Carlson grew up in Paradise Valley, Ariz., the youngest of 11 children. By the age of 12 she was playing both piano and guitar, and composing songs to entertain her family. Her early talents for songwriting and performance set the stage for Carlson's bright future.
Initially, Carlson did not formally pursue a musical career. She attended Brown University, where she majored in international relations, foreign policy and diplomacy. After graduation, Carlson found herself at a crossroads. Dealing with a recent family tragedy and feeling disillusioned by the political climate in Washington, D.C., she moved to New York for some "musical therapy." Carlson earned admission into the Manhattan School of Music and Brooklyn College's opera program. During this time, she expanded her creative repertoire and joined an Off-Broadway Cole Porter review amongst many other musical productions. Carlson also appeared in the 1999 indie romantic comedy Special Delivery, and contributed two songs to the film's soundtrack.
In September 2001, Carlson released her debut record, Apples for Eve, with songs co-written and produced by Emmy winner Ron Cohen. Soon after, Carlson's music started to spread its way throughout American culture. Her music graced the soundtracks of television shows Dawson's Creek, Lost and Passions, as well as the feature film Go Tigers!. As a result of these successes, Carlson was selected as a 2002 finalist in the Rolling Stone/Jim Beam Emerging Artist series.
Carlson's second record, 2003's Untucked, contained four hit singles that spent a remarkable 18 combined months on the Billboard and R&R Adult Contemporary charts. The romantic pop ballad "I Know You by Heart" is a powerful and moving duet featuring Benny Mardones -- best known for his 1980s hit single "Into the Night." Follow-up tunes such as "Count on Me," "Suddenly Beautiful," and Carlson's skillful rendering of The Cars' classic "Drive" are musical gems that brought the album well-deserved praise including an award for "Best Independent Pop Album" at the 2003 Los Angeles Music Awards.
After releasing Untucked, Carlson continued her sonic diversity by expanding her 1970s-era, soft-rock sound to include a deeper, edgier pop-rock sound. This creative evolution has shaped Carlson's latest effort, Here and Now. Produced by Ron Aniello (Barenaked Ladies, Guster, Lifehouse), the new record offers a lush collection of sweeping power ballads and upbeat pop tunes. A major highlight is the title track, inspired by the moment Carlson first held her then-newborn baby, Ruby Rose, and mused over experiences and lessons learned in her own life. In Carlson's words, "I look for the beauty in the good, the bad and the ugly alike. I'm grateful and I count it all a blessing."
Here and Now's first single is a modern take on the Howard Jones classic "No One is to Blame," with a guest appearance by Jones himself on vocals and piano. With songs such as "Be the One," "First To Say Goodbye" and "Lost," Carlson again demonstrates her enrichment as both an individual and a professional musician. This growth is equally evident in the diversity of Carlson's live performances. While on tour, she has opened for such artists as Kenny Loggins, Chicago, Eddie Money and Rick Springfield. Priding herself in the ability to "mix it up" onstage, Carlson offers audiences everything from an unplugged acoustic show to a full rock band extravaganza. "Lately, I've been throwing in snippets of opera!" Carlson added, laughing. Carlson loves that her audiences include dancing teenagers, hip seniors and everything in between.
As a songwriter, the former actress explains that she envisions her songs as "mini-movies," complete with characters, storylines and plot resolutions. Much like contemporaries Sheryl Crow and Natalie Merchant, Carlson views herself in various shades, and by that standard, Here and Now is a rainbow of textured life stories. Many of the songs included on her new album lend themselves to use in film and television. "Feel For Me" has already been tapped by the N-Network's "South of Nowhere," and will be featured in the first two episodes including the season premiere.
Carlson says, "I believe in personal responsibility; you own what is yours that way." But she also realizes that behind every great musician is a dedicated team and a supportive family. Carlson has all of these gifts, which allow her to live life on her own terms. "I used to feel like I was always rushing to the finish line, now I'm really trying to savor each moment and recognize everyday is a gift." she says. This new album reflects that inner clarity that, for Katrina Carlson, truly is Here and Now.
Be The One
Katrina Carlson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never showed anyone
No one could reach me until you made it through
Don't wanna die before I live
Don't wanna take before I give
I wanna feel the way I do when I'm with you
(Chorus)
Now before the moment's gone
Break me down and wake me up inside
Set me free
Don't let the darkness cover me
Be the one to make me come alive, be the one
I knew what love was all about
And did my best to shut it out
Thought I could never hurt again
Wouldn't let it in
But I believe there's something true
Something real to hold onto
And now I know, I'm ready to let go
I know you could
(Chorus)
Be the one to make me love again
(Whenever we're together it feels like home)
Be the one to make me love again
(Whenever we're together it feels like home)
I don't wanna be alone
I don't wanna run anymore
I wanna fly
(We're forever, we're together, we're forever)
Be together... I wanna fly
(Chorus)
You're the one to make me come alive
Be the one
The lyrics of Katrina Carlson's song "Be The One" express gratitude and hope for a new beginning in a relationship. The song is about opening up to someone and allowing them to see the true, vulnerable self that has been hidden away. The lines "How could you know how lost I was, I never showed anyone" reveal the singer's reluctance to open up to someone, but the love interest has made a breakthrough. The singer wants to live life fully and not be shut off emotionally any longer. The imagery of "don't let the darkness cover me" highlights their fear of being consumed by negative emotions, but they trust that their love interest will help them overcome it.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of the love interest's role in this new life. The singer asks them to be the one to break down their walls and awaken them both emotionally and mentally. The line "be the one to make me come alive" represents how the love interest is a source of joy and happiness, providing a sense of purpose to the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
How could you know how lost I was
I never expressed my true feelings to anyone, so how could you understand the depth of my despair?
I never showed anyone
I kept my emotions bottled up inside and did not share them with others.
No one could reach me until you made it through
Despite many people trying to connect with me, it was only through your efforts that I finally felt understood and accepted.
Don't wanna die before I live
I do not want to let life pass me by without truly experiencing all that it has to offer.
Don't wanna take before I give
I want to contribute to others and the world before I focus on my own needs and desires.
I wanna feel the way I do when I'm with you
The joy and contentment I feel when I am in your presence is something I want to experience more often.
Be the one
I am looking to you for guidance and support.
Now before the moment's gone
I am afraid of missing an opportunity and want to act quickly before it is too late.
Break me down and wake me up inside
I need you to help me let go of my past pain and awaken my true potential.
Set me free
I want to be liberated from the constraints that have held me back in the past.
Don't let the darkness cover me
I fear being overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions and need you to help me stay positive and hopeful.
Be the one to make me come alive, be the one
I am looking to you to inspire me and bring me back to life.
I knew what love was all about
I have experience with love but have been hurt in the past.
And did my best to shut it out
I have tried to protect myself from getting hurt again by avoiding love and relationships.
Thought I could never hurt again
I was resigned to the idea that love would only bring pain.
Wouldn't let it in
I closed myself off emotionally to avoid being hurt again.
But I believe there's something true
After some reflection, I have come to believe that love and connection are still possible.
Something real to hold onto
I am looking for an authentic and meaningful connection with someone.
And now I know, I'm ready to let go
I have come to terms with my past pain and am ready to move on and open myself up to love again.
Be the one to make me love again
I am hopeful that you can help me overcome my fears and rediscover love.
(Whenever we're together it feels like home)
I feel most comfortable and at ease when I am with you.
I don't wanna be alone
I am afraid of being lonely and crave companionship.
I don't wanna run anymore
I am tired of avoiding my emotions and running away from potential love.
I wanna fly
I want to experience the freedom and joy that comes with a healthy and loving relationship.
(We're forever, we're together, we're forever)
I want to build a long-lasting and meaningful connection with you.
You're the one to make me come alive
You have the ability to help me discover my true self and live life to the fullest.
Be the one
You are the beacon of hope and guidance that I need.
Contributed by Josiah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.