In November 2003, at the age of 19, Melua released her first album, Call off the Search, which reached the top of the United Kingdom album charts and sold 1.8 million copies in its first five months of release. Her second album, Piece by Piece, was released in September 2005 and to date has gone platinum four times. Melua released her third studio album Pictures in October 2007, which has been announced to be the last of her albums in collaboration with Mike Batt. According to the Sunday Times Rich List 2008, Melua has a fortune of £18 million, making her the seventh richest British musician under thirty.
In the summer of 2003, aged just 18 and still studying at the Brit School of Performing Arts in leafy Surrey, no-one, least of all Katie, would have predicted what the next few years would hold for the teenager. Four years later, Katie has sold more than 7.5 million albums becoming, in 2006, the year’s best selling British female in the world along the way.
Georgian born Katie relocated from Tbilisi to Belfast at the age of 8 due to her father’s profession as a heart surgeon and 5 years later moved to South East London. After her GCSEs Katie joined the Brit School for Performing Arts where she undertook a BTEC and Music A-level and discovered different styles of music including Queen, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Irish folk music and Indian music. On hearing an Eva Cassidy song Katie was blown away and when she discovered that Eva was no longer alive wrote the song ‘Faraway Voice’ as a tribute to her. It was this song that attracted the attention of the composer and producer Mike Batt. Katie signed to Batt’s record label Dramatico but stayed at the Brit School to complete her studies – she graduated with distinction in July 2003.
During the summer of 2003 her debut single, ‘The Closest Thing To Crazy’, attracted the attention of British station BBC Radio 2 and upon its release entered the charts at number 10. Released in November, Katie’s debut album ‘Call Off The Search’ hit the UK number 1 spot in January 2004 and has subsequently scored top 10 positions throughout Europe. The album has since been certified gold in Holland, Hong Kong and Switzerland, platinum in Denmark, New Zealand and Australia, 2 x platinum in Germany, Ireland, Norway and South Africa and received the IFPI Double Platinum Award for 2 million European Sales. In March 2005 ‘Call Off The Search’ hit the number 1 spot in Denmark, a year after its initial release and became a top five album in Japan. Katie was awarded Best International Newcomer at Germany’s ECHO Awards in April 2005. In Britain, Katie was the highest selling female artist in 2004 – ‘Call Off The Search’ has now sold 1.8 million copies and is 6 x platinum (in Britain alone) and worldwide sales exceed 3.5 million.
Katie joined the line up for the Band Aid 20 single to record a new version of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’. As an ambassador for Save The Children this was particularly poignant for Katie. In March 2005 Katie was invited by Nelson Mandela to perform at his 46664 concert in aid of Mandela’s AIDS foundation. In addition to performing a full live set, Katie joined Queen on stage to perform a moving version of ‘Too Much Love Will Kill You’. Katie flew from South Africa to Sri Lanka where she experienced the work that is being done by Save The Children, particularly with child soldiers.
In August 2005 Katie and her family swore allegiance to The Queen and became British Citizens following a ceremony in Surrey, England. Katie was asked to perform at the Royal Wedding of Prince Pieter-Christiaan in Holland and at the Norwegian Royal Gala Concert in the presence of the Crown Prince Of Norway. Continuing the royal theme, the American TV show ‘Good Morning America’ broadcast live from Buckingham Palace and Katie was invited by the show to perform ‘Nine Million Bicycles’ and ‘The Closest Thing To Crazy’. Katie performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in Norway.
In between her overseas travel Katie recorded her new album, ‘Piece By Piece’, which was released in Europe on September 26th 2005. The album comprises more self-penned songs including the title track as well as a cover of the 1987 Cure hit ‘Just Like Heaven’ that Katie recorded for a new DreamWorks film starring Reese Witherspoon. The first single, ‘Nine Million Bicycles’, preceded the album release and gave Katie her highest UK single chart entry at number 5. One week later and Katie entered the UK album charts at number 1 and Europe swiftly followed with the album reaching #1 in Norway, Denmark and Holland, #2 in Ireland, #2 in Iceland, #3 in South Africa, #4 in Poland and #2 in Germany giving an overall chart position of #2 on the Billboard European Top 100 Chart.
Katie was nominated for two Brit Awards in the “Best Female” and “Pop” categories, for the “Best International Female” at the Edison Awards in Holland and was awarded “Best International Female (Rock & Pop)” at the Echo Awards in Germany. Once again Katie was pronounced the highest selling female artist in Britain in 2005 selling more than 1 million albums.
It is fair to say that 2006 was yet another extraordinary year for 22 year old Katie. In addition to the awards nominations, Katie had a Dutch tulip named in her honour, toured America coast to coast, raced at 160mph round Grand Prix circuit Silverstone, flew a plane, launched Save The Children’s ‘Rewrite The Future’ campaign, made the headlines with a Guinness World Record for the deepest concert when she performed 303 meters beneath the North Sea in the leg of a gas rig and was awarded the World Music Award for Britain’s Biggest Selling Female. Whilst in 2004 and 2005, Katie was the greatest selling female artist in Britain, in 2006 Katie was the highest selling European female artist in the world selling more than 3 million copies of her second album ‘Piece By Piece’.
Awarded the Golden Camera Award for International Pop Artist at the start of 2007, Katie was presented with the Echo Award for International Female Artist in March 2007.
October 2007 saw the release of Katie’s third album ‘Pictures’ – a record which has delighted her legions of fans, confirmed Katie’s status as a unique and remarkable vocalist, and revealed the third chapter in what is destined to be a long musical career.
Katie’s fourth album, “The Katie Melua Collection”, is a musical summary of the 24 year old’s journey so far and is being released to coincide with Katie’s arena tour in October and November 2008.
www.katiemelua.com/
Spider's Web
Katie Melua Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it's the white man's racism that made him that way
'Cause the bully is the victim they say
By some sense they're all the same
'Cause the line between
Wrong and right
Is the width of a thread
The piano keys are black and white
But they sound like a million colors in your mind
I could tell you to go to war
Or I could march for peace and fighting no more
But how do I know which is right?
And I hope he does when he sends you to fight
'Cause the line between wrong and right
Is the width of a thread from a spider's web
The piano keys are black and white
But they sound like a million colors in your mind
Should we act on a blame?
Or should we chase the moments away?
Should we live?
Should we give?
Remember forever the guns and the feathers in time
'Cause the line between wrong and right
Is the width of a thread from a spider's web
The piano keys are black and white
But they sound like a million colors in your mind
The piano keys are black and white
But they sound like a million colors in your mind
They sound like a million colors in your mind
The lyrics of Katie Melua's song Spider's Web delivers a powerful message about the nature of right and wrong. The opening lines tackle racism and the idea that it stems from the actions of others. Melua questions whether racism coming from a black man is excusable if it is a result of white oppression. She then goes further, exploring the notion that bullies, who are often viewed as strong and in power, can also be considered victims in certain circumstances. By blurring the lines between black and white, right and wrong, strong and weak, Melua creates a thought-provoking piece that invites listeners to challenge their beliefs and consider the complexities of morality.
Melua's use of the metaphor of a spider's web highlights the fragility of these lines. The width of the thread that separates right from wrong is incredibly thin, almost imperceptible. The idea that something as inconsequential as a spider's web can determine the difference between these two fundamental concepts emphasizes how delicate and easily broken they are. The repetition of the line "The piano keys are black and white, but they sound like a million colors in your mind" echoes the metaphor of the spider's web, suggesting that there is beauty in the complexity of morality.
In conclusion, Katie Melua's song Spider's Web encourages listeners to challenge their perceptions of right and wrong by considering the complexities of morality. The lyrics explore difficult topics such as racism and bullying while emphasizing the fragility of the lines that separate these concepts. Melua's use of metaphors such as spider webs and the beauty of the piano keys encourages listeners to view morality as a complex and multifaceted concept.
Line by Line Meaning
If a black man is racist, is it okay?
Is it justifiable if a person belonging to an oppressed group reciprocates the same behavior under the circumstances of racism from their oppressor?
If it's the white man's racism that made him that way
If a black man learned racism as a retaliation to the white man's racism, are the white man's actions to blame?
'Cause the bully is the victim they say
Society often claims that the bully behaves that way because they are going through some issue or some trauma, and therefore, they are also victims.
By some sense they're all the same
Both the abuser and the abused are equal in their capacity to do harm or be harmed.
'Cause the line between Wrong and Right
The boundary that defines whether our actions or decisions are Right or Wrong.
Is the width of a thread
The distinction between these two boundaries is so subtle and narrow.
From a spider's web
It is like the line that is woven by a spider - unsure if it will last and if it will hold your weight if you cling onto it.
The piano keys are black and white
The dichotomy of the keys on the piano portrays the notion of opposing forces, like black and white, that coexist.
But they sound like a million colors in your mind
However, when played together, they create a symphony of sounds that can evoke a rainbow of emotions and experiences.
But how do I know which is right?
When confronted with conflicting choices, how can one determine which is the 'correct' or 'moral' option?
And I hope he does when he sends you to fight
One can only hope that the higher authority that sends people to fight in wars has a clear understanding of what is right and what is wrong.
Should we act on a blame?
In times of conflict or distress, should one choose to act on the basis of blaming someone entirely, or to consider the problem from multiple angles and approach it with compassion?
Or should we chase the moments away?
Instead of dwelling in the past, should we move on with the good things in life and live in the moment?
Should we live?
Should we continue to experience life even though it is filled with tragedy and suffering?
Should we give?
Should we focus more on helping others or on fulfilling our own desires and needs?
Remember forever the guns and the feathers in time
Some moments in history will forever remain as reminders of the good and bad, of triumph and defeat.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Katie Melua
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sweetbepsycho
From all your song I think this is my favourite beside "Call Off the Search".
I love the music, lyrics, and music video concept; especially seeing you playing guitar and interact with audience in the end of this video.
You know what, you are the only one International Jazz/ Blues Artist/ Musician I like and subscribed, along with Eva Cassidy. I know her from your collabaoration/ featuring video.
I love your song, music, live performance, style, attitude, and your accent. 😆
I hope you will be more recognized and popular around the world.
Love from Indonesia. 💖
@HGozzer
I loved this song since first hearing!!! And here I am listening to it about 15 years after!!! This song is so underrated…
@christophh1805
One Word: Masterpiece
@gemthomson6730
I just love katy's voice, it's so pure. 🙂
@pawejasniewski2255
It is very rare to hear true music, thank you
@areyeh4979
Beautiful song and amazing performance!
@terrybenedict1763
This deserve milions views and more!!!
@mongolian999
There is no softness or sweetness or beauty after this magical voice..
@HGozzer
This song is so underrated! It’s one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard! And one of her bests!!!
@sergey-makhalov
Katie, this is a masterpiece! This is your BEST song! Please include it's live performance in your tour!
@voloshanca
I agree it's absolutely her best song. A lyrical masterpiece.