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.
Stoppin' the Love
KT Tunstall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you've been calling me all of the time
Every day
Oh, honey
I don't want to be following and falling behind
If you're gonna be walking away
And I don't know why I wouldn't follow
Wouldn't follow
You got me looking up even when I'm falling down
You got me crawling out of my skin
You got me wondering why I am underneath this big old sky
Stopping the loving getting in
Yes, I'm stopping the loving getting in
Now you say it's easy
That you been falling for all of my charm
And getting lost in my smile
Never ceases to amaze me
When I'm chancing my arm
That I still do it with style
And now I hope you'll be with me tomorrow
With me tomorrow
You got me looking up even when I'm falling down
You got me crawling out of my skin
You got me wondering why I am underneath this big old sky
Stopping the loving getting in
Well, I'm stopping the loving getting in
Yes, I'm stopping the loving getting in
Ba-ra-ra-ra-ra
Do-da, do-do-da-da, do-da, uh-uh
Yeeh-eeh, oh, oh, oh
Ba-ra-dam, ba-ra-dam, da, da, da, yah
Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
Yeh-eh ah, oh
You got me looking up even when I'm falling down
You got me crawling out of my skin
You got me wondering why I am underneath this big old sky
Stopping the loving getting in
The lyrics of KT Tunstall's song "Stoppin' the Love" appear to be centered around the complexities of a romantic relationship. The singer seems to be questioning the motives of her significant other, who she believes is keeping her at arm's length while still remaining invested in their connection. The singer reveals that despite the constant communication, she is reluctant to invest herself in someone who may not be willing to reciprocate fully, and as such she is willing to resist the pull of love in order to avoid being hurt in the end. The line "You got me looking up even when I'm falling down" may be interpreted as the singer's desire to remain optimistic and hopeful despite her reservations about the relationship.
Throughout the song, Tunstall's vocals serve to underline the complexities of the emotions on display. She is able to convey a sense of vulnerability and hesitation, while still channeling considerable strength and determination. The refrain "Stopping the loving getting in" serves as a repeated reminder of the singer's intentions to resist the emotional pull of the relationship despite her obvious attraction to her partner.
Overall, "Stoppin' the Love" seems to be a study in the ways love can be both exhilarating and terrifying. The singer recognizes the power of love to upend her life, but is wary of the ways in which it can also be destructive. The song seems to encourage listeners to carefully consider the risks and rewards of love before committing themselves to any one person.
Line by Line Meaning
So you think it's funny
You find it amusing that you've been constantly calling me every single day.
That you've been calling me all of the time
You have been calling me without fail every single day.
Every day
You call me every single day without fail.
Oh, honey
You address me sweetly, dear.
I don't want to be following and falling behind
I refuse to be someone who will follow you without knowing where you are going.
If you're gonna be walking away
If you plan on leaving without me, I won't trail behind you.
And I don't know why I wouldn't follow
I can't fathom why I would follow you in the first place.
Wouldn't follow
I refuse to pursue you without knowing what you're going to do.
You got me looking up even when I'm falling down
You make me feel optimistic even when I'm having a tough time.
You got me crawling out of my skin
You make me feel uncomfortable and anxious.
You got me wondering why I am underneath this big old sky
You make me question why I'm here under this vast sky.
Stopping the loving getting in
I've decided to impede the flow of love.
Yes, I'm stopping the loving getting in
Yes, I am doing what I can to keep love out.
Now you say it's easy
You claim that it is simple.
That you been falling for all of my charm
You confess to being drawn to my charisma.
And getting lost in my smile
You lose yourself in my smile.
Never ceases to amaze me
It always surprises me.
When I'm chancing my arm
When I'm taking risks.
That I still do it with style
That I still do it impressively.
And now I hope you'll be with me tomorrow
And now, I hope that you will still be with me the next day.
Ba-ra-ra-ra-ra
A nonsensical melody.
Do-da, do-do-da-da, do-da, uh-uh
Another nonsense sound followed by a negative phrase.
Yeeh-eeh, oh, oh, oh
An exclamation of excitement or joy.
Ba-ra-dam, ba-ra-dam, da, da, da, yah
Another nonsensical melody and sound.
Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
A drawn-out expression of surprise or concern.
Yeh-eh ah, oh
A combination of sounds that may indicate the singer's excitement or anticipation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tommy Danvers, KT Tunstall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Crazy Cool Studios
So you think it's funny
That you've been calling me all of the time
Every day
Oh, honey
I don't want to be following and falling behind
If you're gonna be walking away
And I don't know why I wouldn't follow
Wouldn't follow
You got me looking up even when I'm falling down
You got me crawling out of my skin
You got me wondering why I am underneath this big old sky
Stopping the loving getting in
Yes, I'm stopping the loving getting in
Now you say it's easy
That you been falling for all of my charm
And getting lost in my smile
Never ceases to amaze me
When I'm chancing my arm
That I still do it with style
And now I hope you'll be with me tomorrow
With me tomorrow
You got me looking up even when I'm falling down
You got me crawling out of my skin
You got me wondering why I am underneath this big old sky
Stopping the loving getting in
Well, I'm stopping the loving getting in
Yes, I'm stopping the loving getting in
Ba-ra-ra-ra-ra
Do-da, do-do-da-da, do-da, uh-uh
Yeeh-eeh, oh, oh, oh
Ba-ra-dam, ba-ra-dam, da, da, da, yah
Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
Yeh-eh ah, oh
You got me looking up even when I'm falling down
You got me crawling out of my skin
You got me wondering why I am underneath this big old sky
Stopping the loving getting in
Felipe C.
She is incredible! Hey you, go support her in every single social media, buy her things, show to your friends. Lets make KT big again, the world is in need of real artists. Please, please, PLEASE!
msc1963
Abso-FUCKING-lutely one of the best solo performances I have ever seen. Song, execution and performance amazing, no voice over, mixes, just pure amazing talent and passion. Only once or twice a year do I find something close to this on YouTube, and so far this is the best. May not be your style, but if you listen to this start to finish and give it a thumbs down then you have no musical knowledge, talent or class.
Daniel Goldmann
msc1963 couldn't agree more.
iZEL NEPTUNE 🪐
couldn’t have said it better myself
Anna Enger
i hope more people can appreciate her talent and enjoy her music. she is a great artist
wallieL84
still amazing after all these years. never, ever.. gets old.
Ali Whitwell
Great talent to sound as good as this live on stage alone!! Not many artists in the world could do that!
Victor Ferreyra
this woman "never ceases to amaze me" she sings so damn good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GailMacFarlane
I am so inspired by her talent, every single note she sang and every chord she played was PERFECTION!!! It is so refreshing to see true talent. I'm so proud of how well she is doing, it restores my faith in the world.
Rebecca Vaughan
Cool video, she is so talented. Great performance and super songwriter!! Love her!❤