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.
Christmas
KT Tunstall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm watching it fall
And lots of people around
Oh, baby please come home
And the church bells in town
Well they're ringing a song
What a happy sound
They're singing deck the halls
But it's not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
All the fun we had last year
Pretty lights on the tree
I'm watching them shine
You should be here with me
Oh, baby please come home
They're singing deck the halls
But it's not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
Oh and if there was a way
I'd hold back these tears
But it's Christmas day
Oh baby, baby please come home
Come home, baby please come home
Ah, home
The song "Come On" by KT Tunstall is a melancholic yet charming ballad that expresses the feelings of loneliness and yearning during the festive season. The lyrics introduce us to the singer as she looks outside and watches the snowflakes come down, surrounded by an atmosphere of celebration yet feeling empty inside. She pleads with her lover to come back home and fill the void that she feels, as the holiday bells and carols remind her of all the joyful moments they shared together last year.
As the church bells ring and the choir sings "Deck The Halls," the singer is unable to feel the joy of the season as it only reminds her of the good times she had with her lover. The lights on the tree glitter but only makes her realize how much she misses her lover's presence, and how much she wishes they were together during the festive season. She holds back her tears, but her pain is palpable as she calls out to her lover, begging them to come home.
The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has ever felt alone during the holiday season, despite the joyous celebrations and traditions surrounding them. The song has a timeless quality to it, and KT Tunstall's emotional delivery of the lyrics further adds to the impact of the song. In conclusion, "Come On" by KT Tunstall is a poignant reminder that the holidays can be a difficult time for some, and it is important to be there for those who may be struggling during this time.
Line by Line Meaning
The snow's coming down
It's snowing heavily outside
I'm watching it fall
I'm standing at the window and looking at the snowfall
And lots of people around
There are many people on the street enjoying the snow
Oh, baby please come home
I'm missing my loved one and want them to come home
And the church bells in town
The bells of the nearby church are ringing
Well they're ringing a song
The chimes are playing a joyful tune
What a happy sound
The sound of the bells is making me feel happy
They're singing deck the halls
People are singing a Christmas carol called 'Deck the Halls'
But it's not like Christmas at all
Despite the celebrations, it doesn't feel like Christmas without my loved one
I remember when you were here
I'm reminiscing about last Christmas when my loved one was with me
All the fun we had last year
I miss the good times we had together
Pretty lights on the tree
The Christmas tree is beautifully decorated with lights
I'm watching them shine
I'm admiring how the lights twinkle and glow
You should be here with me
I want my loved one to be here with me to share this moment
Oh, baby please come home
I'm still missing my loved one and begging them to come back
Oh and if there was a way
If it were possible
I'd hold back these tears
I'd try not to cry
But it's Christmas day
It's a special day and my emotions are hard to control
Oh baby, baby please come home
Once again, I'm asking my loved one to come home
Come home, baby please come home
I'm pleading with them to come back to me
Ah, home
There's no place like home during the holidays and I long for my loved one's return
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Philip Spector
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Georgia Brennan-Scott
Thank you for posting this!
Ralph Grech
You're welcome! :D