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 (2004â2006)
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 correctâthe 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 (2006â2007)
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 (2007â2008)
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.
I Want You Back
KT Tunstall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pull the covers off in front of everyone
Sure you want to the saw seams
What you created for yourself in spite of me,
You can try to tie me down,
You can try to string me up,
But you'd have no luck now,
Please don't ever let me down again,
It shouldn't be allowed
Please don't ever make me frown again,
You have shown me how!,
Please don't try to be my friend again,
Cuz I don't want you
I don't want you now
I don't want you now,
So now you've learned to make your bed,
Far be it for me to be the one to pay your head,
The truth is that i could've pulled you up,
But you'd already advertised that I'd
slashed the tires of your one man show
You can try to tie me down,
You can try to stitch me up,
But you'd have no luck now,
Please don't ever let me down again,
It shouldn't be allowed
Please don't ever make me frown again,
You have shown me how!,
Please don't try to be my friend again,
Cuz I don't want you
I don't want you now
I don't want you now,
I don't want you now
NO I don't want you now
NO I don't want you now
NO I don't want you now
The truth is that i could've pulled you up!
You can try to tie me down,
You can try to stitch me up,
But you'd have no luck now,
Please don't ever let me down again,
It shouldn't be allowed
Please don't ever make me frown again,
You have shown me how!,
Please don't try to be my friend again,
Cuz I don't want you
I don't want you now
I don't want you now,
I don't want you now!
The lyrics to KT Tunstall's "I Don't Want You Now" are a testament to the singer's growth and newfound sense of self-worth. The song describes a past relationship where the singer had to "pull the covers off in front of everyone" and expose the truth about their partner's actions. The partner, who has "created" a life for themselves despite the singer's involvement, now wants to try to tie the singer down again, but it's too late.
The refrain of the song, "Please don't ever let me down again, It shouldn't be allowed, Please don't ever make me frown again, You have shown me how!" signifies the singer's desire to not be hurt by this person again. The bridge of the song is a call out to the partner's inability to grow on their own and their dependence on the singer for success; "The truth is that I could've pulled you up, But you'd already advertised that I'd slashed the tires of your one-man show."
Overall, the song is a powerful anthem for anyone who has ever felt used, unappreciated, or mistreated in a relationship. It serves as a reminder that standing up for oneself is crucial and that cutting off toxic people is sometimes necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
Show me what it is you've done,
Reveal to me the things you have accomplished, even if they are not impressive, in front of other people
Pull the covers off in front of everyone
Expose everything for everyone to see, regardless of how it may impact your reputation
Sure you want to the saw seams
Are you certain that you want to reveal the details and inner workings of what you've created
What you created for yourself in spite of me,
What you accomplished is due to your own efforts and not because of my input or support
You can try to tie me down,
You may attempt to restrict me and hold me back from achieving my own goals
You can try to string me up,
You may try to manipulate and control me to do your bidding
But you'd have no luck now,
Your efforts to control me will not be successful at this point
Please don't ever let me down again,
Do not disappoint me in the future as you have done in the past
It shouldn't be allowed
Your actions that caused me to be unhappy were not acceptable and should not be repeated
Please don't ever make me frown again,
Do not cause me to feel unhappy or dissatisfied in the future
You have shown me how!,
You have made me aware of your true character and intentions
Please don't try to be my friend again,
Do not attempt to resume our friendship as it has been permanently damaged
Cuz I don't want you
I have decided that I do not want to be associated with you
I don't want you now
I have made the decision to cut ties with you permanently
So now you've learned to make your bed,
You have become more self-sufficient and are now able to take responsibility for your own actions
Far be it for me to be the one to pay your head,
It is not my responsibility to take care of you and your needs
The truth is that i could've pulled you up,
I could have helped you achieve your goals if you had just asked for my support
But you'd already advertised that I'd slashed the tires of your one man show
You have spread false accusations about me, leaving me unable to help you even if I wanted to
I don't want you now!
I have made the decision to cut ties with you permanently
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KATIE TUNSTALL, KT TUNSTALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Imbrium
Might be the best cover I've ever seen. Extremely talented and amazing woman, still making great music now.
Martin Hancock
Agreed! I was fortunate enough to see Miss Tunstall and the band about 15-20 years ago. Brilliant night, was my birthday and I was slightly intoxicated. Really respected her ever since. Funny talented, intelligent and has got an amazing pair of kneesđ. It's all true!
Adrien Jounier
HonnĂȘtement un des meilleurs live de tout Taratata ever
Lawrence Taylor
Quelle femme incroyable et talentueuse. Et humble. Quel autre artiste dit qu'elle doit recommencer, et la foule le laisse faire. Elle les blùmait et cela ne les dérangeait pas. Et puis quelle reprise d'une grande chanson. Elle lui a rendu justice.
cocacola1980
Still my favourite version of her doing it since I first saw it many many years ago đ
benlg
Her melody and raspy voice fits the song perfectly!
Marouh
C'Ă©tait gĂ©nial ! Taratata toujours de bonnes vibrations !đđđâ
Felipe C.
She is incredible! Hey you, go support her in every single social media, buy her things, show her to your friends. Lets make KT big again, the world is in need of real artists. Please, please, PLEASE!
Joseph ZAFOE
50 eme fois d'affilée, je suis fan de son tout: voix (bordel cette voix vous hypnotise), guitare, le petit "I was too exited !"
It's better each time !
Luis Martinez
Can't get enough of KT performance!