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.
Universe & U
KT Tunstall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Water comes
You cool me down
When I'm cold inside
You are warm and bright
You know you are so good for me, yeah
With your child's eyes
You see into space
I see in your face
The places you've been
The things you have learned
They sit with you so beautifully, yeah
And you know there's no need to hide away
You know I tell the truth
We are just the same
And I can feel everything you do
Hear everything you say
Even when you're miles away
'Cause I am me, the universe and you
And just like stars burning bright
Making holes in the night
We are building bridges
And you know there's no need to hide away
You know I tell the truth
We are just the same
I can feel everything you do
Hear everything you say
Even when you're miles away
'Cause I am me, the universe and you, whoa
I'm the universe and you
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
And when you're on your own
I'll send you a sign
Just so you know
That I am me, the universe and you
The universe and you
The universe and you
I am the universe and you
The lyrics to KT Tunstall's song "Universe & U" describe a connection between two individuals that transcends time and space. The first stanza begins with "A fire burns, water comes, you cool me down," suggesting that the two people balance each other out. When one is too heated, the other is able to bring them back to a state of equilibrium. The lyrics go on to describe the other person as warm and bright, filling the other with a sense of joy and comfort. The second verse highlights the idea that the other person is a source of knowledge and understanding, one who has seen things and learned from them. Together, they are building bridges and making connections with each other, just like stars blazing through the night.
The chorus emphasizes the idea that the two people are parts of a greater whole, which is the universe. They are constantly connected, whether or not they are physically together. The singer can feel and hear everything that the other person does or says, even when they are miles apart. The sentiment is sentimental and almost cosmic, emphasizing the idea that two people can be so in sync that they are part of a larger mystic force that permeates the world. The song is a beautiful reflection on the depth and breadth of human connections.
Line by Line Meaning
A fire burns
Passion burns within me.
Water comes
Peace comes into my life.
You cool me down
You bring balance into my life.
When I'm cold inside
When I feel lost and alone.
You are warm and bright
You are a beacon of hope and light in my life.
You know you are so good for me, yeah
You are my rock and I'm grateful for your presence.
With your child's eyes
You have the wonder and curiosity of a child.
You are more than you seem
You have hidden depths and complexities.
You see into space
You have a visionary mind that sees beyond the present.
I see in your face
I see your emotions and understand you through your facial expressions.
The places you've been
You have been to many places and experienced a lot in life.
The things you have learned
You have gained wisdom from your experiences.
They sit with you so beautifully, yeah
Your experiences have shaped you into the beautiful person you are.
And you know there's no need to hide away
You don't need to hide your true self from me.
You know I tell the truth
I am honest with you.
We are just the same
We are equals.
And I can feel everything you do
I am in tune with your emotions and actions.
Hear everything you say
I listen to everything you say with care.
Even when you're miles away
Distance does not affect our connection.
'Cause I am me, the universe and you
We are connected as parts of the same universe.
And just like stars burning bright
Our love shines bright like stars in the sky.
Making holes in the night
Our bond overcomes the darkness in the world.
We are building bridges
We are working to strengthen our connection.
And when you're on your own
When you feel alone.
I'll send you a sign
I'll let you know I'm thinking of you.
Just so you know
So that you are reassured of our bond.
That I am me, the universe and you
Our connection is not limited by time or space.
The universe and you
We are part of something greater.
I am the universe and you
Our connection is cosmic and profound.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KT Tunstall, Frederik Ball, Hadrian Garrard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D1RUS
"You know there´s no need to hide away
you know I tell the truth
We are just the same
I can feel everything you do
Hear everything you say
Even when you´re miles away
Cause I am me, the universe and you"
:,(
Jill Culver
I walked down the isle to this song today and married the man of my dreams! Thank you KT you are amazing!
Silly Clucks and Meows
Congratulations to you!
Aunisti Norman
congrats
Beatriz Ferreira
Grey's Anatomy! 😍😍😍
A parte que mais sinto falta é a que a Callie começa a cantar 😂
Melissa Joe
i play this one as a solo acoustic cover, often at jam band festivals at the campfire late night sessions, and it works like a ripple...as people listen to the lyrics, they open into the song, and we all become One with the Universe, or recognize it briefly, in that moment. Thank you KT, from the World Hearts, for writing this. One Love ~
Peter Burke
One of my favourite tracks of all time. Her bluesy voise on a powerful melody. The music has dynamic the evoke emotion.
Excellent lyrics. Love the beatles influence too.
Lyzia Zanon
Se não fosse Grey's Anatomy, eu nunca iria descobrir essa música.. foooooodaaaa
Pedro Henrique
nossa amg simmm
Ricardo Richard
Muito boa essa música 👏😍
Sara Lyons
I haven't heard this since I was like 12.. and today I had it stuck in my head for some reason. Sure have missed good 'ol KT