Paula Cole is an American singer-songwriter best known for her soulful voice and thoughtful songwriting. She first gained recognition as a vocalist on Peter Gabriel’s Secret World Tour in the early 1990s, before launching her solo career. Her second album, This Fire, brought her widespread success with hits like Where Have All the Cowboys Gone and I Don't Want to Wait, the latter famously serving as the theme song for Dawson’s Creek. Cole has won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist and was the first woman to be solely nominated for Producer of the Year. Over her career, she has explored various musical styles from folk-rock to jazz, and her lyrics often tackle social issues. In addition to her work as a recording artist, she has taught at Berklee College of Music since 2013. Her most recent album, Lo, was released in 2024.