McPhee's self-titled debut album was released through RCA Records on January 30, 2007 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200. It also sold 116,000 copies in its first week. The album's first single, "Over It," was a Pop Top 30 hit and certified gold in 2008. Its second single, "Love Story," was released May 22, 2007, but failed to chart. On January 11, 2008, it was reported by Billboard.com that McPhee had been released from her RCA Records contract; a spokesperson for the label stated, "She is going to record her next album on her own." She ended up signing a new record deal with Verve Forecast Records (part of the Verve Music Group under Universal Music Group), which was announced on January 27, 2009.
McPhee's second album, Unbroken was released through Verve Forecast on January 5, 2010 and debuted at #27 on the Billboard 200. The album's first single was "Had It All" which peaked at #22 on the Billboard AC chart. She also released a holiday album titled Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You on October 12, 2010. It debuted at #11 on the Billboard Top Holiday Albums chart while the single "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" peaked at #16 on the Billboard AC chart.
McPhee has also established an acting career; she co-starred in The House Bunny in 2008 as the hippie sorority sister Harmony. She will also be co-starring in the upcoming NBC series Smash. On June 9, 2011, it was announced that she had signed a new record deal with Columbia Records, in conjunction with Columbia teaming with NBC to distribute the music for Smash.
Faultline
Katharine McPhee Lyrics
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'Cause I've always played it safe
Let a bird out of its cage
It's gonna fly away
But the thrill of the unknown
Has lead me far away from home
I don't think I wanna go
Like it was before
Every time you look at me
I want something more
[Chorus]
I'm starting to shake
This perfect mistake
Could kill me any moment
But that's a chance I gotta take
I'm ready to fall
Break, or loose it all
We're dancing on a fault line
That's about to give way
But I think I'm gonna stay
I just wanna lie
Under burning skies
I have wished this moment
About a million times
Though it's dangerous, I know
Why should I say no?
I don't wanna have to go
Back to where I used to be
And like it was before
Every time you look at me
I want something more
[Chorus]
And every breath
Is just a breath away from heartache
And maybe I can wait
But I still wanna breathe you in
Like a summer wind
I'm starting to shake
This perfect mistake
Could kill me any moment
But that's a chance I gotta take
I'm ready to fall
Break, or loose it all
We're dancing on a fault line
That's about to give way
[Chorus]
In 'Faultline', Katharine McPhee sings about her personal struggle with taking risks and stepping out of her comfort zone. The song reveals her desire to break free from the routine she has fallen into by playing it safe. She likens the feeling of living within a strict set of rules like a bird locked in its cage, that can only dream of breaking free to soar on its own. While she acknowledges the risk inherent in stepping out into the great unknown, McPhee feels she has no other choice but to take the chance because something inside is urging her to do so.
As the song progresses, McPhee poignantly describes the desperation of wanting to stay in a moment forever, even if it means facing the danger of being heartbroken. She is aware that every breath she takes is a breath away from heartache, but she is eager to take that risk and experience the fullness of life with the person she loves. McPhee firmly believes in taking action toward a goal, consequences notwithstanding, and thus asserts that she is ready to face the possibility of breaking or losing everything on the precipice of the fault line they are dancing on.
Line by Line Meaning
I kind of like this game
I enjoy this risky situation
'Cause I've always played it safe
I've never taken risks before
Let a bird out of its cage
Letting go of something that needs to be free
It's gonna fly away
It will find its way
But the thrill of the unknown
The excitement of something new
Has lead me far away from home
Has taken me away from my comfort zone
I don't think I wanna go
I'm hesitant to return to my old ways
Back to where I used to be
To my previous state of being
Like it was before
In the past, when I played it safe
Every time you look at me
Your gaze affects me
I want something more
I crave excitement and change
I'm starting to shake
I'm getting nervous
This perfect mistake
This exciting, but risky choice
Could kill me any moment
This could potentially harm me
But that's a chance I gotta take
I'm willing to take the risk
I'm ready to fall
I'm prepared for the consequences
Break, or loose it all
Risk everything or gain nothing
We're dancing on a fault line
We're living on the edge
That's about to give way
Something is about to break
But I think I'm gonna stay
I choose to stay and take the risk
I just wanna lie
I just want to relax
Under burning skies
Under the hot sun
I have wished this moment
I've dreamed of this moment
About a million times
Numerous times
Though it's dangerous, I know
Even though I'm aware of the risks
Why should I say no?
Why not take the chance?
And every breath
Each inhale and exhale
Is just a breath away from heartache
I'm only one step away from pain
And maybe I can wait
Maybe I can be patient
But I still wanna breathe you in
But I desire to be close to you
Like a summer wind
Like a light, breezy feeling
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LUCIE SILVAS, RACHEL THIBODEAU, SHRIDHAR ASHOKKUMAR SOLANKI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind