Vanessa's sixth studio album, Love Is An Art, releases on March 27th, 2020 through Dine Alone Records.
Vanessa's fifth studio album, Liberman, was released on October 23 2015, through Dine Alone Records. It marks her first release since signing with Dine Alone Records. The title of the album comes from an oil painting made by Carlton's late maternal grandfather, whose given surname was "Liberman".
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Vanessa Carlton first began playing the piano as a toddler, continuing on an artistic road with her attendance at the School of American Ballet in New York, a path she would eventually abandon in favor of songwriting. She re-embraced the piano and began performing in bars and clubs across Manhattan. While studying at Columbia University, Carlton was signed to Interscope Records, but made her formal debut on A&M under veteran producer Ron Fair.
Her debut album in April 2002, Be Not Nobody, resonated with audiences of all ages world-wide, especially the hit piano single “A Thousand Miles,” which reached the Top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles chart, #1 in Australia, and Top 10 in the UK. Carlton went on to earn 2003 Grammy nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist (“A Thousand Miles”). The album witnessed global success, reaching Gold status in over 10 countries, and Platinum status in Asian territories, such as Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
Her second album Harmonium (2004), which yielded the single “White Houses,” continued to inspire an increasingly loyal global fan base and garnered some the best reviews of her career.
Her record release in 2007, Heroes & Thieves “might be my first thematic record,” Carlton says, adding that the songs reveal themselves like chapters in a book, one that fans can crack open (Vanessa has often explained during her live shows that the second single from "Heroes & Thieves" entitled "Hands On Me" is the second chapter to the album). Paying homage to the area of Manhattan where most of its songs were written, the first single off of the 2007 record, appropriately dubbed “Nolita Fairytale,” is a syncopated, upbeat piece that paints a dramatic musical landscape. “ That song is really about finding joy in unexpected environments. How sometimes losing things makes you realize what you have, which is like a quasi fairytale,” says Carlton. Heroes & Thieves was recorded in the San Francisco studio of Third Eye Blind founder Stephan Jenkins and the Los Angeles studio of producer/songwriter Linda Perry.
Vanessa's fourth studio album, "Rabbits On The Run" was released on July 26th, 2011. Material for this album was produced by Steve Osborne (U2, B-52’s, KT Tunstall), and was recorded in the UK at Peter Gabriel's well-renowned Real World Studios.
Speaking with Songfacts about the lead single Carousel in a 2011 interview, Carlton explained that she wrote the song in a dream where the "da na na na na" tune was floating around.
Other facts:
Vanessa's uncle is jazz musician Larry Carlton.
In 2003, Vanessa portrayed Dusty Springfield on the television show "American Dreams" on Heartache (episode #1.14) and performed a cover of the song "Wishin' And Hopin'".
One of Vanessa's touring guitarists, Ari Ingber, (other than being credited as a group vocalist on "More Than This) is the lead vocalist/guitarist for the band The Upwelling. Ari also co-wrote the song "About to Break" from Third Eye Blind's "Ursa Major".
One of Vanessa's touring bassists, Jon Evans, (other than being credited as bassist on Heroes & Thieves and bass guitarist on Third Eye Blind's "Ursa Major") is part of the band Redfish, Bluefish and has also performed with Tori Amos.
One of Vanessa's touring guitarists, Mark Beauchemin, (other than performing with Vanessa on the song "More Than This (Campfire Take)" for the album "Songs For Tibet - The Art of Peace") used to be part of the band SR-71 and currently has his own band.
Besides having Stevie Nicks do backing vocals on her song "The One" and Stephan Jenkins (of Third Eye Blind) do backing vocals on select songs on Heroes & Thieves, Vanessa has made several contributions to works of other artists and bands including: Vocals on the song Big Yellow Taxi with Counting Crows; backing vocals on the song Moving On by Kimya Dawson; piano on the song Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime by Zucchero; vocals on the song M A K E L O V E T O M E with 7 Aurelius; co-writing 3 songs with The Matrix; Providing vocals on the various artist compilation song "Put A Little Love", created for a Gap clothing company campaign which also featured Al Green, Melissa Etheridge, Kelly Rowland, Stephan Jenkins, Ginuwine, Musiq, Heather Headley and Gavin DeGraw; Providing vocals and piano on the various artist compilation song "Love Revolution", a cover of Lenny Kravitz's song, created for a Kohl's clothing company campaign which also featured Avril Lavigne, Lenny Kravitz, Plain White T's and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus; Performing live with artists/bands including a cover of Elton John's song "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" with Elton John's band, duets with Shlomo, Shlomo and the Vocal Orchestra, Stevie Nicks, Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows and backing vocals on select songs with Counting Crows.
Vanessa is credited with providing piano on the track "Company" and backing vocals on "Faster" from Third Eye Blind's album "Out of the Vein".
Vanessa is also credited as being a performer on The Upwelling's debut album "An American Stranger" which Stephan Jenkins also produced.
Ascension
Vanessa Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This canyon
Formations of sand and stone
You'll navigate down the 'lope
Ascension
Ascension
And we watch every day of our life
And we grow
And I go and die
The opening lines of Vanessa Carlton's song "Ascension" describe the natural beauty of a canyon, specifically the sand and stone formations that make up its terrain. The idea of navigating down the 'lope, or slope, suggests a journey through this canyon, perhaps a metaphorical journey through life. The repeated word "Ascension" then shifts the focus upward, suggesting a desire to rise above the canyon and ascend to greater heights, both literally and metaphorically.
The second verse takes a more spiritual turn as Carlton contemplates the intricacy of the sky and how it is not separate from the light of our lives. This can be interpreted as a reflection on the interconnectedness of all things and the way in which our experiences shape our understanding of the world. The repeated line "And we grow" reinforces the idea of personal and spiritual growth, while the final line "And I go and die" can be read as a reminder of the impermanence of life and the need to make the most of our time here on earth.
Overall, "Ascension" is a song that explores themes of nature, spirituality, and personal growth. The canyon serves as a powerful symbol for the journey of life, while the repeated refrain of "Ascension" suggests a longing for something greater beyond our physical existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Canyon
A deep gorge with steep sides created by erosion.
This canyon
Referring to a specific canyon, a natural wonder formed over time.
Formations of sand and stone
The canyon is made up of layers of sedimentary rocks, telling a story of the earth's history.
You'll navigate down the 'lope
Traveling down the slope of the canyon can be a challenging journey but also a rewarding one, as you witness the beauty of nature.
Ascension
To rise up, elevate or achieve a higher state of being.
The sky is no separate light
The sky is not just a source of light, but it is also connected to all things and part of a greater whole.
And we watch every day of our life
We experience each day with an awareness and appreciation of the beauty and complexity of life.
And we grow
We learn and evolve, experiencing life in all its ups and downs, as we strive to become better versions of ourselves.
And I go and die
Despite our best efforts to grow and ascend, mortality remains an unavoidable part of life.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Vanessa Carlton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vanessa Carlton Italia
The sound is ethereal, delicate just like when we wake up from sleep (as we ascend to the wake)...it 'a very beautiful and original way to close an album! Love this song
americanwoman2021
one of vanessa's best, a really unique and cool song. thank you vanessa for your talent and willingness to express yourself for your fans enjoyment. you are a truly exceptional performer
Gran Sultán Suleiman
Muy hermosa canción al estilo de Vanessa Carlton piano y linda voz.
Bruce Gibson
Just love this. I embarrassed to say how many times I've listened to it already.
Roger Taylor's Car
dont be
NiGHTSaturn
Don't be Bruce. It's truly an amazing track.
americanwoman2021
a unique and beautiful song; just like vanessa herself
Roberto Lyrio
One of my all time fav!
Punkar Seanäoga
Yes - it makes my heart sing
Krystian
Beautiful!