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.
Companion Star
Vanessa Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leaving the garden
I must move on
Just like the ivy as it climbs the stone wall
Walk to the edge of me
For the sake of change
Who is the one, is the one, is the one who will bring me back?
Northern star
When I've gone to far
Pull me back to love
You will be the bridge between
Time gets away from me
What have I become?
I am the ivy that climbs the stone wall
Piece me together now
In the weather of my mind
The more that we know, that we know, that we know the more we hide
Northern star
When I wander far
Pull me back to love
You will be the bridge between
Who I want to become
And then to whom I always will belong
Who I want to become
And then to whom I always will belong
Belong
Northern star
When I wander far
Pull me back to love
You will be the bridge between
Pull me back to love
You will be the bridge between
Leaving the garden
For the sake of change
Just like the ivy
As it finds a new way
The lyrics of "Companion Star" by Vanessa Carlton evoke a sense of longing for guidance, growth, and connection. The song begins with the imagery of "leaving the garden" and moving forward, symbolizing a need for progress and personal evolution. Carlton compares herself to ivy climbing a stone wall, emphasizing her determination to forge ahead despite challenges.
As the song progresses, she implores someone, referred to as the "one," to bring her back. Here, the "one" represents a guiding force or a person who can help her rediscover love and reconnect with her true self. The mention of a "Northern star" suggests that this person or force serves as a guiding light, pulling her back when she goes too far astray.
The lyrics also reflect on the passage of time and the artist's introspection. Carlton questions what she has become and compares herself once again to the ivy climbing the stone wall. This evokes a sense of being fragmented or fragmented thoughts, seeking to be pieced together. This weather of the mind symbolizes the complexities and struggles of self-discovery.
The repeated mention of the "Northern star" demonstrates its significance in Carlton's journey. It represents a point of reference or a guide, helping her find her way back to love and connection. The star becomes the bridge between who she wants to become and who she truly belongs to, emphasizing the importance of finding a sense of purpose and belonging.
In the final verse, Carlton portrays herself as leaving the garden to embrace change, much like the ivy finding a new path. This implies a willingness to explore new horizons and grow. The song overall speaks to the human desire for guidance, self-discovery, and the search for love and belonging, with the "Northern star" embodying these aspirations.
Line by Line Meaning
Leaving the garden
Moving away from a familiar and comfortable place or state
I must move on
It is necessary for me to progress and continue on my journey
Just like the ivy as it climbs the stone wall
Similar to how the ivy perseveres and grows against obstacles, I too must strive and overcome challenges
Walk to the edge of me
Examine the depths and boundaries of my existence
For the sake of change
In pursuit of transformation and progress
Who is the one, is the one, is the one who will bring me back?
Who holds the power and ability to guide me back to myself and my true path?
Northern star
A guiding light, symbolizing guidance and direction
When I've gone too far
When I have strayed or lost my way
Pull me back to love
Bring me back to a place of love and connection
You will be the bridge between
You will serve as the connection or link that helps me return to love
Time gets away from me
I lose track of time and the passing moments
What have I become?
Reflecting on the changes or developments in oneself
I am the ivy that climbs the stone wall
I am resilient and persistent, continuously striving to grow and overcome obstacles
Piece me together now
Help me regain a sense of wholeness or completeness
In the weather of my mind
Amidst the turbulence and fluctuations of my thoughts and emotions
The more that we know, that we know, that we know the more we hide
Often, as we gain knowledge and understanding, we tend to conceal or suppress certain aspects of ourselves
Who I want to become
Aspiring to a desired version of myself
And then to whom I always will belong
Ultimately, understanding that my true belonging lies within myself
Belong
To exist in a rightful place or to fit harmoniously
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Vanessa Carlton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind