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.
Dear California
Vanessa Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Weather in my thoughts, on the roof sneaking a cigarette
Dear California, it's been nice to know ya
Tell me, will you miss me when I'm gone?
[Chorus]
'Cause he loves me as I leave, so I'm gonna go
And I'm not in companies when you feel it most
Would you love me as I leave?
This alchemy is making me suspicious
As if I slipped you some belladonna
That I crossed town to get, don't you know?
Yes, my grand friend checks it
[Chorus]
Ever-changing as the sea, it's my only hope
It's just me and my pup in the open road
But your face is like a paper-cut to the heart
Slip away while you sleep
It's easy, it's easier
Than it seems
It's easy, it's easier
Than it seems
Just go, I'll go, don't cry
I don't know, I don't know, but you fly
Hey
Paper-cut to the heart
[Chorus]
Ever changing as the sea
Would you love me as I leave?
Dear California
Would you love me as I leave?
Dear California
Would you love me as I leave?
Dear California
Would you love me as I leave?
Dear California
Vanessa Carlton's song "Dear California" addresses the feelings of uncertainty and longing for change. The lyrics convey Vanessa's reluctance to leave California, a place where she has found love and comfort. She is smoking on the rooftop, and it's apparent that she is struggling with a challenging decision, leaving California. She starts the song by saying that it's been nice knowing California, but deep down, she is unsure if the state will miss her presence when she's gone. She wonders if it's possible for someone to love her even when she leaves, despite the difficulties that come with it.
In the next verse, Vanessa is expressing her distrust of her emotions. She feels like she is under a spell, as if she has ingested a poisonous flower. She is suspicious of her emotions and the power they hold over her. She references a friend who is supposed to check her emotional state and be a support system. Yet, despite her struggles and doubts, Vanessa decides to leave. She takes a pup with her and drives through the open roads as she reflects on how life is ever-changing.
The chorus repeats the theme of questioning whether her loved ones would remain devoted to her even in her absence. She asks if her California dream life, including the people and memories, will be kept close and cherished. The song's complexity lies in the way Vanessa Carlton weaves tales of adventure and love to a subtle sense of loss and regret. She sings about a bittersweet journey of leaving one emotion behind in search of another.
Line by Line Meaning
As usual, I'm in a tricky predicament
I'm in a difficult situation, like I usually am
Weather in my thoughts, on the roof sneaking a cigarette
I'm thinking about the weather and smoking a cigarette on the roof
Dear California, it's been nice to know ya
California, it's been good to know you
Tell me, will you miss me when I'm gone?
Will you miss me when I'm not here anymore?
'Cause he loves me as I leave, so I'm gonna go
He loves me, so I'm leaving
And I'm not in companies when you feel it most
I won't be around when you need me the most
And you keep my memory, hope ya keep me close
I hope you remember me and keep me close to your heart
Would you love me as I leave?
Will you still love me when I'm gone?
This alchemy is making me suspicious
This mixture is making me feel uneasy
As if I slipped you some belladonna
As if I gave you poison
That I crossed town to get, don't you know?
I went all the way across town to get this
Yes, my grand friend checks it
My good friend checks it for me
Ever-changing as the sea, it's my only hope
My only hope is that things will keep changing, like the sea
It's just me and my pup in the open road
It's just me and my dog on the open road
But your face is like a paper-cut to the heart
Your face hurts me deeply
Slip away while you sleep
Leave me while I'm asleep
It's easy, it's easier
It's easy
Than it seems
Easier than it looks
Just go, I'll go, don't cry
Just go and don't cry, I'll do the same
I don't know, I don't know, but you fly
I don't know, but you're flying away
Hey
Hey
Paper-cut to the heart
An emotional wound
Ever changing as the sea
Always changing, like the sea
Would you love me as I leave?
Will you still love me when I'm gone?
Dear California
California
Would you love me as I leave?
Will you still love me when I'm gone?
Dear California
California
Would you love me as I leave?
Will you still love me when I'm gone?
Dear California
California
Would you love me as I leave?
Will you still love me when I'm gone?
Dear California
California
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARI BRYAN INGBER, VANESSA CARLTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lam Tran
As usual, I'm in a tricky predicament
Weather in my thoughts, on the roof sneaking a cigarette
Dear California, it's been nice to know ya
Tell me, will you miss me when I'm gone?
'Cause he loves me as I leave, so I'm gonna go
And I'm not in companies when you feel it most
And you keep my memory, hope ya keep me close
Would you love me as I leave?
This alchemy is making me suspicious
As if I slipped you some belladonna
That I crossed town to get, don't you know?
Yes, my grand friend checks it
'Cause he loves me as I leave, so I'm gonna go
And I'm not in companies when you feel it most
And you keep my memory, hope ya keep me close
Would you love me as I leave?
Ever-changing as the sea, it's my only hope
It's just me and my pup in the open road
But your face is like a paper-cut to the heart
Slip away while you sleep
It's easy, it's easier
Than it seems
It's easy, it's easier
Than it seems
Just go, I'll go, don't cry
I don't know, I don't know, but you fly
Hey
Paper-cut to the heart
Ever changing as the sea
Would you love me as I leave?
Dear California
Would you love me as I leave?
Dear California
Would you love me as I leave?
Dear California
Would you love me as I leave?
Dear California
Catherine Joy Dela Cruz
I still love this album! What a masterpiece! - From Philippines, with love!
Lupita A. Castañeda
Me too¡¡¡👏👏👍
Celina222
Her sound changed so much! I really like it actually! Usually when artists take a break for a while and come back, their music is usually a step down! She's probably grown up and changed a lot since her last album, and you can tell! I love her new stuff, It's already getting stuck in my head...
Lam Tran
As usual, I'm in a tricky predicament
Weather in my thoughts, on the roof sneaking a cigarette
Dear California, it's been nice to know ya
Tell me, will you miss me when I'm gone?
'Cause he loves me as I leave, so I'm gonna go
And I'm not in companies when you feel it most
And you keep my memory, hope ya keep me close
Would you love me as I leave?
This alchemy is making me suspicious
As if I slipped you some belladonna
That I crossed town to get, don't you know?
Yes, my grand friend checks it
'Cause he loves me as I leave, so I'm gonna go
And I'm not in companies when you feel it most
And you keep my memory, hope ya keep me close
Would you love me as I leave?
Ever-changing as the sea, it's my only hope
It's just me and my pup in the open road
But your face is like a paper-cut to the heart
Slip away while you sleep
It's easy, it's easier
Than it seems
It's easy, it's easier
Than it seems
Just go, I'll go, don't cry
I don't know, I don't know, but you fly
Hey
Paper-cut to the heart
Ever changing as the sea
Would you love me as I leave?
Dear California
Would you love me as I leave?
Dear California
Would you love me as I leave?
Dear California
Would you love me as I leave?
Dear California
Lupita A. Castañeda
Thanks so much!!!👍
Ashley L
This is amazing! You can tell she has matured. Loving her new songs <3.
nessaholichu
I love this song... Loved it since she permormed it on the live chat... I wish she'd do another... The new album is awesome! Love you, V!
Kat M
Vanessa, you should be more famous than what you are <3
Antonio Carlos
Ela é maravilhosa!
takemetonolita
This song is perfect ! I love you Vanessa!