Rachael Yamagata
Rachael Amanda Yamagata (born September 23, 1977)[2][3] is an American singer-songwriter and pianist from Arlington, Virginia. She began her musical career with the band Bumpus before becoming a solo artist and releasing five EPs and four studio albums. Her songs have appeared on numerous television shows and she has collaborated with Jason Mraz, Rhett Miller, Bright Eyes, Ryan Adams, Toots and the Maytals, Ray LaMontagne and Matt Nathanson.[4][5]
Also recorded as Rachel Amanda Yamagata
Rachael Yamagata

Janet Dancer · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Name
- Rachael Yamagata
- Born
- 23 September 1977
- Birthplace
- Arlington, Virginia, United States
- Occupation
- Singer-songwriter
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- rhythm and blues
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
Rachael Amanda Yamagata (born September 23, 1977)[2][3] is an American singer-songwriter and pianist from Arlington, Virginia. She began her musical career with the band Bumpus before becoming a solo artist and releasing five EPs and four studio albums. Her songs have appeared on numerous television shows and she has collaborated with Jason Mraz, Rhett Miller, Bright Eyes, Ryan Adams, Toots and the Maytals, Ray LaMontagne and Matt Nathanson.[4][5]
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Note VALÉORINE
No house-authored Note is published until its assertions and sources pass the VALÉORINE evidence contract. The documentary article remains available in full while that enrichment is being consolidated.
Documentary enrichment in progress · no unsupported statement published
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Rachael Yamagata. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
World of VALÉORINE
Documentary connections
Only confirmed graph relationships appear here. Images are shown only when their identity and reuse rights both pass the documentary gate.
Documentary evidence
Evidence Panel
not yet certified
- Identity
- resolved
- Independent source families
- 0
- Admitted assertions
- 0
- Open conflicts
- 0
Authority files
wikidata · Q235601 · wikipedia · Rachael Yamagata
In this article
Biography
Biography
Yamagata worked across singer-songwriter, singer, composer, pianist and lyricist and 1 further recorded occupations. The registers place that work in rhythm and blues. This article rests on 53 catalogued compositions, 40 issued recordings and 1 digitised documents drawn from named institutional registers. Every statement below returns to a source shown in the evidence panel; where the record is silent or divided, the article says so instead of resolving it.

Joshua Radin performing live at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood (Los Angeles) California on Saturday March 7th, 2015. Cary Brothers and Rachael Yamagata opened for Joshua (and also joined him on stage for the finale).
Justin Higuchi from Los Angeles, CA, USA · Joshua Radin 03/07/2015 #9

Joshua Radin performing live at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood (Los Angeles) California on Saturday March 7th, 2015. Cary Brothers and Rachael Yamagata opened for Joshua (and also joined him on stage for the finale).
Justin Higuchi from Los Angeles, CA, USA · Joshua Radin 03/07/2015 #10
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Rachael Yamagata • Born — 23 September 1977 • Birthplace — Arlington, Virginia, United States • Instrument — Piano, guitar, vocals • Genre — Adult alternative, indie • Occupation — Singer-songwriter • Years Active — 1995–present • Label — RCA Victor, Warner Bros., Frankenfish/Megaforce • Past Member Of — Bumpus • Website — http: www.rachaelyamagata.com
Early life and education
Early life and education
Yamagata was born to a Japanese-American father and an Italian mother and grew up with comedian-actor Josh Ruben as a half-brother.[6] She graduated from the Holton-Arms School[7] and attended Northwestern University and Vassar College.[8]
Career
Career
Yamagata became the vocalist for the Chicago group Bumpus and spent six years touring, writing and recording with the band before leaving in 2001 to begin a solo career. In September 2002, she obtained a two-record deal with Arista's Private Music and her self-titled EP produced by Malcolm Burn, Rachael Yamagata EP was released in October.[10] Her first full-length album, Happenstance, followed in 2004. The album was produced by John Alagía at Compass Point Studios. Between 2003 and 2005, Yamagata played venues such as Amoeba Records[11] and The Hotel Café, both in Hollywood. Yamagata was featured on the album True Love by Toots and the Maytals, which won the Grammy Award in 2004 for Best Reggae Album, and showcased many notable musicians including Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Trey Anastasio, Gwen Stefani / No Doubt, Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, Manu Chao, The Roots, Ryan Adams, Keith Richards, Toots Hibbert, Paul Douglas, Jackie Jackson, Ken Boothe, and The Skatalites.[12] Yamagata toured with Mandy Moore and contributed a song to Moore's 2007 album, Wild Hope.[13] In May 2008, Yamagata released a three-song EP, Loose Ends. Her second full-length album Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart was released in October 2008.[14] Billboard characterized the album as much darker and sadder in tone than its predecessor.[15] That month, her two-song live acoustic video performance appeared on LiveDaily Sessions and featured the songs "Faster" and "Sunday Afternoon".[16] In April 2009, Yamagata performed her song "Elephants" on the television drama One Life to Live.[17] Yamagata digitally released a new album in the fall of 2011 through Pledgemusic. Her third studio album Chesapeake was released through Frankenfish Records in October 2011.[18] In 2012 Yamagata released her next EP called Heavyweight.[19] Yamagata has appeared numerous times as a guest vocalist for other artists including: Jason Mraz's "Did You Get My Message?", "Fireflies" and "The Believer" by Rhett Miller, on Toots & the Maytals's album True Love, the song "Barfly" by Ray Lamontagne, and several songs on Ryan Adams' Cold Roses album. She contributed vocals to six songs on the Bright Eyes album Cassadaga.[20] Yamagata contributed writing, keyboards and vocals to the song "Kaleidoscope" by Jill Cunniff a former member of Luscious Jackson. Yamagata also performs with an ensemble cast on the 30 Rock episode "Kidney Now[21]!" The soundtrack for the film Dear John features the song "You Take My Troubles Away", Yamagata's duet with Dan Wilson. She also performs the Muppets song "I'm Going to Go Back There Someday" on a cover album, Muppets: The Green Album.[22] Yamagata again partnered with PledgeMusic for her album Tightrope Walker, released on September 23, 2016. She also offered an acoustic digital version of Happenstance as a pledge reward.[23]
Personal life
Personal life
Yamagata has a twin brother, Benji. Her half brother, Josh Ruben, is an actor and director who worked for CollegeHumor.[24]
Studio albums
Studio albums
• Title — Album details — Peak chart positions • KOR — US • Happenstance — * Released: June 8, 2004 * Label: RCA Victor — 40 — — • Elephants...Teeth Sinking into Heart — * Released: October 7, 2008 * Label: Warner Bros. Records — — — 53 • Chesapeake — * Released: October 11, 2011 * Label: Frankenfish — 13 — 122 • Acoustic Happenstance — * Released: April 23, 2016 * Label: Sony Music — 47 — — • Tightrope Walker — * Released: September 23, 2016 * Label: Frankenfish — 32 — — • Starlit Alchemy — * Released: October 3, 2025 * Label: Jullian Records — - — —
Compilation albums
Compilation albums
• Title — Album details — Peak chart positions • KOR • The Very Best of Rachael Yamagata — * Released: August 22, 2014 * Label: Sony Music — 67
Extended plays
Extended plays
• Title — Album details — Peak chart positions • KOR • EP — * Released: October 7, 2003 * Label: RCA Records — — • Live at the Loft & More — * Released: January 26, 2005 * Label: BMG — — • Loose Ends — * Released: May 22, 2008 * Label: Warner Bros. Records — — • Heavyweight EP — * Released: November 20, 2012 * Label: Frankenfish — 44 • Porch Songs EP — * Released: October 12, 2018 * Label: Sony Music — 91
Singles
Singles
• Title — Year — Peak chart positions — Sales — Album • KOR — KOR Intl. — US Adult • "Worn Me Down" — 2003 — — — — — 33 — EP • "Letter Read" — 2004 — — — — — — — Happenstance • "1963" — — — — — — • "Be Be Your Love" — 26 — 1 — — — * KOR: 1,635,206[31] • "River" — 2005 — — — — — — — Live at the Loft & More • "Elephants" — 2008 — — — — — — — Elephants...Teeth Sinking into Heart • "Faster" — — — — — — • "Sunday Afternoon" — — — — — — • "Starlight" — 2011 — — — — — — — Chesapeake • "Even If I Don't" — — — — — — • "You Won't Let Me" — — — 12 — — — * KOR: 337,397[32] • "Nothing Gets By Here" — 2012 — — — 6 — — — * KOR: 53,513[33] — Heavyweight EP • "I'm Not in Love" (10cc cover) — 2014 — — — 28 — — — * KOR: 10,053[34] — The Very Best of Rachael Yamagata • "Nobody" — 2016 — — — — — — — Tightrope Walker • "Over" — — — — — — • "Let Me Be Your Girl" — — — — — — • "Be Somebody's Love" — 2018 — — — — — — — Porch Songs EP • "It's Always the Little Things"[35] (with Guo Ding) — — — — — — — Non-album single
Original soundtrack contributions
Original soundtrack contributions
• Title — Year — Peak chart positions — Sales — Album • KOR Intl. • "I Wish You Love"[36] — 2005 — — — Prime OST • "Jesus Was a Cross Maker"[37] (Judee Sill cover) — 2005 — — — Elizabethtown OST • "He Needs a Kidney"[38] (with various artists) (from 30 Rock) — 2009 — — — Non-album single • "Hand of God" — 2012 — — — That's What She Said OST • "Let's Begin Again"[39] (with John Medeski) (Robert Altman cover) — 2014 — — — Altman OST • "Something in the Rain" — 2018 — 10 — Something in the Rain[40] OST • "La La La" — 31 • "No Direction" — 2019 — — — One Spring Night OST • "Is It You" — — • "We Could Still Be Happy"[43] — —
Other soundtrack appearances
Other soundtrack appearances
Yamagata's songs have appeared in a number of films and television shows. These include:[44] • Title — Year — Media • "1963" — 2005 — Monster-in-Law • 2015 — November Rule • "Be Be Your Love" — 2004 — One Tree Hill • 2005 — The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants • 2005 — Trust the Man • 2006 — Brothers & Sisters • 2009 — So You Think You Can Dance • 2011 • 2012 — Wilsberg • "Be Somebody's Love" — 2018 — Something in the Rain • "Blister of the Spotlight" (with Ashtar Command) — 2008 — Ugly Betty • "Brown Eyes" — 2009 — Grey's Anatomy • "Collide" — 2005 — In Her Shoes • "Don't" — 2009 — Private Practice • "Duet" — 2008 — Brothers & Sisters • 2009 — Grey's Anatomy • "Elephants" — 2009 — One Life to Live • 2010 — Gravity • 2015 — The Vampire Diaries • "Horizon" — 2009 — One Tree Hill • "I Don't Want to Be Your Mother" — 2012 — Hope Springs • "I Want You" — 2006 — Men in Trees • "I'll Find a Way" — 2005 — ER • "Keep Going" — 2015 — The Vampire Diaries • "Meet Me by the Water" — 2006 — Bella • "The Other Side" — 2008 — The L Word • "Paper Doll" — 2005 — Trust the Man • "Quiet" — 2006 — How I Met Your Mother • 2023 — Ted Lasso • "The Reason Why" — 2004 — Smallville • 2005 — The O.C. • 2008 — Cashmere Mafia • 2009 — Hotel for Dogs • 2009 — Brain Drain • "Saturday Morning" — 2020 — Scare Me • "Sunday Afternoon" — 2010 — One Tree Hill • "The Way It Seems to Go" — 2013 — Lucky Them • "Worn Me Down" — 2003 — Miss Match • 2004 — The O.C.
Life and work
Life and work
Rachael Yamagata was born on 23 September 1977 in Arlington County. Yamagata held the nationality of United States. Yamagata was educated at Vassar College, Northwestern University and Northwestern University School of Communication. Recorded sibling: Josh Ruben. Yamagata worked as singer-songwriter, singer, composer and pianist, and the authority record catalogues a further 2 occupations under the same name, among them lyricist and musician. Yamagata was active from 2002. Yamagata worked in New York City. The fields Yamagata worked in include rhythm and blues. Yamagata played the piano and the voice. Yamagata worked in English.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
Explore 1977–2016
The full dated record · 4 entries
1977
Born at Arlington County.
2008
Rachael Yamagata – Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart (2008) is digitised and catalogued by Internet Archive.
2011
Rachael Yamagata-The Fine Line-11-11-11 (AUD) (2011) is digitised and catalogued by Internet Archive.
2016
Rachael Yamagata - 2016-10-07, Electric Fetus, Minneapolis (AUD) (2016) is digitised and catalogued by Internet Archive.
Compositions, 2004
Catalogued output
Compositions, 2004
The entries below are works composed by the subject, as the institutional registers catalogue them; later performances and commercial recordings of the same music are listed separately. They belong to a run of 53 titles in all, from 2004 to 2004.
1 composition carry the date 2004
Worn Me Down
2004
Compositions without a settled date
Catalogued output
Compositions without a settled date
52 further compositions are catalogued under Yamagata's name without a date the collections agree on, which is why they are set apart from the dated run rather than placed in it. A selection is set out below and the complete run may be opened beneath it. Has It Happened Yet. Even the Stars Are Sleeping. Jesus Was a Crossmaker.
Falling in Love Again
Nothing Gets by Here
The Other Side
Answering the Door
Even If I Don't
Miles on a Car
The Way It Seems to Go
I Don't Want to Be Your Mother
You Take My Troubles Away
Both Sides Now
Love You To
Jungman's Theme (Paris)
The complete catalogue · 28
Falling in Love Again
Nothing Gets by Here
The Other Side
Answering the Door
Even If I Don't
Miles on a Car
The Way It Seems to Go
I Don't Want to Be Your Mother
You Take My Troubles Away
Both Sides Now
Love You To
Jungman's Theme (Paris)
Moments With Oliver
Blister of the Spotlight
Here Comes the Sun
I’m Going to Go Back There Someday
I Want You
I Wish You Love
Be Be Your Love
Under My Skin
Be Somebody's Love (Solo)
Meet Me by the Water
2000 Light Years From Home
Falling Into You
Some Kind of Window
I'll Find a Way
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me
All the Stars in Heaven
Issued recordings
Primary material
Issued recordings
These are published sound issues catalogued under the name. Most postdate the works they carry, and an issue is never counted here as a work of composition. 14 issues carry dates between 2003 and 2016. The run opens with Rachael Yamagata EP and closes with Covers EP. The 2000s are the densest part of the run, with 9 titles, and that concentration is a fact about what the registers have catalogued rather than a judgement on the work itself.
Recordings and discography
Primary material
Recordings and discography
The discography assembled here shows how Yamagata's work has been published in sound, not what Yamagata made. 26 sound issues are catalogued, carrying dates from 2001 to 2025. An issue is a published recording, distinct from the composition it carries, from a printed score of that composition and from any single performance of it; none of the entries below is counted in the catalogue of compositions above, and several of them carry the same work in different readings. The 2010s are the densest decade of publication, with 13 issues. The performers and issuing labels are as the discographic register states them; where it names no performer the article names none.
Chesapeake
2011
Heavyweight
2012
2005-07-18: Los Angeles, CA, USA. KCRW Sessions
2005
River
2004
No Direction
2019
Porch Songs
2018
EP
2003
2004-06-12: Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, TN, USA. Audiotree Live
2016
We Could Still Be Happy
2019
Spinning in Circles
2013
Is It You
2019
Teeth Sinking Into Heart
2008
8 Track Demo
2001
The NoiseTrade Loft Sessions Mixtape and More
2012
2005-04-29: Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, NH, USA. Crocodile Cafe 2004
2004
Live at the Loft & More
2004
Happenstance
2004
Starlit Alchemy
2025
Loose Ends
2008
Covers EP
2016
Tightrope Walker
2016
Acoustic Happenstance
2016
Something in the Rain
2019
Primary material
Documents and archives
institutional register
- MusicBrainz artist record for Rachael Yamagata
Unverified · MusicBrainz
reference work
- “Rachael Yamagata”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q235601: Rachael Yamagata
Unverified · Wikidata
Authority records
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. BABY COME FIND ME AT CHRISTMAS. ASCAP.
- 2.Rachael Yamagata - Biography. IMDb.
- 3.Rachael Yamagata. AllMusic.
- 4.Garcia, Cathy Rose A. Singer Rachael Yamagata to Take Stage for First Time in Seoul. The Korea Times. 2009-03-31.
- 5.Jenkins, Mark. Rachael Yamagata: Album review: "Chesapeake". Washington Post. October 28, 2011.
- 6.Warren, Robert Burke. Filmmaker Josh Ruben Returns to the Community He Loves. Hudson Valley One. 8 March 2020.
- 7.Singer Rachael Yamagata on the Perks of Being an Independent Artist. November 6, 2015.
- 8.Notable Alumni, School of Communication , Communication.northwestern.edu
- 9.Vassar Hub.
- 10.Earl Dittman. Rachael Yamagata recounts her journey to musical independence. Digital Journal. November 11, 2015.
- 11.Rachel Yamagata - Live at Amoeba Music.
- 12.Toots and the Maytals - In Depth - Linear Notes. Toots and the Maytals.
- 13.Mandy Moore's 'Wild Hope' Set for May Release. KEYT3 Santa Barbara. February 8, 2007.
- 14.Elephants.Teeth Sinking Into Heart - Rachael Yamagata. AllMusic.com.
- 15.Peters, Mitchell. Yamagata Wraps 'Darker, Grittier' New Album. Billboard. February 22, 2007.
- 16.Rachael Yamagata: Exclusive Video Performance At LiveDaily Sessions. LiveDaily Sessions.
- 17.One Life to Live News. SOAPnet.com. March 2009.
- 18.Evan Schlansky. Song Premiere: Rachael Yamagata, "The Way It Seems To Go". American Songwriter. 27 September 2011.
- 19.Rachaelyamagata.spinshop.com. Rachael Yamagata :: Store.
- 20.Cassadaga liner notes
- 21.http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/exclusives/kidney-now/celebrities.shtml
- 22.Lifestyle News, Wawzenek, Bryan. My Morning Jacket, Amy Lee, Weezer Cover the Muppets , Gibson.com, 27 June 2011.
- 23.Dittman, Earl. Rachael Yamagata recounts her journey to musical independence. Digital Journal. November 11, 2015.
- 24.Ruben, Josh. JOSH'S MINDHOUSE.
- 25.2018년 41주차 Album Chart. Gaon Album Chart.
- 26.Rachael Yamagata Chart History, Billboard 200. Billboard.
- 27.2013년 9주차 Album Chart 국외. Gaon Album Chart.
- 28.2012년 6주차 Digital Chart. Gaon Digital Chart.
- 29.2018년 17주차 Digital Chart 국외. Gaon Digital Chart.
- 30.Rachael Yamagata Chart History, Adult Top 40 Airplay. Billboard.
- 31.2015년 01월 Download Chart 국외. Gaon Digital Chart.
- 32.2012년 Download Chart 국외. Gaon Digital Chart.
- 33.2013년 02월 Download Chart. Gaon Digital Chart.
- 34.2014년 08월 Download Chart 국외. Gaon Digital Chart.
- 35.Chen, Nan. Yamagata learns more about China through collaboration with Chinese musician. China Daily. December 22, 2018.
- 36.Prime [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]. AllMusic.
- 37.Original Soundtrack - Elizabethtown, Vol. 2. AllMusic.
- 38.Johnson, Steve. ID'ing the stars in kidney video. Chicago Tribune. May 16, 2009.
- 39.Raymer, Miles. Hear Rachael Yamagata and John Medeski cover Robert Altman's 'Let's Begin Again'. Entertainment Weekly. November 25, 2014.
- 40.'밥 잘 사주는 누나'만 있나…'노래 잘 하는 예쁜 누나'도 있다. Joong Ang Ilbo. May 3, 2018.
- 41.'봄밤' OST 레이첼 야마가타 'No Direction', 오늘(29일) 발매. The Korea Economic Daily. May 29, 2019.
- 42.'봄밤' 엔딩 장식 OST '이츠 잇 유' 오늘(12일) 공개. Star Today. June 12, 2019.
- 43.봄밤 한지민♥정해인, 로맨틱 OST 열풍 계속…레이첼 야마가타 곡 공개. The Korea Economic Daily. June 19, 2019.
- 44.Rachael Yamagata Filmography. IMDb.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
institutional register
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolvedauthority record
Unverified
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Music memorabilia
42,307 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Rabid RecordsOrganisation
- Rabih Abou-KhalilPerson
- Rachael CantuPerson
- Rachael SagePerson
- Rachel BlumbergPerson
- Rachel BrownPerson
- Rachel Elkind-TourrePerson
- Rachel FlowersPerson
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own a work by Rachael Yamagata?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.