Carmen Rasmusen (born March 25, 1985 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a Canadian-Am… Read Full Bio ↴Carmen Rasmusen (born March 25, 1985 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a Canadian-American singer and was a singing hopeful who ranked sixth on the second season of American Idol in 2003.

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.

Stranded
Carmen Rasmusen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Jason Deere / Kristyn Osborn

1st Verse

Confusing

Well, that about wraps it up

You told me it wasn't love you were feeling

I slammed doors

'Cause I could just kick myself

I need more than a little help getting through this

Chorus

(I'm) (feelin' like)

I'm stranded on the side of the road

Nothin' to show

Nowhere to go

Baby, I've been stranded on the side of life's road

Somebody shake me and wake me

Take me home

2nd Verse

It kills me

That I could'a saved me some time

I pulled a few stars outta line

Just to please you

Well, excuse me

What happened to my common sense

It's like it just hopped the fence

And left me standing

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge

You always said there'd come a day

You'd find a way to prove the world was blind

But here's my proof you told the truth

'Cause I watched you fall right off the map

(Repeat Chorus Twice)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Carmen Rasmusen's song "Stranded" convey the emotions of a person who feels lost and stranded on the side of life's road. The first verse indicates confusion and heartbreak. The singer comes to an understanding that her partner was not in love with her, leading to her slamming doors and feeling helpless. The chorus signifies her sense of isolation and helplessness. Her life has come to a standstill. She asks for someone to shake her out of her state of mind and take her home. The second verse provides a glimpse of her past relationship. She realizes that she pulled a few stars out of line to please her former partner. The bridge highlights her partner's promises to prove the world wrong, but they fall off the map. The final chorus reiterates her helplessness, loneliness, and desire to go home.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, that about wraps it up
The relationship is over and done with

You told me it wasn't love you were feeling
You said you don't love me

I slammed doors
I reacted with anger and frustration

'Cause I could just kick myself
I regret my actions and wish I did things differently

I need more than a little help getting through this
I need support and guidance to move on

(I'm) (feelin' like)
I have a sense of

I'm stranded on the side of the road
I feel lost and stuck in life

Nothin' to show
I have no accomplishments or achievements to be proud of

Nowhere to go
I feel directionless and uncertain about the future

Baby, I've been stranded on the side of life's road
I feel lost and disconnected from my path in life

Somebody shake me and wake me
I need someone to help me snap out of my confusion and despair