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Carnival (Natalie Merchant song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Carnival
| cover = Carnival natalie merchant.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Natalie Merchant
| album = Tigerlily
| B-side = I May Know the Word
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length =
* 5:59 (album version)
* 4:01 (edit)
| label =
* Elektra
* Warner Bros.
| writer = Natalie Merchant
| producer = Natalie Merchant
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Wonder
| next_year = 1995
| misc =
}}
'"Carnival"' is a song written and produced by singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant and was the lead single from her debut solo album, 'Tigerlily' (1995). In the lyrics, the protagonist describes a street scene as a carnival. Merchant was inspired to write the song after visiting the New York City for the first time when she was 16, claiming she was fascinated with the residents' unusual lifestyles, as she grew up in rural areas.
The single was released in the United States in July 1995 and reached number 10 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100, becoming Merchant's highest-charting solo single in the US. It is also her most successful hit in Australia, peaking at number 24 on the ARIA Singles Chart, and reached number 17 in Canada. The single received a radio edit cutting the song down from the six-minute LP version. The video for the song, directed by Melodie McDaniel, shows scenes of Merchant walking the streets of New York City taking street photographs with a Leica M3.
Track listings
'US CD single'
# "Carnival" 5:59
# "I May Know the Word" 8:01
'US cassette single'
:A. "Carnival" (album version) 5:59
:B. "I May Know the Word" (album version) 8:07
'European and Australian CD single'
# "Carnival" (edit) 4:02
# "Carnival" (LP version) 5:59
# "I May Know the Word" 8:07
Personnel
* Jennifer Turner acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals
* John Holbrook organ, electric guitar, engineer
* Katell Keineg background vocals
* Barrie Maguire bass, 12-string guitar
* Natalie Merchant vocals, piano, organ, vibraphone
* Peter Yanowitz percussion, drums
* Mike Spenser bass, electric guitar
* Eric Henderson electric guitar
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
Category:1995 debut singles
Category:1995 songs
Category:Elektra Records singles
Category:Natalie Merchant songs
Category:Songs written by Natalie Merchant
Category:Warner Records singles
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