Carly Rae Jepsen appeared on my radar my sophomore year of college when Call Me Maybe had what felt like the entire world in its clutches. She has a really fun sound to her music, simultaneously retro and shiny new, and we're also birthday twins so I've always felt kind of special about that. She has a good voice, she's a good songwriter, and she is definitely here to stay.
Here's our CRJ Fact Dump (information current as of October 2023):
-37 years old (she's a Scorpio)
-Born in Mission, British Columbia, Canada
-Singer & songwriter
-Vocalist, guitarist, & keyboardist
-Placed third on Canadian Idol Season 5
-Has released 7 studio albums and 4 EPs
We're only going to focus on Jepsen's full-length albums for this post, but if you're looking for more music of hers definitely check out her EPs as well. Let's see what we have in store!
Tug of War (2008)
Jepsen's debut pop rock/folk album was released September 30th, 2008 by MapleMusic/Fontana North when she was 22 years old. With a run time of 31:31, the album had four singles released: Sunshine On My Shoulders (6/16/08); Tug of War (9/16/08); Bucket (4/4/09); and Sour Candy (10/30/09). This album was giving me Sheryl Crow vibes, which I wasn't really expecting but was pleasantly surprised by. It's not quite as bubblegummy as some of Jepsen's later work, but it's still upbeat and fun with a chill, relaxed undertone. Here's my Top 3 for this debut:
Track 1: Bucket (written by C. Jepsen, R. Stewart)
This song gave me the most Sheryl Crow undertones, and it was a great way to start off an album. It's a fun, beachy relaxed tune with nice vocals from Jepsen. The song is like a younger, poppier Soak Up the Sun.
There’s a hole in your bucket/Sun’s out, we got a beach day/Forget yourself, say/Why don’t we people watch/Kids are playing ‘round in the sand/Oh no, he’s got some troubles/Got us laughing as he throws his shovel/Nothing’s really going as planned/I don’t know how we’re gonna build a castle now/Do you wanna start again somehow/I’ll stay until the sun comes down, down, down/Are you smiling
Track 2: Tug of War (written by C. Jepsen, R. Stewart)
This song was so catchy, I knew it had to make the Top 3. It's sure to get stuck in your head, and gives a glimpse into Jepsen's songwriting style for her later works. It's a lot of fun and a definite bop.
You seem too good, too good to be true/You’re holding me stronger, stronger than I’m used to/Don’t go out with the boys tonight, I won’t sleep a wink/Wondering what you’re doing/Don’t go out with the girls tonight, I will turn to drink/Wondering who you’re screwing/You seem too good, too good to be true/You’re holding me stronger, stronger than I’m used to/Don’t go out with the boys tonight, I won’t sleep a wink/Wondering what you’re doing/Don’t go out with the girls tonight, I will turn to drink/Wondering who you’re screwing/Tug of war, sweet as sin/I let go, I fell in/Feel the pull, call your name/I’m alone once again/Tug of war, sweet as sin/I let go, I fell in/Feel the pull, call your name/I’m alone once again/You seem too
Track 6: Sunshine On My Shoulders (written by J. Denver, D. Kniss, M. Taylor)
Ya'll know I'm a sucker for a good cover, and this one definitely qualifies. Jepsen's take on this John Denver classic is delightful, and it fits her voice really well. It's a new, refreshed version that pays respectful homage to the original, which is what makes covers really great.
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy/Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry/Sunshine on the water looks so lovely/Sunshine almost always makes me high/If I had a day that I could give you/I would give a day sure to make you smile
Kiss (2012)
Jepsen's sophomore dance pop/nu disco/teen pop album was released September 14th, 2012 by 604/School Boy/Interscope when she was 26 years old. With a run time of 55:56 on the Deluxe edition, the album had four singles released: Call Me Maybe (9/20/11); Good Time (6/26/12); This Kiss (9/10/12); and Tonight I'm Getting Over You (1/21/13). This album is absolutely what I imagine when I hear Carly Rae Jepsen: bubbly, colorful pop that plays great on the radio, even if a lot of the songs sound very similar to each other. The songwriting feels like a tiny bit of a setback from her debut (many critics called it "immature" at the time), but dang it if her lyrics aren't catchy. Here's my Top 3 for this album:
Track 3: Call Me Maybe (written by C. Jepsen, J. Ramsay, T. Crowe)
You simply cannot talk about Carly Rae Jepsen without talking about Call Me Maybe. This song was an inescapable meme for probably close to a year, and it's still hard to find someone who doesn't know at least 95% of the lyrics. It's a certified banger, like it or not, and brings back some really fun memories from the early '10s.
I threw a wish in the well, don't ask me, I'll never tell/I looked to you as it fell and now you're in my way/I trade my soul for a wish, pennies and dimes for a kiss/I wasn't looking for this, but now you're in my way/Your stare was holding, ripped jeans, skin was showing/Hot night, wind was blowing, where you think you're going, baby/Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy/But here's my number, so call me maybe/It's hard to look right at you, baby/But here's my number, so call me maybe/Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy/But here's my number, so call me maybe/And all the other boys try to chase me/But here's my number, so call me maybe
Track 8: Hurt So Good (written by C. Jepsen, M. Koma)
The beat is what ended up grabbing me on this one. It's still fairly similar to the rest of the track list, but its quick pace and clear vocals just stood out to me. It's absolutely another bop for this record and quite fun to listen to.
When you smile at the taste, baby, you don't even know/You don't even know/And my heart skips a beat, darling, every time you go/Every time you go, every time you go/When you walk into the room/I can't speak and I can't move/You don't see me but you should/Why you gotta make it hurt so good/I don't ever wanna let you go/We could take it fast or take it slow/I'm afraid that you misunderstood/Every day is just a wish I could/And why you gotta make it hurt so good/And why you gotta make it hurt so good
Track 10: Tonight I'm Getting Over You (written by C. Jepsen, M. Martin, L. Hilbert, C. Coffee, K. Loules, S. Hoganson)
This track starts off a little quieter than the others, giving the song more time to build which I appreciate. It's still upbeat and fun, and has some powerful vocals from Jepsen. That very processed, produced sound that was ever present throughout the early '10s is all over this chorus (listen to it, you'll know exactly what I mean), but in a way that now feels more nostalgic than overdone.
I wanna smash your fears and get drunken off your tears/Don't you share your smile with anyone else but me/I wanna touch your heart, I wanna crush it in my hands/Make you plead and cry as you give up all the lies/We're not lovers, but more than friends/Put a flame to every single word you said/No more crying to get me through/I'll keep dancing 'til the morning with somebody new/Tonight, I'm getting over you/Tonight, I'm getting over you/Tonight, I'm getting over you/Tonight, I'm getting over you/Over you, over you
Emotion (2015)
Jepsen's third pop/dance pop/synth pop/disco album was released June 24th, 2015 by 604/School Boy/Interscope when she was 29 years old. With a run time of 61:54 on the Deluxe Expanded edition, the album had three singles released: I Really Like You (3/2/15); Run Away With Me (7/17/15); and Your Type (11/9/15). This album ended up being a lot of fun, with a somewhat similar yet more mature sound than Kiss. The lyrics were pretty solid, and Jepsen's vocals seem to strengthen with every album. Here's my Top 3 for this album:
Track 1: Run Away With Me (written by C. Jepsen, K. Schuster, M. Larsson, O. Holter, R. Fredriksson, J. Parmenius)
I don't know how I had no idea this was a Carly Rae Jepsen song; all these years of hearing it on iconic Vines and I seriously thought it was Ariana Grande. Apart from a killer saxophone intro, there's strong vocals and a great beat on this track. It'll absolutely get stuck in your head, and likely have you skipping down the street like the guy in that Vine.
You’re stuck in my head, stuck on my heart, stuck in my body, body/I wanna go, get outta here, I’m sick of the party, party/I’d run away, I’d run away with you, ooh/This is the part you gotta say all that you’re feeling, feeling/Packing a bag, leaving tonight while everyone’s sleeping, sleeping/Let’s run away, I’ll run away with you, ooh/‘Cause you make me feel like I could be driving you all night/And I’ll find your lips in the street lights, I wanna be there with you, ooh/Baby, take me to the feeling/I’ll be your sinner in secret/When the lights go out/Run away with me, run way with me/Baby, every single minute/I’ll be your hero and win it/When the lights go out/Run away with me, run away with me
Track 7: Making The Most Of The Night (written by S. Furler, D. Haim, A. Haim, E. Haim, S. Dixon, E. Ramazanoglu, C. Jepsen)
This song just felt like a perfect storm of making me like it from start to finish. From the pop-rocky lyrics from Sia and the Haim sisters to a great beat and exciting instrumentals, this is a certified banger to be sure. It's a little repetitive but not in an obnoxious way, and all in all the song just works.
You and me, we’ve been hanging around for the longest time/I know when you’re down, know what you need to get you high/Top down, let the wind through your hair on a summer’s night/Outside, all of your fears, leaving them behind, here I come now/Baby, I’m speeding and red lights, I’ll run/What I got, you need it/And I’ll run to your side when your heart is bleeding/I’m coming to getcha, to getcha, to getcha, oh/I know you’ve had a rough time, but here I come to hijack you, hijack you/I’ll love you while making the most of the night/I know you’ve had a rough time, but here I come, I’ma hijack you, hijack you/I’ll love you while we’re making the most of the night/I know you’ve had a rough time, but here I come to hijack you, hijack you/I’ll love you while making the most of the night/I know you’ve had a rough time, but here I come, I’ma hijack you, hijack you/I’ll love you while we’re making the most of the night
Track 15: Favourite Colour (written by C. Jepsen, M. Larsson, R. Fredriksson, T. Crowe)
We have a really cool build up on this song, starting off quieter and increasing the intensity into a bop. The lyrics are sweet, the melody is pleasant, and once again we have great vocals for Jepsen. It's pretty far down on the track list, but it's absolutely worth the listen.
Hold on now, this is getting kind of serious/This is getting kind of out of control, out of control/Slow down now, breathing heavy when it’s just a kiss/This is getting kind of out of my hands, out of my hands/Please don’t go, look real close/Eyes that show kaleidoscopes/When I’m close to you, we blend into my favorite color/I’m bright baby blue, falling into you, falling for each other/When I’m close to you, we blend into my favorite color/I’m bright baby blue, falling into you, falling for each other
Dedicated (2019)
Jepsen's fourth pop/electropop/synth pop/disco/dance pop album was released May 17th, 2019 by 604/School Boy/Interscope when she was 33 years old. With a run time of 48:30 on the digital edition, the album had five singles released: Party for One (11/1/18); Now That I Found You (2/27/19); No Drug Like Me (2/27/19); Julien (4/19/19); and Too Much (5/9/19). This album was again more mature than its predecessors, and as close to a somber tone as CRJ can have. It's much more of a breakup album, with slightly more serious lyrics under the normal colorful pop sound. My Top 3 for this album is as follows:
Track 3: Now That I Found You (written by C. Jepsen, B. Berger, R. Rabin, A. O'Neill, R. McMahon)
I like the production on this one, with the vocal manipulations and the beat really adding to the overall vibe of this song. This is one of the more hopeful songs on this album, with fun lyrics about love. It's a fun little bop that's a very easy listen.
Waking up next to you every morning/How did we get this far, it came without a warning/And in the night time, you tell me your whole life/You and me get too real but all I feel is alright/My heart’s a secret, I think I’m coming alive, yeah/I think I’m coming alive with you/Tell me you’ll keep it, I think I’m coming alive, yeah/I come alive with you/Don’t give it up, don’t say it hurts/‘Cause there’s nothing like this feeling, baby now that I’ve found you/I want it all/No, there’s nothing like this feeling, baby, now that I’ve found you/Now that I’ve found you/Now that I’ve found you
Track 6: Happy Not Knowing (written by C. Jepsen, J. Palmer, T. Crowe, J. Hill, D. Ledinsky)
The steady beat and frank lyrics really make this a fun listen. It has similar vibes to songs like Kacey Musgraves' Keep It to Yourself, and the lyrics don't shy away from explaining exactly how the narrator feels. I really liked this one a lot, and felt it was a great find in the middle of the track list.
I fight, I fight/All my feelings for you all night, all night/Don’t stare, don’t stare/I’ve got feelings for you I hide, I hide/But I’ll only go so far/I don’t have the energy/To risk a broken heart/When you’re already killing me/But if there’s something between you and me/Baby, I have no time for it/I’m happy not knowing/And please don’t stir it up/I’m sure it’s nothing but some heartburn, baby/And I’m happy not knowing
Track 8: Too Much (written by J. Hill, J. Palmer, J. Parmenius)
As someone who consistently feels like she herself is too much, the lyrics are what really ended up grabbing me more than anything else. It's got another great beat, more understated than the others but no less effective. It's another great listen for sure.
Am I bad for you/‘Cause I live for the fire and the rain and the drama, too, boy/And it feels like you never say what you want/And it feels like I can’t get through, babe/‘Cause when I get so low, it takes me higher/I’m not afraid to know my heart’s desire/When I party, then I party too much/When I feel it, then I feel it too much/When I’m thinking, then I’m thinking too much/When I’m drinking, then I’m drinking too much/I’ll do anything to get to the rush/Now I’m dancing and I’m dancing too much/So be careful if you’re wanting this touch/‘Cause if I love you then I love you too much/Is this too, is this too/Is this too much/Is this too, is this too/Is this too much
Dedicated Side B (2020)
Jepsen's fifth dance pop album and Dedicated's fraternal twin was released May 21st, 2020 by 604/School Boy/Interscope when she was 34 years old. With a run time of 43:24, the album served as a companion to 2019's Dedicated and had one single released: Let's Be Friends (2/7/20). I enjoyed this album quite a bit - it definitely felt like a continuation of its predecessor, but as if it were the other side of the coin when the sun starts to shine again after a heartbreak. It's a lot of fun and has some great numbers on it, and I love that Jepsen got the chance to let these songs shine. My Top 3 for this album is as follows:
Track 1: This Love Isn't Crazy (written by C. Jepsen, J. Antonoff, T. Duncan)
Right out of the gate I really enjoyed this song. It's upbeat, lovestruck, and happy, with cute lyrics about falling in love. It's a great opening track that sets an appropriate tone for the rest of the album.
For some time, I’ve been waiting for your star to shine/So bright, I should say that it’s your right to hurt me, baby/If you wanted to, oh, but love isn’t cruel/And for some time, I’ve been singing you a lullaby/Each night, whispering that it’s your right to hurt me, baby/If you wanted to, oh, but love isn’t cruel/That’s why we got to hold on, baby/We could believe that this love isn’t crazy/This loving could save me, this love isn’t crazy/You gotta stand where I stand/Who could believe that you’re holding my hand now/This loving could save me, this love isn’t crazy
Track 2: Window (written by C. Jepsen, T. Katzman, T. Duncan)
It's the beat and the guitar line on this one for me. I honestly think the lyrics are lacking a bit here, but it's still an enjoyable song to take in. It keeps with the theme of fun and danceable, so it can definitely stay.
Baby, I could praise you/Try to turn your head around/Could you take a compliment/And everything I say/You find a way to drown it out/Make it like an argument/I see you in a different way/So take my eyes to borrow/Keep a window for me open, open for me/Always, please don’t lock the door/I’ll be your special somebody/Hands over your body/Keep you wanting more
Track 6: Heartbeat (written by C. Jepsen, A. Rechtshaid, A. Whiteacre, N. Beresin)
This is as close as we get to a CRJ ballad at this point, and in this case I thought it really ended up working. We're back to strong lyrics, and I really enjoy the simple yet effective melody. It's a pretty little song that makes a nice addition to the track list.
Thinking that I need you to go now/‘Cause this could really get out of hand/I’m hiding things I don’t wanna show now/‘Cause I don’t know if you’re ready for that/I was busy sleeping, sleeping with you/I thought I’d never feel this way, but I do/And I don’t wanna tell you anything about me/‘Cause everything about you is speeding up my heartbeat/And I don’t wanna tell you you’re better off without me/‘Cause everything about you is speeding up my, speeding up my, speeding up my, speeding up my heartbeat/Heartbeat/Heartbeat/Heart
The Loneliest Time (2022)
Jepsen's sixth synth pop album was released October 21st, 2022 by 604/School Boy/Interscope when she was 36 years old. With a run time of 54:04 on the digital edition, the album had four singles released: Western Wind (5/6/22); Beach House (8/5/22); Talking to Yourself (9/16/22); and The Loneliest Time (10/7/22). I wrote about this album for my year-end list last year, and at the time it was admittedly more attention than I'd given Jepsen in a decade, but I really did like this album as a whole. It's back to a more chill vibe with a remnant of her signature bubbliness, almost as if Tug of War and Dedicated had a baby. My Top 3 for this album is as follows:
Track 8: Western Wind (written by C. Jepsen, R. Batmanglij)
This is such a road trip song, perfect for driving around with the windows down. It's just upbeat enough without sounding manic but not so relaxed that it'll put you to sleep. It's a good one to take your hair down and let it blow in the wind to.
California, it crossed my mind/Once we were pressed into the/Love we were pressed into the breeze up on the mountain/I was by your side/Do you remember/A conversation with our heads against the pillow/Dust my shoes before I enter though you doorstep/I was on your side/Coming in like a western wind/Do you feel home from all directions/First bloom, you know it’s spring/Reminding me love that it’s all connected/The wind is coming/Coming in like a western wind
Track 12: Go Find Yourself or Whatever (written by C. Jepsen, R. Batmanglij)
This breakup ballad has become a favorite of mine over the past year. The melody is beautiful, and there's something so sad about the indifference in the lyrics that are masking a deeper pain. Acting like you don't care when you so clearly do is its own form of torture.
Tell me that your mind’s been changing/I tell you that I’m no good at goodbyes/I could cut a thousand roses/Show you that I’m all torn up inside/You feel safe in sorrow, you feel safe on an open road/Go find yourself or whatever/I wake up hollow, you made me vulnerable/So go find yourself or whatever/I hope it treats you better than I could do/And I’ll wait for you
Track 16: Keep Away (written by C. Jepsen, N. Cyphert, K. Shearer, C. Fry)
This is another one where I wish the lyrics were a little tighter, but all in all I still enjoy this song. It's more ballad-esque like Go Find Yourself or Whatever, but the vibe is different enough that there's no confusing the two. It's a beautiful way to close this album out.
Hands touch all night, I remember/I stayed behind and you were tender/In my whole life, I wish I never knew this kind of love/I’m keeping company, company with all the friends I got from you/It’s not easy to sever, think you’re into me/Hard to keep it cool, I know you want me too/I, I’m trying to keep away from you/Gonna need some land between our bodies, though/I’m trying to keep away from you/I can’t control the things I do/God, I miss your hands over my body though/I’m trying to keep away from you
The Loveliest Time (2023)
Jepsen's seventh pop album and fraternal twin to The Lonelist Time was released July 28th, 2023 by 604/School Boy/Interscope when she was 37 years old. With a run time of 43:34, the album serves as a companion piece to her previous album and has had two singles released so far: Shy Boy (6/23/23) and Shadow (8/25/23). I had higher hopes for this one given how much I enjoyed both The Loneliest Time and Dedicated Side B, but this album just did not hit for me at all. There were a some songs that caught my attention, but overall it felt kind of chaotic to me. Here's my Top 3:
Track 5: Shy Boy (written by E. Gruska, N. Campany, B. Watson, K. Shearer, J. Williams, N. Cyphert, B. Romans, C. Jepsen)
I like the funk groove on this one a lot, and admittedly I like that the sound effect that starts the track off sounds like Chopper from Star Wars. It's a fun, upbeat disco number that's sure to get you up and dancing. The lyrics almost give Taylor Swift Gorgeous vibes, which is an added bonus.
You’re pretty, we’re drinking, so I say what I’m thinking/How come everybody’s dancing but you/A deep conversation, a last minute invitation/Yeah, I’m gonna make this easy for you/But it’s like this, I put you on the list/So come downtown if you’re around/I hope you do, baby, I insist/I don’t care what they say about you/So sick of everybody telling me what to do/When all I need is your eyes across the room/Yeah, those eyes across the room/Shy boy, stir me up/I get a little something from your morning cup/Whoa, whoa/Shy boy, stir me up/You didn’t even know you got the Midas touch, touch, touch, touch, touch/Whoa, come pick me up/Shy boy, boy, boy, boy, whoa/Shy boy, boy, boy, whoa
Track 6: Kollage (written by C. Jepsen, P. Berger)
This song has a lot of words in it, but they're strung together in a way that they run so smoothly and create a colorful stroke of music as she rattles them off in one breath. It's got a more psychedelic sound to it, which seems to be the official theme of music released in 2023. It's very flowy and chill, great for leaning back and relaxing.
Tried to paint a picture of the sun with all its flowers/Reaching closer past the surface like I’m slowly getting closer to you/Living with uncertainty, like nothing really matters/Passed the future on my way to work and found myself back in bed with you/Give it all some time, paralyzed devotion/Give it all some time, I’ve been in the dark/Paralyzed in motion, lost in wintertime/Did I do it to myself, hard to know for sure/Did I hurt somebody else, ‘cause you’re the one thingNothing really matters, but it matters if it matters to you/It’s hard to know for sure/But I believe you’re always in my corner/I did it to myself, I did it to you
Track 12: Stadium Love (written by C. Jepsen, L. Delhomme)
This one is back to sounding like classic, pop star era Carly Rae Jepsen. I love the steady beat, the simple but effective melody, and ever present and consistent drum line and fun guitar solos. The lyrics are back to being somewhat questionable, but it's still a fun way to help close out the album.
Got you on my mind for the second time/Got you on my mind, but it’s not enough/These are little words, but I’m feeling that stadium love/Gimme some/Am I the only one who’s insatiable/Waiting for someone who’s untouchable/These are little dreams, but I’m wanting that stadium love/Gimme some/This is for the weekend lovers/Ones you can’t imagine you’ll forget/Wishing you a speed recovery/Sliding doors goodbye, hello, goodbye/On just two nights, one summertime/Just sliding doors goodbye, hello, goodbye/Dreams, dreams, dreams/A wish, a wish to be broken, broken/So you better hurry up/Yeah, come and pick me up
Whether you're new to her music or a seasoned veteran, I hope you found some great new songs from this artist today. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!
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