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.
Moments with Oliver
Rachael Yamagata Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was sitting there, looking cute
He had schitzophrenea
He was rich, he became my best friend
My boyfriend wasn't happy that I always hung out with him
Cause he became obsessed with me
He pretended to take a lot of pills to scare me
So I went to his penthouse in his hotel and stayed with him
He held a gun to my head and threatened to kill me if I left him there
I put him in a mentally crazy hospital and my boyfriend left me
For another girl who looked like Norah Jones because I'm a loser
The lyrics of Rachael Yamagata's song "Moments with Oliver" describe a complicated and intense relationship between the singer and a man named Oliver. The singer meets Oliver in the waiting room of her psychiatrist's office and is immediately drawn to him. Despite Oliver's schizophrenia, the two become close friends, much to the displeasure of the singer's boyfriend. Oliver becomes increasingly obsessed with the singer, faking the need for medication in order to keep her around. Eventually, he becomes violent, holding a gun to her head and threatening her if she tries to leave. The singer manages to get him committed to a mental hospital, but the experience has cost her the love of her boyfriend.
On the surface, "Moments with Oliver" may seem like a cautionary tale about getting involved with someone who has mental health struggles. However, the lyrics are more nuanced than that. The relationship between the singer and Oliver is complicated and multifaceted. There are moments of genuine connection and love, as well as moments of fear and danger. The singer's decision to stay with Oliver despite his violent behavior can be interpreted as a commentary on the lengths we'll go to for the people we care about, even when it may not be the safest option.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walking into the psychiatrists office when I met him
It was at the psychiatrist's office where I first encountered this person.
He was sitting there, looking cute
He was at the office, likely for treatment or diagnostic purposes, and appeared physically attractive to me.
He had schitzophrenea
He had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, a mental disorder that causes hallucinations and delusions.
He was rich, he became my best friend
Despite his condition, he had a means of wealth, and over time, we developed a close relationship.
My boyfriend wasn't happy that I always hung out with him
My significant other expressed discomfort with the amount of time I was spending with this individual.
Cause he became obsessed with me
The person I had befriended had grown infatuated with me, which further concerned my partner.
He pretended to take a lot of pills to scare me
At some point, he faked ingesting many pills to intimidate me.
So I went to his penthouse in his hotel and stayed with him
Despite this, I agreed to go with him to his upscale hotel suite.
Despite my boyfriend's objections
Despite my significant other's protests,
He held a gun to my head and threatened to kill me if I left him there
The situation escalated when, upon my attempt to leave, he brandished a firearm and issued threats against my life.
I put him in a mentally crazy hospital and my boyfriend left me
Eventually, I had him committed to a psychiatric hospital. However, while I was preoccupied with his well-being, my partner abandoned me.
For another girl who looked like Norah Jones because I'm a loser
My ex-partner opted for someone of similar appearance to a popular musician, presumably because he viewed me as inferior.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RACHAEL AMANDA YAMAGATA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind