Rachael Yamagata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rachael Yamagata
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![]() Rachael Yamagata on stage in 2008
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Background information | |
Born | Arlington, Virginia, United States |
September 23, 1977
Genres | Adult alternative, indie |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
Instruments | Piano, guitar, vocals |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels | RCA Victor, Warner Bros., Frankenfish/Megaforce |
Rachael Amanda Yamagata (born September 23, 1977) is an American singer and songwriter. She also plays the piano. Rachael is from Arlington, Virginia.
She started her music journey with a band called Bumpus. Later, she became a solo artist. She has released five EPs (Extended Plays) and four studio albums. Her songs have been used in many TV shows. She has also worked with famous artists like Jason Mraz, Bright Eyes, and Ray Lamontagne.
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Early Life and School Days
Rachael Yamagata was born to a Japanese American father. Her mother has Italian and German roots. She grew up with her half-brother, Josh Ruben, who is a comedian and actor.
Rachael went to the Holton-Arms School. She also studied at Northwestern University and Vassar College.
Rachael's Music Career
Rachael became the singer for a band called Bumpus in Chicago. She spent six years traveling, writing, and recording with the band. In 2001, she left the band to start her solo career.
In 2002, she signed a deal for two albums with Private Music. Her first EP, named Rachael Yamagata EP, came out in October 2002. Her first full album, Happenstance, was released in 2004. Between 2003 and 2005, Rachael performed at popular places like Amoeba Records in Hollywood.
Rachael was featured on the album True Love by Toots and the Maytals. This album won a Grammy Award in 2004 for Best Reggae Album. Many other famous musicians were also on that album.
She toured with singer Mandy Moore. Rachael also wrote a song for Mandy Moore's 2007 album, Wild Hope.
In May 2008, Rachael released a three-song EP called Loose Ends. Her second full album, Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart, came out in October 2008. Billboard magazine said this album sounded darker and sadder than her first one. In April 2009, Rachael sang her song "Elephants" on the TV show One Life to Live.
Rachael released her third studio album, Chesapeake, in October 2011. In 2012, she released another EP called Heavyweight.
Rachael has often sung as a guest on other artists' songs. For example, she sang on Jason Mraz's "Did You Get My Message?". She also sang on songs by Rhett Miller, Ray Lamontagne, and Ryan Adams. She lent her voice to six songs on the Bright Eyes album Cassadaga. Rachael also helped write and sing on the song "Kaleidoscope" by Jill Cunniff. She even appeared on an episode of the TV show 30 Rock.
Her song "You Take My Troubles Away" is a duet with Dan Wilson and was featured in the movie Dear John. She also sang the Muppets song "I'm Going to Go Back There Someday" for a cover album called Muppets: The Green Album.
Rachael worked with PledgeMusic again for her album Tightrope Walker, which was released on September 23, 2016.
Rachael's Personal Life
Rachael has a twin brother named Benji. Her half-brother, Josh Ruben, is an actor and director. He used to work for CollegeHumor.
Rachael's Music Albums
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
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KOR |
US |
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Happenstance |
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40 | — |
Elephants...Teeth Sinking into Heart |
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— | 53 |
Chesapeake |
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13 | 122 |
Acoustic Happenstance |
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47 | — |
Tightrope Walker |
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32 | — |
Compilation albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
KOR |
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The Very Best of Rachael Yamagata |
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67 |
Extended plays
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
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KOR |
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EP |
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— |
Live at the Loft & More |
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— |
Loose Ends |
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— |
Heavyweight EP |
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44 |
Porch Songs EP |
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91 |
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album | ||
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KOR |
KOR Intl. |
US Adult |
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"Worn Me Down" | 2003 | — | — | 33 | EP | |
"Letter Read" | 2004 | — | — | — | Happenstance | |
"1963" | — | — | — | |||
"Be Be Your Love" | 26 | 1 | — |
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"River" | 2005 | — | — | — | Live at the Loft & More | |
"Elephants" | 2008 | — | — | — | Elephants...Teeth Sinking into Heart | |
"Faster" | — | — | — | |||
"Sunday Afternoon" | — | — | — | |||
"Starlight" | 2011 | — | — | — | Chesapeake | |
"Even If I Don't" | — | — | — | |||
"You Won't Let Me" | — | 12 | — |
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"Nothing Gets By Here" | 2012 | — | 6 | — |
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Heavyweight EP |
"I'm Not in Love" (10cc cover) |
2014 | — | 28 | — |
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The Very Best of Rachael Yamagata |
"Nobody" | 2016 | — | — | — | Tightrope Walker | |
"Over" | — | — | — | |||
"Let Me Be Your Girl" | — | — | — | |||
"Be Somebody's Love" | 2018 | — | — | — | Porch Songs EP | |
"It's Always the Little Things" (with Guo Ding) |
— | — | — | Non-album single |
Original soundtrack contributions
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
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KOR Intl. |
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"I Wish You Love" | 2005 | — | Prime OST | |
"Jesus Was a Cross Maker" (Judee Sill cover) |
2005 | — | Elizabethtown OST | |
"He Needs a Kidney" (with various artists) (from 30 Rock) |
2009 | — | Non-album single | |
"Hand of God" | 2012 | — | That's What She Said OST | |
"Let's Begin Again" (with John Medeski) (Robert Altman cover) |
2014 | — | Altman OST | |
"Something in the Rain" | 2018 | 10 | Something in the Rain OST | |
"La La La" | 31 | |||
"No Direction" | 2019 | — | One Spring Night OST | |
"Is It You" | — | |||
"We Could Still Be Happy" | — |
Other soundtrack appearances
Rachael Yamagata's songs have been used in many movies and TV shows. Here are some of them:
Title | Year | Media |
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"1963" | 2005 | Monster-in-Law |
2015 | November Rule | |
"Be Be Your Love" | 2004 | One Tree Hill |
2005 | The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants | |
2005 | Trust the Man | |
2006 | Brothers & Sisters | |
2009 | So You Think You Can Dance | |
2011 | ||
2012 | Wilsberg | |
"Be Somebody's Love" | 2018 | Something in the Rain |
"Blister of the Spotlight" (with Ashtar Command) |
2008 | Ugly Betty |
"Brown Eyes" | 2009 | Grey's Anatomy |
"Collide" | 2005 | In Her Shoes |
"Don't" | 2009 | Private Practice |
"Duet" | 2008 | Brothers & Sisters |
2009 | Grey's Anatomy | |
"Elephants" | 2009 | One Life to Live |
2010 | Gravity | |
2015 | The Vampire Diaries | |
"Horizon" | 2009 | One Tree Hill |
"I Don't Want to Be Your Mother" | 2012 | Hope Springs |
"I Want You" | 2006 | Men in Trees |
"I'll Find a Way" | 2005 | ER |
"Keep Going" | 2015 | The Vampire Diaries |
"Meet Me by the Water" | 2006 | Bella |
"The Other Side" | 2008 | The L Word |
"Paper Doll" | 2005 | Trust the Man |
"Quiet" | 2006 | How I Met Your Mother |
2023 | Ted Lasso | |
"The Reason Why" | 2004 | Smallville |
2005 | The O.C. | |
2008 | Cashmere Mafia | |
2009 | Hotel for Dogs | |
2009 | Brain Drain | |
"Saturday Morning" | 2020 | Scare Me |
"Sunday Afternoon" | 2010 | One Tree Hill |
"The Way It Seems to Go" | 2013 | Lucky Them |
"Worn Me Down" | 2003 | Miss Match |
2004 | The O.C. |
See also
In Spanish: Rachael Yamagata para niños