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.
Daisy In Chains
Katrina Carlson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Plucking paper daisies until summertime
Will the melting snow lead me to your door
Help our garden grow like it did before
(Chorus)
Love me, love me not
Tangled up in guessing games
Cuz I'm drowning in the pouring rain
Like a daisy in chains, a daisy in chains
I've been laying down in fields of thistles
Making my bed where roses used to bloom
Staring at the sky hoping for a sign
Watching clouds go by so the sun will shine
(Chorus)
Words are spoken promises broken
Sowing the seeds of doubt
Please talk to me if we're meant to be
Then we can work it out
Love me, love me not
Tangled up in guessing games
Tell me is it love that we got
Cuz I'm drowning in the pouring rain
I can take just about anything
But there's some things I can't explain
Like a daisy in chains
A daisy in chains
Like a daisy in chains
I've been waiting
Patiently all winter
The song "Daisy In Chains" by Katrina Carlson seems to be a plea for clarity and communication in a troubled relationship. The first verse sets the scene for the song's central metaphor, as the singer describes patiently waiting for spring and plucking paper daisies until summertime. Just as the paper flowers are trapped in stasis, unable to grow or change, so the singer seems trapped in a situation where she is unsure of her lover's feelings and intentions. The chorus uses the classic game of "love me, love me not" to express the singer's confusion and frustration, as she struggles to understand where she stands with her partner. The second verse continues the flower imagery, as the singer describes lying down in fields of thistles and staring at the sky, hoping for a sign that the sun will come out again. The repeated refrain of "like a daisy in chains" emphasizes the feeling of being trapped and helpless in the face of uncertainty.
The bridge of the song introduces the idea that words can be both reassuring and deceitful, sowing seeds of doubt and confusion. The singer pleads with her lover to talk things out and work through their problems together, but ultimately seems resigned to her own helplessness in the situation. The final chorus adds the line "I can take just about anything, but there's some things I can't explain," further emphasizing the singer's sense of frustration and bewilderment.
Overall, "Daisy In Chains" is a poignant and relatable song about the difficulties of navigating uncertain relationships. The imagery of flowers trapped in stasis and the refrain of "like a daisy in chains" create a powerful emotional resonance, and the lyrics capture the universal desire for clarity and reassurance in matters of the heart.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been waiting patiently all winter
I have been waiting for a long time, enduring the harsh and cold winter season.
Plucking paper daisies until summertime
I have been passing time by playing a game of chance--plucking petals from fake daisies--hoping that summer will come soon.
Will the melting snow lead me to your door
I wonder if the end of winter and melting snow will finally bring me closer to you.
Help our garden grow like it did before
I hope that, just like how our relationship used to blossom, the coming of spring will bring back the love we once had.
Love me, love me not
I am uncertain if you truly love me or if you are simply playing a game of chance with my heart.
Tangled up in guessing games
I am stuck in a complicated situation, unsure of your true feelings towards me.
Tell me is it love that we got
Can you please confirm if the feeling of love we share is real and mutual?
Cuz I'm drowning in the pouring rain
My heart is overwhelmed with emotions, and I am struggling to keep my head above water.
Like a daisy in chains, a daisy in chains
I feel trapped and helpless, like a flower being held captive by a chain.
Words are spoken promises broken
Despite the words of love that we have exchanged, promises have been made and broken, leading to feelings of doubt.
Sowing the seeds of doubt
Our relationship was built on a foundation of doubt and insecurity, causing us great pain and uncertainty.
Please talk to me if we're meant to be
If we truly belong together, please communicate with me and let me know where we stand.
Then we can work it out
If we truly love each other and want to save our relationship, we can work together to overcome our obstacles.
I can take just about anything
I am strong and can handle any challenge or adversity thrown my way.
But there's some things I can't explain
Despite my strength, there are certain things that I cannot understand or explain, such as the complexities of love and relationships.
Like a daisy in chains
Like a flower being held captive, I am trapped in this uncertain and confusing relationship.
A daisy in chains
Like a fragile flower being weighed down by heavy chains, I am struggling to break free of my emotional burdens.
I've been laying down in fields of thistles
I have been lying in isolated and painful fields, surrounded by thorny and prickly plants.
Making my bed where roses used to bloom
I am attempting to rest and find comfort in a place where love and happiness once flourished, but now only barrenness and sadness remain.
Staring at the sky hoping for a sign
I am looking up at the vast and uncertain sky, searching for any indication or sign that my relationship will improve.
Watching clouds go by so the sun will shine
I am observing the clouds and hoping that by wishing upon them, the sun will come out and brighten my life with love and happiness.
Contributed by Michael N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mariusz P.
Piękne aktorki Kitty Natalie,Lydia i Olga
Анастасия Герц
очень красиво!
Natalia X
Отличное видео! ♥
Kwiatonatorka 123
Wow!