Kent attended Newark Academy in Livingston, New Jersey. She graduated with a Degree in Comparative Literature from Sarah Lawrence College in New York, and moved to England after her graduation. While studying at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she met tenor saxophonist, Jim Tomlinson, whom she married on 9 Aug 1991.
Discography:
"Close Your Eyes" (1997), "The Tender Trap" (1998), "Let Yourself Go: Celebrating Fred Astaire" (2000),
"Dreamsville" (2001), "Brazilian Sketches" (2001), "In Love Again: The Music of Richard Rodgers" (2002),
"The Boy Next Door" (2003), "Collection" (2001), "Collection II" (2003), "Collection III" (2006),
"Breakfast On The Morning Tram" (2007), "Breakfast on the Morning Tram" (2008, limited edition boxset CD/DVD),
"Raconte-Moi..." (2010) , "Hushabye Mountain" (2011) , "THE CHANGING LIGHTS" (2013)
Kent has also featured in Tomlinson's 2006 album, The Lyric, which won "Album of the Year" at the 2006 BBC Jazz Awards.
Awards: British Jazz Award (2001) and BBC Jazz Award for Best Vocalist (2002).
Kent's album, Breakfast on the Morning Tram, was a nominee for Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 51st Grammy Awards (2009).
Trivia: Novelist Kazuo Ishiguro wrote the liner notes to Kent's 2003 album, The Boy Next Door, and also co-wrote four of the songs on the 2007 album, Breakfast on the Morning Tram.
Sites: Discogs
The Ice Hotel
Stacey Kent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Caribbean's all booked out and it's just as well
While I'd have been much keener, on Barbados and Antigua
But just now I think the arctic will suit us well
Let's you and me go away to the Ice Hotel
We've built it all with ice that's pure and clear
The sofas, the lobby, even the chandelier
A thermostat guarantees a steady minus 5 degrees
What other place could serve our needs so well?
Let's you and me go away to the Ice Hotel
Romantic places like Verona or Paris they'll always lead you astray
You'd have to be a novice to ever trust Venice and those dreamy waterways
And what the tropics can do I know only too well
So let's you and me go away to the Ice Hotel
In Stacey Kent's song "The Ice Hotel," the singer invites their partner to go on a trip to the titular location instead of the Caribbean. The singer seems to be disappointed that the Caribbean is "all booked out," but nevertheless, they suggest the icy landscape of the Arctic instead. The Ice Hotel itself seems to be a marvel of architecture, as it has "sofas, the lobby, even the chandelier" all made of clear, pure ice. The hotel is also kept at a steady minus 5 degrees Celsius with a thermostat, making it the perfect haven for the singers.
The singer then goes on to explain that romantic destinations like Verona or Paris are not what they want. They state that it is easy to be led astray by these places and that Venice's waterways cannot be trusted. The tropics are also something the singer seems to know well, but the Arctic and the Ice Hotel provide a unique sense of romanticism that cannot be found elsewhere, making it the perfect location for the singer and their partner.
Overall, the song seems to suggest that, contrary to what others may believe, the Ice Hotel is an incredibly appealing destination for a romantic getaway, even more so than places such as the Caribbean or famous European cities. The song seems to revel in the uniqueness and novelty of the Ice Hotel, emphasizing the beauty and wonder of experiencing something unfamiliar.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's you and me go away to the Ice Hotel
Let's escape to the Ice Hotel, since other destinations are not available
The Caribbean's all booked out and it's just as well
The Caribbean is fully booked, but it's not a concern
While I'd have been much keener, on Barbados and Antigua
Although I prefer Barbados and Antigua, the Arctic is currently our best option
But just now I think the arctic will suit us well
At this moment, the Arctic will be a good fit for us
We've built it all with ice that's pure and clear
The entire Ice Hotel is constructed using pure, clear ice
The sofas, the lobby, even the chandelier
Even the furniture and lighting in the hotel are made of ice
A thermostat guarantees a steady minus 5 degrees
The temperature is regulated by a thermostat that ensures a constant -5 degrees Celsius
What other place could serve our needs so well?
The Ice Hotel is the best place that can meet our requirements
Romantic places like Verona or Paris they'll always lead you astray
Places that are considered to be romantic, like Verona or Paris, can often mislead you
You'd have to be a novice to ever trust Venice and those dreamy waterways
Trusting Venice, a place known for its watery scenery, is only for amateurs
And what the tropics can do I know only too well
I understand the limitations of tropical destinations
Contributed by Emma J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.