Amie’s difficulty playing any role aside from her straight-talking, take-no-prisoners self probably explains why the attempt to translate her vision to a band turned out to be a false start. Dirtie Blonde, Amie’s first signed project, had the olive-skinned, Italian brunette regularly touching up her roots while singing songs that owed more to their collaborators than her own heart. “It was impossible to lose myself in the music,” she notes. But Amie remained persistent and her passion for expressing herself through song never faltered.
Naturally then, it’s Amie’s honesty that’s impossible to miss on I Came Around, her BellaSonic/Jive/Zomba debut. She insistently declares, “I’m learning as I go” on the chorus of the title track and first single, offers the spot-on observation that “I’m older than my skin is in this life” on the piano ballad “Snow,” and flirts with a crush on “Brand New.” And while there are assists from some noted producers, the primary contributions come from Amie and her longtime guitarist/collaborator, Jay Dmuchowski. I Came Around conveys Amie’s personal vision and regarding the new material she beams, “I’m just so proud of what I’ve done.”
It was the two of them, Amie and Jay, who were initially noticed while playing acoustic gigs all over Manhattan. Famed producer Billy Mann, known for his work with everyone from Pink to Martina McBride, had sent a talent scout to a show at Arlene’s Grocery where the duo were the opening act. But instead of the headliner, the scout took an interest in Amie and Jay.
Through Billy Mann, Amie befriended powerful A&R exec Teresa LaBarbera Whites, responsible for guiding the careers of Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé and Jessica Simpson, among others. Once she arrived at Jive, LaBarbera Whites made Amie her first signing.
Amie’s first experience as a signed artist helped her learn to structure songs and polish her songwriting ability. It was also at this point that Amie really cut her teeth as a live performer. “I got to tour with INXS, Teddy Geiger, Gavin DeGraw and Nick Lachey, and be in front of all these people,” she recalls. “I really learned how to be a performer. You’re not really performing until you’re opening for someone, where no one knows who you are and nobody cares. Sometimes you win people over, sometimes you don’t.”
Fast-forward to today, Amie’s I Came Around (2008) is the first release on LaBarbera Whites’ BellaSonic imprint. “I wouldn’t say that I’m a feminist, but I’m very into female empowerment,” Amie observes about her patron. “Teresa can sit down with some of the most famous and powerful men in this business and not feel the least bit intimidated—and that to me is empowering. To me, she has always said, ‘You are a star, and everyone is gonna know it one day.’”
Providing a role model for young women is a key part of Amie’s plan. She notes that when coping with the emotional baggage of her parents’ divorce and her dislike for school, it was her favorite artists who helped her survive. “For the most part, my favorite artists are female,” she observes. “I love Ani DiFranco, Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morissette, Joni Mitchell and Fiona Apple.”
At the same time, this young but seasoned performer has developed a love for writing, calling it her “favorite part of the whole thing,” adding, “Of course I want to be successful and make a living. But I also want the opportunity to write different kinds of music my whole life.”
On the strength of her seasoned-sounding debut, Amie could do just that. All she has to do is act naturally.
Brand New
Amie Miriello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
who can have a conversation without
making a sound
You look like the kind of a person
instigating bad-behaving when we're
hanging around
You look like the kind of a person
who would take me to a party on the
You look like the kind of a person that's down
And when I see you walking down the street
Kinda guy I'd like to meet
Won't you give it to me?
When I see you driving in your car
Looking like a fucking star
Won't you give it to me?
Rock those blue jeans baby
Rock those blue..
Make me feel like I'm brand new
Brand new
You speak, it's like everyone listens and
it's not because they want to but because
you're insane
I take on the road of submission by the old way
And when I see you walking down the street
Kinda guy I'd like to meet
Won't you give it to me?
When I see you driving in your car
Looking like a fucking star
Won't you give it to me?
Rock those blue jeans baby
Rock those blue..
Make me feel like I'm brand new
Maybe this could be right
Maybe this could be wrong
But it surely is no disappointment
Boy, I feel like my flower opened
up to the sun and the sky up above
And when I see you walking down the street
Kinda guy I'd like to meet
Won't you give it to me?
When I see you driving in your car
Looking like a fucking star
Won't you give it to me?
Rock those blue jeans baby
Rock those blue..
Make me feel like I'm...
And when I see you walking down the street
Kinda guy I'd like to meet
Won't you give it to me?
When I see you driving in your car
Looking like a fucking star
Won't you give it to me?
Rock those blue jeans baby
Rock those blue..
Make me feel like I'm brand new
Brand new
Brand new
Brand new
The lyrics of Amie Miriello's song "Brand New" talk about the singer's desire for a person she has just met. From the first stanza, it is evident that the singer is attracted to this person's quiet confidence and daring spirit. The singer believes this person is the kind who is not afraid to break rules and take risks, as they seem to be comfortable with who they are. The chorus repeats the phrase 'rock those blue jeans, baby, make me feel like I'm brand new,' which could be interpreted as the singer's desire to feel renewed and transformed through their interaction with this person.
The second verse says that when this person speaks, everyone listens, and it's not because they want to, but because this person exudes some kind of energy that draws others in. The singer admits that they feel submissive to this person's influence, but it's not stated whether this is a good or bad thing. The chorus repeats the idea of the singer wanting to feel brand new, which ties in with the idea that this person has the power to transform them.
The bridge of the song talks about the potential for things to work out between the singer and this person. The singer admits that she does not know if this is the right decision, but it feels like an adventure worth pursuing. The imagery of a flower opening up to the sun and the sky suggests a sense of hope for new beginnings. The chorus repeats one last time, emphasizing the desire for transformation and the ability of this person to bring about a change in the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
You look like the kind of a person who can have a conversation without making a sound
You appear to be the type of person who can communicate without speaking out loud.
You look like the kind of a person instigating bad-behaving when we're hanging around
It seems like you may be prone to causing a little mischief when we're spending time together.
You look like the kind of a person who would take me to a party on the wrong side of town
From your looks, I get the feeling you could take me to an unconventional party location with a tad bit of danger.
You look like the kind of a person that's down
Based on your appearance, I sense that you have a laid-back attitude.
And when I see you walking down the street Kinda guy I'd like to meet Won't you give it to me?
I feel drawn to you and curious about your personality when I see you walking down the street. Would you be willing to spend some time with me?
When I see you driving in your car Looking like a fucking star Won't you give it to me?
When I see you driving in your car, appearing confident and self-assured, would you also give me that confident vibe?
Rock those blue jeans baby Rock those blue.. Make me feel like I'm brand new Brand new
Wearing those blue jeans suits you well and makes me feel alive and rejuvenated despite having experienced things before.
You speak, it's like everyone listens and it's not because they want to but because you're insane I take on the road of submission by the old way
Your unique way of conveying yourself compels people to listen without wanting to do so. I change my old ways and submit to that method.
Maybe this could be right Maybe this could be wrong But it surely is no disappointment Boy, I feel like my flower opened up to the sun and the sky up above
Although this may range from being correct to incorrect, I don't regret taking this chance because it makes me feel joyful, relaxed, and open to the universe.
Contributed by Elizabeth Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ronnie Harbin
Such an amazing voice and songwriter. It's such a sin shes not a huge star. Her album has gotten me thru so many hard times. I hope to hear more from this talented young lady.
iayonna brown
After I fits heard this on vh1 it took me 2 era to did this song. Since then I've been the happiest little camper! This is is amazing makes me feel like sunshine in LA.
Rome Wylder
i cant believe this doesnt have a million views this song inspire me to do country music.
Sal White
It could very well be the opening soundtrack for a series these days.
Send it to some names in this area. It costs nothing. And everything has its time. As soon as I heard it, I identified it as the opening theme of today. I repeat; it costs nothing and everything has its time.
hirilth
her whole album is just great, she should be much more famous, go amie! :)
123 456
Saw this song first on MTV/VH1 when it was first coming out and I still love it to this day. Sad that the studio didn’t make a clean version, otherwise I’d have purchased it way back when.
Beth Nunura
I listen to this song a couple years back, but had forgotten the name of it so I would search up lyrics and i would never come up. Just as I was looking at my subscriptions, I finally found it!!!!
vonkroppelberg
this is a really good song , she should be a huge star
GuyanaGirl00
seriously...the most recent comments are from a month ago and there's only 10?!!? Amie needs to be listened to more often, she'd underrated :)) !
niki sparks
Omg after 9 years I FINALLY found it.