KT Tunstall reflecting on Patti Smith's Horses album cover, inspiration for Suddenly I See song
KT Tunstall’s infectious hit, “Suddenly I See,” is more than just an earworm; it’s a story of artistic frustration, unexpected inspiration, and the power of a thirty-minute creative burst. This Ivor Novello Award-winning song catapulted the Scottish singer-songwriter to international fame, but its origins are rooted in a moment of late-night contemplation sparked by an iconic album cover – Patti Smith’s Horses.
Before “Suddenly I See” became a global anthem, KT Tunstall was a seasoned musician honing her craft in the indie music scene. Years spent performing in bands like Red Light Stylus, Tomoko, and Elia Drew built her experience, but it was as a solo artist that she was poised to break through. Her pivotal performance on Later…With Jools Holland, booked with a mere 24 hours’ notice as a replacement for Nas, showcased her raw talent and captivating stage presence. Playing “Black Horse And The Cherry Tree,” Tunstall immediately grabbed the audience’s attention. The buzz from this appearance led to the re-release of her debut album, Eye To The Telescope. Initially entering the UK charts at No. 73, the album soared to No. 3, earning her a Mercury Music Prize nomination in 2005 and setting the stage for subsequent hit singles, including “Other Side Of The World” and the career-defining “Suddenly I See Song”.
Released in August 2005, “Suddenly I See” became KT Tunstall’s most successful single in the UK, reaching No. 12 and remaining in the Top 75 for an impressive 26 weeks. In 2006, the song was recognized with the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically, solidifying its place as a modern classic.
But the journey to this hit wasn’t a straightforward path. Tunstall had signed with Relentless Records, a moment she had tirelessly worked towards throughout her twenties. “It was 10 years, all of my 20s, to get to the point of signing my record deal,” she explained. Having also secured a publishing deal prior, guided by her Scottish mentor, Tunstall felt ready for immediate action. However, the swift release she envisioned didn’t materialize. A year after signing, frustration and confusion set in. This experience, common among emerging artists, fueled a fear of losing momentum gained from the record deal.
Living in her first London flat, a basement apartment in Gospel Oak, the environment was less than ideal for daytime creativity. Construction work above her apartment, starting early in the morning and continuing into the evening, made recording demos during the day impossible. This led Tunstall to adopt a nocturnal work schedule, a habit she already leaned towards. It was during one of these late-night sessions that the spark for “Suddenly I See” ignited.
“It was about two in the morning, I was sitting in my flat, feeling pretty despondent, just looking at my CD collection,” Tunstall recounted. Her gaze landed on Patti Smith’s Horses album cover. Despite having seen the iconic image countless times before, that night, it struck her differently. She began to analyze why the cover was so captivating. “I realised that she’s being almost accusatory and she’s so comfortable in her skin,” Tunstall reflected. Smith’s gaze seemed to challenge, “This is who I am, who are you?” This resonated deeply with Tunstall, who at that moment was grappling with her own identity and direction. The overwhelming feeling she gleaned from the photograph was “effortlessness and androgyny,” a stark contrast to her own feelings of struggle.
KT Tunstall describes feeling tired of trying before writing Suddenly I See, a moment of musical clarity
“That was the big thing for me,” Tunstall explained, “and I had spent 10 years of my life just desperately trying and trying and trying, and I was really tired. I was really fed up with trying, I just wanted to be doing and being.” Inspired by Smith’s seemingly effortless presence on the album cover, the core message of “Suddenly I See” began to form – a desire to simply be, rather than constantly striving. The song title itself reflects this sudden moment of clarity and vision.
Remarkably, the songwriting process was incredibly swift. “I think the whole song took me half an hour,” Tunstall revealed. This rapid creation underscores the power of inspiration striking at the right moment. “It’s so weird because I think about that and it’s half an hour that completely changed my life,” she marveled. These pivotal moments, whether positive or negative, can alter our paths in profound ways, often within a short span of time.
Tunstall had a basic home studio setup provided by Sony Publishing, which included Logic software and a keyboard plugin. Initially unfamiliar with Mac and music production software, she quickly adapted. Humorously, she discovered later that the expensive keyboard plugin she had been using, with its limited selection of sounds, was just a small fraction of the vast sound libraries available. However, this initial limitation might have inadvertently fostered creativity. The plugin, pre-loaded with organic analog sounds, included the distinctive Rhodes piano sound that became integral to “Suddenly I See song”.
Reflecting on the song’s success, Tunstall admitted, “I thought it was good but I think that after every song. Because if I don’t feel like that I’m not going to use it.” She never anticipated the massive impact “Suddenly I See” would have. While “Black Horse And The Cherry Tree” initially garnered attention due to the Jools Holland performance, it was “Suddenly I See” that “cosmically connect[ed] people’s dots.” Despite its “overnight success” perception, Tunstall believes the song’s enduring appeal lies in its timeless and “wholesome” quality. “When you listen to it, I think it sounds great, it’s really standing up to time – I mean, it’s 15 or 16 years old now and it doesn’t sound dated. But everyone remembers that time because of the song, it just sounds so innocent – it’s such a fucking wholesome song! It’s a breath of fresh air.”
KT Tunstall on Suddenly I See: It's such a fucking wholesome song! It's a breath of fresh air.
“Suddenly I See song” stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of creativity. From a moment of late-night introspection inspired by Patti Smith’s album art, to a rapid thirty-minute songwriting session in a noisy London flat, the song’s journey is as captivating as the music itself. It’s a reminder that inspiration can strike in unexpected moments, transforming feelings of frustration into chart-topping hits.
