Having gained experience as one of the six singers in close-harmony group Les Elles, and as a vocalist in the Philharmonic Funk Foundation, Emerald first gained public recognition for her debut solo single Back It Up, which was officially released by Grandmono Records on July 6, 2009.
Her first album, Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor was released on January 29, 2010. The album features a mix of ballroom jazz, tangos and mambo’s in a contemporary production. Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor has been the best selling album in The Netherlands for over 29 consecutive weeks, beating the previous record of 26 weeks set by Michael Jacksons album Thriller.
In December 2009 her second single A Night Like This was released and reached the #1 position in the dutch charts. Her latest (May 2010) release is That Man.
After the succes in The Netherlands Back it Up has been released in Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium and many more countries are to follow.
www.caroemerald.com
In May 2007 Caro Emerald got a phonecall from Dutch producers Jan van Wieringen and David Schreurs. With another producer, they'd written a song for a Japanese pop act with the acclaimed songwriter Vince Degiorgio (Atomic Kitten, A-Teens, N'Synch, Love Inc. a.o.). But their demo singer couldn't make it. They needed something quickly, and that's how Caro got to record the demo of "Back It Up".
Caro liked the song so much that she added it to her live repertoire. A year later she got the chance to perform "Back It Up" on local TV station AT5 in Amsterdam. It caught on right away: viewers just wouldn't stop calling and e-mailing about that lovely girl with her catchy song. Caro and a friend produced a no budget video which ended up on Youtube, and again, the response was overwhelming. People literally begged her to sell the song on iTunes.
But with only one song on the repertoire, Caro and her team decided to focus on a full album first. Inspired by films and music from the 40's and 50's they started working on new songs and ideas. Fall 2008, David flew over to Toronto to write with Degiorgio, and returned with 7 great tracks and a clear direction for the album. A few months later, Vince came to Amsterdam to finish the album. The result: an exciting and hugely accessible record, featuring ballroom jazz, cinematic tangoes, groovin' jazz tracks and infectious mambo's that sound like they were recorded in 1951 in Hollywood's most famous recording studios. But the smoking beats, catchy songs and inventive production tell it's actually 2009 that Caro Emerald is putting her name on the map.
No Charge
Caro Emerald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I know I'm late
I get into a taxi
It′s way past eight
He turned around and looked
At me with big blue eyes
Then he said good evening,
Good thing he didn't hear me
Underneath my breath
The words came out so quickly
They coulda used a net
He drove me in his Packard
And picked up the speed
Smilin' like I′m falling
At the foot of his feet
He said "here we are"
Put his hand and waved
To simply say "No charge"
No charge
Tell me baby, what does that mean? (No charge)
In an era where the coin is lean (No charge)
Are you loaded?
Are you some kinda dream?
Whadaya mean no charge?
Another dinner party
And the crowd′s a bore
I've been there twenty minutes
Oh, I need to snore
But there was no escaping
I′m pre-occupied
My chariot awaiting
Valentino inside
The rain was fallin'
As I walked outside
Then in twenty seconds I heard
"Need a ride?"
Tell me baby, what does that mean? (No charge)
In era where the coin is lean (No charge)
Are you loaded?
Are you some kinda dream?
Whadaya mean no charge?
The song "No Charge" by Caro Emerald tells a story of two different encounters, each depicting the kindness of strangers. The first encounter is between the singer and a taxi driver whom she kept waiting for a long time in the rain. Despite being late, he shows no anger and instead greets her with a smile and friendly demeanor. He even goes out of his way to speed up the drive and yet without any ulterior motive.
The second encounter is between the singer and a man named Valentino, at a party where she has seemingly had enough of the dull company. She steps out into the rain, and before long, a man offers her a ride. Though she is hesitant at first, he insists on taking her wherever she needs to go, free of cost.
The repeated question of "What do you mean, no charge?" serves as an expression of the singer's confusion or disbelief at the strangers' inexplicable kindness. This line also represents the wider theme of the song - kindness, and the wonder it can inspire in us. In today's world, where the value of money is paramount, these gestures serve as examples of humanity that a generation may have forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
It's raining in Chicago
The weather in Chicago is rainy.
And I know I'm late
The singer is aware that she is running behind schedule.
I get into a taxi
The singer enters a taxi.
It's way past eight
It is well past 8 o'clock.
He turned around and looked
The taxi driver turned his head to face the artist.
At me with big blue eyes
The driver's eyes were large and blue.
Then he said good evening,
The driver greeted the singer with 'good evening.'
I said 'my oh my'
The artist responded with 'my oh my.'
Good thing he didn't hear me
The artist is glad that the driver did not hear her.
Underneath my breath
The artist said something quietly.
The words came out so quickly
The singer's words were spoken rapidly.
They coulda used a net
The artist's words were difficult to catch or understand.
He drove me in his Packard
The driver's car was a Packard.
And picked up the speed
The driver began to drive faster.
Smilin' like I'm falling
The driver was smiling widely.
At the foot of his feet
The artist was at the driver's feet.
He said 'here we are'
The driver stated that they had arrived at their destination.
Put his hand and waved
The driver made a waving motion with his hand.
To simply say 'No charge'
The driver waived the expected fare, indicating no charge.
Tell me baby, what does that mean? (No charge)
The artist is questioning the meaning of the driver waiving the fare.
In an era where the coin is lean (No charge)
The artist acknowledges that it is unusual for someone to offer a free ride.
Are you loaded?
The artist wonders if the driver is wealthy.
Are you some kinda dream?
The singer wonders if the situation is too good to be true.
Whadaya mean no charge?
The artist repeats her question about the meaning of the waived fare, with slight variation.
Another dinner party
The singer is attending a second social gathering.
And the crowd's a bore
The singer finds the other attendees to be dull or uninteresting.
I've been there twenty minutes
The singer has already been at the party for 20 minutes.
Oh, I need to snore
The artist is tired and wants to take a nap.
But there was no escaping
The artist was unable to leave the party.
I'm pre-occupied
The singer is mentally distracted or preoccupied.
My chariot awaiting
The singer's transportation is waiting for her outside.
Valentino inside
The artist's ride is a car brand named Valentino.
The rain was fallin'
The rain was still coming down.
As I walked outside
The artist exited the building and walked outdoors.
Then in twenty seconds I heard 'Need a ride?'
A person offered the singer a ride approximately 20 seconds after she stepped outside.
Writer(s): Schreurs David Christian, Degiorgio Vince
Contributed by Kylie P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Skylark View
Most underated of Caro's songs . Its a really beautiful song. Love it
Damon Stead
Another cracking song from Caro. Love it!
Andy Patrylick
Love it. Caro nails it and the band is great.
Wibbly Wobbly Videos
Is there any song I don't like? what a wonderful voice!
tshering jorden
what a cracker of a number from Caro . lovely melody and beat. its a beautiful song .
Ignacio Etxeberria
This makes my legs dance cha cha cha, Wow. I can't stop it !!!!!!!
Jason Cookingham
This song is wonderful. Thank you!
chucku00
Hot Cha Cha ! And a great song like every song from you !
Daphne Boot
Super nummer! (Zoals altijd ;)) ik luister ELKE dag naar je cd! Hou van je muziek
Adrian Singeorzan
Super Caro Emerald ! Greetings from Romania !