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.
Hold On
KT Tunstall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're a bird with an eye for anything shiny
Searching the land for a hero of a man
You say I need
More than my fair share of attention
But I think you know
That just isn't so
Tearing me apart,
Right from the very start.
And now I see,
That it don't take a trick
Of the light to excite me.
So Strong
So Long
You'll see
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Hold on to what you know you've got.
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Hold on 'cause the world will turn if you're ready or not.
Simplicity,
A heart of gold, an old head in young shoulders
Quiet and lovely,
Becoming part of me.
And now I see from a handful of names and a thousand faces.
One light burning
Fiercely
I was tired of January
I was tired of June
I felt a change a-coming
oh oh
I was tired of January
Tired of June
I felt a change a-coming
oh oh
I felt a change a-coming,
I felt a change a-coming,
I felt a change a-coming soon.
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Hold on to what you know you've got.
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Hold on 'cause the world will turn if you're ready or not.
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Hold on to what you know you've got.
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Hold on 'cause the world will turn if you're ready or not.
Well the world will turn if you're ready or not
Whoa-oh
Yes the world will turn if you're ready or not.
The song “Hold On” by KT Tunstall is a soulful reflection on one's inner turmoil and the importance of holding onto what is important in life. The lyrics present a conversation between two people, wherein one person describes the other as a bird with an eye for anything shiny, searching for a hero of a man. Despite the suggestion that the other person needs more attention than they deserve, the singer believes that the statement is not true. However, deep inside, the singer feels a burning question tearing them apart from the very start, leading them to realize that they don't need a trick of light to feel excited.
The lyrics evoke a sense of simplicity and purity to describe the person who has become part of the singer. The metaphor of “one light burning fiercely” is used to describe the strength of love that can burn brightly even amidst numerous faces and names. The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of holding on to what one has been given lately, rather than letting it slip away. The lyrics point out that the world will turn, whether one is ready for the changes or not, making it essential to hold onto what one has.
The song portrays the importance of staying grounded and holding onto things that matter. It highlights the human tendency to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, overlooking the most crucial aspects of life. The lyrics also suggest that internal conflicts and struggles are an integral part of the human experience, and it is essential to hold onto hope during turbulent times.
Line by Line Meaning
Say you to me
You speak to me
You're a bird with an eye for anything shiny
You have a love for anything that catches your attention
Searching the land for a hero of a man
Looking for a savior
You say I need
You tell me that I require
More than my fair share of attention
More attention than what is fair
But I think you know
I believe you understand
That just isn't so
That is not the case
Oh underneath I felt the fire of a burning question
Deep down, I had a burning question
Tearing me apart,
It's breaking me apart
Right from the very start.
From the very beginning
And now I see,
But now, I understand
That it don't take a trick
It doesn't require a trick
Of the light to excite me.
To excite me, light is not necessary
So Strong
Very strong
So Long
For a long time
You'll see
You will see
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Keep hold of what you have been recently given
Hold on to what you know you've got.
Maintain what you possess
Hold on 'cause the world will turn if you're ready or not.
Hang on, because whether you feel prepared or not, life goes on
Simplicity,
Not complicated
A heart of gold, an old head in young shoulders
A wise young person with a big heart
Quiet and lovely,
Quiet, gentle and nice
Becoming part of me.
Joining me
And now I see from a handful of names and a thousand faces.
And now I understand from a few persons and a lot of people
One light burning
One flame is burning
Fiercely
Powerfully with intensity
I was tired of January
I was bored of the winter season
I was tired of June
I was bored of the summer season
I felt a change a-coming
I sensed a change coming
oh oh
N/A
I was tired of January
I was bored of the winter season
Tired of June
I was bored of the summer season
I felt a change a-coming
I sensed a change coming
oh oh
N/A
I felt a change a-coming,
I sensed a change coming
I felt a change a-coming soon.
I sensed a change coming soon
Well the world will turn if you're ready or not
The world will continue moving on, whether you are ready or not
Whoa-oh
N/A
Yes the world will turn if you're ready or not.
The world will keep moving on, whether you are ready or not
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHAFFER SMITH, RAY ROMULUS, JONATHAN JAMES YIP, JEREMY L. REEVES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fortnitemare
Lyrics
Say you to me
You're a bird with an eye for anything shiny
Searching the land for a hero of a man
You say I need
More than my fair share of attention
But I think you know
That just isn't so
Oh underneath I felt the fire of a burning question
Tearing me apart,
Right from the very start.
And now I see,
That it don't take a trick
Of the light to excite me.
So Strong
So Long
You'll see
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Hold on to what you know you've got.
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Hold on 'cause the world will turn if you're ready or not.
Simplicity,
A heart of gold, an old head in young shoulders
Quiet and lovely,
Becoming part of me.
And now I see from a handful of names and a thousand faces.
One light burning
Fiercely
I was tired of January
I was tired of June
I felt a change a-coming
oh oh
I was tired of January
Tired of June
I felt a change a-coming
oh oh
I felt a change a-coming,
I felt a change a-coming,
I felt a change a-coming soon.
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Hold on to what you know you've got.
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Hold on 'cause the world will turn if you're ready or not.
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Hold on to what you know you've got.
Hold on to what you've been given lately.
Hold on 'cause the world will turn if you're ready or not.
Well the world will turn if you're ready or not
Whoa-oh
Yes the world will turn if you're ready or not.
Gabrielle Godfrey
LYRICS:
Say you to me
You're a bird with an eye for anything shiny
Searchin' the land
For a hero of a man
You say I need
More than my fair share of attention
But I think you know
That just isn't so
Underneath, I felt the fire of a burning question
Tearin' me apart
Right from the very start
And now I see
That it don't take a trick of the light to excite me
So strong
So long
You'll see
Hold on
To what you
Been given lately
Hold on
To what you
Know you got
Hold on
To what you
Been given lately
Hold on
Cause the world will turn if you're ready or not
Simplicity
A heart of gold, an old head, and young shoulders
Quiet and lovely
Becomin' part of me
And now I see
From a handful of names and a thousand faces
One light, burnin', furiously
I was tired of January
I was tired of June
I felt a change a-comin'
Oh, I was tired of January
Tired of June
I felt a change a-comin'
Oh, I felt a change a-comin
I felt a change a-comin
felt a change a-comin, soon
Hold on
To what you
Been given lately
Hold on
To what you
Know you got
Hold on
To what you
Been given lately
Hold on
Cause the world will turn if you're ready or not
Oh yeah, well the world will turn if you're ready or not
Oh, yes the world will turn if you're ready or not
Not You
I work at a Wendy's, and of the same fourteen songs that they play over and over again, this is the only one that hasn't gotten old after two years
Kortnie Purnell
I work at Lowe's and this is one of the songs on our list too 😂 I really like it
Patrick Whipple
I work at office depot and you know after 1000 listens yeah it's getting on my nerves now lol
ShyUnicorn Games and Vlogs
@Patrick Whipple thats not
what this thread was about r/swoosh
itsnotaboutdads
they play this at my publix lol
Hotbunstimestwo (Speedrunner)
@itsnotaboutdads Been over a year but this was one of my fav songs at Publix when I worked there! KT is great
Sam Valladares
KT is one of the most underrated artist OF ALL TIME.
Salvador Pariona
More than 10 years and still shock me. Very good song!!!
Nandini Muthusubramanian
This song is really underrated..
Bits of Real Panther
So very true, Nandini.