(sorry if a repeat!) Yup, repeat. Sorry, Steph. I link this thread in the other one though. -Joe
Singer shoots to No. 1 with troops
April 6, 2003
BY ANDREW HERRMANN STAFF REPORTER
Iraq is on the other side of the world, but for a lot of American soldiers, "A Thousand Miles'' describes it perfectly.
Vanessa Carlton's song of that name is the most requested tune on BFBS Middle East, a popular military radio station that broadcasts to troops on the front lines.
Though bouncy, "A Thousand Miles'' is an "I need you, I miss you'' tale of longing for a loved one far away:
If I could fall into the sky
Do you think time would pass me by?
Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles
If I could see you ... tonight
Nominated for a song-of-the-year Grammy, the tune was written and sung by Carlton, a 22-year-old Pennsylvania native who has been described as an "anti-Britney''--one of a group of young female songwriters who eschew the Britney Spears pop and belly-button routine.
Carlton was trained as a classical pianist. Rolling Stone magazine named her one of the 10 most talented new artists to watch.
Carlton told the Sun-Times she considers the war "a mistake'' but adds, "I have nothing but respect for the soldiers.''
"Perhaps, 'A Thousand Miles' conveys the feelings and longing and desperation that the U.S. soldiers feel for their loved ones. I don't know.
"But whatever peace I am able to bring to the hearts of the people at war is a contribution that I am proud of,'' she said.
