Yamagata became the vocalist for the Chicago funk-fusion band Bumpus, spending six years with them while writing and recording three albums and touring the country. However, she began to write songs which took on a style that conflicted with the funk vision of the band. In 2001, Yamagata decided to take those songs and pursue a solo career. In September 2002, she landed a two-record deal with Arista's Private Music label, and her EP was released in October.
She also made an appearance in Jason Mraz's second album, singing a song with him called Did You Get My Message?
She also teamed with with Toots & the Maytals to sing Blame On Me.
She also worked with Ryan Adams & The Cardinals on their first album Cold Roses. On that album, where she is credited as: "Our little sis", she did some vocals and played "listenable" piano on the tracks 'Let It Ride', 'Cold Roses' and 'Friends'.
Yamagata sang with Rhett Miller on Fireflies from his 2006 release The Believer.
Her songs have featured on several TV shows, including How I Met Your Mother, ER , Nip/Tuck, Men in Trees, Alias, One Tree Hill, Brothers & Sisters and The O.C., to which she made a guest performance in season 2. Yamagata also contributed a song to Mandy Moore's 2007 album, Wild Hope. She also toured with Moore, opening many of her shows around the country.
Yamagata's second studio album is Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart. That album was released on October 7, 2008.
On October 9th, 2008, a two-song live acoustic video performance premiered on LiveDaily Sessions, featuring the songs "Faster" and "Sunday Afternoon".
Her highly acclaimed CD Chesapeake premiered on October 11, 2011, and was followed by an extensive tour.
On April 23, 2016, Yamagata released an acoustic version of Happenstance, Acoustic Happenstance. Later that year, she released her fourth studio album, Tightrope Walker on September 23.
Even So
Rachael Yamagata Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're gonna question whether you really know me at all
You will revisit every smile, and where it fit into the day
I know this is how it will play
And I try, oh I try to think of all the things
That I could do to let you know that I love you
Even so
I was not looking to do you wrong
Was not looking for a change of scenery
Don't remember where, or when, or how I did
But I'm hoping that you'll forgive me
And I try, oh I try to think of all the things
That I could do to let you know that I love you
Do you remember how we used to run in the summertime?
Do you remember how we'd run in the summertime?
Oh I try, I try so very hard
And I cry, I cry so very much
For I love you like you'll never let yourself feel again
I love you like a brother and a friend
I love you with my whole heart until it bends
I love you like a lover until the very end
But I'll always think of all the things
You did to let me know that you love me
But you're leaving
Even so
The lyrics to Rachael Yamagata's song "Even So" tell a story of someone who is confessing to something that may hurt the person they love. The singer understands that the truth may hurt their loved one deeply and that the revelation will change the way they see her. She realizes that this confession will cause her to be questioned about her true character, and as a result, she tries to express her love in every way possible. However, even after her attempts to show her love, she still knows that her loved one will leave her "even so."
The song is an expression of regret, love, and loss. The singer accepts the consequences of her actions, and the lyrics show how deeply she loves the person she is confessing to. Even though the person is leaving, she knows that she will always cherish the memories they share. The lyrics are powerful and evoke strong emotions in the listener, emphasizing the storytelling abilities of Yamagata.
Line by Line Meaning
You're gonna hate me when I tell you everything
I know that once I reveal everything, you might not like me anymore
You're gonna question whether you really know me at all
You may start to doubt if you ever really understood me
You will revisit every smile, and where it fit into the day
You'll begin to re-evaluate every moment we shared together
I know this is how it will play
I'm aware that this is how things will unfold
And I try, oh I try to think of all the things
That I could do to let you know that I love you
I'm doing my best to come up with ways to show you how much I care
Even so
Despite everything, regardless.
I was not looking to do you wrong
I did not intend to hurt you
Was not looking for a change of scenery
I wasn't seeking something new or different
Don't remember where, or when, or how I did
I'm not even sure myself how it happened
But I'm hoping that you'll forgive me
I'm praying that you'll be understanding and let things go
Do you remember how we used to run in the summertime?
Do you remember how we'd run in the summertime?
Do you recall the good times we shared in the past?
Oh I try, I try so very hard
And I cry, I cry so very much
I'm putting in so much effort, but it's still causing me a lot of pain
For I love you like you'll never let yourself feel again
I love you like a brother and a friend
I love you with my whole heart until it bends
I love you like a lover until the very end
I care about you deeply on multiple levels and will always be here for you
But I'll always think of all the things
You did to let me know that you love me
But you're leaving
I'll always remember the ways you showed me you cared, but unfortunately, you're choosing to go
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RACHAEL AMANDA YAMAGATA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind