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.
Happy Xmas
Vanessa Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
And so happy Christmas for black and for white
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
And so this is Christmas and what have we done
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
The song "Happy Xmas" by Vanessa Carlton is a modern take on the John Lennon classic "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)". It opens with "So this is Christmas and what have you done, another year over, a new one just begun." These lines set the tone for the song - a reflection on the past year and hope for the future. The lyrics are reflective and contemplative as the singer looks back on the year that has passed and the experiences that have shaped them. The second line of the song introduces the idea of new beginnings and fresh starts - a common theme during the holiday season.
The chorus of the song, "A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year, let's hope it's a good one without any fears," reinforces the idea of hope for the future. It also incorporates the traditional holiday greeting and desire for joy and happiness. The next verse looks at the differences among people, including race and wealth. "And so happy Christmas for black and for white, for the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights" highlights the importance of equality and the need for peace.
The song ends on a positive note with the lyrics "War is over if you want it, war is over now." This line brings the themes of peace and hope together and encourages individuals to take action to make the world a better place.
Overall, Vanessa Carlton's version of "Happy Xmas" is a reflection on the past and a hopeful look towards the future. It encourages the celebration of being together during the holiday season and promotes peace and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is Christmas and what have you done,
This time of year has come again, and it's worthwhile to reflect on what you've achieved in the past year.
Another year over, a new one just begun.
It's the end of one year and the start of a new year, full of new opportunities.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
Christmas is a time for enjoyment and celebrating with loved ones.
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
Celebrate with those closest to you, regardless of age.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Wishing you joy and happiness for the holiday season and beyond.
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
Here's to a peaceful and worry-free year ahead.
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
Christmas doesn't discriminate based on strength or ability, it's for everyone to enjoy.
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
Regardless of wealth or status, life is a long journey.
And so happy Christmas for black and for white
The holidays are for everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity.
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
It's important to embrace and celebrate diversity and put an end to conflicts and prejudices.
And so this is Christmas and what have we done
Reflecting on what we as a society have achieved or failed to achieve throughout the year.
Another year over, a new one just begun.
The end of one year and the start of a new year, full of new opportunities for change and growth.
And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun
Wishing you joy and happiness for the holiday season with loved ones.
The near and the dear one, the old and the young.
Celebrating with those closest to you, regardless of age.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Wishing you joy and happiness for the holiday season and the coming year.
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
Here's to a peaceful and worry-free year ahead.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
The message of peace and reconciliation is possible if we choose to make it a reality.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN WINSTON LENNON, YOKO ONO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind