Paula Cole facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paula Cole
Cole performing in 2009
Background information
Born	(1968-04-05) April 5, 1968 (age 57)
Origin	Rockport, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres	Pop rock
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Imago/Warner Bros. Columbia Decca 675 Recordings

Paula Dorothy Cole is an American singer and songwriter. She was born on April 5, 1968. Paula became well-known after singing with Peter Gabriel on his "Secret World Tour" in 1993–1994.

Her first album, Harbinger, came out in 1994. Her second album, This Fire (1996), made her famous around the world. It included hit songs like "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" and "I Don't Want to Wait". "I Don't Want to Wait" became the theme song for the TV show Dawson's Creek. In 1998, Paula Cole won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. She was also the first woman to be nominated for "Producer of the Year" for her own work.

Since then, she has released many more albums. These include Courage (2007) and Ithaca (2010). Her latest album, Lo, was released in 2024. Paula Cole's music often talks about important social topics. She has also taught at Berklee College of Music since 2013.

Early Life and Music Start

Paula Cole grew up in Rockport, Massachusetts. Her mother, Stephanie Cole, was an art teacher. Her father, Jim Cole, was a biology professor and played bass in a polka band. Paula's older sister, Irene, played piano.

Paula went to Rockport High School. She was the president of her senior class and acted in school plays. Later, she studied jazz singing at Berklee College of Music in Boston. She sang jazz songs in clubs while she was a student.

After college, Paula moved to San Francisco. She started writing her own songs. One of these songs later became "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" In 1992, she signed a record deal with Imago Records.

Music Career Highlights

Early Success and Hit Albums

Paula Cole got her big break when she joined Peter Gabriel's "Secret World Tour" in 1993. She replaced another singer and performed in front of huge crowds. This tour helped her gain international attention. She sang duets with Gabriel, including "Don't Give Up".

In 1994, Paula released her first album, Harbinger. The songs on this album shared her personal thoughts. A few months later, her record label closed. In 1995, she signed with Warner Bros. Records.

In late 1996, Paula released her second album, This Fire. She produced this album herself. The first song from the album, "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?", became a top 10 hit. Her next single, "I Don't Want to Wait", also became very popular. This was because it was used as the theme song for the TV show Dawson's Creek. The album also included a duet with Peter Gabriel called "Hush, Hush, Hush", which talks about AIDS.

Paula Cole was also a main performer at the Lilith Fair music festivals in 1997 and 1998. These festivals featured many female artists. In 1998, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. She was also nominated for "Producer of the Year", which was a big achievement for a woman at that time.

Later Albums and Return to Music

In 1999, Paula Cole released her third album, Amen. This album had a different sound, with some R&B and hip-hop influences. It featured guest artists like DJ Premier. After this album, Paula took a break from music to raise her daughter, Sky.

She returned in 2007 with her fourth album, Courage. Her fifth album, Ithaca, came out in 2010. Paula wrote and co-produced all the songs on Ithaca.

In 2013, she released Raven. Fans helped fund this album through a Kickstarter campaign. Most of the album was recorded in one week in a barn in Massachusetts.

Recent Works and Social Messages

7, Paula Cole's seventh album, was released in 2015. She described it as a collection of songs that came to her suddenly. In 2016, she released a live album called This Bright Red Feeling.

Her album Ballads, released in 2017, featured cover versions of classic songs. It reached the top 10 on the Billboard Traditional Jazz Album Chart.

In 2019, Paula Cole released her ninth album, Revolution. Her album American Quilt followed in 2021. Her most recent album, Lo, was released on March 1, 2024. This album explores themes of healing and self-discovery.

Paula Cole often uses her music to talk about important social issues. For example, her song "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" was a comment on gender stereotypes. In 2003, she released a song called "My Hero, Mr. President" that was critical of the Iraq War. Her 2019 album Revolution included a cover of Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)", which is about the health of our planet. She believes that songs should also address important societal issues.

Other Activities and Appearances

Paula Cole has performed at many events. In 2007, she sang "God Bless America" at the 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. In 2008, she sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at an NBA Finals game in Boston.

Since 2013, Paula has been a voice teacher at Berklee College of Music. She continues to perform and tour.

In 2024, Paula Cole appeared on the TV show The Masked Singer as the character "Ship". She performed her hit song "I Don't Want to Wait" as an encore.

Discography

Studio albums

• Harbinger (1994)
• This Fire (1996)
• Amen (1999)
• Courage (2007)
• Ithaca (2010)
• Raven (2013)
• 7 (2015)
• Ballads (2017)
• Revolution (2019)
• American Quilt (2021)
• Lo (2024)

EP

• Ravenesque (2013)

Live album

• This Bright Red Feeling (2016)

Compilation

• Greatest Hits: Postcards from East Oceanside (2006)

Singles

Awards and Nominations

Paula Cole has received many awards and nominations for her music.

Images for kids

• 

  Cole performing in 2013

See also

In Spanish: Paula Cole para niños