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.
Nolita Fairytale
Vanessa Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We don't see
We sow our truth, wait patiently
I walk the streets with a song in my head
(We ebb and we flow, so)
Got my toes on my pup at the foot of my bed
(My heart always seems to know)
'Cause I found some kind of fairytale
I used to
Hover outside my truth
Always worry of what I'd lose
Take away my record deal
(Go on, I don't need it)
Spent the last two years getting to what's real
(And now I can see so clear)
I hope you feel just like I feel
I found some kind of fairytale
Ohh
Want a garden by the ocean tide
Because I lose my way searching for stage lights
Well, Stevie knows and I thank her so
'Cause it's your seeds I sow
And now I know
Nolita, flat on rent control
(That's the life I choose)
Can't drag me to the fashion show
(The poses that I see through)
And Ruby's in the afternoon
'Cause I found some kind of fairytale
Hey
Nolita Fairytale (ba-da-da-da-da-da, ba-da-da-da-da-da)
Nolita Fairytale (ba-da-da-da-da-da, ba-da-da-da-da-da)
Nolita Fairytale
Nolita Fairytale
Nolita Fairytale
The song "Nolita Fairytale" by Vanessa Carlton is a reflection on the desire for a simpler, more authentic life. The lyrics focus on the idea of shedding the trappings of fame and success in favor of a more meaningful existence. The first verse emphasizes the idea of living a life that is true to oneself, rather than conforming to the expectations of others. The second verse touches on the notion of personal growth and the importance of staying grounded in the present moment. The chorus expresses the desire for a life that is more in tune with nature, and less focused on the superficial aspects of modern society.
The third verse brings the listener back to reality, describing the singer's current situation living in Nolita, a neighborhood in New York City known for its trendy shops and restaurants. Despite the challenges of living in such a fashionable place, the singer remains committed to her values and a simpler way of life. The final chorus repeats the phrase "Nolita Fairytale," emphasizing the idea that a perfect life is not one defined by material success or external validation, but rather by personal fulfillment and living according to one's own values.
Line by Line Meaning
I know, you know
We both understand
We don't see
We are blind
We sow our truth, wait patiently
We plant our beliefs and wait for them to grow
I walk the streets with a song in my head
I wander around with music playing in my mind
(We ebb and we flow, so)
(Our emotions rise and fall)
Got my toes on my pup at the foot of my bed
My dog is lying at my feet
(My heart always seems to know)
(My instincts guide me)
Well take the glitz back, I want the soul instead
I prefer depth to superficiality
'Cause I found some kind of fairytale
I discovered something magical
I used to
I once
Hover outside my truth
I hesitated to embrace my true self
Always worry of what I'd lose
I was afraid of losing something important
Take away my record deal
Cancel my music contract
(Go on, I don't need it)
(I don't depend on it)
Spent the last two years getting to what's real
I've been focusing on the truth
(And now I can see so clear)
(I now have a clear vision)
I hope you feel just like I feel
I hope you share my experience
Ohh
Exclamation of emotion
Want a garden by the ocean tide
I desire a seaside garden
Because I lose my way searching for stage lights
Because I get sidetracked by fame
Well, Stevie knows and I thank her so
Stevie Nicks understands and I am grateful to her
(Because it's your seeds I sow)
(I am inspired by your music)
And now I know
I understand now
Nolita, flat on rent control
I live in Nolita and pay controlled rent
(That's the life I choose)
(That's the life I want)
Can't drag me to the fashion show
I won't be forced to attend a fashion event
(The poses that I see through)
(I see through the fake actions)
And Ruby's in the afternoon
I like to spend time with Ruby in the afternoon
'Cause I found some kind of fairytale
I discovered something magical
Hey
Exclamation of greeting
Nolita Fairytale (ba-da-da-da-da-da, ba-da-da-da-da-da)
A magical story about my life in Nolita
Nolita Fairytale (ba-da-da-da-da-da, ba-da-da-da-da-da)
A magical story about my life in Nolita
Nolita Fairytale
A magical story about my life in Nolita
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stephan Douglas Jenkins, Vanessa Carlton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@devaalfarizi
I know, you know
We don't see
We sow our truth, wait patiently
I walk the streets with a song in my head
(We ebb and we flow, so)
Got my toes on my pup at the foot of my bed
(My heart always seems to know)
Well take the glitz back, I want the soul instead
'Cause I found some kind of fairytale
I used to
Hover outside my truth
Always worry of what I'd lose
Take away my record deal
(Go on, I don't need it)
Spent the last two years getting to what's real
(And now I can see so clear)
I hope you feel just like I feel
I found some kind of fairytale
Ohh
Want a garden by the ocean tide
Because I lose my way searching for stage lights
Well, Stevie knows and I thank her so
'Cause it's your seeds I sow
And now I know
Nolita, flat on rent control
(That's the life I choose)
Can't drag me to the fashion show
(The poses that I see through)
And Ruby's in the afternoon
'Cause I found some kind of fairytale
Hey
Nolita Fairytale (ba-da-da-da-da-da, ba-da-da-da-da-da)
Nolita Fairytale (ba-da-da-da-da-da, ba-da-da-da-da-da)
Nolita Fairytale
Nolita Fairytale
Nolita Fairytale
@JosephRussellStapleton
It's sad that I didn't hear this song until 2023. It's actually awesome and unique. It's a song about staying in touch with yourself and what really matters from a super successful person that retained her personality and humanity. She sounds absolutely genuine. Whenever I've heard songs that were similar in topic, they were not believable and sounded just as fake and money-seeking as every other popular song.
@lupitaa.castaneda9074
Así es. Vanessa Carlton es auténtica. Mi cantante favorita por siempre 💕
@durona
And this is the least good song on the album IMO. This whole record has that vibe!
@tamikaruskin2345
Very sad
@avvb6652
@@durona前奏真的超好听
@sharmesciarra2811
Good for her for not being sucked in by the music industry she ran while she could! God bless her!
@letitsnow4xmas
I was so young when I first heard this song, I didn't even realize that's what it was about. So incredible coming back to it after so long
@Chris-vt6nl
She is definitely the piano queen without any doubt
@_rogertaylors_car
Yep
@DrewMTS
Vanessa Carlton is one of the most underrated artists of all time.