Our Top 10 Brandi Carlile Songs list takes a look at a popular singer and songwriter. She sings a variety of music. She is also a published writer. She has won numerous awards including Grammys, CMTs, UK Americana and Billboard awards. In addition to being a solo artist, she formed a female group called The Highwaywoman. They released a Grammy-winning album. Some of her hit songs include ”Turpentine,” “Right On Time,” “Wherever Is Your Heart,” “Dreams,” “Party of One,” “What Can I Say,” “The Story,” “That Wasn’t Me,” “The Joke” and “A Beautiful Noise.”
Brandi Carlile was born Brandi Marie Carlile on June 1, 1981. She taught herself how to play instruments. She taught herself how to play the piano and guitar. Brandi Carlile got her start in music singing backup for an Elvis impersonator. She performed in nightclubs with twin brothers Tim and Phil Hanseroth. She would go on to work with them throughout her career. She got signed to Columbia Records because of a song she recorded at home.
Brandi Carlile released her self-titled album in 2005. It peaked at number one on the folk charts and number 80 on Billboard 200. It features the singles “What Can I Say” and “Throw It All Away.” When this album was released, she was considered one of the artists to watch. The Story was released in 2007. It peaked at number 10 on the rock charts and number 41 on Billboard 200. It features the singles “The Story,” “Turpentine,” “Until I Die” and “Wasted.” The album sold over 500,000 copies.
Give Up The Ghost was released in 2009. It peaked at number 26 on Billboard 200. It features the singles “Dreams,” “That Year,” “Looking Out” and “Pride and Joy.” The album sold over 257,000 copies. Bear Creek was released in 2012. It peaked at number one on the folk charts, three on the rock charts and number 10 on Billboard 200. It features the singles “That Wasn’t Me,” “Keep Your Heart Young,” “Hard Way Home” and “I’ll Still Be There.”
The Firewatcher’s Daughter was released in 2015. It peaked at number one on the rock charts, number one on the folk charts and number nine on Billboard 200. It features the singles “The Eye,” “Wherever Is Your Heart,” “The Things I Regret” and “Alibi.” By The Way, I Forgive You was released in 2018. It peaked at number one on the folk charts, number one on the rock charts and number five on Billboard 200. It features the singles “The Joke” and “Party of One.” In These Silent Days was released in 2021. It peaked at number one on the folk charts, number one on the rock charts and number 11 on Billboard 200. It features the singles “Right on Time,” “Broken Horses,” “This Time Tomorrow” and “When You’re Wrong.”
Brandi Carlile is a trailblazer in music. She writes songs that are close to her heart. She is eclectic and can sing any genre of music. In addition to her singing career, she is also an activist. She does humanitarian work for children. There aren’t too many people making they type of music she makes so she is in a class by herself. She is an underrated singer who deserves to have more recognition. This Top 10 Brandi Carlile Songs list will feature her best songs.
# 10 – Turpentine
The first song on our Top 10 Brandi Carlile Songs list is “Turpentine” from the album The Story. The song has a folk-rock beat. This is a tearjerker about her looking at pictures and thinking about her life during better times. It is about a relationship ending and comparing it to turpentine. She is looking for a connection to the past. This is a strange comparison to describe the end of a relationship.
The lyrics of the song are something everyone can relate to. Most of us have been through a similar situation when we lost touch with someone we grew up with. It could be a sibling or a friend. The music is soft and tender. It matches the theme of the track. The somber music features the acoustic guitar, violin and drums. It has a folk-rock beat, but it also has a mix of country. The music combines soft rock, folk and country music. Brandi Carlile sings the song with a lot of emotion. She sounds similar to Janis Joplin. You can feel the pain of her losing the person she loved in her voice. She makes you feel empathetic for the character in the song.
Her smoky voice blends well with the music. She harmonizes in the background, which sells the song. She doesn’t turn the song into a power ballad, but she does hold little notes that are pleasant on the ear. The only complaint about the song is that it ends abruptly. Just when you get into the song, it’s over quickly.
# 9 – Wherever Is Your Heart
The next song on our Top 10 Brandi Carlile Songs list is “Wherever Is Your Heart” from the album The Firewatcher’s Daughter. The song has a folk and pop beat. The comforting song is about finding strength within someone else. You can find value in a relationship whether it is healthy or not. It teaches you to grow as a person. You can always return home if you need to. It coincides with the saying “home is where your heart is.”
The song has a deep message about family and not letting go of someone you love. The music starts off slowly with just the acoustic guitar and then builds with a musical crescendo by the chorus. The music features the acoustic guitar, piano, fiddle, cello and drums. The sizzling music creates an excellent sound. The music has enough tempo to allow you to move around in your seat. The chorus is infectious and will have no choice but to stay in your head because she sings it repeatedly.
Brandi Carlile sings her heart out. She starts the song off softly and then vocally explodes. She doesn’t hold any notes, but she belts in the chorus. When the music gets louder, she gets louder. Her voice is so strong that she is able to keep up with the loud music. She sounds similar to Alanis Morissette when she is belting. The background singer is able to keep up with her vocally. He harmonizes well in the background.
# 8 – What Can I Say
The painful song is from her self-titled album. The song has a folk and soft rock beat. The melancholy song is about her losing someone she loved. She is lonely and doesn’t know what she is going to do with her life. Haven’t most of us been in this situation when we have lost someone and had to try to move on with our lives? The song has different meanings. It can be about the lost of a relative, friend or romantic partner. It is up to the listener to decide how he or she can relate to the lyrics.
Brandi Carlile knows how to write music that touches your heart and make you think. The lyrics in this song are powerful and meaningful. They are guaranteed to touch your soul and make you feel things. The music is soft and rhythmic. It has thumping guitar strings and a banging drumbeat. Brandi Carlile sings in time with the beat. She sings the song with a lot of heart and soul. It’s hard to believe that this is from her debut album. She sings the track as if she has been singing for years.
She sounds like an angel. Her phrasing is perfect because you can understand what she is saying. She sings the song in a way that makes you want to sing along with her. The chorus is amazing and will stay in your head after you hear the track. The background singers do a great job supporting her. The minor complaint about the song is that it ends abruptly. Other than that, the song is flawless.
# 7 – Dreams
The gripping song is from the Give Up the Ghosts album. The song has a pop and rock beat. The enchanting song is about dreaming about what you want and what you have. If you don’t have someone or something in your life, you can have them in your dreams. She wrote the song in a way that it can be about different things. It can be about a relationship, career goals or anything you dream about having. One of the good things about her songs is that they have multiple meanings.
Anyone can relate to the lyrics because she doesn’t just stick to one particular subject. The lyrics can be taken either way. This track takes her out of her wheelhouse. This is the closest song she has to pop rock. It was a nice change of pace. It proves she can do different types of music. She is not pigeon holed into one style of music. The music features the drums and the strings to create an amazing sound. It has a great pop rock beat that will definitely please fans of pop and rock music.
Brandi Carlile’s vocals are fire. She starts the song off softly and then comes alive in the chorus. She sounds similar to Janis Joplin when she is belting in the song. She has exceptional control over her vocals. She knows when to hold back and when to belt. She manages not to get drowned out by the music when it gets louder. She has a strong voice that can compete with the loud music. Her vocals will leave you in a trance.
# 6 – Right On Time
The inspirational song is from the In These Silent Days album. The song has a folk-rock beat. The moving song is about what happened during the pandemic. The song is about the obstacles people had to overcome during the pandemic. People were dying, relationships were ending, people were losing their jobs, etc. This song is appropriate because of what is going on in the world. She wrote a brilliant song to describe what is going on in the world. The lyrics are a mix of drama with joy. She brings a bright spot to a horrible time.
The music has a calming effect. It is soft and tender. The music is dramatic to match the subject of the song. The music is lead by the piano, which is a change from her normal style. Her songs usually lead with the guitar. The guitar is featured in the chorus instead of the verses. There is a musical pause that is worth checking out. Brandi Carlile’s voice is vulnerable. She sings with a lot of passion. She belts impressively in the chorus. She turns the song into a mini power ballad when she holds a note towards the end. It could have been a little longer, but it was a great try.
You can tell this song is close to her heart because she nails each line perfectly. She is the only one featured in the track so it gives you a chance to focus on her pretty voice. She sounds like an angel. This song is the type of song that will never get old.
# 5 – Party of One ft. Sam Smith
The next song on our Top 10 Brandi Carlile Songs list is “Party of One” from the By The Way, I Forgive You album. The song has an adult contemporary beat. The delicate song is about her and her partner wanting to make their marriage work despite everyone telling them that their marriage will fail. It is an against-all-odds song. This is the second piano laden ballad song on our list. This song is out of her wheelhouse because it isn’t a folk song. The music is simple and touching. It has orchestral swells. It features the piano, guitar and violin.
Brandi Carlile and Sam Smith donated the proceeds for this song to “Children in Conflict.” Brandi Carlile and Sam Smith are from two different worlds musically. She sings folk rock songs while he sings adult contemporary songs. The two manage to make this combination work. They take turns singing back and forth with the verses. They come together and harmonize during the chorus. She comes down an octave while he goes up an octave. They switch octaves in the pre-chorus. She goes up an octave while he goes down an octave.
The unlikely pair did an amazing job with their vocals. Their vocals are intoxicating and enjoyable. Their voices will send chills up and down your spine. They don’t turn the song into a power ballad, but they do a great job. There are two versions of this song. There is another one where she is singing by herself. It is just as good as the duet, but we wanted to feature the duet on our list.
# 4 – The Story
The cathartic song is from the album of the same name. The song has a folk-rock beat. The stirring song is about belonging and destiny. The deep song can have a myriad of meanings. It can be about a relationship, addiction or death. The lyrics can be about anything. This is another song that is up to the listener to decide how they want to interpret the meaning. The song starts off softly and then explodes into a crescendo. The blazing guitar strings are absolutely flawless.
The banging drumbeat compliments the guitar strings. The music is perfect for radio. Fans of rock and folk music will enjoy the song. Brandi Carlile shows off her vulnerable side in this track. Her voice cracks several times in the song. She proves that she is really into what she is singing. Other people wouldn’t be able to get away with their voices cracking the way hers does in the song, but it works for her.
It gives the song an edge and rawness. She sounds similar to Janis Joplin in this track. Her delivery feels real. You can tell she is emotional in the track. She belts towards the end of the song. She holds notes at the end of the song. She turns the track into a power ballad. Her voice goes up and down like a roller coaster. She didn’t write this song, but she sings it as if she did.
# 3 – That Wasn’t Me
The personal song is from the Bear Creek album. The song has a folk-rock beat. The spiritual song is about overcoming addiction. The song is taken from the point of view of an addict. She writes about everything an addict goes through in order to get over his or her addiction. This song is relatable to anyone who has hit rock bottom and wants to rise above and get better. It is also relatable to anyone who knows someone who has gone through all of this. If you are going through something and don’t know the right way to talk about it, the lyrics of the song may help you. The lyrics will empower you. They will let you know that things can get better despite how they may seem. She lets you know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. She doesn’t want you to give up.
Listening to this track will make you want to keep your head up. There aren’t that many songs that are about addiction. The songs are also not told from the point of view of the addict. Brandi Carlile wrote this song about a friend who has suffered from addiction. Here is a fun fact about the song. Elton John, Sheryl Crow and The Beatles inspired the song. The music features heartfelt piano chords. It makes the song sound stirring. She gets in touch with her gospel side musically and vocally. Brandi Carlile sounds soulful. The vocal arrangement is on point. She is out of her wheelhouse because she doesn’t usually sing gospel songs. She shows that she can sing anything and make it sound beautiful.
# 2 – The Joke
The political song is from the By The Way, I Forgive You album. The song has an Americana beat. The social song is about people who feel like they are outcasts. This is for people who are picked on because they are not like everyone else. It’s for people who are being bullied because of their sexual preference. The song is supposed to be a beacon of light for people who are being treated badly for their choices. It’s meant to provide hope for people who are being treated badly by society.
This is timely song that is perfect for what is going on in the world. This song is relatable to anyone who has trouble fitting in. This is Brandi Carlile’s version of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful.” The melody of the song is similar to “Beautiful.” The music is soft and melodic. The music is piano driven. It also features the strings and drumbeat. She doesn’t lose her folk-rock sound. She is bringing something new to the table. The music hits a crescendo at the perfect time. It musically explodes after the bridge. Her vocals are more profound as the music builds to a climactic finish.
She starts the song off softly to go along with the slow beginning. Once the music picks up, she does too. She vocally soars to heights unknown. She reaches an exciting conclusion as the song ends with just the music. She gives the song the perfect dramatic ending. This song could have easily been number one on our list, but it lost the coin toss.
# 1 – Beautiful Noise
The number one song on our Top 10 Brandi Carlile Songs list is “Beautiful Noise” from Alicia Keys’ Alicia album. The song has an r&b and soul beat. The inspirational song is about protesting. The song was meant to get people to vote. Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile wanted to inspire people to have a voice. They want people to utilize their right to vote. The song is targeted towards women, but everyone can relate to it.
This song is timely because people don’t want to vote because they think their voices don’t count. The music is stripped. It only features the piano and the two singers. Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile are from two different genres of music. Alicia Keys sings r&b music while Brandi sings folk-rock music. The ladies came together to make a great song. Their voices compliment each other well.
They also blend well together. Alicia Keys sings in her normal soprano voice while Brandi Carlile sings in a lower register. Brandi Carlile sings in a higher register in the chorus while Alicia Keys sings in a lower register. When they sing together, they sound as one. They worked well together and should record more songs together. They didn’t turn the song into a power ballad, but the song didn’t need it. The message might have been lost if they over sang the vocals. Their vocals were more heartfelt because they kept things simple. Their voices are smooth like butter. Everything about this song works from the music to the singing.
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Top 10 Brandi Carlile Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022
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