Three years after the release of her first album, which went gold and platinum, she released her second album, Carpe Diem, which launched the career of this singer-songwriter in French-speaking countries, especially in Quebec. Within three weeks, the album went gold. She then took her music on tour, performing to over 150,000 admirers, while her album went three times platinum. She was especially appreciated by the Canadian public and music industry. In 1995, she was awarded two Félix awards by Quebec's association of recording artists (ADISQ), namely Best Female Vocalist of the year (by popular vote), and Best Live Performance of the year.
Then, things began to pick up!
In 1996, Walt Disney Studios immortalized Lara's voice. In addition to incarnating Esmeralda, the heroine of the animated feature The Hunchback of Notre Dame, she sang the theme song ("Que Dieu aide les exclus") on the film's soundtrack.
In October, her third album "Pure" went platinum in less than two weeks. Thanks to this album, she won the 1997 Félix for Album of the Year. The same year, "Pure" was launched in France where over two million albums were sold within two years. Thanks to this resounding success, which eloquently expressed the affection of her loving and faithful fans, Lara was awarded the prize for New Artist of the Year at the prestigious French gala Les Victoires de la Musique. This was in February 1998, a few months before the concert tour in several French cities that led to the recording of an album (Lara Fabian Live) in March 1999 which went platinum a few months later. Lara Fabian was praised by music lovers and critics alike...
In addition to receiving the Félix for Quebec Artist Having the Most Impact Outside Quebec, she was voted Personality of the Year by the magazine Paris Match, which featured her on its front cover. While her fame grew, she was honored at the World Music Awards for Best Selling Artist for "Pure". Between appearances in Europe, Lara often returned to New York City and San Francisco to record her first album in English. She wrote or co-wrote most of the songs, working with Rick Allison and producers Walter Afanasieff (Mariah Carey), Pat Leonard (Madonna), Sam Watters (ex-Color Me Badd) and Brian Rawling (Cher's "I Believe").
Produced by Sony Records, the self-titled album was launched in May 2000 on America's most popular morning television show, NBC's Today Show. Invitations poured in, and Lara Fabian appeared on The Tonight Show, The View, Access Hollywood, Craig Kilborn, Entertainment Tonight...
The album's first excerpt, I will Love Again, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Music charts and settled in for 58 weeks! Thanks to this resounding success, she received the Félix for Quebec Artist Having the Most Impact in a Language other than French. The songs on the album thrilled audiences worldwide.
In February 2001, Love By Grace became the theme song of the lead couple in the Brazilian soap opera Laços de Familia, broadcast by TV Globo for millions of viewers in Brazil and Portugal. For several weeks, the song was number 1 on most Brazilian and Portuguese radio stations. Love by Grace generated an incredible frenzy around the artist… You just don't top the billboards of Portuguese speaking countries everyday!
After From Lara with Love, her first American TV special broadcast by PBS, the singer-songwriter participated in the very popular WTKU New York radio special, Miracle on 34th Street, where many popular artists appeared, including Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin and Toni Braxton.
Shortly after, when her self-titled English-language album was released in Asia, Lara scored a number one hit on the Taiwanese top ten, a great moment for the artist. Many were particularly impressed with the song Light of my Life (found only on the Asian edition of the album), which she interpreted with Lee-Hom, Asia's top male Chinese-speaking vocalist. This song was included in the movie feature China Strike Force, starring newcomer Lee-Horn along with Aaron Kwok, a box-office idol throughout Asia.
Eagerly awaited in several cities throughout the world, Lara has brilliantly dealt with her growing popularity by frequently appearing abroad. The artist has performed in several European and American capitals, and has enjoyed every minute of her travels. Solid gold in Canada, Germany, Switzerland and Norway, Lara Fabian went platinum in Belgium, Brazil and France and triple platinum in Portugal. She enjoyed the longest number 1 run on Billboard's Heatseeker Chart in 2000.
Last May, Lara was awarded yet another prize at the World Music Awards in Monaco, where she sang Adagio. She also returned to New York and Los Angeles to lend her voice to the original soundtracks of two long-awaited international super productions in July 2001: She interpreted the song The Dreams Within, featured in the movie Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, as well as For Always, the vocal version of the title song of A.I., Steven Spielberg's latest feature.
In addition to a new French-language album in September 2001, Lara Fabian launched the first single on her new album in May, "J'y crois encore", which can be heard on radio stations in Quebec and Europe.
From France to Brazil, in Italy, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, Japan and the United States, Lara Fabian has established her reputation as a determined singer-songwriter. Barely 10 years after the release of her first album, Lara has conquered the hearts of millions of fans throughout the world, whose fervor is equaled only by their affection for this talented and authentic artist. Eight million records sold worldwide to this day testify to her achievement.
Her best-selling European DVD and CD, En Toute Intimité, released in October 2003, was an intimate, acoustic piano-based collection showcasing Ms. Fabian performing songs in English, Italian and French.
After En Toute Intimité Lara Fabian released her 2nd English language album called "A wonderful life". Lara Fabian's latest release is an album in the French language with the title "Toutes Les Femmes en Moi", released in May 2009.
2010: "Tour Les Femmes Font Leur Show", Mademoiselle Zhivago
Throughout the first half of 2010, Fabian embarked on a European tour of concerts, throughout France, Switzerland, and Belgium, incorporating the main repertoire of her last album "Toutes Les Femmes En Moi" along with some classic and fan favorites. She also performed again in Eastern Europe, with a more acoustic set (piano-voice), and included English recordings from the album Every Woman in Me. In September 2010, she finally released her 2009 album "Toutes Les Femmes En Moi" in Québec. She also recorded the album "Nuit Magique" with Canadian singer Coral Egan.
Later in 2010, Fabian released a concept album in Russia and Ukraine called Mademoiselle Zhivago which has sold over 800.000 copies in Russia. It features 11 songs in different languages by Russian composer Igor Krutoy. It features stories about a woman who experiences several lives over the years and centuries. Eleven music videos, one each song, were combined to create a full-length film, produced and directed by Ukrainian film producer Alan Badoev. The album itself, containing a CD and a DVD, was first released in Ukraine in October 2010 and in Russia in November.
2020–present: Lockdown Sessions
On December 16, 2020, Lara Fabian discreetly unveiled a collection of 12 experimental musical tracks, the fruit of her introspection and her isolation during confinement. Lockdown Sessions came out in a limited edition without a label, and offers a unique journey of the singer accompanied again by Moh Denebi.
Fabian is a full lyric soprano with a vocal range that spans three octaves from C3 to G5 in live performances.
She is multilingual, she speaks Italian, French, Spanish, Sicilian, English and some Flemish.[citation needed] She has also sung in Azerbaijani, German, Greek, Hebrew, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, and Turkish
Both Sides Now
Lara Fabian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And feathers, canyons everywhere, I've looked at cloud that way.
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone.
So many things I would have done but clouds got in my way.
I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall.
Moons and Junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real; I've looked at love that way.
But now it's just another show. You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.
I've looked at love from both sides now,
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall.
I really don't know love at all.
Tears and fears and feeling proud to say "I love you" right out loud,
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds, I've looked at life that way.
But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, they say
I've changed.
Well, some things're lost but some things gained in living every day.
I've looked at life from both sides now,
From win and lose, and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall.
I really don't know life at all.
I've looked at life from both sides now,
From up and down, and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall.
I really don't know life at all
The opening lines of the song "Rows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air" paint a picture of childlike wonder and imagination. It sets a tone for a song that explores the different perspectives that come with experience, growth and change. The imagery of clouds that once inspired dreams and whimsy now represents a more sobering reality, as they block the sun and bring rain and snow. This change in perspective is further illustrated with the lyric, "So many things I would have done but clouds got in my way."
The chorus, "I've looked at clouds from both sides now, from up and down, and still somehow it's cloud illusions I recall. I really don't know clouds at all," is a reflection on how, despite seeing the same thing from different angles, it can be difficult to fully understand it. This is extended to other aspects of life as well, such as love and relationships. The idea of seeing love from both sides, from give and take, is presented. The verse, "But now it's just another show. You leave 'em laughing when you go and if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away," suggests a disillusionment with love and how it can become performative and leave one feeling exposed.
The final verse brings the different perspectives of the song together, as the singer reflects on how life has changed them and how they "don't know life at all." It suggests an acceptance of both the losses and gains that come with experience and aging. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, "I really don't know life at all," implying a continued uncertainty and lack of understanding despite having looked at life from so many different angles.
Line by Line Meaning
Rows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
There are beautiful and fanciful things that exist only in the mind, like angel hair and castles made of ice cream.
And feathers, canyons everywhere, I've looked at cloud that way.
The clouds are like feathers and canyons that can be seen and admired from afar.
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone.
The clouds can be an obstacle and bring harsh weather conditions to everyone.
So many things I would have done but clouds got in my way.
The clouds have prevented the artist from achieving their goals and dreams.
I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
The artist has seen clouds from different perspectives.
From up and down, and still somehow
The singer has looked at the clouds from above and below, but feels unchanged.
It's cloud illusions I recall.
The image of clouds that the singer remembers is not necessarily their true form.
I really don't know clouds at all.
The artist feels uncertain about what clouds are really like.
Moons and Junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel
There are wonderful feelings associated with love and romance.
As every fairy tale comes real; I've looked at love that way.
Love can feel like a fairy tale come true.
But now it's just another show.
Love has lost its enchantment and excitement.
You leave 'em laughing when you go
The artist is leaving and not taking love seriously.
And if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.
The singer advises to not reveal your true feelings to avoid getting hurt.
I've looked at love from both sides now,
The singer has experienced love from different perspectives.
From give and take, and still somehow
The singer has experienced love from the perspective of both giving and receiving.
It's love's illusions I recall.
The artist remembers the unrealistic aspects of love.
I really don't know love at all.
The artist is uncertain of the true nature of love.
Tears and fears and feeling proud to say "I love you" right out loud,
Life is filled with emotions, including fear and pride when expressing love.
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds, I've looked at life that way.
Life can seem like a spectacle, with dreams and plans to achieve them.
But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, they say I've changed.
The artist has changed and others have noticed, causing confusion or concern.
Well, some things're lost but some things gained in living every day.
Life is a constant process of gaining and losing things, but ultimately moving forward.
I've looked at life from both sides now,
The artist has seen life from different perspectives.
From win and lose, and still somehow
The singer has experienced both victory and defeat, yet remains uncertain.
It's life's illusions I recall.
The artist remembers the unrealistic aspects of life.
I really don't know life at all.
The singer is uncertain about the true nature of life.
Contributed by Alex B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Melwasul06
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and they snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away
I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way
Oh, but now old friends they're acting strange
They shake their heads, and they tell me I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day
I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
@powerblades
Lara and a piano are a total orchestra. Did anybody noticed how simple and classy these covers are?
@stanimirvasilev857
Yes! Magic..! There is no other like Lara!
What would you say for "why"?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvxn7_zYWGA
@powerblades
@Stanimir Vasilev Beautiful. this album is so goood
@MrChristroost
Absolutely! And your comment is spot on, all you need is Lara. Her beautiful voice and a piano make miracles happen :-)
@feijojr
Incomparável, Lara Fabian imortaliza tão linda canção. You are amazing , Lara!
@lindolphoribeiro9922
Uma voz divinal encantadora
@beat1riz
I could listen to her voice all day...
@stanimirvasilev857
I do it ..!
@beat1riz
@Stanimir Vasilev cheers! 🍻
@JenShea
One of my favourite Joni Mitchell songs... and this version is stunning!