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.
Friday Night
Katrina Carlson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Push 'em back and knock 'em down
His fingers in the grass tear up the ground
The smell of autumn fallin 'round
Now the crowd is getting loud
Time to make 'em proud
(Chorus)
Take me to a field and flood the lights
On Friday Night
Damn it good to be alive
Danny, he was born in touchdown town
With the steel mills long shut down
His mama put a football in his crib
She hoped he'd do what his daddy did
Grow up strong and learn to play
Take 'em all the way
(Chorus)
Danny's got a ride
He's college bound with pride
Danny's getting outside
He can play
He might stay
But there's no place like home
There's no place like home
Danny's got a boy in touchdown town
And all eyes are on him now
But Danny only wants him to be free
To be what he wants to be
So he smiles and takes his hand
As they climb the stands up high
(Chorus)
The song "Friday Night" by Katrina Carlson takes us to "touchdown town," where Danny, a football player, lives and breathes the sport. The verses paint a picture of his passion and dedication towards football, as he pushes his opponents back and knocks them down. His love for the sport is so deep that it began from his birth; his mother placed a football in his crib as a baby. As he grows older, Danny's talent in the game gets him a ride to college. However, Danny doesn't forget his roots, and he knows there's no place like touchdown town.
The chorus of the song creates a mood of excitement and celebration, as the lights flood and the crowd cheers on Friday night. It shows the joy of living life to the fullest and feeling alive. The song captures the spirit of unity and bond connected with sports, the feeling of belonging and the sense of community it brings.
Overall, "Friday Night" is a celebration of football and small-town togetherness. Katrina Carlson paints a vivid picture of Danny's life and takes us on a journey to the world of touchdown town, where the people love their football.
Line by Line Meaning
Danny's got a job in touchdown town
Danny has a job in a town that loves football
Push 'em back and knock 'em down
Danny plays on the team and helps tackle the other players
His fingers in the grass tear up the ground
Danny plays so hard that he rips up the grass
The smell of autumn fallin 'round
It's autumn and there's a crispness in the air
Now the crowd is getting loud
The fans are cheering on the team
Time to make 'em proud
It's time for Danny and his team to play their best
On Friday Night
This game is taking place on a Friday night
Take me to a field and flood the lights
The setting is a football field with bright lights shining on it
Damn it good to be alive
Danny feels alive and happy playing football
Danny, he was born in touchdown town
Danny is from a town that loves football
With the steel mills long shut down
The local steel mill has been closed for a long time
His mama put a football in his crib
Danny's mother wanted him to love football
She hoped he'd do what his daddy did
Danny's father played football and his mother wants him to follow in his footsteps
Grow up strong and learn to play
Danny's mother wants him to become strong and be a good football player
Take 'em all the way
Danny's mother wants him to lead his team to victory
Danny's got a ride
Danny has a way to get to college
He's college bound with pride
Danny is excited to go to college
He can play
Danny is a talented football player
He might stay
Danny might decide to stay in his hometown
But there's no place like home
Danny loves his hometown
Danny's got a boy in touchdown town
Danny has a son who lives in the football-loving town
And all eyes are on him now
Danny's son is being watched by the town
But Danny only wants him to be free
Danny wants his son to have his own dreams and be himself
To be what he wants to be
Danny wants his son to follow his own path
So he smiles and takes his hand
Danny loves his son and is supportive of him
As they climb the stands up high
Danny and his son are going to watch a football game together
Contributed by Grace W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
CaberMan
This video gives me chills. I love Friday nights in Massillon.
Shannon Jones
So proud to bea TIGER!!!!
nikon d3200
Shannon Jones fuck u hick
p 365
ohio high school football just special
DaytonaDude
BULLDOGS RULE!!!
JasonSmith9696
Go polar Bears
Ed venuto
Paper tigers
Varna Blocker
AKRON AKRON BUCHTEL BEAT MASSILION