Biography
Paula Cole, born April 5, 1968, in Rockport, Massachusetts, is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter known for her emotionally resonant lyrics and genre-defying sound. Raised in a musical family, Cole attended Berklee College of Music as a jazz singer, graduating in 1990, and initially turned down a jazz record deal to pursue her own songwriting vision. Her early career breakthrough came when Peter Gabriel invited her to join his 1993–94 Secret World Tour, where she replaced Sinéad O'Connor and performed to international audiences, gaining valuable exposure and acclaim.
Cole released her debut album, 'Harbinger,' in 1994, but it was her second album, 'This Fire' (1996), that catapulted her to stardom. The album produced the Grammy-nominated hit 'Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?' and 'I Don't Want to Wait,' the latter becoming the theme song for the TV series 'Dawson's Creek.' Cole made history as the first woman to be solely nominated for the Grammy Award for Producer of the Year for her work on 'This Fire.' She won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1998 and was a prominent performer at the Lilith Fair festival. Over her career, Cole has explored a range of styles, from folk-rock to jazz, and her music often addresses themes of social justice, gender, and personal introspection. She continues to record, perform, and teach, serving on the faculty at Berklee College of Music since 2013.
Fun Facts
- Paula Cole was the first woman in history to be solely nominated for the Grammy Award for Producer of the Year for her album 'This Fire.'
- Her song 'I Don't Want to Wait' became internationally recognized as the theme for the TV series 'Dawson's Creek.'
- Cole turned down her first record deal, which was with a jazz label, to pursue her own songwriting.
- She has served as a faculty member at Berklee College of Music since 2013, giving back to the next generation of musicians.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Peter Gabriel - Invited Cole to join his Secret World Tour, providing her with international exposure and performance experience. (Secret World Live (tour and album)) [1993–1994]
Key Collaborators
- Peter Gabriel - Featured vocalist on his tour and live album, performing duets and covering female vocal parts. (Secret World Live) [1993–1994]
- Kevin Barry - Guitarist on Cole's debut album and fellow Berklee alum. (Harbinger) [1994]
- Jay Bellerose - Session drummer and fellow Berklee alum, played on her early recordings. (Harbinger) [1994]
Artists Influenced
- Katherine McPhee - Covered Cole's compositions, demonstrating Cole's influence on later pop and vocal artists. (Various covers) [2000s–2010s]
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| This Fire | 1996 | Album |
| Italia | 2007-09-25 | Album |
| This is Chris Botti (International Version) | 2011-01-01 | Album |
| This Bright Red Feeling (Live in New York City) | 2016-07-21 | Album |
| Amen | 1999 | Album |
| Harbinger | 1995-10-06 | Album |
| Raven | 2013-04-23 | Album |
| Ballads | 2017-08-11 | Album |
| Lo | 2024-03-01 | Album |
| This is Chris Botti [Japanese Version] | 2010-01-01 | Album |
| Courage | 2007-01-01 | Album |
| American Quilt | 2021-05-21 | Album |
| 7 | 2015-04-05 | Album |
Top Tracks
- I Don't Want to Wait (This Fire)
- Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? (This Fire)
- Where Have All the Cowboys Gone ? - Remastered Version
- I Don't Want to Wait
- Feelin' Love (This Fire)
- Feelin' Love
- Me (This Fire)
- Autumn Leaves - Remastered Version
- I Don't Want to Wait - Artist's 20th Anniversary Edition (This Bright Red Feeling (Live in New York City))
- The Very Thought of You (feat. Paula Cole) (Italia)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Paula Cole has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 19, 2025 | 23:43 | Wildflower | What's Neww/ Duane Williams |