Paula Cole

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Paula Cole (born April 5, 1968 in Rockport, Massachusetts, USA) is an American singer and songwriter. Among her hits include “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone,” “Me,” “I Am So Ordinary,” “I Believe In Love,” and the theme to the WB’s hit series “Dawson’s Creek,” “I Don’t Want to Wait.”

Cole released her debut album, Harbinger, in 1994 with Imago Records. She so entranced the industry with her vocals that she was asked to tour as an opening act for Peter Gabriel; she also appeared with Melissa Etheridge to sing a duet on VH1 though she was not well-known at the time.

Harbinger featured songs dwelling on Cole’s personal experience with discrimination and unhappiness. The songs were musically lush but driven and bleak. The accompanying artwork featured photographs of Cole with a boyishly short haircut, wearing loose fitting black sweatclothes, combat boots and nose ring. Unfortunately the Imago label folded and promotion of Harbinger was limited, affecting its sales. A single, “I Am So Ordinary”, was released with a bleak, low-budget black and white video that reflected the album’s artwork.

In late 1996 Cole released her sophomore album on Warner Brothers, This Fire, which she entirely self produced. The song’s debut single “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone” became an instant smash radio and music television hit, and it shot to the top of the pop charts. The follow up single, “I Don’t Want To Wait”, was another #1 hit, thanks in part to the fact that it was made the theme song to the popular teen drama Dawson’s Creek. (The song was considered by so many to be so overplayed that it was lampooned on various sketch comedy shows.
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Top Albums

  • Postcards From East Oceanside
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  • This Fire
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  • Courage
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  • Rhino Hi-Five: Paula Cole
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  • BrightEnix

    I would prefer a live DVD...Shes her absolute best in person. I've seen her live in person and obviously on youtube, etc. Just a natural stage presence (Music flows out of her, nothing ever looks forced or insincere). She can sing the hell out of anything and play piano like no other. FANS: I've gotten ahold of 4 full length, Live concerts from the 90's. Lemme know if any of you guys want the tracks, they are SO amazing. I listen to them more than her recorded work. 2 of the concerts are from "This fire" era and the other 2 are "Amen" era! They are all professionally recorded and have great quality. Includes her talking to audience and many interviews as well. So you will be hearing songs mainly from those to albums unless its a cover (Beat boxes on "Jolene" haha)

    17 days ago

  • TabooEv

    I completely agree with you Zach.. I just wish she'd put out a live album, would be so cool.. But nowadays live albums aren't so popular like they once use to be.

    17 days ago

  • MyMusicMyDivas

    Paula Cole - I dont Want to Wait (Feat. Amy Lee & Ashley Arrison) is AMAZING!

    last month

  • thisfire

    Happy Birthday Paula Cole! Lots of love from Manila! xox

    last month

  • Zach216

    Glad someone else feels that way, you have a lot of people who are in love with Harbinger & This Fire. Phenomenal records but Amen & Ithaca are more well-rounded in my opinion, her voice has always essentially been flawless and my favorite ever but she started doing more and more with it as she began getting comfortable with it. She's the brave bohemian type of artist who just goes for it and doesn't really care if it pleases the masses, so the people who get her really GET her. If Ithaca is any indication of where her writing and singing abilities are now, she's PEAKING!!! (while turning 44 in 2 days)

    last month

  • TabooEv

    After listening to all her albums for quiet some time now, I noticed how much better she sounds vocally on each one of them. I think she sounds best on Ithaca.. I can't wait for her to put out another album soon.

    March 2012

  • swissbeauty

    Saw her live tonight. SO INCREDIBLE.

    March 2012

  • Zach216

    The perception of what she does based on 2 songs versus who she is and what her catalogue actually is couldn't be further off, in my opinion. The strongest female singer, songwriter and producer most likely ever. Paula is so explosive, dynamic and simply a beautiful person. Wish there were a few more like her but at the same time that's what makes her as special as she is. No one can do what she does or do her songs justice, far too much performance and creativity. She's my exact definition of a prodigy.

    March 2012
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