When you think about artists who’ve genuinely transformed American roots music over the past two decades, Brandi Carlile’s name sits at the very top. This Washington-born powerhouse has spent nearly twenty years crafting songs that hit you square in the chest—tracks that blend folk storytelling, rock intensity, and vocal performances so raw they leave audiences speechless. Working alongside twin brothers Phil and Tim Hanseroth since the mid-2000s, Carlile has built a catalog that refuses to fit neatly into any single genre box, and honestly, that’s exactly what makes her music so addictive.
From her breakthrough moment with “The Story” on Grey’s Anatomy to her Grammy-dominating performance of “The Joke,” Carlile has proven she’s not just another singer-songwriter. She’s a vocal athlete, a fearless storyteller, and someone who wears her heart on her sleeve without apology. The production quality across her albums—especially with collaborators like T Bone Burnett, Dave Cobb, and Shooter Jennings—creates sonic landscapes that range from stripped-down piano ballads to full-throttle rock anthems. Whether you’re discovering Carlile through the best songs collections or experiencing her live performances, you’ll quickly understand why she’s earned eleven Grammy Awards and countless devotees.
What’s remarkable about Carlile’s evolution is how she’s maintained authenticity while expanding her reach. Her 2018 album By the Way, I Forgive You catapulted her into household-name territory, yet she’s never abandoned the emotional vulnerability that defined her earliest recordings. She tackles themes of addiction, forgiveness, identity, and family with the kind of specificity that makes listeners feel like she’s singing directly to their experiences. The mastering and mixing across her discography showcase a commitment to audio excellence that audiophiles appreciate—these tracks reveal new layers whether you’re listening through quality headphones or car speakers cranked up during a late-night drive.
The Story
Lightning in a bottle doesn’t happen often, but when T Bone Burnett produced this 2007 title track, everything aligned perfectly. Written by Phil Hanseroth before he officially joined Carlile’s band, “The Story” showcases vocal acrobatics that move from delicate acoustic picking to full-throated rock screaming within the same three-and-a-half minutes. The production wisdom here lies in how Burnett captured Carlile’s voice with such clarity that you hear every emotional crack, every moment of power, every subtle breath between phrases. This track reached #75 on the Billboard Hot 100 and gained massive traction after appearing on Grey’s Anatomy, introducing millions to Carlile’s extraordinary range. Dolly Parton later covered this song for Carlile’s War Child benefit album, and remarkably, Parton hit every note Carlile did—then took them higher, creating one of music’s most delightful moments of mutual respect between powerhouse vocalists.
The Joke
Producer Dave Cobb challenged Carlile to create a vocal moment as compelling as “The Story,” and she responded with this anthem for the marginalized and misunderstood. Released in November 2017 as the lead single from By the Way, I Forgive You, the song draws inspiration from Elvis Presley’s “An American Trilogy,” building to orchestral grandeur that literally brings audiences to their feet. The recording process itself became legendary—Cobb played Presley’s medley for Carlile, seeking that cosmic spiritual element, and she delivered beyond anyone’s expectations. The arrangement features work from the late Paul Buckmaster, whose string arrangements elevated tracks by David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and Elton John. At the 2019 Grammy Awards, Carlile’s performance of this song created an electric moment that introduced her to millions of new listeners, and the track rightfully won Grammy Awards for Best American Roots Song and Best American Roots Performance.
Right on Time
Opening 2021’s In These Silent Days, this power ballad feels like a spiritual continuation of everything Carlile learned from making By the Way, I Forgive You. Co-written with Dave Cobb and the Hanseroth twins, the song emerged directly after Carlile finished writing her memoir Broken Horses, channeling the emotional clarity that came from confronting her past on paper. The production balances intimacy and expansiveness—verses pull you close with delicate piano work, then choruses explode with the kind of sonic density that demands to be felt through your whole body. Carlile’s vocal performance moves effortlessly between octaves while maintaining a conversational quality, like she’s sharing secrets with a close friend. The track debuted at number 26 on the Digital Song Sales chart, proving Carlile’s ability to create commercially successful music that never compromises artistic integrity.
Broken Horses
Named after Carlile’s New York Times bestselling memoir, this freewheeling rock anthem represents something different in her catalog—looser, rawer, more unhinged than her typically meticulous folk-pop arrangements. The song channels righteous anger about childhood trauma, poverty, and family dysfunction, with Carlile admitting the memoir-writing process “took the lid off” emotions she’d been suppressing for decades. Musically, it’s as badass as Carlile has ever sounded, featuring crunching guitars and vocals that deliberately crack and scream in the best possible way. The track won Grammy Awards for both Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song at the 2023 ceremony, proving Carlile could dominate multiple genre categories. When she performed this on Saturday Night Live in October 2021, the raw power translated perfectly to television, reminding viewers that beneath the Americana label sits a genuine rock star.
That Wasn’t Me
Gospel-tinged and Elton John-esque in its piano-driven grandeur, this Bear Creek track tackles addiction’s impact on loved ones with unflinching honesty. The song features Kris Kristofferson in its accompanying video as the addict, lending gravitas to subject matter clearly personal to Carlile. Vocal flourishes throughout recall the best of soul music—you can hear influences ranging from Aretha Franklin to the Southern gospel tradition Carlile absorbed growing up. The production allows space for Carlile’s voice to breathe, with each piano chord perfectly placed to emphasize lyrical turning points. Critics consistently rank this among Carlile’s finest compositions, noting how she balances raw emotion with technical vocal prowess. The mastering presents everything with crystalline clarity, making this track particularly rewarding through premium earbuds that reveal the subtle production details.
Mainstream Kid
Carlile at her absolute rockiest, this Firewatcher’s Daughter standout features relentless guitars, shouted vocals, and the kind of unrestrained energy that catches people who pigeonhole her as an “adult-contemporary softie” completely off guard. She performed this on Late Night with Seth Meyers in April 2016, dedicating the performance to Senator Bernie Sanders, who also appeared that evening. The track exemplifies how Carlile and the Hanseroth twins aren’t afraid to completely shred when the mood strikes, with distorted guitar tones and driving rhythms that belong on classic rock radio. Lyrically, it’s vintage Carlile—intelligent, introspective, refusing to conform to expectations about who she’s supposed to be. The mixing preserves the garage-band rawness while maintaining enough polish that every instrument cuts through clearly, creating perfect controlled chaos.
Wherever Is Your Heart
Opening The Firewatcher’s Daughter with crushing corner-chords and towering harmonies, this gospel-influenced barnburner sets the tone for what many consider Carlile’s rock-and-roll album. The vocal performance here demonstrates her range’s full scope—from intimate lower register verses to stratospheric belted choruses that would make any arena rock singer jealous. Critics noted Carlile channels inner Johnny Cash on this track, tapping into that same righteous fury and conviction that made the Man in Black legendary. The arrangement builds methodically, adding instrumental layers until the final choruses achieve transcendent lift-off. Producer Shooter Jennings captured performances that feel simultaneously meticulous and spontaneous, like the band recorded live in one room feeding off each other’s energy.
The Eye
Among the most delightful examples of Carlile’s harmony work with the Hanseroth twins, “The Eye” functions exactly as its title suggests—a quiet center amidst the storm of The Firewatcher’s Daughter‘s surrounding tracks. The stripped-down arrangement puts vocal interplay front and center, showcasing the three-part harmonies that became a Carlile trademark early in her career. The song’s gentleness provides essential breathing room in the album’s sequence, demonstrating Carlile’s understanding of pacing and dynamic contrast. Critics called it “sublime,” and they’re not wrong—the restraint shown here makes the album’s louder moments hit even harder. The recording captures intimate vocal details and subtle guitar fingerpicking that reward attentive listening, especially during late-night sessions when you need music that embraces rather than overwhelms.
Raise Hell
Written during a grump-filled tour disrupted by massive storms threatening show cancellations, this Bear Creek highlight channels frustration into chomping guitars and surging vocals about wreaking revenge. The song’s sawing guitar work and relentless energy make it perfect for moments when you need music that matches internal intensity. Carlile has always been honest about her emotions fueling creativity, and this track proves that anger, when channeled properly, produces compelling art. The mix balances aggression with clarity—you can distinguish every instrumental element even when everything’s playing at full volume. The drum work particularly shines, driving the song forward with propulsive rhythms that refuse to let momentum flag.
Turpentine
From her 2007 breakthrough album The Story, this track showcases the T Bone Burnett production aesthetic that defined that era—spacious, warm, with subtle ambient touches adding texture without cluttering the mix. The song addresses wasted time and growing up, themes Carlile revisits throughout her catalog with increasing depth. Her vocal delivery moves from vulnerable to powerful within single phrases, demonstrating the control that would become her signature. The arrangement features acoustic instrumentation tastefully layered, creating sonic depth that reveals new details across repeated listens. This track was iTunes’ Download of the Week in March 2007, helping build the momentum that would make The Story album a commercial success that eventually sold over 500,000 copies.
Dreams
Featured on 2009’s Give Up the Ghost, this collaboration with the Hanseroth twins explores the disconnect between aspirations and reality with Carlile’s trademark optimism cutting through frustration. The urgency in her voice makes perfect sense given the subject matter—you can hear someone grappling with life’s fundamental questions about meaning and fulfillment. The production, overseen by Rick Rubin, brings his characteristic stripped-down-yet-powerful approach, allowing songs to breathe while maintaining emotional intensity. Instrumentally, the ambling guitar picking mirrors life’s meandering journey toward self-acceptance. The track proved popular on Americana radio, showcasing Carlile’s ability to craft radio-friendly material without sacrificing artistic vision.
Caroline
Another Give Up the Ghost highlight co-written with the twins, “Caroline” demonstrates Carlile’s gift for character-driven storytelling that draws listeners into specific narratives while addressing universal themes. The melodic sensibility here recalls classic folk songwriting traditions—verses that tell stories, choruses that stick in your brain for days. Rick Rubin’s production wisdom manifests in knowing when to add elements and when to leave space for Carlile’s voice to carry the emotional weight. The track benefits from repeated listening, revealing lyrical details and harmonic choices that might slip past during casual listening. This exemplifies Carlile’s consistent output during an incredibly productive period when she released three albums in rapid succession.
Party of One
Originally from By the Way, I Forgive You, this introspective track received new life when Sam Smith joined Carlile for a reimagined duet version in October 2018. Proceeds from the single went to Carlile’s Story Campaign, demonstrating how she consistently uses her platform for charitable causes. The song explores solitude and self-reflection with the kind of mature perspective that marked Carlile’s late-2010s work. Musically, the arrangement builds gradually, incorporating piano and strings that create emotional swells perfectly timed to lyrical revelations. Dave Cobb’s production allows both vocalists’ distinctive styles to shine without competing—they complement each other beautifully. The track showcases Carlile’s growth as an artist willing to reimagine her own material in service of artistic collaboration and social good.
The Mother
Arguably the most personally revealing track from By the Way, I Forgive You, this piano-driven piece addresses parenthood’s complexities with raw vulnerability. Carlile performed this live with pure love radiating toward her daughter Evangeline, creating moments so tender they become almost difficult to watch—in the best possible way. The song represents new emotional territory for Carlile, who’d become a parent since previous albums and channeled those experiences into songwriting. The stripped-down arrangement focuses attention on lyrics dealing with fears about passing trauma to the next generation and hopes for breaking destructive cycles. Producer Dave Cobb wisely kept instrumentation minimal, knowing Carlile’s vocal performance and the words themselves carried sufficient emotional weight without additional sonic dressing.
You and Me on the Rock
Featuring vocals from indie duo Lucius, this In These Silent Days standout garnered three Grammy nominations including Record of the Year. The song explores partnership’s endurance through life’s difficulties, with Carlile noting in interviews how COVID isolation informed its themes about building solid foundations. The production achieved remarkable fullness despite pandemic recording challenges, with harmonies between Carlile and Lucius creating gorgeous textures that exemplify Carlile’s collaborative spirit. A bonus acoustic version featuring Carlile’s wife Catherine appeared on the In the Canyon Haze bonus disc, adding another layer of personal connection to already intimate material. When Carlile performed this on SNL in December 2022, the chemistry between all vocalists translated perfectly to television, showcasing why she’s become such a captivating live performer.
Fulton County Jane Doe
Based on a true story about a murdered young woman discovered beaten to death with “Jesus tattooed on your hand,” this heartbreaking By the Way, I Forgive You track demonstrates Carlile’s ability to honor real victims through songwriting that treats their stories with dignity and respect. The lyrics transform a Jane Doe from a crime statistic into someone who “meant something to someone at some point,” acknowledging humanity that often gets lost in tragedy’s aftermath. The musical arrangement supports this memorial approach with restrained instrumentation that never overshadows the narrative’s gravity. Carlile’s vocal delivery walks the line between empathy and devastation, creating one of her most emotionally affecting performances. Critics consistently cite this track when discussing Carlile’s songwriting depth and willingness to tackle difficult subject matter without exploitation.
Every Time I Hear That Song
Opening By the Way, I Forgive You, this track sets the album’s forgiveness-centered themes with characteristic Carlile emotional honesty. The song addresses how music triggers memories and feelings, something any music lover understands instinctively—certain songs forever linked to specific people, places, moments in time. The production showcases the Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings partnership that defined the album’s sonic palette, balancing modern recording techniques with analog warmth that recalls 1970s singer-songwriter classics. Instrumentally, the arrangement features tasteful string work and piano that support without overwhelming, allowing Carlile’s voice and lyrics to command focus. The track established the album’s ambitious scope immediately, signaling to listeners that Carlile had reached new artistic heights following years of consistent growth.
Crowded Table
As part of supergroup The Highwomen alongside Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires, Carlile co-wrote this Grammy-winning track that took home Best Country Song in 2020. The song champions inclusivity and community, themes running throughout Carlile’s activism and charitable work. The Highwomen project represented Carlile’s commitment to uplifting other female artists in genres historically dominated by men, using her platform to create opportunities rather than hoarding success. Musically, the track features four distinctive voices blending beautifully, proving that collaboration among strong personalities produces magic when everyone’s committed to serving the song. The production, overseen by Dave Cobb, captures both individual vocal personalities and collective harmony, creating textures that feel both contemporary and rooted in country music traditions.
Looking Out
From Give Up the Ghost, this track exemplifies the Rick Rubin production era when Carlile was finding her voice both literally and figuratively as an artist. The song features guest musicians including Benmont Tench on keyboards and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, lending West Coast rock sophistication to Carlile’s folk roots. The arrangement builds patiently, adding layers that create satisfying crescendos without losing the intimate songwriter core. Lyrically, the track explores observation and contemplation, themes Carlile revisits from different angles throughout her catalog. The mastering preserves dynamics beautifully—quiet moments genuinely quiet, loud sections genuinely powerful, creating listening experiences that reward attention to detail rather than treating everything as background noise.
The Things I Regret
This The Firewatcher’s Daughter highlight showcases infectious melodies wrapped around mature reflections about choices, consequences, and moving forward. The production features crisp guitar work and vocal arrangements that make the song feel simultaneously introspective and anthemic. Carlile’s voice carries that characteristic mix of strength and vulnerability, selling lyrics about regret without wallowing in self-pity. The track’s energy makes it a live performance favorite, with audiences inevitably singing along to choruses by the second repetition. This demonstrates Carlile’s gift for writing songs that work both as recorded studio products and as communal experiences when performed for thousands of people. The mix balances all elements perfectly, ensuring that whether you’re listening alone or in a crowd, the emotional impact lands exactly as intended.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brandi Carlile’s most famous song?
“The Story” remains Carlile’s most recognizable track, reaching #75 on the Billboard Hot 100 and gaining massive exposure through its placement on Grey’s Anatomy in 2007. However, “The Joke” from 2018 achieved arguably greater cultural impact, winning two Grammy Awards and introducing Carlile to mainstream audiences through her show-stopping Grammy performance that brought the audience to its feet.
How many Grammy Awards has Brandi Carlile won?
Carlile has won 11 Grammy Awards across her career, including wins for Album of the Year contributions, Best Americana Album multiple times, Best American Roots Song and Performance for “The Joke,” and Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for “Broken Horses.” She was the most nominated woman at the 2019 Grammy Awards with six nominations including Album, Record, and Song of the Year.
Who are the twin brothers that perform with Brandi Carlile?
Tim and Phil Hanseroth, affectionately known as “The Twins,” have been Carlile’s primary collaborators since the mid-2000s. They serve as backing musicians, harmony singers, co-writers, and brothers-in-arms throughout her entire career. Their three-part harmonies have become a defining characteristic of Carlile’s sound, and they’ve co-written the majority of her catalog alongside her.
What album made Brandi Carlile famous?
While her self-titled 2005 debut and 2007’s The Story built her reputation in Americana circles, By the Way, I Forgive You (2018) catapulted Carlile into household-name territory. The album reached #5 on the Billboard 200, earned six Grammy nominations, and won three Grammy Awards including Best Americana Album, bringing her music to audiences far beyond the roots music community.
What is Brandi Carlile’s vocal range?
Carlile possesses an extraordinary vocal range that moves effortlessly from delicate lower registers to powerful belted high notes. Critics frequently compare her vocal power and emotional delivery to legends like Janis Joplin, while noting her technical control rivals that of classically trained singers. She’s equally comfortable with intimate folk balladry and arena-rock vocal athletics, making her one of the most versatile vocalists in contemporary music.