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.
Here and Now
Katrina Carlson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At the end of my life I'd spend it this way
But Heaven comes and goes and what I'm feeling now
Makes the ups and the downs not matter somehow
(Chorus)
Is this what love is about
Never wanting to be without you
Here and now
The sun could turn to dust, the day could fall away
I wouldn't care as long as you stay
And all the trouble life has put me through
I'm gonna let it go, and hold on to you
The world fades away
Till there's nothing left but today
(Chorus)
Ah...Ah...
(Chorus)
Hey hey, yeah
Is this what love is about (Here and Now)
Never wanting to be without you
You make me feel like there's only
Here and Now
Heaven knows if I were given one more day
I'd spend it this way
The song "Here and Now" by Katrina Carlson is a beautiful love song that talks about the essence of being in love with someone and how it can make one forget all the troubles life has thrown their way. The lyrics are emotive, and it starts with the acknowledgment that the singer is aware of how unpredictable life can be. However, she wishes to have just one more day to spend with the person she loves. This affectionate tone sets the underlying emotion for the rest of the song.
The theme of the song revolves around the idea that when one is in love, what matters most is the present moment shared with their lover. They forget all their worries and the past as the present is all they have, and it is all that matters. The singer expresses that she feels complete when she is with the person she loves and that she never wants to be without them. The chorus emphasizes the same sentiment, that the person she is with makes her feel like there's only here and now, that nothing else seems to matter. The other verses continue to portray the idea of how the singer's lover is the only thing that matters to her, and she would like to spend eternity with them.
Overall, Katrina Carlson's "Here and Now" is an insightful and deeply emotional song that speaks about the essence of love and the desire to be with the person you love for eternity, completely in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Heaven knows if I were given one more day
If I had only one more day to live, I know exactly how I would spend it.
At the end of my life I'd spend it this way
This is how I would spend my last day on Earth.
But Heaven comes and goes and what I'm feeling now
The feeling I have now is fleeting, it won't last forever just like life ebbs and flows.
Makes the ups and the downs not matter somehow
The temporary nature of this wonderful feeling I have makes it so that the bad things don't matter right now.
Is this what love is about
Reflecting on this feeling, I wonder if this is truly what love is all about.
Never wanting to be without you
I feel so strongly that I never want to be without this person.
You make me feel like there's only
When I'm with you, you're the only thing that matters and everything else fades away.
The sun could turn to dust, the day could fall away
The world itself could come to an end and I wouldn't care as long as you were with me.
I wouldn't care as long as you stay
You are what matters to me most, everything else fades into the background when I am with you.
And all the trouble life has put me through
Life has been difficult, but it all fades away when I'm with this person.
I'm gonna let it go, and hold on to you
I am going to forget about my troubles in life and hold on tightly to this person that makes me so happy.
The world fades away
Everything else, including the hardships of life, fades into the background when I am with you.
Till there's nothing left but today
All that matters is the present moment, spending it with you and enjoying our time together.
Contributed by Grayson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.