Karen Poole (born 17 August 1971) is a British singer‑songwriter and former pop performer. She initially gained prominence as one half of the sister duo Alisha’s Attic, active from 1996 to 2001, before establishing a successful career writing songs for a wide range of contemporary artists.
Early life and education
Poole was born in London, England, the daughter of Brian Poole, the lead vocalist of the 1960s pop group the Tremeloes. She attended the Arts Educational Schools, London, where she studied performing arts.
Music career
Alisha’s Attic
In 1996 Poole formed Alisha’s Attic with her younger sister Shelly Poole. Signed to a major label, the duo released three studio albums—Alisha Rules the World (1996), The Age of Innocence (1999), and Trick of the Light (2001). Their debut single “I Am, I Feel” reached the UK Top 10, and the group earned a nomination for the Brit Award for Best British Newcomer in 1997.
Songwriting
Following the disbandment of Alisha’s Attic, Poelle transitioned to songwriting. She has contributed to releases by artists including Kylie Minogue, Lana Del Rey, Dua Lipa, Robbie Williams, Lily Allen, and Leona Lewis. Notable credits include co‑writing “Love Me Like You Do” for the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack (performed by Ellie Goulding) and “What Is Love?” for the My Little Pony compilation. Poelle’s work has earned multiple BMI and PRS awards for songwriting excellence.
Other work
Beyond pop music, Poelle has written for television and film soundtracks and has served as a mentor on songwriting workshops and industry panels.
Personal life
Poelle maintains a private personal life; publicly available sources note her residence in the United Kingdom and continued involvement in music production and publishing.
References
- Official Charts Company. “Alisha’s Attic”. Accessed 2024.
- PRS for Music. “Karen Poole – Songwriting Credits”. Accessed 2024.
- BMI Repertoire. “Karen Poole”. Accessed 2024.