More than two decades after its 2002 release Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles” endures as one of the most instantly recognizable piano-driven pop songs of the 21st century, its opening riff as culturally sticky as any guitar lick of its era. Built on a buoyant classical-inspired piano motif, warm strings, and Carlton’s earnest, yearning vocal, the track captures a bittersweet universality that transcends its early-2000s pop context. This song absolutely rips. Just take one watch of producer Ron Fair breaking down the songwriting process on this song and tell me you’re not absolutely jacked after watching it.
Standout Songs: “A Thousand Miles”
