Amanda’s second album, “Brazilian Passion,” was released in Japan in 2009. This album is a blend of Brazilian and American music, which represents Amanda’s background. Most of the songs on the album are influenced by Brazilian rhythms and features four of Amanda’s original compositions. Amongst well known covers, the album includes special guest and Brazilian legend, Ivan Lins, who sings on two of the tracks with Amanda. This album received the Gold Disc Award by Swing Journal, Japan in 2009.
In November 2010, Amanda left Birds Records and signed with Universal Music Japan. She then recorded her third album, “Blossom”, produced by Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Jesse Harris. “Blossom”, a concept proposed by Universal, is a tribute album dedicated to James Taylor and Carole King. Musicians on the album include some of James Taylor and Carole King’s working band: Lee Sklar (bass), Russ Kunkel (drums) and Larry Goldings (piano/keyboard), plus Jesse Harris (acoustic guitar) and Anthony Wilson (electric guitar). The album was released in Japan in May of 2011 in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Carole King’s “Tapestry” album and will be released in the United States on February 26th, 2012.
Amanda’s talent was notible at a very young age. At age 5, she easily invented melodies, harmonies and words of her own while singing and playing the piano, which displayed a natural inclination for songwriting. She comes from a long line of musicians and is the daughter of Brazilian pianist/singer Eliane Elias and the trumpeter Randy Brecker, two very prominent artists on the Jazz scene. Her uncle is the late saxophonist, Michael Brecker. When Amanda was 8 years old, she sang on Eliane Elias’s album “Fantasia,” interpreting Milton Nascimento’s “Ponta de Areia”, a performance that brought the composer to tears. Following the recording, Amanda performed live with Milton Nascimento in Paris when she was 9 years old. Prior to starting her solo career , she sang on several of Eliane Elias’s albums and performed live with her mother on various occasions.
Amanda always composed at the piano. Just a couple years ago, she picked up the guitar, which opened up a new perspective for her as a songwriter. She is currently working on new material for a next album and preparing for the release of ‘Blossom’ in the US.
On and On
Amanda Brecker Lyrics
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They got lots of pretty women
Steal your money
Then they break your heart
Lonesome Sue, she′s in love with ol' Sam
Take him from the fire into the frying pan
On and on
She just keeps on trying
On and on, on and on, on and on
Poor ol′ Jimmy
Sits alone in the moonlight
Saw his woman kiss another man
So he takes a ladder
Steals the stars from the sky
Puts on Sinatra and starts to cry
On and on
He just keeps on trying
And he smiles when he feels like crying
On and on, on and on, on and on
When the first time is the last time
It can make you feel so bad
But if you know it, show it
Hold on tight
Don't let her say goodnight
Got the sun on my shoulders
And my toes in the sand
My woman's left me for the some other man
Aw, but I don′t care
I′ll just dream and stay tan
Toss up my heart to see where it lands
On and on
I just keep on trying
And I smile when I feel like dying
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on
I just keep on trying
And I smile when I feel like dying
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on
On and on, on and on, on and on
The lyrics of Amanda Brecker's "On and On" paints a picture of the trials and tribulations of love. The song is divided into three verses each depicting a different scenario of a relationship that has gone sour. The first verse talks about "Down in Jamaica" where women are pretty but will steal your money and break your heart. Lonesome Sue, who is in love with Sam, is afraid to let go even though she knows he will hurt her. The second verse talks about Jimmy, who is heartbroken after seeing his woman kiss another man. He desires to steal the stars from the sky to make things right as he cries to Sinatra's songs. The final verse talks about a man who has lost his woman to another man but he decides to stay tan and dream on. He tosses up his heart to see where it lands.
Overall, the song is a message of hope and perseverance in times of heartbreak. The continual phrase "On and on" emphasizes the need to keep pushing through the ups and downs of love. When the first time is the last time, it can make you feel so bad but the key is to hold on tight and not let go. Despite the difficult experiences, the characters keep trying and smiling through the pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in Jamaica
In Jamaica, where it is rumored there are many attractive women, but also where people scam you and break your heart.
They got lots of pretty women
Jamaica has numerous beautiful women, according to popular perception.
Steal your money
In Jamaica, it is notorious for people to cheat you and take your money.
Then they break your heart
The people who steal from you in Jamaica are likely to also betray you emotionally.
Lonesome Sue, she′s in love with ol' Sam
Sue, who is lonely, is romantically interested in a man named Sam.
Take him from the fire into the frying pan
Sue takes a risk by pursuing a relationship with Sam, who may not be a better alternative than being alone.
On and on
Despite the potential risks to her heart, Sue persists with her efforts to find love.
She just keeps on trying
Sue continues to put herself out there and look for love.
And she smiles when she feels like crying
Even when Sue is hurting, she puts on a brave face and tries to stay positive.
Poor ol′ Jimmy
Jimmy is to be pitied.
Sits alone in the moonlight
Jimmy is spending a lonely night by himself under the moon's light.
Saw his woman kiss another man
Jimmy witnessed his romantic partner cheat on him with another man.
So he takes a ladder
In response to feeling hurt and displaced, Jimmy takes dramatic action.
Steals the stars from the sky
Jimmy takes the ladder to the sky to grab the stars, symbolizing his desire to capture something unattainable.
Puts on Sinatra and starts to cry
Jimmy listens to Frank Sinatra's music and allows himself to feel upset.
When the first time is the last time
The first experience of love, when it is also the final experience of love, can be traumatizing.
It can make you feel so bad
Experiencing love's end for the first time can be emotionally devastating.
But if you know it, show it
If you still have the chance to demonstrate your love, then take it.
Hold on tight
If you value a relationship, don't let go without a fight.
Don't let her say goodnight
Don't give up until your significant other says goodbye for good.
Got the sun on my shoulders
The artist is in a bright and sunny location.
And my toes in the sand
The artist is standing on a sandy beach, potentially near the water's edge.
My woman's left me for the some other man
The singer's romantic partner broke up with him and found someone else.
Aw, but I don′t care
In spite of his heartbreak, the artist is unconcerned.
I′ll just dream and stay tan
The singer chooses to daydream and bask in the sun rather than dwelling on his heartbreak.
Toss up my heart to see where it lands
The singer takes his heart and throws it in the air, hoping to discover where it will fall.
I just keep on trying
Despite the heartbreak, the singer keeps on going and pursuing love.
And I smile when I feel like dying
Even during difficult times, the artist tries to remain positive and keep a smile on his face.
Contributed by Muhammad F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.