Martin got her start singing opera while attending Eastern Illinois University in the late '90s. Her father was a respected professor in the music department, and naturally Martin followed his footsteps. She began playing piano when she was a little girl and her childhood was surrounded by music.
While attending school, Martin experienced "real life," from living with her goth roommate and dealing with typical college-like drama to the tragic suicides of two close friends. Martin turned to music for solace. She desperately wanted to make music into a career; therefore, a whirlwind move to Los Angeles seemed like the right thing to do.
Martin eventually made a record, One Girl Army, with producer Tom Rothrock (Badly Drawn Boy, Beck, Elliott Smith), but it was never released. Before 2002 came to a close, Martin got her own studio and recorded a new batch of songs with Ken Andrews (Air, Pete Yorn). The melodic dreamscapes of In Parentheses arrived in August 2003 and Martin's bright voice drew comparisons to Fiona Apple and Kate Bush. Dates with Howie Day and Damien Rice also coincided with the release of the EP.
On Your Shore followed in 2004. Unfortunately, Martin's relationship with RCA proved creatively trying as the singer/songwriter continued writing and recording new material. A decision to leave the major label in 2005 allowed Martin to accomplish her creative goals, thus reconnecting with Test-Drive Records to issue the Veins and Darkest Hour EPs before the year's end. Additional support dates around North American followed into the fall, and Martin rounded out the Veins tour with her first DVD recording, the limited-edition Something Like a DVD.
She also married her long-time collaborator and co-producer, Ken Andrews (Pete Yorn, Year of the Rabbit, Failure), in the midst of recording her second album, Stromata. The album arrived on Martin and Andrews' own Dinosaur Fight label in September 2006.
In 2009, Martin released the instrumental album Piano Trees, a collection of improvised piano songs.
In 2011, Martin released her album, Dancing on Needles.
In 2014, Martin released Water Breaks Stone.
On October 5, 2018, Martin released the second of her instrumental piano albums (after Piano Trees), entitled Clear Blue Sky. The following year, in 2019, two more albums in a similar vein were released: Monotonous Night on March 8 and Dawn on December 27.
http://www.charlottemartin.com
Genesis
Charlotte Martin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breath
In the beginning
Dust blows
In the beginning
Rotating swells
In the beginning
You are so
Hands brush
In the beginning
Harvest comes
In the beginning
Only love
Only us
Only us
And I am spinning clouds
And I am winning points now
And I pressing past the veils
There is a resting place with you
And we are everything soft
And we are everything crazy
And we are ready, only love
Only us
Only us
And I will follow you wherever
And I will follow you whatever
And I will follow you wherever you go
And I will follow you now
In the beginning
Breath
In the beginning
Hands touch
The lyrics to Charlotte Martin's song "Genesis" reflect on the start of something new. The opening lines "In the beginning, breath" and "In the beginning, dust blows" signify the birth of life and the universe. The song continues to describe the creation of the world with "rotating swells" and the importance of human connection with "hands brush." The chorus reinforces the theme of love and unity, stating that "Only love, only us" is necessary.
The second half of the song focuses on the singer's personal connection to this beginning. They feel as though they're "spinning clouds" and "winning points," reflecting on their success as a result of starting anew. They show their trust and devotion to a loved one with "there is a resting place with you," demonstrating their reliance on another. The final lines mirror the beginning of the song, bringing the focus back to the start of creation with "In the beginning, hands touch."
Overall, "Genesis" is a contemplative piece that reflects on the start of something new, both on a grand scale and in personal relationships. It emphasizes the importance of human connection and love, and the power that can come from following someone you trust.
Line by Line Meaning
In the beginning
This marks the start of something new and significant.
Breath
The first breath is taken, signifying the entrance into the world and the beginning of life.
Dust blows
The beginning of time, as particles swirl and come together to form the universe.
Rotating swells
The motion of creation, as things begin to take shape and form.
You are so
The recognition of a being, potentially a god or significant individual, who is present at the beginning of time.
Hands brush
The act of creation, as hands work to mold and shape the world into what it will become.
Harvest comes
The cycle of life, as things grow and are eventually harvested or reaped.
Only love
Love is the only thing that truly matters in the beginning.
Only us
The connection between two individuals, potentially romantic, that remains at the heart of the story.
And I am spinning clouds
The artist is creating and manipulating the components of the universe.
And I am winning points now
The singer is making progress toward a goal or objective.
And I pressing past the veils
The artist is moving beyond perceived boundaries or limits.
There is a resting place with you
The singer finds comfort and solace in the presence of another.
And we are everything soft
Together, the singer and the other are yielding and gentle.
And we are everything crazy
However, there is also chaos and complexity to their relationship.
And we are ready, only love
Despite the challenges, they are ready for what is to come, so long as there is love between them.
And I will follow you wherever
The artist is committed to the other, willing to go wherever they go.
And I will follow you whatever
No matter the circumstances or challenges, the singer will not abandon the other.
And I will follow you wherever you go
The promise of devotion and loyalty, even in the face of adversity.
And I will follow you now
The artist is ready to embark on this journey with the other.
In the beginning
The cycle begins anew.
Hands touch
The beginning of a new connection or relationship.
Contributed by Olivia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.