those early songs along with several newly recorded tracks. Shortly after the release of Brandi Carlile, she left her home in Seattle and set out with the Hanseroth brothers, with whom she'd worked on her earliest recordings and independent regional tours. The tightly knit trio, which forms the core of her band today, spent the better part of two years on the road honing the songs that would later become part of her album "The Story".
In 2005, she was featured on Rolling Stone's "10 Artists to Watch in 2005" list. By the end of 2006, Carlile had embarked on several headlining tours and supported a variety of artists including Ray LaMontagne, The Fray, Chris Isaak, Tori Amos, and Shawn Colvin.
Her second album, The Story, was released in April 2007. It was produced by T Bone Burnett and includes a collaboration with the Indigo Girls on "Cannonball." The album was recorded in an eleven-day-long session with Carlile , the twins (Tim and Phil Hanseroth) and drummer Matt Chamberlain to capture the raw intensity of Carlile's live performances. The crack in Carlile's vocals during the title track, "The Story", came out by accident and was a direct result of the way the album was recorded. Carlile herself describes the vocals as "technically wrong but emotionally right."
Carlile was exposed to a wider audience when ABC's Grey's Anatomy showcased three of her songs: "Tragedy," "What Can I Say," and "Throw It All Away". In April 2007, Grey's Anatomy debuted a version of the video for the single The Story interspersed with footage from the show. On May 3, 2007, a special two-hour episode of "Grey's Anatomy" featured Carlile's song "Turpentine" during footage of the "Grey's Anatomy" spin-off, "Private Practice".
Looking Out
Brandi Carlile Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And never left my town
I'm no good at understanding
But I'm good at standing ground
And when I asked a corner preacher
I couldn't hear him for my youth
Some people get religion
Some people get the truth
I never get the truth
I know the darkness pulls on you
But it's just a point of view
When you're outside looking in
You belong to someone
And when you feel like giving in
On the coming of the end
Like your heart could break in two
Someone loves you
I lay this suitcase on my chest
So I can feel somebody's weight
And I laid you to rest
Just to feel a give and take
I got a new interpretation
And it's a better point of view
While you were looking for a landslide
I was looking out for you
I was looking out for you
Someone's looking out for you
I know the darkness pulls on you
But it's just a point of view
When you're outside looking in
You belong to someone
And when you feel like giving in
On the coming of the end
Like your heart could break in two
Someone loves you
I am afraid of crossing lines
I am afraid of flying blind
Afraid of inquiring minds
Afraid of being left behind
I close my eyes, I think of you (close my eyes)
I take a step, I think of you (take a step)
I catch my breath, I think of you (close my eyes)
I cannot rest, I think of you
My one and only wrecking ball
And you're crashing through my walls
When you're outside looking in
You belong to someone
And when you feel like giving in
On the coming of the end
Like your heart could break in two
Someone loves you, yeah
In "Looking Out," Brandi Carlile shares her search for truth and acceptance. The first verse describes her effort to seek answers beyond her hometown, but she was unsuccessful. The second verse seems to address her loneliness, as she searches for someone to share her life with. Her fear of vulnerability and taking risks are highlighted in the third verse, but ultimately she finds comfort in the idea that someone is looking out for her. The chorus affirms the idea that regardless of how bleak things may get, there is always someone who loves and cares for her.
The song explores the complexities of life and relationships. Carlile acknowledges that the path to understanding oneself and the world can be challenging, but it's essential to try. Through her lyrics, she reveals that love and connection are fundamental needs, and it's okay to depend on others for support. The song's themes resonate with audiences, making it a favorite among Carlile's fans.
Line by Line Meaning
I went out looking for the answers and never left my town.
I was searching for the truth but stayed within my comfort zone.
I'm no good at understanding, but I'm good at standing ground.
I may not always comprehend things, but I am resolute in my beliefs.
And when I asked a corner preacher I couldn't hear him for my youth.
I tried questioning an authority but was too naive to understand their response.
Some people get religion some people get the truth.
Different people find their own way towards enlightenment.
I never get the truth, I never get the truth.
Despite searching, I have been unable to find the truth.
I know the darkness falls on you. And it's just a point of view
Your feelings of despair may be subjective and not reflect reality
When you're outside looking in you belong to someone and when
You feel excluded, but belonging to someone can be comforting.
You feel like giving in and the coming of the end, like your
When you feel like giving up, like your heart may break, someone loves you.
Heart can break in two, someone loves you.
Your heartache is temporary, and you are cared for.
I lay this suitcase on my chest so I can feel somebody's weight.
I want to feel the presence of someone else so badly it hurts.
And I lay you to rest just to feel a give and take?
I am willing to make sacrifices to feel a symbiotic relationship.
I got a new interpretation and it's a better point of view, you
I have gained insight into our relationship and view it more positively.
Were looking for a landslide I was looking out for you, I was
While you sought drastic change, I was being protective of you.
Looking out for you, someone's looking out for you
I am watching over you and believe others are doing the same.
I am afraid of crossing lines.
I fear taking risks that may damage my relationships.
I am afraid of flying blind.
I fear making decisions without full information.
Afraid of inquiring minds.
I fear being questioned or interrogated.
Afraid of being left behind.
I fear being left alone and ignored.
I close my eyes I think of you, I take a step I think of you,
I can't stop thinking about you even in mundane moments.
I catch my breath I think of you, I cannot rest I think of you
You are always on my mind, even when I should be resting.
My one and only wrecking ball, and you're cutting through my walls.
You are the only thing that can break down my emotional defenses.
When you're outside looking in you belong to someone and
When you feel disconnected, it can be comforting to know you have someone to rely on.
When you feel like giving in and the coming of the end,
When you feel like you can't go on, when everything is about to fall apart,
Like your heart could break in two, someone loves you.
Remember that you are loved, even in your darkest moments.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandi M. Carlile, Phillip John Hanseroth, Timothy Jay Hanseroth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind