Aged 21, Claire formed a quartet which featured Jim Mullen on guitar and Jonathon Gee on piano. In 1991 Claire signed to the Linn label.
She achieved instant recognition with her debut album "The Waiting Game", which was chosen as one of the Times records of the year. 1994 saw Claire receive the Rising Star award at the British Jazz awards. By 1995 Claire had made three more critically acclaimed albums for Linn Records and made her American debut with four sell-out shows in Washington DC, receiving rave reviews from the Washington Post and The Village Voice.
Later that year Claire won the Best Vocalist Award at the British Jazz Awards and took her group to Ronnie Scott's Club to make her first live album titled "Offbeat".
In 2000 Claire started presenting the jazz magazine show "Jazz Line Up" for BBC Radio 3.
In July 2003 the third BBC Jazz Awards named Claire Vocalist of the Year.
"Talented and hip beyond her years.... the most exciting jazz star to soar to my attention in a decade" Rex Reed - The New York Observer.
How Can I Be Sure
Claire Martin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How can I be sure where I stand with you?
Whenever I, whenever I am away from you
I wanna die 'cause you know I wanna stay with you.
How do I know? Maybe you're trying to use me.
Flying too high can confuse me. Touch me but don't take me down.
My alibi is telling people I don't care for you.
Maybe I'm just hanging around with my head up upside down.
It's a pity, I can't seem to find someone who's as pretty
and lovely as you.
How can I be sure? I really really really wanna know.
I really really really wanna know. Oh.
How can I be sure in a world that's constantly changing?
How can I be sure? I'll be sure with you.
The lyrics of Claire Martin's song "How Can I Be Sure?" express the uncertainty and doubt in a relationship. The first verse highlights the constant changes in the world, emphasizing the difficulty in finding a stable point of reference. The second line of the verse, "How can I be sure where I stand with you?" speaks directly to the uncertainty in the singer's relationship. The following verse then delves into the singer's personal insecurities when away from their partner, expressing a fear of being used or confused when flying too high.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's deep desire to be sure of their relationship, but the underlying doubts and conflicting emotions prevent them from feeling completely secured. The bridge reveals another layer to the singer's inner turmoil, as they admit to pretending not to care for their partner when they are away from them to protect themselves from vulnerability.
Overall, "How Can I Be Sure?" is a poignant song that touches on the complexities of human emotions and relationships. It captures the doubts and fears we all face in intimate relationships and urges listeners to look beyond the instability of the world and towards the person standing right beside them.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I be sure in a world that's constantly changing?
Amidst the chaos of a world that never stops evolving, how can I be certain about anything?
How can I be sure where I stand with you?
How can I confidently determine the status of our relationship?
Whenever I, whenever I am away from you
I wanna die 'cause you know I wanna stay with you.
Being separated from you is unbearable because all I want to do is be by your side.
How do I know? Maybe you're trying to use me.
I am uncertain whether your intentions towards me are genuine or if you are manipulating me for your own purposes.
Flying too high can confuse me. Touch me but don't take me down.
Being too enamored with you can cloud my judgment, but I still desire your affection without making impulsive decisions.
My alibi is telling people I don't care for you.
I pretend not to care about you when others are around to avoid revealing the depth of my emotions.
Maybe I'm just hanging around with my head up upside down.
Perhaps I am infatuated with you and my perception of reality is skewed as a result.
It's a pity, I can't seem to find someone who's as pretty
and lovely as you.
It is unfortunate that I cannot find someone whose physical appearance and personality rival yours.
How can I be sure? I really really really wanna know.
I am consumed with a need to find out if there is a chance for us to be together.
How can I be sure? I'll be sure with you.
The only way I can be certain about anything in this world is by being in a committed relationship with you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward J Brigati, Felix Cavaliere
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind