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.
San Francisco
Vanessa Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a boy of summer gives his first kiss
Love is dancing on my finger
He got to the heart of the matter and lingered
And now I'm walking with the living
I always liked Steinbeck and those old men whistling
We're back, we're back in San Francisco
Talkin' in the mission
Over coffee, this is my utopia
Then, I'll be your lady
As the ocean rises, the sun is fading
We're back, we're back in San Francisco
We're back, we're back in San Francisco
We're back, we're back in San Fran--
And now, I feel the ever after
Over red wine on the eve of summer
The buzz, the buzz of the city
As we settle in its majesty
I, I know what you did
Like a boy of summer gives his first kiss
We're back, we're back in San Francisco
We're back and you tell me I am home
You tell me I am home
You tell me I am home
You tell me I am home
Back in San Francisco
And I know what you did in San Francisco
I know what you did in San Francisco
San Francisco
The lyrics of Vanessa Carlton's song San Francisco are a beautiful tribute to a city that holds a special place in her heart. It is a song about love, home, and the power of memories. The opening lines describe a moment of revelation, where the singer realizes what her lover has done, possibly something romantic like giving her a first kiss. She feels the weight of love on her finger, and it seems like she's finally found the heart of the matter, something worth holding onto. The reference to Steinbeck's works and whistling old men speaks to the romanticism of San Francisco, a city where writers and artists have been drawn for generations.
The chorus then declares the return to San Francisco, and the comfort of feeling at home. The singer reminisces about talking in the Mission over coffee, a true utopia for her, and promises to be her lover's lady. The mention of the ocean and the sun rising and fading paints a picture of beauty and change, which is what San Francisco is all about. The second verse continues this imagery with the buzz of the city settling in its majesty, and the singer feeling the ever after over a glass of red wine on the eve of summer. The final line repeats the one from the opening, suggesting that the kiss and love were what happened in San Francisco.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I know what you did
I am aware of what you did in the past, maybe something wrong or something good.
Like a boy of summer gives his first kiss
Just like how a boy feels when he has his first kiss, I also feel the same way towards love.
Love is dancing on my finger
I am in love and feel very happy about it to the point where it feels like the love is under my control.
He got to the heart of the matter and lingered
He understood the situation completely and stuck around even after it was resolved.
And now I'm walking with the living
After going through a difficult time, I feel like I am finally walking among the living and enjoying life.
I always liked Steinbeck and those old men whistling
I have always been a fan of Steinbeck's writing and the nostalgia it brings, including the memories of old men whistling on the streets of San Francisco.
We're back, we're back in San Francisco
I am back in my hometown, San Francisco, and feeling excited about it.
We're back and you tell me I am home
After returning to San Francisco, you make me feel like I belong and this is where I am meant to be.
Talkin' in the mission
Having a conversation in the Mission district of San Francisco.
Over coffee, this is my utopia
Enjoying a cup of coffee in this place makes me feel like I am in my own perfect world, my utopia.
Then, I'll be your lady
In the future, I would like to be the person closest to you, maybe even your partner.
As the ocean rises, the sun is fading
The day is ending, and we are watching the ocean rise while the sun sets.
And now, I feel the ever after
I am experiencing a feeling of happiness that is lasting forever, an ever after.
Over red wine on the eve of summer
During the summer night, we enjoy red wine and each other's company.
The buzz, the buzz of the city
Feeling excited and energized by the noise and activity of the city streets.
As we settle in its majesty
We are enjoying the beauty and majesty of San Francisco as we settle down to relax.
You tell me I am home
You remind me that being back in San Francisco feels like home to me.
And I know what you did in San Francisco
I am aware of something specific you did while we were in San Francisco together.
San Francisco
Repeating the name of the city, emphasizing the importance of being in this specific location.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Vanessa Carlton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CitizenX
I, I know what you did
Like a boy of summer gives his first kiss
Love is dancing on my finger
He got to the heart of the matter and lingered
And now I'm walking with the living
I always liked Steinbeck and those old men whistling
We're back, we're back in San Francisco
We're back and you tell me I am home
Talkin' in the mission
Over coffee, this is my utopia
Then, I'll be your lady
As the ocean rises, the sun is fading
We're back, we're back in San Francisco
We're back, we're back in San Francisco
We're back, we're back in San Fran--
And now, I feel the ever after
Over red wine on the eve of summer
The buzz, the buzz of the city
As we settle in its majesty
I, I know what you did
Like a boy of summer gives his first kiss
We're back, we're back in San Francisco
We're back and you tell me I am home
You tell me I am home
You tell me I am home
You tell me I am home
Back in San Francisco
And I know what you did in San Francisco
I know what you did in San Francisco
San Francisco
stillmaticstarlet
Heard this song at a grocery store today completely randomly... and I could not believe I still remember all the lyrics! I have not heard this song in about 10 yrs- I miss Vanessa's style of music.
Magnus Oxlund
Growing up today has got to be such a different experience I sometimes wonder if they'll be able to relate at all.
BeccaBxo
She never got as much recognition as she deserved, she is AMAZING! Great writer, composer and singer! <3
Annanimus
There are songs you want never to stop... This is one of them.
sarah baert
her voice is so special... unique! and her music full with emotion! love her!
Anything & Everything
I bought this with the charmed dvd collection.I listened to this song as an 11 year old, thinking it was just a cool song, that Vanessa Carlton was this new, talented artist and that was all. Now at 18 a little while after my first heartbreak and all I can do is relate her lyrics to me. Listening to this song after years, and I'm balling (and not the 2016 way), I think of home, him telling me I'm home, "San Francisco" it's really my love, my place to be and it's all a lie.
Lorelei Marivaine
If you mean 'balling' as in crying, it's spelt 'bawling'
AB gale
also fell in love with this song thru charmed
LulubellWilley
Lovely song, lovely city. This song will be playing in the background of my mind when I finally move there.
slewtboi
have you moved yet? :D