Carnival (Natalie Merchant song)

"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 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.[1]

"Carnival"
Single by Natalie Merchant
from the album Tigerlily
B-side"I May Know the Word"
ReleasedJuly 1995 (1995-07)
StudioBearsville (Bearsville, New York)
Length
  • 5:59 (album version)
  • 4:01 (edit)
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)Natalie Merchant
Producer(s)Natalie Merchant
Natalie Merchant singles chronology
"Carnival"
(1995)		 "Wonder"
(1995)
Music video
"Carnival" on YouTube

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[2]

  1. "Carnival" – 5:59
  2. "I May Know the Word" – 8:01

US cassette single[3]

A. "Carnival" (album version) – 5:59
B. "I May Know the Word" (album version) – 8:07

European and Australian CD single[4]

  1. "Carnival" (edit) – 4:02
  2. "Carnival" (LP version) – 5:59
  3. "I May Know the Word" – 8:07

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the US CD single liner notes.[2]

Studios

Personnel

  • Natalie Merchant – writing, vocals, piano, organ
  • Katell Keineg – background vocals
  • Jennifer Turner – electric guitar
  • Barrie Maguire – bass guitar
  • Peter Yanowitz – drums
  • Adrián López Guevarra – percussion
  • John Holbrook – mixing, engineering
  • Todd Vos – assistant engineering (Bearsville)
  • Paul Antonell – assistant engineering (The Club House)
  • Andrew Page – assistant engineering (Sony)
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering

Charts

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States June 5, 1995
Elektra [17]
July 1995 Cassette [18]

References
  1. "Carnival by Natalie Merchant Songfacts". Songfacts. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  2. Carnival (US CD single disc notes). Natalie Merchant. Elektra Records. 1995. 2-64413.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. Carnival (US cassette single cassette notes). Natalie Merchant. Elektra Records. 1995. 4-64413.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. Carnival (European & Australian CD single liner notes). Natalie Merchant. Elektra Records. 1995. EKR 203CD, 7559 64404-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. "Natalie Merchant – Carnival". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  6. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2819." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  7. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2795." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  8. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 2734." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  9. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (21.10. '95 – 27.10. '95)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). October 21, 1995. p. 26. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  10. "Natalie Merchant Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  11. "Natalie Merchant Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  12. "Natalie Merchant Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  13. "Natalie Merchant Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  14. "Natalie Merchant Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  15. "RPM Top 50 Alternative Tracks of 1995". RPM. Retrieved June 9, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  16. "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Longboredsurfer.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  17. "New Music for June". Radio & Records. No. 1096. May 26, 1995. pp. 78, 83.
  18. McKenna, Jerry (July 29, 1995). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 30. p. 119. Look for high debuts next week from [...] and 'Carnival' by Natalie Merchant (Elektra/EEG). Both tracks have just been released as cassette singles.
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