Carly Rae Jepsen: 'Call Me Maybe' Singer Biography
Early Years
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Pop rock singer Carly Rae Jepsen was born November 21st, 1985 in Mission, British Columbia, Canada. As a teen, she performed at cafés in nearby Vancouver and soon she formed a swing band.
“Canadian Idol”
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Her music career really picked when her former teacher suggested she try out for the fifth season of “Canadian Idol.” Though Jepsen was unsure the opportunity would lead anywhere, she auditioned in 2007 and made it through with flying colors.
Elimination
During the competition, Jepsen worked with musical legends like Queen and Paul Anka. She was also very involved with the arrangements of her songs, which earned her a reputation as a genuine musician. Jepsen was the last female contestant left on the show; but, she didn't make it past the Top 3.
Record Deal
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However, that was not the end of the road for this budding star: back in Vancouver, Jepsen wrote furiously and recorded music with her band. It wasn't long before record companies came knocking, and Jepsen had a deal in her home and native land.
“Tug of War”
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In mid-2008, she released the lead single off her debut album: a cover of the John Denver classic “Sunshine On My Shoulders.” A few months later, she unveiled the song and album Tug of War in Canada. The single topped out at number 36 on the Canadian Hot 100, and was followed by the playful track “Bucket.” Jepsen then expanded her Canadian audience by touring with Marianas Trench in 2009.
“Call Me Maybe”
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She kept busy writing, and by 2012 she was ready to release the EP Curiosity. That effort earned critical praise with its production, lyrics and writing, but it wasn't until pop stars Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez tweeted about the first track, “Call Me Maybe” that the upbeat, poppy single became Jepsen's breakthrough.
International Success
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Pretty soon, the song assaulted charts around the world: it went to number one in Jepsen's native Canada and the United States. In fact, it was the first time a Canadian female topped Billboard since Avril Lavigne in 2007, and Jepsen stayed there for nine straight weeks.
U.S. Record Deal
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Within months, Jepsen signed to Bieber associate Scooter Braun's U.S. label, Schoolboy Records, and continued promoting her music on talk shows and awards shows. “Call Me Maybe” was also a hit on YouTube, and it spawned numerous parodies and lip sync videos.
More Success
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On the heels of that massive success, Jepsen teamed with Owl City for the track “Good Time.” That song eventually appeared on Jepsen's second studio album, Kiss, which came out later in 2012. Jepsen then hit the road with Justin Bieber as the opening act on the North American leg of his Believe Tour, and saw her song performed in the opening episode of “Glee”'s fourth season – among other TV appearances.
A True Talent
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With her innate talent, youthful look and unique hippie pop, Carly Rae Jepsen has proven that even though she didn't win, this is one Canadian who is an idol.
