Our Top 10 Vanessa Carlton songs list looks back at the career of a female singer songwriter who hit it big twenty years ago with a top five hit single. That song entitled “A Thousand Miles,” turned Vanessa Carlton into a household name instantly. The song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 as it helped launch the career of this wonderful singer songwriter. Her first album was released in the Spring of 2002 entitled Be Not Nobody. The album would feature three hit singles. Vanessa Carlton would follow up her debut album two years later with the release of the record entitled Harmonium. The album was a brilliant artistic statement but did not do as well commercially as her first album.
Vanessa Carlton signed with a new label and released her third album in 2007 entitled Heroes & Thieves. It would be her first album not to break into the top of the Billboard charts like the previous two had. It would be another four years until Vanessa Carlton would return with a new album. In 2011, she released the album Rabbits on the Run to a music world that had changed dramatically in the past decade since she released her debut album.
As the 2010s moved along and artists found themselves no longer selling physical product as streaming took over the world, Vanessa Williams signed with a Canadian independent music label called Dine Alone Records. However it’s actually a label with a pretty impressive roster of artists including The Lumineers, Marilyn Manson, Jimmy Eat World and many others. On her new label, Vanessa Carlton would release the albums Liberman in 2015 and Love Is an Art in 2020.
TOP 10 VANESSA CARLTON ALBUMS
# 10 – Operator
We open up our top 10 Vanessa Carlton songs list with the moody song entitled “Operator.” No, this is not the Jim Croce song. This does not sound anything at all like the Vanessa Carlton that broke onto the scene in 2020. There is definity a more modern Billie Eilish vibe going on here which is very interesting because this came out way before Billie Eilish arrived on the music scene. I guess we know who Billie Eilish was listening too. The song was released on the album entitled Liberman It was the first single released from the album. The album was released in 2015. Sadly, the song failed to chart on the US Billboard Hot 10o.
# 9 -The Only Way To Love
In the number nine spot our top 10 Vanessa Carlton songs list we take a listen to the emotional song entitled “The Only Way to Love.” The song was released on the album entitled Love Is An Art. The album was released in 2020. It stands as the most recent Vanessa Carlton album. This is a beautiful but haunting song with a simple arrangement that showcases Vanessa Carlton’s stunning vocals abilities. She harmonizes with herself in such astonishing fashion.
# 8 – Big Yellow Taxi
Vanessa Carlton may not have sang lead vocals on this one, but her contributions are what made the song and video such a big hit. In the number eight spot on our top 10 Vanessa Carlton songs list we present the song entitled Big Yellow Taxi. The song was originally written by Joni Mitchell in 1970. This version presented below was recorded by the Counting Crows and Vanessa Carlton.
# 7 – Wishin’ And Hopin’
In the number seven position on our top 10 Vanessa Carlton songs list is the song entitled “Wishin’ And Hopin'” Vanessa Carlton channels Dusty Springfield perfectly which is exactly what she was hired to do. Vanessa Carlton played the role of Dusty Springfield in an episode of the NBC television show American Dreams. Vanessa Carlton’s version was released on the television show soundtrack album in 2003.
# 6 -Hands On Me
Arriving in the number six spot on our top 10 Vanessa Carlton songs list is the wondrous song entitled “Hands On Me.” The production on this song if off the charts. The song was released on the album entitled Heroes & Thieves. The album was released in 2008. It was the second single released from the album. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number thirty. “Hands On Me,” was written by Vanessa Carlton and Third Eye Blind’s lead singer Stephan Jenkins.
# 5 – Carousel
At the halfway point on our top 10 Vanessa Carlton songs list is the astonishing song entitled “Carousel.” The song was issued on the album entitled Rabbits on the Run. The album was released in 2011. It was the first single released from the album. While the song failed to break the US Billboard Hot 100, it still stands as one of Vanessa Carlton’s most glorious pieces. This one is a stunner. “Carousel” shows off Vanessa Carlton’s ability to write highly addictive gorgeous melodies that stay with you from the first time you hear them.
# 4 – Pretty Baby
At the number four spot on our top 10 Vanessa Carlton songs list we present the song entitled “Pretty Baby.” This was one of our favorite tracks from her debut album. There is just such a spirited but poignant feel to the song that is so mesmerizing. It was the third and final single released from the album. The song just missed breaking into the the US Billboard Hot 100 as it reached the number 101 spot which in turn made it hit number one on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles charts.
# 3 – Ordinary Day
Dancing along on our top 10 Vanessa Carlton songs list we present the spirited song entitled “Ordinary Day.” This was a wonderful follow up single to her breakout song “A Thousand Miles. “Ordinary Day’s” powerful chorus had hit single written all over it. The song was released on the album entitled Be Not Nobody. The album was released in 2002. “Ordinary Day” was the second single released from the album. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number thirty.
# 2 – White Houses
As we approach the number one position on our top 10 Vanessa Carlton songs list we embrace the song entitled “White Houses.” How. could you not love the incredibly addictive melody of this spectacular song. Right from the start she gets you on this one. While Vanessa Carlton stuns you with her gorgeous vocals, the strings and piano wrap their arms around you in total musical bliss. The song was released on the album entitled Harmonium. The album was released in 2004 It was the first single released from the album. The song was a minor hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number eighty six. The song also was also a top 40 hit on the US Mainstream Top 40 Airplay charts.
# 1 – A Thousand Miles
We close out our top 10 Vanessa Carlton songs list with the song entitled “A Thousand Miles.” The song’s amazing piano introduction instantly turned heads while turning Vanessa Carlton into a mega star. Yet, it wasn’t just about the intro. “A Thousands Miles,” is a once in a decade song. An extraordinary piece of music that helped define an exceptional new musical talent in the business. The song was released on the album entitled Be Not Nobody. The album was released in 2002. It was the first single released from the album.
The song was a monster hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number five. “A Thousands Miles,” was an even bigger hit on the US Mainstream Top 40 Airplay charts reaching all the way up to number one. On the Australian ARIA Music Sales Charts the song also hit number one. The song also broke onto the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts peaking at number two. In the United Kingdom “A Thousand Miles.” hit number six. Vanessa Carlton had arrived. Everyone knew her name in 2002.
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