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
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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.
Who's to Say
Vanessa Carlton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do your trick turn on the stars
Jupiter, shines so bright when your around
They tell us slow down, we're too young
You need to grow
Well speeds is the key, and they don't know
Who we are
Who's to say that this is not our love
Mother don't tell me
That friends are the ones I lose
Because they bleed before you
Sometimes family are the ones you choose
Its too late now, I hold on to the life I found
Who's to say we won't burn it out
Who's to say we won't sink in doubt
Who's to say we won't fade to grey
Who are they anyway, they don't know
And you say we're too young
But maybe you're too old to remember
And I try to pretend but I just feel it when we're together
And if you don't believe me
You never really knew us
You never really knew
You and I, packing up my room
We fell aright
But were not welcome
Soon
We'll be driving
'cause they don't know who we are
And who's to say that we won't stay together
And who's to say we aren't getting stronger
And who's to say I can't live without you
Who are they anyway, they don't know
And you say we're too young but maybe your too old to remember
And I try to pretend
But I just feel it when were together
And who's to say
Who's to say
Who are they anyway
Stand up boy, I shine so bright when your around
The song "Who's to Say" by Vanessa Carlton is about two lovers who are being told they are too young to be in love and pursue their dreams. The song refers to the societal expectations of growing up and settling down, but they fight against it, seeking to prove those who doubt them wrong. Through the lyrics, Vanessa Carlton encourages listeners to stand up for themselves, follow their dreams and not let anyone dictate their life paths.
The song talks about how people often tell us to slow down, and that we're too young to know what we want or to achieve our goals, but the song answers the questions of "who's to say" that we're not capable of achieving our dreams and goals. The line "Mother don't tell me, that friends are the ones I lose because they bleed before you, sometimes family are the ones you choose" refers to how the main character in the song isn't afraid to break societal norms and build a family with someone outside their blood relatives.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand up straight
Be confident and proud of who you are.
Do your trick turn on the stars
Show off your unique talents and abilities.
Jupiter, shines so bright when your around
You bring positivity and brightness to the lives of those around you.
They tell us slow down, we're too young
Critics and naysayers discourage us from pursuing our dreams because they think we're not ready yet.
You need to grow
The critics think we're not mature enough to handle the challenges of our dreams.
Well speeds is the key, and they don't know
But we know better - we need to take action and pursue our goals quickly before the critics can stop us.
Who we are
Our true selves and our unique personalities and talents.
Who's to say were not good enough
No one has the right to judge us or tell us we're not capable or talented enough to succeed.
Who's to say that this is not our love
No one can tell us who we should love or what relationships are right for us.
Mother don't tell me
The artist's mother has given unsolicited advice that the artist doesn't want to hear.
That friends are the ones I lose
The singer's mother believes friends are temporary and will not last forever.
Because they bleed before you
The artist's mother tells her that friends will only be there for you when things are going well, but will not stick around during tough times.
Sometimes family are the ones you choose
The singer believes that family members can also be good friends, and that we can choose our own 'family' of close friends.
Its too late now, I hold on to the life I found
The singer has made choices about her life and relationships, and is no longer interested in her mother's advice.
Who's to say we won't burn it out
The future is uncertain, and no one can predict whether or not their relationship(s) will continue to thrive or end.
Who's to say we won't sink in doubt
Difficult times will come, and no one can guarantee that their relationships will survive them.
Who's to say we won't fade to grey
The artist worries that their relationship(s) may lose their spark and become dull over time.
Who are they anyway, they don't know
The singer doesn't care about the opinions of others who don't understand their situation or relationship(s).
And you say we're too young
The singer's critics believe that they are not ready to handle the challenges of their dreams or relationships due to their young age.
But maybe you're too old to remember
But the artist believes that the critics are the ones who have lost touch with their own youth and vitality.
And I try to pretend but I just feel it when we're together
The artist tries to ignore the doubts of their critics, but can't help feeling the strength and happiness of their relationships when they are together.
And if you don't believe me
The artist is confident in their relationships, and is not concerned with convincing their critics of their worth.
You never really knew us
The critics do not really know the singer or understand their situation or relationships.
You never really knew
The artist is confident in their own identity, and does not need the validation or approval of their critics.
You and I, packing up my room
The singer is moving on from their old life to pursue new opportunities with those closest to them.
We fell aright
The singer is confident that they have made the right choices and that everything will work out for the best.
But were not welcome
The singer's critics don't support their choices and don't want them to succeed.
Soon
Despite the obstacles, the artist and their loved ones will soon be leaving and pursuing their goals.
We'll be driving
They will be taking action and pursuing their goals with confidence and determination.
'cause they don't know who we are
No one truly understands their unique personalities and talents, and no one can predict their success or failure.
And who's to say that we won't stay together
The singer is hopeful that their relationships will last and thrive over time, despite the doubts of their critics.
And who's to say we aren't getting stronger
The artist believes that their relationships are growing stronger over time, despite the critics' doubts.
And who's to say I can't live without you
The artist is confident in their own strength and ability to survive and thrive, regardless of their relationship status.
Who are they anyway, they don't know
The artist is confident in their own choices and doesn't care about the opinions of others who don't understand their situation or relationships.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: STEPHAN DOUGLAS JENKINS, VANESSA CARLTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind