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.
Enough
Katrina Carlson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Colored a moment
So I could believe in love
You're beautiful
Am I enough
One perfect sunrise
A purple-orange sunset
You're everything
I've ever dreamed of
But am I strong enough
Lucky enough, stupid enough
Am I smart enough to be who I am
So you'll understand I am enough
My eyes weren't looking
My arms were not open
No path had been paved, you just walked up
You gave me love
And I ate it up
But am I strong enough
Lucky enough, stupid enough
Am I smart enough to be who I am
So I'll understand I am enough
You're beautiful,
But what if it rains
The seasons will change
As time passes by
Are you strong enough
Lucky enough, stupid enough
Are you smart enough
To stay here with me
So we could see
We could see this love is enough
The lyrics to Katrina Carlson's song 'Enough' are a reflection on the insecurity and self-doubt that can arise in relationships despite one's feelings for someone else. The opening lines, "You painted a picture, Colored a moment, So I could believe in love," suggest a lack of faith or trust in oneself and the world around them when it comes to love. The singer acknowledges that the other person is everything she has ever dreamed of, but wonders if she is enough for them. She questions whether she is strong, lucky, smart, or even stupid enough to be in the relationship and if she can truly be herself so that the other person understands that she is enough.
The second verse describes how the relationship came into being unexpectedly, without any noticeable signs or preparations. The other person simply walked into her life and gave her "love," which she "ate up." This suggests an intense and genuine connection between them, but the singer still seems to feel uncertain about its longevity. She wonders if the beauty of it all will withstand the rain or the passage of time and if they can both be strong, lucky, smart, and even stupid enough to stay together and see that their love is truly enough.
Line by Line Meaning
You painted a picture
You created an image
Colored a moment
Made a moment more vibrant
So I could believe in love
So I could trust in love
You're beautiful
You are a lovely person
Am I enough
Am I a sufficient partner
One perfect sunrise
A flawless start of the day
A purple-orange sunset
A colorful end of the day
Could never describe what you have stirred up
Did not capture how you have affected me
You're everything
You are my ideal companion
I've ever dreamed of
That I have wished for in my dreams
But am I strong enough
But do I have enough resilience
Lucky enough, stupid enough
Fortunate enough, foolish enough
Am I smart enough to be who I am
Do I have enough intelligence to be myself
So you'll understand I am enough
So you'll comprehend that I am sufficient
My eyes weren't looking
I was not seeking
My arms were not open
I was not receptive
No path had been paved, you just walked up
No leading route existed, you entered spontaneously
You gave me love
You provided affection
And I ate it up
And I enthusiastically received it
But am I strong enough
But do I have enough resilience
Lucky enough, stupid enough
Fortunate enough, foolish enough
Am I smart enough to be who I am
Do I have enough intelligence to be myself
So I'll understand I am enough
So I'll comprehend that I am sufficient
You're beautiful,
You are a lovely person,
But what if it rains
But what if things go south
The seasons will change
Things will evolve
As time passes by
As time goes on
Are you strong enough
Do you have enough resilience
Lucky enough, stupid enough
Fortunate enough, foolish enough
Are you smart enough
Do you have enough intelligence
To stay here with me
To stay in this relationship with me
So we could see
So we would comprehend
We could see this love is enough
We would grasp that this is sufficient love
Contributed by Layla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.