In her latest single, “Pulling Teeth”, singer-songwriter Carla Strauss dives into the belief that people often pretend to be someone they’re not—or strive for perfection—out of fear of disappointing others. With this song she delves into this relatable experience from a deeply personal perspective.
“I wrote the song during a time when I had to come to terms with myself and my emotions,” she shares. “Though it’s a personal story, I believe many people have felt the exhaustion of constantly living up to others’ expectations. It’s a human reaction to not want to let people down.”
This struggle is one that Carla Strauss has faced for much of her life
“For a long time, and even now, I feel pressured to be perfect to meet others’ expectations. There’s always that lingering fear of letting someone down. But I realized that if I keep trying to fit into everyone else’s image of me, I lose touch with who I really am. “Pulling Teeth” is my way of expressing that I want to live on my own terms without the fear of disappointing others.” she shares.
Produced by Carla and Ludwig Bouwer of One Big Room, the single comes from her latest EP, Projections, and continues the raw, heartfelt style of her previous releases.
“I wrote this song during a period of major life changes, and I wanted to capture that honestly and vulnerably. It’s like a diary entry that encapsulates a significant chapter of my life.” shares Carla.
Carla Strauss acknowledges that while “Pulling Teeth” might not be the type of catchy pop hit that people play on repeat, it’s a song filled with deep emotion that many listeners can connect with.
“I believe a lot of people will see themselves in the lyrics. That feeling of wanting to be more than what others perceive is more common than we think. I hope my song helps people realize they’re not alone in those feelings.” she says
“Pulling Teeth” marks Carla Stauss’ sixth single. The passionate artist made her debut at 16 with “Midnight Train”, and since then, she’s gained recognition for her music, with one of her tracks, “Break My Bones”, even receiving a remix by a French artist.
Carla Strauss was also part of the group One Voice, which released a successful album in 2019. In 2020, they collaborated on an anti-bullying anthem for the Child Protection Hotline titled “I Will”, which Carla later re-recorded and released with Kalinka Kilian in 2022.
Now 23 and based in Centurion, Carla Strauss considers lyricism the heart of her artistry, which is evident in her introspective and emotionally resonant songwriting. As she continues to evolve as a musician, each release invites listeners to join her on this ongoing journey of growth and self-discovery.
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