Karen Lee Orzolek is a South Korean-born American singer, musician, and songwriter. She is the lead vocalist for the indie rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs. She was born in Seoul, South Korea, the daughter of a Korean mother and a Polish father. The family eventually moved to Englewood, New Jersey, where she grew up and graduated from The Elisabeth Morrow School and Dwight-Englewood School.
Karen O’s top songs
Karen O is such a big songwriting inspiration for us. Her melodies and her lyrics are never more than they need to be, and they still cut deep. She can destroy you with a phrase. I think we’re always trying to find a Maps-like chorus, one you could yell or whisper.
Karen O and Danger Mouse – Ministry
It’s a bop. It’s kind of ‘Sacrilege’ part two. A gospel song at heart.
Karen O – Day Go By
We love how this love song is delivered like love is exhausting.
Karen O and the Kids – Hideaway
Another beautiful melody and the instrumentation are so perfect. A lot of parts branch and break off of the vocal line.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Modern Romance
We love how dejected and resigned it is. Disappointment is one of our favorite vocal moods. And the production brings us back. Two voices are delivering the second verse at different rhythms, so sometimes it sounds like a delay and sometimes like a glitch.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Turn Into
‘I know on the car ride down. I hear it in my head real low.‘
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Skeletons
This song is so haunting and restrained. This might be our favorite lyrics of hers. I think it has 20 words total, but it’s a whole world.
Karen O awards
In 2006, O was nominated for the GAFFA-Prisen Award for Best Foreign Female Act. O was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for co-writing “The Moon Song” with Spike Jonze for the film Her.
