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.
Closer
Katrina Carlson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cirque du Soleil
You're clowning around down on the ground
Two left feet, bright red toupee
There must be something wrong with me
I'm falling for you but you're a freak... Freak!
I wanna get Closer
I'm gonna be a star on Broadway
You're a chain saw juggling man
I know fine wines, filet mignon
You like eating out of the can
There must be something wrong with me
I think I love you but you're a freak... Freak!
I wanna get Closer
Close to you is where I wanna be
I want you Closer to me, I want to get
I wanna get Closer
Close to you is where I wanna be
I want you Closer to me
I wanna get Closer, I wanna get Closer
I wanna get Closer, I wanna get Closer
I wanna get Closer, I wanna get Closer
I wanna get Closer, I wanna get Closer
The lyrics to Katrina Carlson's song "Closer" paint a picture of a relationship between two people who are vastly different from each other. The singer refers to herself as a "high wire goddess" like those one might see in a Cirque du Soleil show, while her partner is described as a clumsy clown with a bright red toupee. Despite their differences, however, the singer is falling for her partner and wants to be closer to him.
In the second verse, the differences between the two are further highlighted. The singer envisions herself as a Broadway star with a taste for fine foods and wines, while her partner is a chainsaw-juggling man who eats out of cans. Despite the divide in their interests and lifestyles, however, the singer realizes that she's falling in love with her partner and wants to be closer to him.
Overall, the song explores the contrast between two people and the attraction that can arise despite those differences. It touches on the idea that sometimes, opposites really do attract.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a high wire goddess
I am a skilled and fearless performer, like those who perform on high wires in Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil
A famous circus that is known for its awe-inspiring performances
You're clowning around down on the ground
You are acting foolish and not taking things seriously, staying at a lower level than me
Two left feet, bright red toupee
You are clumsy and awkward, with a fake and unattractive hairpiece
There must be something wrong with me
Despite your flaws, I find myself inexplicably attracted to you, and wonder if there is something wrong with me
I'm falling for you but you're a freak... Freak!
I am developing feelings for someone who is not traditionally impressive or desirable, but I can't help it
I wanna get Closer
I want to become more intimate and close with you
I want you Closer to me
I want you to be physically and emotionally closer to me
I'm gonna be a star on Broadway
I have aspirations of greatness and fame in the world of theater
You're a chain saw juggling man
You have a unique and potentially dangerous talent, but one that is not traditionally esteemed like mine
I know fine wines, filet mignon
I have a refined and sophisticated taste in food and drink
You like eating out of the can
You have a less refined and simple taste in food and may not be able to afford finer things
I think I love you but you're a freak... Freak!
I am growing more certain that I have strong feelings for someone who is unconventional and odd
Close to you is where I wanna be
I desire close proximity to you, both physically and emotionally
I wanna get Closer, I wanna get Closer
My desire to be close to you is growing stronger
I wanna get Closer, I wanna get Closer
I want to build a closer connection with you, both physically and emotionally
I wanna get Closer, I wanna get Closer
I am emphatically stating my desire to be more intimate with you, despite our differences
I wanna get Closer, I wanna get Closer
I am repeating my plea to be closer to you as my desire intensifies
Contributed by Caden I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
pacamacaca
Beautiful! Thanks for posting it!
bilgerat23
Stumbled on this today, and it's exactly what i'm going through :/
xxEvangelineRxx
Is there an acoustic version?
lmmp91
you're welcome xDD I'm glad you enjoy it xDDD
Leo M
she should do the world a huge favour and STOP SINGING this is unbearable, giving me authentic brain paint