Lisa Loeb

Lisa Loeb is an American singer-songwriter and actress who launched her career in 1994 with the song, "Stay (I Missed You)", which was included in the film Reality Bites. She was the first artist to have a number one single in the United States while not signed to a recording contract. Loeb has released a total of 8 studio albums, 1 compilation album, 2 EPs and 12 singles.

Her five studio CDs include her major label debut, the gold-selling Tails and its follow-up, the Grammy-nominated, gold-selling Firecracker. Loeb has also worked in film, television, voice-over work and children’s recordings. Her children's music includes the albums Catch the Moon and Camp Lisa. Her first joint children's book and album Lisa Loeb's Silly Sing-Along: The Disappointing Pancake and Other Zany Songs was published in 2011.

In the beginning of her career, Loeb began as a young singer-songwriter with friend, Elizabeth Mitchell, whom she recorded two albums with. In 1994, her self-penned song, "Stay (I Missed You)" was featured in the soundtrack of Reality Bites, where it gained widespread airplay on radio. The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and also reached the Top 10 on both the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks charts. She released her first major label studio album the following year with Tails, and had continued success in the United States, along with her third studio album, Firecracker. In the new millennium, Loeb focused her career more towards children's music, and has since recorded a total of three children's albums, her most recent being 2008's Camp Lisa.

Loeb formed a band named Liz and Lisa, with future singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik as a guitarist. The duo released the albums Liz and Lisa and Liz and Lisa - Days Were Different independently.

Loeb began working with producer Juan Patiño to make the cassette Purple Tape in 1992.[1] It included the earliest recordings of later popular tracks such as “Do You Sleep?,” “Snow Day,” “Train Songs,” and “It’s Over.” Loeb sold the violet-colored cassette to fans at gigs and used it as a sonic calling card to industry gatekeepers.

Loeb's big break came when she gave Ehtan Hawke "Stay (I Missed You)", who in turn gave it to director Ben Stiller during the making of the 1994 film Reality Bites. Stiller subsequently decided to use the song in the film’s ending credits and Hawke also directed a rare one-take video of “Stay” with no edits.

"Stay" ultimately went on to become a number one hit on the American charts. When her song hit number one, Loeb earned the distinction of being the only artist to top the Hot 100 before being signed to any record label. The single reached Gold status on July 12, 1994, just over three months after its official release date. Loeb and Nine Stories received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Group, and were named Best International Newcomer in the Brit Awards

In September 1995, Loeb's debut album, Tails, was released. "Stay" was included on the album, and Loeb also managed a top 20 hit with "Do You Sleep?" and two moderately successful radio hits with "Taffy" and "Waiting for Wednesday." The album was certified Gold by the RIAA.

In 1997, Loeb released a second major-label album, Firecracker, which included hit singles such as "I Do," which received radio success, peaking at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified Gold and Loeb subsequently toured with The Wallflowers and Chris Isaak, and also performed at Lilith Fair.

In 2000, Loeb participated in the Ozzy Osbourne tribute album Bat Head Soup performing "Goodbye to Romance" with Dweezil Zappa on guitar. She also contributed to An All Star Tribute To Cher with “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves,” and to An All Star Tribute To Shania Twain with “Don’t Be Stupid,” both of which were released in 2005. Other international work includes Loeb’s guest performance on the song “Anti-Hero” for an all-female Japanese musical group Rins.

The popular single "How" was included on the soundtracks for films Twister and Jack Frost, and was heard in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Homecoming." “We Could Still Belong Together” earned a spot on the Legally Blonde soundtrack, while “I Wish” can be heard on the soundtrack for Anywhere But Here.

Cake and Pie, Loeb’s third album, was released in 2002. She co-produced the album and collaborated with Glen Ballard, then boyfriend Dweezil Zappa, Randy Scruggs and Peter Collins. It peaked at 199 on tfhe Billboard Charts.

In mid-2002, Loeb inked a deal with Artemis Records, after Interscope allowed her to buy the rights to her masters. Artemis had offered to re-release the record with more promotion. With new artwork, some songs added and some removed, Cake and Pie was re-launched as Hello Lisa, a play on Sanrio’s signature Hello Kitty, who appears on the album cover wearing Lisa Loeb's trademark glasses.

In August 2004, The Way It Really Is was released as Loeb's fifth studio-recorded album, based on the song "The Way It Really Is." Her greatest hits compilation, The Very Best of Lisa Loeb, was released in January 2006 as well as a Japanese version of the album. Loeb was a judge for the 1st and 8th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists.[

In 2008, she released her Purple Tape album remixed and remastered on a double CD. It included an interview by Andy Denemark, highlighting the creative process behind each song.

Music Videos

 * All Day
 * Anti-Hero
 * I Do
 * Let's Forget About It
 * Someone U Should Know
 * Stay (I Missed You)