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.
My Best
Vanessa Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We scream and shout
And try to make it last
Though it didn't work out
I don't love you any less
My lover or friend
I won't ever tell
An unspoken citadel
And in these broken times
Well, it's so easy to forget
So I sing to remind
Upon my shoulder you can rest
'Cause I'll always give you my best
A sidewalk's path leads me to you
Though we don't look back
We hold on to a truth
And in these broken times
I promise I will not forget
Though you're not mine
Upon your shoulder I can rest
'Cause you always give me your best
It's like a promised kept
It's like you never left
It's like you never left
Mm-mm-mm-mmmm-mm-mm
Ah-ah-ah-ahhh-ah-ah
I know it's been so long
I can't ever seem to forget
All it takes is a song
And I could swear I hear your steps
Down the hall that goes up past
That leaves an ache
It's never left
'Cause I gave you my best
Ahhhh
It's like you never left
It's like you never left
Ah-ah-ah-ahhh-ah-ah
We scream and shout
And try to make it last
The song "My Best" by Vanessa Carlton is a reflection on the endurance of love throughout time and distance. The lyrics describe a mutual love between two individuals who have weathered the ups and downs of their relationship, yet still value one another deeply. The opening stanza's repetition of "mm-mm-mm-mmmm-mm-mm" sets a contemplative tone, preparing the listener for the introspective musings that follow. The lyrics reveal that the relationship was tumultuous, with the couple often "screaming and shouting" in an attempt to make things work. Despite the challenges, the singer emphasizes that her feelings have not lessened with time–she still loves her partner just as fiercely as she ever did.
The second verse introduces the concept of friendship, implying that the singer's love interest is also her closest confidante. The "secrets" they share "an unspoken citadel," an untouchable fortress of trust. Even in "these broken times"–perhaps referring to any difficult period in their relationship–the singer promises to always remember their bond, and sings to remind them both of what they mean to each other.
The chorus reinforces the idea that each lover/friend will always give their best to one another. It's a deeply reassuring sentiment, emphasizing trust and commitment. The second half of the song delves into the power of memory and nostalgia, describing the physical ache caused by the absence of an old love. Carlton's delicate voice gives way to a soaring chorus, as the chorus repeats the idea that the absent love never truly left.
Overall, "My Best" is a song about deep love and trust that withstands trials and hardships, demonstrating the power of a true partnership.
Line by Line Meaning
Mm-mm-mm-mmmm-mm-mm
The song begins with a wordless melody.
We scream and shout
The lovers fought and argued.
And try to make it last
They wanted their relationship to work out.
Though it didn't work out
The relationship failed.
I don't love you any less
The singer is still devoted to her former partner despite the breakup.
My lover or friend
The nature of the relationship is kept a secret.
I won't ever tell
The singer promises to maintain confidentiality.
Our secrets safe
The singer values trust and discretion.
An unspoken citadel
The hidden relationship is a fortress of sorts.
And in these broken times
The singer acknowledges the difficulties and challenges in life.
Well, it's so easy to forget
It is easy to give in to negativity and despair.
So I sing to remind
The singer uses music to inspire and uplift herself and others.
Upon my shoulder you can rest
The singer offers emotional support and comfort to her partner or friend.
'Cause I'll always give you my best
The singer promises to always do her best for the people she cares about.
A sidewalk's path leads me to you
The singer is drawn to her former partner or friend.
Though we don't look back
The singer and her former partner or friend do not dwell on the past.
We hold on to a truth
They treasure the positive aspects of their relationship.
I promise I will not forget
The singer vows to remember the good memories and positive aspects of the relationship.
Though you're not mine
The singer acknowledges that the other person is no longer hers, but still cares.
Upon your shoulder I can rest
The singer still finds emotional support and comfort from the other person.
'Cause you always give me your best
The singer acknowledges that the other person has always been there for her, giving their best effort.
It's like a promised kept
The relationship promises were fulfilled.
It's like you never left
The other person still feels present in the singer's life.
I know it's been so long
The singer recognizes that it has been a while since they broke up.
I can't ever seem to forget
The memories of the relationship still linger, even after so much time has passed.
All it takes is a song
The singer is reminded of the relationship by hearing certain music.
And I could swear I hear your steps
The singer imagines hearing the footsteps of her former partner or friend.
Down the hall that goes up past
The memory is vivid, almost like it just happened.
That leaves an ache
The memory is bittersweet and painful.
It's never left
The memory and emotions are still very much a part of the singer's life.
'Cause I gave you my best
The singer knows that she did the best she could in the relationship.
Ah-ah-ah-ahhh-ah-ah
The song ends with a wordless melody that is slightly haunting and melancholy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: VANESSA CARLTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind