Emjay (born Marie-Josée Riel on December 9, 1974) is a dance artist of Fren… Read Full Bio ↴Emjay (born Marie-Josée Riel on December 9, 1974) is a dance artist of French-Canadian decent. She originates from Rockland, just outside of Ottawa and had a series of dance hits throughout the 1990s. Her style of dance music was Euro Dance with high-energy techno beat and passionate female vocals. Her music was rather well-known to Canadian dance music fans.

Her passion for music began at age 12, with a 7 year stint singing as a backup vocalist with a local Ottawa band. She devoted virtually all her spare time practising the many different choreographs, along with aerobic training to ensure she was in top shape for her live performances of non-stop singing and dancing. Even at that young age, Emjay was willing to work hard and do what it took to attain her dream; to one day become a lead singer. The effort was well recognised; the band won 8 American Guild Awards. Still with the band in 1993, Emjay won first place as Pop Solo Artist at the American Guild Awards.

In 1994 she recorded a solo project, resulting in her first recording contract with Primus, and the song "Sound Of My Heartbeat", which charted at #7 on The Record's Dance chart. More singles followed, "Fascinated" (a cover of the 1986 hit by Company B) rose to #5, "Flying To The Moon" to #3, and her biggest success yet to come, "In Your Arms". In July 1995, she performed at the Théâtre du Forum in Montreal alongside Bananarama, Whigfield, Los Del Mar, BKS and others, in front of a 5000 capacity-crowd.

In August 1995, Emjay's first album, In Your Arms was released. This debut earned her five hit singles in Canada, and In Your Arms led to her first Juno for Best Dance Recording at the 26th Annual Juno Awards, on January 29, 1997, and a MuchMusic Video Award.

In November 1997 Emjay signed with Tycoon Records. Although a new album never appeared, her single "Over & Over" led to Emjay once again being nominated for Best Dance Recording at the Juno Awards.

Sing It
Emjay Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Can you look at me, tell me honestly
That our lives go round and round
Open up your mind, can't you see the sign
To the beat we found
Can you feel the sound up and down
All across the floor
Make this want some more. Oh I adore
Let it set us free

Sing it, together we can sing it
Together we got power
If you want it forever we can get it
Forever we are higher
If we sing it, together we can sing it
Together we got power
Got to give it forever to the limit
Forever make it better

Can we make a change, time to rearrange
The way we seem to walk away
Stand up on your feet
Got to stay with me
Change the way we made
Got to reunite, know it's right
Do it all night long

Come on, follow me. What will be
Let it set us free

Overall Meaning

Emjay's "Sing It" is an upbeat and energetic song that encourages the listener to let go of their inhibitions and join together in song. The lyrics implore the listener to open their mind and feel the music, inviting them to come together with others and make a change. The song's message is one of unity and empowerment, urging the listener to sing out and make their voice heard, and to work together to create a better world.

The lyrics also suggest that there is power in music and in singing together. By uniting in song, the listener can tap into a source of energy and strength that they might not otherwise have. The song's fast-paced beat and infectious melody invite the listener to dance and let go, encouraging them to break free and let the music take over.

Overall, Emjay's "Sing It" is a song about the transformative power of music, and the ways in which it can bring people together and inspire positive change in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Can you look at me, tell me honestly
Do you have the courage to be honest with me?

That our lives go round and round
Life is a cycle, constantly repeating.

Open up your mind, can't you see the sign
Be receptive and aware of the opportunity presented.

To the beat we found
The rhythm that will help us find our way.

Can you feel the sound up and down
Do you feel the music with your body and soul?

All across the floor
Everywhere in the room.

Make this want some more. Oh I adore
I want more of this feeling, and I love it.

Let it set us free
Allow this experience to liberate us.

Sing it, together we can sing it
Let's sing together in unity.

Together we got power
Our joined voices have strength.

If you want it forever we can get it
If we all want this to continue, it can.