Paula Cole, born on April 5, 1968, is an American singer-songwriter and producer known for her emotionally deep performances and intelligent songwriting. Cole gained initial recognition as a vocalist on Peter Gabriel's 1993-1994 Secret World Tour. Her second album, This Fire (1996), achieved worldwide acclaim, earning her a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1998. That same year, she made history as the first woman to be nominated for "Producer of the Year" without a male collaborator. Her hit songs include "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" and "I Don't Want to Wait," the latter of which became the theme song for the television show Dawson's Creek.
Cole has released eleven studio albums to date and has performed with numerous iconic artists across various genres, including Peter Gabriel, Dolly Parton, and Herbie Hancock. She released her latest album, Lo, on March 1, 2024, which explores themes of grief, healing, and self-discovery. In February 2026, Cole announced a tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her breakthrough album, This Fire, scheduled for the fall of 2026. Besides recording and performing, Cole has been a faculty member at Berklee College of Music since 2013.
