- Her childhood hero was Leonardo Da Vinci. She is able to write left-handed, upside-down and backwards, as da Vinci did.
- Natalie Merchant was the first musical guest to be asked back by David Letterman to perform for a second night in a row.
- Her favourite song by 10,000 Maniacs is "Dust Bowl".
- Took piano and voice lessons.
- Natalie has also contributed to a colouring book for Crayola. The book was based on the lyrics of "Come Take a Trip in My Airship".
- Worked as an "arts and crafts lady" teaching art to homeless kids for a homeless shelter in Harlem during her hiatus from 10,000 Maniacs.
- Is Italian, Irish, and Native American. Her father's original Italian family name was "Mercante," but it was Americanized into "Merchant," Her mother's side is Irish -- O'Neill or O'Neal or O'Shea -- and Native American.
- Was romantically involved with Michael Stipe, the lead singer of R.E.M., in the 1980s and 1990s. The two also often performed together, appear on some recordings together, and have shared a long-time friendship, as well.
- Has an older brother and sister and a younger brother.
- Dropped out of high school at age 16 and attended Jamestown Community College of The State University of New York (SUNY). She got an Associate's degree instead of a GED.
- Garry Shandling wanted to cast her in a recurring role on the final season of The Larry Sanders Show (1992) but she turned the part down.
- Her mom owns a shop in Greenville, South Carolina called Time Warp which sells vintage clothing and retro items and accessories.
- Has a daughter named Lucia de la Calle (b.2003) with her ex-husband Daniel de la Calle.
- Joined 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 and released 8 albums with them; the name of the band was inspired by the film Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964).
- Recently released Retrospective 1990-2005 - a collection of her best work. She is currently in Spain, and doing her part in raising money for Hurrican Katrina victims. (October 2005)
- Solo albums: Tigerlily (1995), Ophelia (1998), Live in Concert (1999), Motherland (2001), The House Carpenter's Daughter (2003), Retrospective 1995-2006 (2006), Leave Your Sleep (2010), Natalie Merchant (2014), Paradise Is There: The New Tigerlily Recordings (2015), Butterfly (2017).
- Natalie is planning on releasing a folk album in early 2003. She has also teamed up with her former 10,000 Maniacs members and they are going to release a retrospective album sometime in 2003. The album will contain one CD of popular singles and one CD of rare b-sides. Also, Natalie will be designing the cover of the CD and will be contributing to the 48-page booklet.
- Natalie is working on her new folk album entitled "The House Carpenter's Daughter". The album will be available on her site and in some retail stores later this year. (February 2003)
- Released "The House Carpenter's Daughter" on August 12. (August 2003)
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