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.
Watch Me Shine
Vanessa Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not
Your average type
Of girl
I'm gonna show
The world
The strength in me
I'm about to
Switch my style
And soon things may get wild
But I'll prove that
I can conquer anything
So from my head to toe
I'm taking full control
I'll make it on my own
This time
(Better watch me shine)
Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
Better check that
I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
(Watch me)
So
Get ready
Here I come
Until the job is done
No time to waste
There's nothing stopping me
Oh
But you don't hear me though
So now it's time to show
I'll prove I'm gonna be
The best I can be
So from my head to toe
My mind body and soul
I'm taking full control
This time
(So watch me shine)
Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
Better check that
I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
(watch me shine)
Bet you don't think
I can take it
But my mind and body
Are strong
Bet you don't think
I can make it
It won't take long
Bet you don't think
I can take it
But my mind and body
Are strong
Bet you don't think
I can make it
It won't take long
Now watch me shine...
Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
Better check that
I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
Now watch me shine...
Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
(Until I get what's mine...)
Better check that
I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
Watch me...
Watch me shine...
Watch me
In "Watch Me Shine," Vanessa Carlton declares her independence and determination to prove her worth. She is not an average girl, and she's confident in the strength she possesses even though it might not always be visible to others. Carlton makes it clear that she is switching up her style, suggesting that she is stepping into a new phase of her life where she plans to take charge and pursue her ambitions. She sings about needing to prove to herself and to others that she can conquer anything. The chorus focuses on her tenacity as she takes control of her own fate, driven by an insatiable desire to succeed.
Throughout the song, Carlton emphasizes the theme of owning your power and forging your path. She doesn't let the doubts that others may have about her capabilities deter her from pursuing her goals. She is determined to prove that she can make it on her own terms and that no obstacle can stop her. She is also aware that her self-assurance may make her seem threatening to others, but she isn't going to let that hold her back.
Overall, "Watch Me Shine" is an empowering anthem about self-reliance and perseverance. It encourages listeners to embrace their strengths, believe in themselves, and never give up on their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not Your average type Of girl
I am not the typical girl you see; I am unique
I'm gonna show The world The strength in me That sometimes they can't see
I will display my inner strength to the world, even though they may not see it
I'm about to Switch my style And soon things may get wild But I'll prove that I can conquer anything
I am changing my ways and taking bold actions, but I am determined to succeed no matter the obstacles
So from my head to toe I'm taking full control I'll make it on my own This time
I am taking control of my life, making decisions for myself, and succeeding on my own
(Better watch me shine)
You should take notice of my success
Better watch out Going for the knockout And I won't stop Till I'm on top now
Be prepared, because I am striving for victory and nothing will stop me until I achieve it
Not gonna give up Until I get what's mine Better check that I'm about to upset And I'm hot now So you better step back I'm taking over So watch me shine
I won't lose hope until I succeed and attain my goals, and I am causing a stir - you better not get in my way
So Get ready Here I come Until the job is done No time to waste There's nothing stopping me
Get ready, because I am coming and won't stop until the task is complete and nothing will hinder me
But you don't hear me though So now it's time to show I'll prove I'm gonna be The best I can be
You may not believe in me, but I will demonstrate my potential to be the greatest I can be
So from my head to toe My mind body and soul I'm taking full control This time
I am taking charge of every aspect of my life, including my mentality, physicality, and spirituality
(So watch me shine)
Observe my radiance and brilliance
Bet you don't think I can take it But my mind and body Are strong Bet you don't think I can make it It won't take long
You may doubt my capability, but my mind and body are powerful, and it won't be long before I achieve success
Now watch me shine...
See me shine now
Contributed by Adalyn L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bill DeMaine III
To me...
This isn’t about a ‘girl/woman’ shining. It’s about a person shining.
I am a man. All man.
This song speaks to me.
I am all for women accomplishing all they want to.
But, as a man, I am encouraged and inspired by the lyrics to this song.
I’ll make it my anthem as well.
Márcia Villar
I'm not
Your average type of girl
I'm gonna show the world the strength in me
That sometimes they can't see
I'm about to switch my style
And soon things may get wild
But I will prove I can conquer anything
So from my head to toe I'm taking full control
I'll make it on my own
This time
Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
Better check that I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
Get ready
Here I come
Until the job is done
No time to waste
There's nothing stopping me
But you don't hear me though
So now it's time to show
I'll prove I'm gonna be the best I can be
So from my head to toe
My mind body and soul
I'm taking full control
This time
Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
Better check that I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
Bet you don't think I can take it
But my mind and body are strong
Bet you don't think I can make it
It won't take long
Bet you don't think I can take it
But my mind and body are strong
Bet you don't think I can make it
It won't take long
Now watch me shine...
Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
Better check that I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
Now watch me shine...
Better watch out
Going for the knockout
And I won't stop
Till I'm on top now
Not gonna give up
Until I get what's mine
Better check that I'm about to upset
And I'm hot now
So you better step back
I'm taking over
So watch me shine
Watch me...
Watch me shine...
Watch me
Andrea Martín Leite
Ooh ... yo no soy
Tu tipo promedio de chica
Voy a demostrar al mundo la fuerza en mí
Que a veces no pueden ver
Estoy a punto de cambiar mi estilo
Y pronto las cosas se pondrán salvajes
Pero voy a demostrar que puedo conquistar cualquier cosa
Por lo tanto, desde mi cabeza a los pies estoy tomando el pleno control
Voy a hacerlo por mi cuenta
Esta vez
(Mírame brillar)
Mejor cuídate
Iré hasta la eliminatoria
Y no me detendré
Hasta que esté en la cima ahora
No voy a renunciar <b
r />
Hasta que consiga lo que es mío
Mejor comprueba que estoy a punto de alterar
Y estoy fuerte ahora
Así que mejor retrocede
Estoy abarcando más
Así que mírame brillar
Por lo tanto prepárate
Aquí vengo
Hasta que el trabajo sea hecho
No hay tiempo que perder
No hay nada que me detenga
Oh
Pero tú no me oíste bien
Así que ahora es el momento para demostrarlo
Voy a probar que seré lo mejor que puedo ser
Por lo tanto desde mi cabeza a los pies
Mi mente, cuerpo y alma
Estoy tomando el pleno control
Esta vez
Mejor cuídate
Iré hasta la eliminatoria
Y no me detendré
Hasta que esté en la cima ahora
No voy a renunciar
Hasta que consiga lo que es mío
Mejor comprueba que estoy a punto de alterar
Y estoy fuerte ahora
Así que mejor retrocede
Estoy abarcando más
Así que mírame brillar
Apuesto a que no crees que puedo hacerlo
Pero mi mente y cuerpo son fuertes
Apuesto a que no crees que pueda
No tomará mucho tiempo
Apuesto a que no crees que puedo hacerlo
Pero mi mente y cuerpo son fuertes
Apuesto a que no crees que pueda
No tomará mucho tiempo
Ahora mírame brillar...
Mejor cuídate
Iré hasta la eliminatoria
Y no me detendré
Hasta que esté en la cima ahora
No voy a renunciar
Hasta que consiga lo que es mío
Mejor comprueba que estoy a punto de alterar
Y estoy fuerte ahora
Así que mejor retrocede
Estoy abarcando más
Así que mírame brillar
Ahora mírame brillar…
Mejor cuídate
Iré hasta la eliminatoria
Y no me detendré
Hasta que esté en la cima ahora
No voy a renunciar
Hasta que consiga lo que es mío
(Hasta que consiga lo que es mío…)
Mejor comprueba que estoy a punto de alterar
Y estoy fuerte ahora
Así que mejor retrocede
Estoy abarcando más
Así que mírame brillar
Mírame…
Mírame brillar…
Mírame.
Suzan Khachatryan
I played this song throughout my studying for the LSAT and now I'm currently in law school and this song still makes me want to pull out my inner Elle Woods lol
Jess
SAME IM IN LAW SCHOOL AND I STUDIED TO THIS SONG LMAO thanks Elle woods xoxo
Anny Garfield
I'M DOING IT RIGHT NOW!
Evelyn Kharrat
YAAASSS! I'm currently studying for the LSAT, and this song has constantly been in my head! Law School students for the win!
Tina Brown
Suzyk894 I’m doing the same thing. I’m currently studying for the LSATS. I’m ready to shine. Have a good day.
Jocelyn Murillo
Tina B u can do it !!
Trina Chakraborty
First, you start because you want to prove them wrong.
Then, you keep going because you want to contribute to the world.
Finally, you continue simply because you are enjoying it.
P. Bunney
Accurate 🎯
Nathan Duaban
💯💯💯💯💯💯
Тина Аталь
Класс