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".
Tragedy
Brandi Carlile Lyrics
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Human, you know me
Grown up, oh no, guess again
My days always
Dry up and blow away
Sometimes I could do that too
Make no mistaking
When you need a friend
You could count on anyone
But you know I'll defend
The tragedy that we knew as
The end
Progress, changing
Growing then giving up
Somehow we're never quite prepared
But I understand it
When you need a friend
You could count on anyone
But you know I'll defend
The tragedy that we knew as
The end
So taking you with me would be like
Taking all your money to the grave
Well, it does no good to anyone especially
The one you're trying to save
But it's so hard not to say
And when you need a friend
Hey, you could count on anyone
But you know I'll defend
The tragedy that we knew as
The end
Brandi Carlile's song "Tragedy" is an emotional reflection on the end of a relationship. The song begins with Carlile apologizing for her flaws and expressing her vulnerability as a human being, stating that sometimes she too could "dry up and blow away." However, despite her imperfections, she pledges to always be there for someone in need, even in the aftermath of a tragic and painful end to a relationship.
In the second verse, Carlile acknowledges the challenges of growing and changing, admitting that we are never fully prepared for the inevitable losses and endings that come with life. Nonetheless, she continues to affirm her loyalty and commitment to those she loves, even in the face of heartbreak and uncertainty.
The final verse of the song takes on a more melancholy tone, as Carlile reflects on the difficulty of letting go of someone she still cares for deeply. She recognizes that holding onto the past is ultimately futile and even detrimental to both parties involved, but she can't help but feel the urge to save what was lost. The song ends on a bittersweet note, with Carlile facing the reality of the tragedy that has occurred and mourning what could have been.
Line by Line Meaning
Sorry I'm only
Human you know me
Grown up oh no guess again
I'm apologizing for being human and prone to mistakes. You know me well, but I'm not a grown-up yet.
My days always
Dry up and blow away
Sometimes I could do that too
But make no mistake that
My days end quickly and without anything to show for them. Sometimes I feel like I'm fading too, but don't forget
When you need a friend
You could count on anyone
But you know I'll defend
The tragedy that we knew as
The end
I'll always be there for you when you need a friend. But even though it's painful, I'll always hold onto the memories of our tragic ending.
Progress, changing
Growing then giving up
Somehow we're never quite prepared
But I understand it
We try to move forward and change, but sometimes we give up. We're never fully ready for what's to come, but I understand why.
So taking you with me would be like
Taking all your money to the grave
It does no good to anyone especially
The one you're trying to save
But it's so hard not to save
Bringing you along on this path would be like carrying your burdens. It's not helpful, especially for you. But it's hard for me to resist trying to help.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandi M. Carlile
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind