Jana Kirschner is a Slovak singer, musician and songwriter. She became a re… Read Full Bio ↴Jana Kirschner is a Slovak singer, musician and songwriter. She became a respected artist in Slovakia.

Up to 2003, the success of her four Universal albums had been mainly confined to Slovakia and the Czech Republic; she was singing (for the most part) in her mother language and playing to an audience who knew her, loved her and generally had the T-shirt.

This is where new album ‘Shine’ comes in; 11 songs that roll like liquid honey, all easy drift and rainy-day emotion, topped off by vocals – English vocals – that consistently favour the personal over the pat.
Set for release on Universal this summer, with the title track getting the nod as lead single/video, this is also the first album from Jana to be recorded & mixed outside of Slovakia, in an environment that sometimes loomed large in terms of language, weather & workload…

By the age of 21, Jana was one of Slovakia’s most noted performers, a genuine front-cover face, and within a couple of years, this appeal had extended to the Czech Republic, too – a country where those older and (supposedly) wiser had assured her that, for reasons of culture, she could never hope to break. It’s one thing to have a talent, the ability to grab a melody and a voice that naturally charms, but this kind of against-the-odds success pointed to someone with a sense of belief & responsibility far beyond their years; someone whose career could boast its fair share of awards (Newcomer Of The Year,Artist of the year,Album of the year,The best song,Producer of the year,Best lyrics....), high-profile appearances (Special Guesting with Elton John in Prague) and carefully-crafted songs shot through with atmosphere & grace. In short, someone pretty special.

JANA KIRSCHNER WAS born in the small town of Martin, about 300 km from Bratislava. It was here, aged just seven, that she took top place in a singing competition, setting her off down a creative path that – with the odd detour to take in a beauty pageant and contemporary dance – finally led to a record deal and a successful first single.

‘Don’t Cry’ was the track in question, a pure pop hit, but 17-year-old Jana wasn’t happy. Where was the substance? The soul? She was finding herself drawn in a different direction, and after joining forces with a like-minded manager, a guy used to working with ‘genuine’ artists, she was able to embark on a voyage of discovery – expanding her musical knowledge, playing with seasoned professionals and getting a feel for the performance side of things.

“I began to sense that I was involved with something bigger,” reflects the singer, who would soon add guitar playing to her burgeoning list of skills, “That I was part of a new family…” With her ‘mission’ now officially underway, Jana was offered a contract by Universal, and the resulting album" Jana Kirschner" (issued in 1997).

Two years later her album"In the foreign city"(issued in 1999) saw her winning support in both Slovakia and the Czech Republic, where ‘Modra’ (‘Blue’) became the breakthrough track at radio. The follow-up collections (2002/2003) served to sustain her momentum at home, and there were festival dates in Germany & Poland to keep the international flame a-flicker, but still no plans to turn that flicker into a blaze. It was clear that more dramatic moves were required, plus real discipline from Jana in respect of the material…

“I bought a computer so I could write a song every day, like a diary, and I came up with 30 to 40 numbers for the new album. I put some of them on a CD, which I called the ‘Pink CD’, then I gave this to my manager’s daughter as a Christmas present; I explained that the songs were just for her, but she couldn’t resist playing them to her father, who went mad when he heard them and so did Universal…” Mission still on track. Next stop: LONDON.

HAVING BUILT his reputation on records designed to ruffle the emotions, Ross Cullum had the perfect credentials to take on a project that had at last won its international spurs. What’s more, he and Jana hit it off straight away, spending hours, days & weeks locked in deep musical debate, batting names such as Bob Dylan & Bonnie Raitt back an’ forth across the net. Only after many such (extended) rallies did they mutually agree where the fourth Universal album should sit…

There was never any question that Jana would sing in English (“I find it easier to be brave with my lyrics in a language that isn’t my own!”), or that the music should have a flavour of her culture and her past; the hard part was deciding which of the vast choice of songs would make most sense to record… then finding the plain & simple truth in those. Which sounds straightforward enough, but once in process can squeeze the emotions like a vice, as album opener ‘Another Day’ – the only song written in London – documents in full (‘don’t let me give up this fight until I find the truth’). There’s no doubt, however, that the final results fully justify the effort…

Wonderfully constructed by a host of great players, including Robbie MacIntosh (guitar), Chris Hughes (percussion) and multiinstrumentalist Cullum himself, ‘Shine’ is an album that speaks from within; it doesn’t shout or raise its voice without reason, but there’s a gentle strength to the music plus a take-it-or-leave-it honesty to the lyrics that are hard not to succumb to – even for those whose vital organs have been left out in the cold…

Little Sister
Jana Kirschner Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey little sister, once in a blue moon
You Get Mad
And Loose Your Head
Please Donґt Arrest Me You

Refrйn:
You Donґt Know Where You are
You Donґt Know House Of Cards

Hey little sister
Why you so innocent
And winsome
If you're created from chaos
Than the right

Way is gone

Refrйn 2x

I wish you I wish you I wish you heaven
I wish you I wish you I wish you heaven
Close your eyes
Break the ice
And everyome will
Love you again
Close your eyes
Break the ice
And everyome will
Love you again

Refrйn

Overall Meaning

The song "Little Sister" by Jana Kirschner is a poignant exploration of the complexities of the human psyche, particularly the duality of innocence and chaos. In the opening lines, Kirschner addresses her little sister, acknowledging that rarely do people lose their heads, but when they do, it can be a scary experience for those caught in the crosshairs. The refrain emphasizes the sense of confusion and disorientation that can accompany these moments, with lines like "You Don't Know Where You are" and "You Don't Know House Of Cards." Clearly, Kirschner is trying to encourage her sister to find her footing and avoid any potential conflict or danger.

In the second verse, Kirschner delves deeper into the concept of innocence and how it can coexist alongside chaos. She points out that even if someone's personality is "created from chaos," that doesn't mean they can't navigate life in a positive and meaningful way. However, the right way to do so may not always be apparent or easy to find. Ultimately, the song seems to be a message of hope and encouragement for anyone struggling to find their place in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey little sister, once in a blue moon
The singer addresses their sister, acknowledging that she doesn't usually get mad or lose her head, but once in a while she does.

You Get Mad
The singer notes that their sister does experience anger and intense emotion at times.

And Loose Your Head
The singer describes their sister as being overcome by emotion when she gets mad.

Please Donґt Arrest Me You
The artist hopes that their sister won't take her anger out on them in a way that harms or punishes them.

You Donґt Know Where You are
The artist suggests that their sister may be feeling lost or unsure of herself in some way.

You Donґt Know House Of Cards
The singer implies that their sister may not understand the consequences of her actions and how they can affect her life like a 'house of cards'.

Hey little sister
The singer continues to address their sister.

Why you so innocent
The artist wonders why their sister is so naive or inexperienced in certain ways.

And winsome
The artist recognizes their sister's charming or attractive qualities.

If you're created from chaos
The artist suggests that their sister may have a tumultuous or difficult past that has shaped who she is today.

Than the right
The singer alludes to some kind of path that their sister should follow, but hasn't yet found.

Way is gone
The artist laments that their sister hasn't found the right path for herself.

I wish you I wish you I wish you heaven
The singer expresses a desire for their sister to find peace or happiness.

Close your eyes
The singer tells their sister to take a moment to relax and let go of her worries.

Break the ice
The singer encourages their sister to overcome any obstacles that are preventing her from moving forward.

And everyone will
The artist suggests that if their sister can do these things, she will be able to win back the love and admiration of those around her.

Love you again
The artist reassures their sister that people still care about her and want her to succeed.

Contributed by Scarlett B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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