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".
Official website: http://www.vanessacarlton.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vanessacarlton
Twitter: http://twitter.com/vanessacarlton
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.
Back To Life
Vanessa Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting patiently
Pill like a diamond
Putting me to sleep
Black swan, I've become
I want to know no one
Bring me a stranger
On the eve of renaissance
Pendulum above my body swings
Know that I'm a living breathing thing
Slowly see the color in my eyes
Back to life, back to life
Waiting hungry
A bird upon the sea
Under navy
The craving comes for me
Wait it out, it's different now
The powers coming slowly
Touch my skin, it's delicate
I can feel the change
Pendulum above my body swings
Know that I'm a living breathing thing
Slowly see the color in my eyes
Back to life, back to life, back to
Sight
Sound
Touch me
To find
Bad
Good
Dead
Alive
Slowly see the color in my eyes
Back to life, back to life
Pendulum above my body swings
Know that I'm a living breathing thing
Slowly see the color in my eyes
Back to life, back to life, back to
In the first verse, Vanessa Carlton describes a state of darkness and solitude, as she lies in wait for something to happen. The mention of a pill like a diamond suggests medication or a substance that helps her fall asleep and escape from her current reality. The comparison to a black swan represents her desire to isolate herself from the world, wanting to disconnect from everyone and everything. She craves a stranger to bring a fresh perspective and new experiences into her life, symbolized by the mention of the eve of renaissance.
The second verse continues the theme of waiting, this time with an element of hunger. The comparison of herself to a bird upon the sea highlights her vulnerability and the uncertain nature of her desires. As the craving intensifies, she feels a change coming slowly, implying that she is going through a metamorphosis. The delicacy of her skin evokes a sensitivity to the transformation happening within her.
The chorus brings a sense of hope and renewal. The swinging pendulum represents the passing of time and the inevitable oscillation between life and death. Vanessa emphasizes her existence as a living, breathing entity, highlighting her awareness and appreciation of being alive. As she slowly starts to see the color in her eyes, it signifies her rediscovery of joy and vitality. "Back to life" becomes a mantra, signifying her journey towards embracing and fully experiencing life once again.
The bridge section consists of words juxtaposing opposites - sight, sound, touch, bad, good, dead, alive. This could represent her longing to fully engage with the world and all its sensations, from the positive to the negative, and from life to death. By acknowledging these contrasting experiences, she acknowledges the complexity and richness of living.
The final chorus repeats the themes of the previous chorus with the pendulum swinging above her body, once again emphasizing the passage of time and the beauty of her existence as a living being. The mention of slowly seeing the color in her eyes reinforces her perseverance and progress in coming back to life, back to a place of vibrancy and presence. The repetition of the phrase "back to life" reinforces her determination and the importance of embracing the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Lying in the dark
In a state of vulnerability and isolation
Waiting patiently
Anticipating change or transformation
Pill like a diamond
A substance that provides temporary numbing or escape
Putting me to sleep
Providing a temporary release from reality
Black swan, I've become
Feeling like an outsider or unique individual
I want to know no one
Desiring solitude and disconnection from others
Bring me a stranger
Seeking new experiences or encounters
On the eve of renaissance
On the verge of personal growth and rebirth
Pendulum above my body swings
Symbolizing the passage of time and life's uncertainty
Know that I'm a living breathing thing
Understanding the reality of one's existence
Slowly see the color in my eyes
Witnessing a gradual return to vitality and emotion
Back to life, back to life
Returning to a state of vitality and purpose
Waiting hungry
Impatiently longing for change or fulfillment
A bird upon the sea
Feeling small and insignificant in a vast world
Under navy
Immersed in darkness or depression
The craving comes for me
Being consumed by a desire or need for something
Wait it out, it's different now
Recognizing that change takes time and things have shifted
The powers coming slowly
Sensing a gradual restoration of strength and purpose
Touch my skin, it's delicate
Becoming aware of one's vulnerability and sensitivity
I can feel the change
Sensing a transformation or shift in oneself
Sight
Perception and understanding
Sound
Auditory experiences and communication
Touch me
Physical and emotional connection
To find
Seeking meaning and purpose
Bad
Negative experiences and emotions
Good
Positive experiences and emotions
Dead
Emotionally or spiritually lifeless
Alive
Filled with vitality and purpose
Slowly see the color in my eyes
Witnessing a gradual return of vitality and emotion
Back to life, back to life
Returning to a state of vitality and purpose
Pendulum above my body swings
Symbolizing the passing of time and life's uncertainty
Know that I'm a living breathing thing
Understanding the reality of one's existence
Slowly see the color in my eyes
Witnessing a gradual return of vitality and emotion
Back to life, back to life, back to
Returning to a state of vitality and purpose, repeatedly
Lyrics © MOM'S GOTTA PLAY TOO
Written by: Vanessa Carlton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NoFootprints27
Lying
In the dark
Waiting patiently
Pill like a diamond
Putting me to sleep
Black swan
I've become
I want to know no one
Bring me a stranger
On the eve of renaissance
Pendulum above my body swings
Know that I'm a living breathing thing
Slowly see the color in my eyes
Back to life, back to life
Waiting...
Hungry...
A bird upon the sea
Under navy
The craving comes for me
Wait it out
It's different now
The powers coming slowly
Touch my skin
It's delicate
I can feel the change
Pendulum above my body swings
Know that I'm a living breathing thing
Slowly see the color in my eyes
Back to life, back to life
Back to
Sight
Sound
Touch me
To find
Bad
Good
Dead
Alive
Slowly see the color in my eyes
Back to life, back to life
Back to
Pendulum above my body swings
Know that I'm a living breathing thing
Slowly see the color in my eyes
Back to life, back to life
Back to
@dorianmoncrieff433
I feel very grateful that she just keeps on going, and also develops in her music style throughout the years. In a complicated and stressful world, it's very soothing to hear a sound like this.
Keep it up, Vanessa! You're the sun that breaks the storm ❤
@natureclips5849
This could easily be on a Lana Del Rey album oh the meloncolia
@TacoStacks
How does this have only 15,000 views? Vanessa is a LEGEND
@_rogertaylors_car
FACTS, BRO, FACTS.
@_rogertaylors_car
15k Views, 1.1k Likes, THIS DESERVES MILLIONS OF VIEWS.
@jayday4795
she's not famous anymore lmao she was a teenage hype job made her producers rich then got tossed out when she couldn't sell anymore
@_rogertaylors_car
no, back in 2003, she was still with Ron Fair, until she wanted to make a record produced by her ex, Stephan Jenkins.
@jaredskyemusic
@Roger Taylor's Car that was a mistake
@Jdf1234
Mesmerizing. I’ve been listening to you since I was a teen and now I’m 30. Your music has gotten me through a lot of lifes ups and downs, thank you.
@_rogertaylors_car
What I like about Vanessa is, she never gave up on making songs even though she has plenty of listeners.