She cites Dolly Parton, Madonna, Cher, and Barbra Streisand as some of her influences among others. Rossum offers that, "I was inspired to cut this album because I'm so frustrated listening to the radio these days. There is so little emotional honesty.” Her own songs are reflective of her inner thoughts, often about relationships and “getting hurt, wanting the other person back, not wanting to be the first person to go back.”
She joined Counting Crows, Augustana, and Michael Franti & Spearhead as a "special guest" for select performances of the "Traveling Circus and Medicine Show" tour in the summer of 2009. In 2010, Rossum sang a song called "Cruel One" on singer Alex Band's debut solo album We've All Been There. On the track she sings with Band and Chantal Kreviazuk. The song is available on the album's deluxe edition.
In November 2012, Rossum announced that her second album would be released on Warner Bros.. Sentimental Journey was released on January 29, 2013. Unlike Inside Out on which Rossum wrote the songs herself, Sentimental Journey is a collection of covers of classic songs that span the ‘20s to the ‘60s. Rossum selected these songs because "Classics, jazz, and standards really infused my childhood and so it felt quite natural to finally make this record.” Rossum designed the album as a musical calendar that takes the listener through an emotional journey over all the months of a year - “Each song needed to either lyrically or emotionally reflect the corresponding month.” Sentimental Journey peaked at 92 on the U.S. Charts. It also hit number one on the US Billboard Charts Top Jazz Albums.
Rossum does not consider herself an opera singer, but she has described herself as a light lyric soprano, though she admits her voice is still developing.
She currently stars on the Showtime dramedy Shameless, as Fiona Gallagher.
The Great Divide
Emmy Rossum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See the war behind your eyes.
Finally slow the racing clock.
Try so hard to make it stop.
Are you listening?
Are you listening?
Are you listening?
Hear me say,
I need you now.
I need you now.
I need you now.
No more throwing stones tonight.
This glass house can't take the fight.
Help me calm this hurricane.
Before this moment slips away.
Are you listening?
Are you listening?
Are you listening?
Don't look away.
Hear me say,
I need you now.
I need you now.
I need you now.
Emmy Rossum's song The Great Divide seems to be a call for unity between two parties that are in conflict with each other. The first line “Reach across the great divide” is a metaphorical command for one person to reach out to the other, despite their differences. The second line “See the war behind your eyes” could refer to the internal struggle that each person may be feeling, or it may mean that each person is fighting their own battles, and they need to acknowledge that fact.
The third line “Finally slow the racing clock” could mean to slow down and take the time to work things out, to think through the issues causing the divide. The fourth line “Try so hard to make it stop” describes the effort it takes to try to bring people to an understanding. The repetition of the lyrics "Are you listening?" and "I need you now," emphasizes the urgency in resolving the conflict and highlights the need for communication.
Later in the song, the line “No more throwing stones tonight” is a plea to stop attacking each other and instead find a way to coexist peacefully. The metaphor of the "glass house" refers to the vulnerable state that they each find themselves in, suggesting that they need to work together to avoid the house shattering.
Overall, The Great Divide is a mature message of reconciliation and compromise that suggests there is always common ground if two people are willing to work for it, regardless of their differences.
Line by Line Meaning
Reach across the great divide.
Overcome the distance between us and bridge the gap that separates us.
See the war behind your eyes.
Recognize the inner turmoil that you're experiencing while trying to hide it from others.
Finally slow the racing clock.
Take a moment to calm down and clear your mind.
Try so hard to make it stop.
Struggling to control your thoughts and emotions, desperately wanting to find peace.
Are you listening?
Are you paying attention and hearing what I'm saying?
Don't look away.
Stay focused and don't turn a blind eye to the situation at hand.
Hear me say,
Listen to the words that I'm about to express.
I need you now.
I require your support and assistance at this very moment.
No more throwing stones tonight.
Let's put an end to our conflicts and not cause any more harm.
This glass house can't take the fight.
We can't afford to have a confrontation in this fragile and delicate situation.
Help me calm this hurricane.
Assist me in pacifying my feelings, which are currently in turmoil.
Before this moment slips away.
Let's not waste this opportunity to connect with each other and work towards reconciliation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: EMMY ROSSUM, STUART BRAWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RavenxRobin101
Her voice just makes me want to burst into tears. It's the ideal symbolization of the female voice.
David C.
Woah... she has such amazing range. She sounds incredible whenever she sings, however she sings, low or high... it's all amazing.
MICHAEL B POYNTZ
In many ways one of the most amazing verses of her generation. She wrote this piece......staggering quality in her voice, presentation and natural beauty.. I would be willing to crawl on broken glass to hear this song.
scott
Really...you'd literally crawl on broken glass to listen to it...when all you need is your phone or a computer? Do you throw broken glass on the floor and then crawl through it to your phone or computer?
M. Nicole
I've liked Emmy Rossum since "Phantom of the Opera"! Love her character on "Shameless"! And love her singing voice; so beautiful! Very multi-talented!
Dayna Cooper
Christine
Dayna Cooper
I hate shameless but I love the phantom of the opera so much the phantom of the opera is my favourite movie musical ever it is the only reason I’m here
devin
Agree
Donna Stapleton
Still havent seen phantom. Fell for her in THE DAY AFTER TOKORROW. And ky bff back then intro me to her music n i still have a spotify stations today.
samantha taylor
she is just a great talent and has one of the best voices in New york City. This song is so unique that I haven't quite heard anything like it.