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 âA Thousand Miles,â which reached the Top 5 on Billboardâs 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 (âA Thousand Milesâ). 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 âWhite Houses,â 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 âmight be my first thematic record,â 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 âNolita Fairytale,â is a syncopated, upbeat piece that paints a dramatic musical landscape. â 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,â 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-52âs, 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.
Nothing Where Something Used To Be
Vanessa Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's just something about you that I trust
I didn't say but I was sad to see you go
You went back to the ghost, I went back to what I know
Seems like every night, meet my friends at some bar
I tell myself I'm thinking but I'm just drinking 'til I feel far away
Saw your buddy, said he talked to you last week
Do it do it, do it do it
You should do it do it
Do it do it
'Cause now there's nothing where something used to be
'Cause now there's nothing where something used to be
It's confusing cause I'm the one that left, it was pre emptive
I don't know who I am
Are we all searching for something we don't understand?
Someone else to see through our battle plans
You should do it do it
Do it do it
You should do it do it
Do it do it
'Cause now there's nothing where something used to be
'Cause now there's nothing where something used to be
I try to remember there's no future there's no past
I try to remember if it can last then it will last
Try to remember it
'Cause now there's nothing where something used to be
'Cause now there's nothing where something used to be
Do it do it, do it do it
Do it do it, do it do it
'Cause now there's nothing where something used to be
Do it do it, do it do it
Do it do it, do it do it
In "Nothing Where Something Used to Be," Vanessa Carlton reflects on a past relationship and the emotional aftermath of its end. She admits that the person she was with is the closest she has ever come to feeling connected to someone, and there is something about them that she trusts. Though she didn't express it at the time, she was sad to see this person go, and when they parted ways, they both returned to their routine lives. Carlton recognizes that she often numbs her feelings by going out with friends and drinking, but ultimately realizes that she cannot escape the void that the end of the relationship has left.
The song's lyrics convey a sense of confusion and inner turmoil, as Carlton grapples with the conflicting emotions of missing this person while also feeling guilty for having ended things. She wonders if we are all searching for something we don't understand and yearning for someone who can see through our battle plans. Despite her attempts to move forward, Carlton is left with nothing where something used to be, and encourages the other person to reach out and reconnect.
Overall, "Nothing Where Something Used to Be" is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of love and the pain that can come with its end. Carlton's vulnerability and introspection in this song make it relatable to anyone who has gone through a breakup or struggled with feelings of loneliness and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
I will admit that you're the closest I have come
I acknowledge that you're the person I feel most connected to.
There's just something about you that I trust
There's a particular element about you that I rely on and feel secure about.
I didn't say but I was sad to see you go
I didn't express it, but I felt upset when you left.
You went back to the ghost, I went back to what I know
You returned to something intangible, while I resumed doing what feels familiar to me.
Seems like every night, meet my friends at some bar
It appears to happen constantly where I gather with my buddies at a drinking establishment.
I tell myself I'm thinking but I'm just drinking 'til I feel far away
I convince myself I'm using my brain, but really I'm just consuming alcohol to detach from reality.
Saw your buddy, said he talked to you last week
Encountered your friend who said he conversed with you recently.
Said you seemed pretty bummed, you've been wanting to call me
Reported that you appeared disgruntled, and expressed interest in contacting me.
Do it do it, do it do it
Take action, make the move.
You should do it do it
It would be ideal if you took the initiative.
'Cause now there's nothing where something used to be
It's currently an empty space where there used to be something significant.
'Cause now there's nothing where something used to be
It's still a void where something important previously existed.
It's confusing cause I'm the one that left, it was pre emptive
It's perplexing because I was the one who departed, without an imperative reason.
I don't know who I am
I'm unsure of my own identity.
Are we all searching for something we don't understand?
Is everyone trying to find something they're oblivious of?
Someone else to see through our battle plans
Someone who can perceive through our objectives and our strategy to achieve those objectives.
Try to remember it
Attempt to retain it in your memory.
'Cause now there's nothing where something used to be
It's currently a void where something significant existed before.
'Cause now there's nothing where something used to be
It's persisting as an emptiness where an important entity formerly existed.
Do it do it, do it do it
Take action, make the move.
Do it do it, do it do it
Take action, make the move.
'Cause now there's nothing where something used to be
It's present as a hollow void where a significant element previously existed.
Lyrics © MOM'S GOTTA PLAY TOO
Written by: Vanessa Carlton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
IloveSPIDERZ
This is so far by far my favorite song by her! The bass and synth riffs on this entire song especially in the verses are freakin amazing! the song really hits me in the feels also, something almost every single person can relate to!
Chack Bass
My favorite song on the album. The live version is great too.
Raddeh
Agree totally. Take It Easy is a close second. But this song is everything!
diddiy123
I was used to the cute pop-y vanessa carlton which was my all, but i like this older more in tune with life,love and nature even more. She just became my idol once again. I really love her new album. I'll see her live in a few months :)
RanMouri82
My shift in appreciation was when, during the release of Heroes and Thieves, I won a ticket to her concert from a Lite FM radio station. When I heard the sublime beauty of that album, I was hooked more than ever before and couldn't help but soak up her gorgeous music. I'd definitely recommend listening to Heroes and Thieves as a good transition into the more artful music she writes now.
RanMouri82
@born again virgin radio (definitely NOT a stalker) I've seen her a couple times live, and wow, does she put on amazing shows. Each one is an intimate, coffee shop or wine bar type of performance where she plays simply and beautifully while intermingling each song with anecdotes and inspirations for her creative process. Hope to see her again after COVID-19 stops holding us back.
born again virgin radio (definitely NOT a stalker)
i'm sure she puts on an awesome show. It stinks i never got to see her in nc
Jared C.
Too bad 1000 miles will follow you everywhere ...because Liberman is a 1000000 miles more than that! This album is your masterpiece !! I can play it from beginning to end and not skip a track. Not many artists or albums haf that effect on me :-).
Vanessa Carlton Italia
If you are on a love cliff, that super high and terrifying cliff........jump, just jump!
One of the best songs of Liberman!
Raddeh
Hands down my favourite song from the album. Take It Easy is a close second. <3