Rasmusen was praised by her fans as having a wholesome, girlish appeal and for refusing to wear outfits she and her mother deemed "immodest" on stage. Her critics, however, were more vocal. In her performances, Rasmusen often had trouble controlling her natural vibrato. Judge Randy Jackson was often one of her harshest detractors.
Her fans, however, enjoyed her unique voice, including the vibrato. The general consensus was that her first four performances on the finals, including "You Can't Hurry Love," "Hopelessly Devoted to You," "Wild Angels," and "Turn the Beat Around" were quite good, while the remaining three, "Call Me," "And So It Goes," and "Love Will Lead You Back" were subpar.
As the only contestant in the second season under the age of eighteen, she had to spend three hours a day with an on-set tutor. Her mother had to accompany her with the other contestants to the special American Idol house, where they all lived during the competition. Carmen was brought back for the wildcard round (along with three other singers) without having competed in the previous rounds of 8. Judge Simon Cowell made her his surprise wildcard pick.
A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rasmusen attended Brigham Young University for one year. She now spends much time in Nashville trying to establish a career in country music. She has been one of the most outspoken defenders of the show among the second season finalists in the wake of the scandal involving Corey Clark's allegations regarding Paula Abdul.
After her elimination she went on to appear in numerous shows promoting American Idol and she appeared on the last episode of the second season singing some songs with the another finalists. Rasmusen also appeared on the American Idol Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs singing "How Do I Live" by LeAnn Rimes.
Rasmusen made her acting debut in 2003 in the feature film Pride and Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy as Charlotte Lucas.[1] In 2004, Carmen released an EP by R3 Records, Carmen.
On December 15 2005, Carmen married Bradley Herbert, the son of Utah Lt. Governor, Gary R. Herbert in Bountiful, Utah. Their marriage was announced on FOX 13 News in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rasmusen also appeared in a three episode series of NBC's Fear Factor, aired on June 13, 2006 to 27th, 2006 respectively. In the first episode, she was teamed with Anthony Fedorov, and won the first challenge involving a demolition derby, ultimately winning a trip to Africa. She finished in second place.
In June of 2006, Carmen played a news reporter in commercials for Maverik, a convenience store in the western USA.
In February, 2007, it was announced that Carmen signed with Lofton Creek Records.
Rasmusen is signed with Lofton Creek Records. Her debut album, Nothin' Like the Summer was released on August 28, 2007, and the first single, "Nothin' Like the Summer", debuted on April 24, 2007. The song was written by Rasmusen, Victoria Shaw and Jason Deere who also produced the song and her album.
Rasmusen is not only out doing the radio tour set up by Mike Borchetta of Lofton Creek Records, she also started a new program called “Hitching a Ride” where fans can hitch a ride and hang on the bus for a while. This is being done through the local radio stations.
Rasmusen also stopped at 30 radio stations and 10 Television shows including Fox, MSNBC, and Geraldo on Fox News Channel. She has done two live performances one which she opened for Tracy Byrd and Jason Michael Carroll.
On July 10, 2007, Rasmusen went to Today to talk about her career and her future plans.
"Nothin' Like the Summer" sold 2,500 copies to date.
Photograph
Carmen Rasmusen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A picture and a flash
These years went by so fast
And it seems
As we pose
Though we started out as friends
Our love will never end
Always stayin up too late
Thinkin life would never change
Now you're gone-and I'm alone
With just a picture in a frame
And a memory of your name
I can feel your kiss
Soft upon my lips
And it's you I miss?
I
Wish you could be
Standing next to me
Not just in my dreams, but in reality
Looking through the glass
I can see our past
And I want you back
In my photograph
Now as time goes by
And the pictures start to fade
All the memories we made
Still live on in my heart
And even though we're miles away,
We will never be apart
And I
Feel your kiss,
Soft upon my lips
And it's you I miss
I
Wish you could be
Standing next to me
Not just in my dreams, but in reality
Looking through the glass
I can see our past
And I want you back
In my photograph
So here I cry?
Thinkin I have said my last goodbyes
But as I wait?
I can almost hear you say?
Smile here we go
Another picture taken here
I always will be near
I wish you could be
Standin next to me
Not just in my dreams, but in reality
I can hear your laugh
And I realize that
You're my missing half
In the photograph
Wish you could be next to me
Not in my dreams-reality
And through the glass I hear your laugh
And I want you back in my photograph
The lyrics to Carmen Rasmusen's song "Photograph" touch on the theme of nostalgia and the yearning for lost love, as the singer looks back on a relationship that has ended and reflects on the fond memories they shared. The opening lines set the scene for a photograph being taken and the nostalgia that comes with looking back on such moments. The lyrics then delve into the memories the singer shared with their loved one, with lines like "We had so much fun, Always stayin up too late, Thinkin life would never change." The singer then acknowledges the reality that the relationship has ended, with the lines "Now you're gone-and I'm alone, With just a picture in a frame, And a memory of your name." The chorus of the song repeats the sentiment that the singer wishes the loved one was still with them, "Standing next to me, Not just in my dreams, but in reality," and that they want them back in their photograph.
The song is relatable to anyone who has experienced the pain of lost love and the feeling of holding onto memories and photographs as a way of keeping that love and connection alive. The lyrics capture the bittersweet feeling of looking back on happy memories, while also acknowledging the sadness of loss and the longing for what once was. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer imagining their loved one still being with them and saying "Smile here we go, Another picture taken here, I always will be near," demonstrating that even though the relationship has ended, the memories and love will always stay with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Smile here we go
Let's take a picture together
A picture and a flash
Quickly snap the photo
These years went by so fast
Time flew by too quickly
And it seems As we pose
While we're posing for the photo
Though we started out as friends
We began as friends
Our love will never end
Our love is forever
We had so much fun Always stayin up too late
We always had a great time and stayed up late
Thinkin life would never change
We thought life would always stay the same
Now you're gone-and I'm alone With just a picture in a frame And a memory of your name
You're not here anymore, and I only have a photo and memories of you
I can feel your kiss Soft upon my lips And it's you I miss?
I remember your kiss and miss you
I Wish you could be Standing next to me Not just in my dreams, but in reality
I wish you were here with me in person
Looking through the glass I can see our past
Looking at the photo, I can remember our good times together
And I want you back In my photograph
I wish you were here with me in the picture
Now as time goes by And the pictures start to fade
As time passes, the photos lose their color and clarity
All the memories we made Still live on in my heart
The memories we created together remain in my heart
And even though we're miles away, We will never be apart
Even though we're far from each other, we'll always be connected
So here I cry? Thinkin I have said my last goodbyes
I shed tears thinking that I've already said goodbye
But as I wait? I can almost hear you say?
But as I wait, I can imagine hearing you speak to me
Another picture taken here I always will be near
Let's take another photo, I'll always be close to you
And through the glass I hear your laugh And I realize that You're my missing half In the photograph
I hear your laughter in the picture and realize that you're the missing piece to my happiness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josh Luke
I love her. I wish she'd put out another country album.
JOE FPOC
This is the only copy i can seem to find online. Such a great song, sad it just kinda disappeared from the world and never really took off. I heard it once on the radio a long time ago
Julianne Briscoe
It's a great song. I think she just decided to focus on her family. The CD is actually pretty good
Cody S
@Julianne Briscoe do you have a copy of the song? I can’t find it either 😔
Lindsy Choo
me too. love her hair locks and beautiful face. Voice is incredible.
Jody Winquist
I was at this(: