Friday Song: “The Story”
A 2007 breakthrough hit forced a singer out of her comfort zone — to great effect
Written by Brandi Carlile’s main collaborators, the Hanseroth twins (Phil and Tim), this 2007 song was her breakout hit, reaching into the Top 100 and beginning an upward trajectory through music that continues to this day.
It was the title track to her album The Story, which was produced by T. Bone Burnett.
Burnett was brazen enough to force Carlile out of her comfort zone as a singer, to great effect. Carlile had been performing “The Story” at local venues for years, blissfully strumming her guitar and singing harmonies with the Hanseroths, when Burnett challenged her to sing the song without her guitar. The two sparred until, enraged, Carlile set her guitar aside and sang it with a level of spiteful energy. This became the take that made the album. She’s sung it with a similar intensity ever since.
This wasn’t the only time Carlile found new heights for her voice through adversity. When she was scheduled to perform her song “The Joke” at the Grammy’s, she caught a cold, and was afraid she couldn’t hit the big payoff note, which had often eluded her anyhow. Her voice coach worked with her, and she not only hit it, but completely slayed it — and has done so ever since, locating a new zone and confidence in the process.
After its release, “The Story” became a hit a second time when it was featured in an emotional scene in Grey’s Anatomy in 2011. It has also been featured in various commercials and films.
The version below is from the Saturday Night Live airing on December 10, 2022. It has a holiday vibe, which leads me to note that I plan to take next week off.
Have a great holiday season, and we’ll continue the story next year!
Enjoy!