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.
I'll Find a Way
Rachael Yamagata Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I used to think that anything I'd do
Wouldn't matter at all anyway
But now I find that when it comes to you
I'm the winner of cards I can't play
Wait for me
Darling, I need you desperately here
And I'll find a way to see you again
The rain is like an orchestra to me
Little gifts from above meant to say
Girl, you falling at his feet
Isn't lovely or stunning today
Wait for me
I'm alive when you're here with me, stay
And I'll find a way to see you again
Why do the street lamps die
When you're passing by
Like a band that won't stay on my shoulder tonight?
If you held me close, would you laugh it away?
Would you dare the glance that I steal to stay?
And I'll find a way to see you again
The rain will bring me down
"I'll Find a Way" is a touching and heartfelt song that speaks to the power of love and the lengths we will go to be with the ones we care about. The opening line, "I'll find a way to see you again," sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer speaks of their determination to be reunited with their beloved.
The first verse reveals the singer's feelings of hopelessness and apathy, suggesting that they once believed that nothing they did mattered. However, when it comes to their love interest, they feel empowered and capable of winning at impossible games. The chorus reinforces the message that the singer will stop at nothing to be with their true love, asking them to wait and promising to find a way to be reunited.
The second verse speaks to the beauty of nature through the metaphor of rain being like an orchestra. The singer also acknowledges that their love interest may not reciprocate their feelings or find their desperation attractive. This vulnerability is further expressed in the bridge, where the singer wonders if their love interest would laugh at their vulnerability or welcome their embrace.
Overall, the song speaks to the heart-wrenching emotions of longing, desperation, and hope that come with being separated from the people we care about. The singer is willing to overcome any obstacle to be with their love, even if it means enduring the pain of unrequited affection.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll find a way to see you again
The singer is determined to find a way to see their loved one again.
I used to think that anything I'd do
Wouldn't matter at all anyway
But now I find that when it comes to you
I'm the winner of cards I can't play
The singer used to believe that their actions held no weight, but now recognizes that their love interest holds power over their heart.
Wait for me
Darling, I need you desperately here
The singer is asking their partner to wait for them and expressing their strong need for them.
The rain is like an orchestra to me
Little gifts from above meant to say
Girl, you falling at his feet
Isn't lovely or stunning today
The artist finds beauty in the rain and sees it as nature's way of reminding them not to fall at their love interest's feet.
Wait for me
I'm alive when you're here with me, stay
The artist wants their partner to wait for them and expresses how being with them makes them feel alive.
Why do the street lamps die
When you're passing by
Like a band that won't stay on my shoulder tonight?
If you held me close, would you laugh it away?
Would you dare the glance that I steal to stay?
The singer wonders why things seem to go wrong when their love interest is around, and questions whether or not their love interest would reciprocate their feelings.
The rain will bring me down
And this life won't get any easier
But thoughts of you, like music in my head
Will keep repeating again and again
Wait for me
Together we'll conquer all fears and pains
The singer acknowledges the hardships of life but believes that their love can help them overcome those struggles.
My heart beats like a storm through the night
And I can't shake this feeling of you
I tell myself that it's not right
But my soul knows it to be true
Wait for me
This love will see us through
The artist's heart is consumed with thoughts of their love interest, even if they try to deny it. They believe their love can conquer any obstacle.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RACHAEL AMANDA YAMAGATA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind