Recording and performing career
She started her career in 2000. Throughout her twenties, she played in indie bands including Elia Drew and Tomoko, and focused on songwriting, as well as performing with members of the fledgling Fence Collective including work in the Skuobhie Dubh Orchestra with King Creosote, who recently supported her UK tour. She also lived with Gordon Anderson (The Beta Band and The Aliens), whom the song Funnyman, on the album Drastic Fantastic, is about. She toured with the Klezmer band Oi Va Voi, and guested on their album, Laughter Through Tears.
Music career
Eye to the Telescope (2004–2006)
Her debut album, Eye to the Telescope, was released in late 2004. Tunstall's style of music varies from folk to pop. In Edinburgh and St Andrews, she played in a band called Red Light Stylus, which was regarded as one of the better bands to emerge from the limited Fife scene.
Tunstall's first appearance of note was a solo performance of her famed blues song "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" on Later... with Jools Holland.[10] The performance was notable as she had only 24 hours to prepare after scheduled performer Nas cancelled. Her performance caught the eye of many viewers, although she had previously performed it on French television only some weeks before, upstaging more established acts such as The Cure, Embrace, and The Futureheads; she then went on to top the post-show poll on the website for that episode.
Shortly after the "Later" appearance, Eye to the Telescope was re-released and shot up the UK charts, eventually peaking at #3 (on its first release it had entered at #73); it was nominated for the 2005 Mercury Music Prize. It was released in the U.S. on 7 February 2006.
Tunstall's North American break came when American Idol contestant Katharine McPhee contacted her asking to use "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" as her choice for a Billboard-themed week. At the time, the song was #79 on the Billboard charts. Tunstall had not been shy with her opinions regarding shows like Idol saying "The major problem I have is that it's completely controlled... they're told what to say. They're told how to sing." She chose to license the song as she felt that "no one on that show told Katharine McPhee to sing my song because no one knew it" Tunstall's belief was correct—the song was suggested to McPhee by Billboard columnist and author Fred Bronson. The song immediately jumped to #23 on the Billboard charts the week following McPhee's performance. She has later said "My status as a musician in America is pretty much cemented by Katharine McPhee, which is really interesting and funny for me because I've never been polite about how I feel about shows like that."
KT Tunstall's Acoustic Extravaganza (2006–2007)
Tunstall released a new acoustic album in May 2006, KT Tunstall's Acoustic Extravaganza, which was first only available via mail order from her website. The album was re-released in stores worldwide in October 2006.
Tunstall sang with Scottish band Travis on their 2007 album "The Boy With No Name", on the track "Under The Moonlight", a song written by Susie Hug (late of Katydids).
Drastic Fantastic (2007–2008)
Tunstall's third album, Drastic Fantastic, premiered on 3 September 2007 in Scotland, followed a week later on 10 September 2007 with the London release for the UK and 18 September 2007, in the US. In its first week, Drastic Fantastic reached #1 on the Scottish Album Charts, #3 on the UK Charts, and #9 on the U.S. Charts. The album's lead single "Hold On" was released in August 2007, debuting at #34 in the UK, before peaking at #21 in the United Kingdom. The song was also very successful in certain European nations peaking at #19 in Italy, #19 in Norway, #26 in Switzerland and #39 in Ireland. The album's second single "Saving My Face" was released in December 2007. The song did not make the UK Top 40 Singles Charts, but however did managed to peak at #50 on the UK Singles Charts, managing 3 weeks on the UK Charts. Despite missing the UK Top 40, the song made the Top 40 in Italy, making #23 and in Switzerland peaking at #93. The album's third single, and final worldwide single, "If Only" was released in March 2008, becoming the second single from the album not to make the UK Top 40, it managed #45 in audition.
On 5 October 2007 the U.S. discount department store chain Target, in association with NBC, released a special KT Tunstall Christmas EP on CD. Sounds of the Season: The KT Tunstall Holiday Collection contains six exclusive tracks:
* "2000 Miles"
* "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
* "Mele Kalikimaka (Christmas In Hawaii)"
* "Sleigh Ride"
* "Fairytale of New York"
* "Lonely This Christmas"
On 10 December 2007 it was released in Europe through Relentless Records as a digital download only, under the title Have Yourself A Very KT Christmas.
In 2008 KT Tunstall recorded a song for the album Songs for Survival, in support of the indigenous rights organization Survival International. In a video for Survival International, she speaks of music as being a force for good, and about what she has learned about tribal people on this project. She also discusses various issues concerning our culture of consumption and greed, our relation to the earth and the importance of indigenous rights in the world today.
Tunstall also worked with Suzanne Vega on her 2007 album Beauty & Crime, singing backup on songs "Zephyr and I" and "Frank and Ava". It was revealed in the booklet by Vega that the two had never met during the process of making the album.
Tiger Suit (2009-present)
On February 11, 2010 The Daily Record reported that, " 'KT TUNSTALL has recorded her new album in Berlin's famous Hansa studio. The studio, beside the site of the Berlin Wall, was used to make legendary albums including David Bowie's Heroes and U2's Achtung Baby. Kt said: "I had an amazing three weeks recording in Hansa in Berlin in January and am finishing it all off in London." The Scots singer, who has been quiet of late, reassured fans she has been busy. She added: "I am still very much alive and have every music-making limb and muscle working in my laboratory of fierce-new-album-ness." Before her album comes out, KT will be playing a stripped-down set at the Haiti fundraising gig at the Roundhouse in Camden on Thursday February 25. She hopes to jump up with her old pal Seasick Steve for a song or two. Kt added: "My shizzle will feature some new faces and definitely some new songs, so come and have a listen and chuck some dough at a good cause." '
According to her website, Tunstall has finished recording her third studio album. The album has been titled Tiger Suit.
Change
KT Tunstall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or so I am told.
I don't really know.
And as I kill my light,
There's nothing left to show
How does that blow in you
[Chorus]
If I remain the same, am I creating greater problems instead?
Do you ever think you're being thought about?
Do you still believe we need to sort things out?
Does it matter now, all those things we said?
I want to know can I still creep into your bed at night and leave your head alone.
Well, The wind is cold tonight,
Or so I am told
I don't really know, no, no.
And as I kill my light,
There's nothing left to show
How does that blow in you
[Chorus]
Do you ever think you're being thought about?
Do you still believe we need to sort things out?
Does it matter now, all those things we said?
I want to know can I still creep into your bed at night and leave your head alone.
The song "Change" by KT Tunstall is a reflective piece about a relationship that has ended, leaving the singer with a sense of uncertainty about her feelings and the future of the relationship. The opening lines of the song introduce a sense of detachment and disconnection, as the singer questions the reality of the environment around her. The cold wind, which is usually a tangible sensation, is now a vague concept that she is unsure of. This uncertainty extends to her thoughts about the relationship as well, as she is unable to form a concrete opinion about whether or not change is necessary.
The chorus is a contemplation of the consequences of changing or remaining the same. The singer is worried that by changing, she may be denying something that was said earlier, possibly referring to promises made in the relationship. But on the other hand, staying the same might lead to greater problems instead, indicating that there were issues that needed to be addressed but were swept under the rug. In either case, the singer is aware that there will be consequences to her actions, and she is unsure of the best way forward.
The second verse revisits the same theme, with the singer wondering if the other person in the relationship still thinks of her or if they believe that they need to sort things out. She questions whether the things they said matter now, indicating that perhaps the promises made were not kept, and now seem irrelevant. The final lines of the song reveal a sense of longing for the intimacy and closeness that they once had, as she wants to know if she can still be a part of their life and if they can still find solace in each other's company.
Line by Line Meaning
The wind is cold tonight,
The singer is feeling a sense of coldness or isolation within themselves, which they believe is being reflected in the atmosphere around them.
Or so I am told.
The singer is not entirely sure if the perception of the coldness around them is actually accurate or if it's a projection of their own mood.
I don't really know.
The singer is admitting to being uncertain or confused about their emotional state and how to accurately interpret it.
And as I kill my light,
The singer is metaphorically shutting down or closing themselves off from the world, possibly as a defense mechanism.
There's nothing left to show
The singer is implying that they have nothing to offer or display, suggesting a sense of emptiness or lack of purpose.
How does that blow in you
The singer is asking the listener how they feel about the singer's state of being, or how it affects them.
And if I change am I denying what was said?
The singer is questioning whether altering their behavior or perspective would invalidate previous statements or commitments.
If I remain the same, am I creating greater problems instead?
The singer is contemplating whether maintaining the status quo is causing more harm than good, or if it's preferable to try and make changes.
Do you ever think you're being thought about?
The singer is asking the listener if they ever wonder if the singer is thinking about them or their relationship.
Do you still believe we need to sort things out?
The singer is asking the listener if they think there are still unresolved issues that need to be addressed.
Does it matter now, all those things we said?
The singer is questioning the significance of previous conversations or promises, suggesting that they may have lost their relevance.
I want to know can I still creep into your bed at night and leave your head alone.
The singer is revealing a desire for physical closeness and emotional intimacy with the listener, while acknowledging the need to respect their personal boundaries.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATIE TUNSTALL, KT TUNSTALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
twcme
Love it. 0.49 as it goes to the refrain; extraordinary. On an album recorded in 2 days on Skye in the middle of a tour. Just goes to show that those who are drawn to this existence aren't doing it for fame or fortune, but just because there's a beauty in playing. Thanks for this.
Jade T
i adore this song, really great album too:)
Marcelle Paes Barreto
perfeito
Alejandro Corona
Gracias Horacio, hermosísima canción
Giuseppe Muscio
KT love!!!!
Dalimonade
just.. <3