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…
Shine
Jana Kirschner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seems to me you don´t feel that way
I wanna kiss you, just to be sure
That your love is real
Not some kind of dream anymore
When the stars begin to shine
No cheap romance no candle light
That's all I need to make you mine…
First time I saw you
I knew we could be the real thing
Can't wait anymore
Just to tell you everything
I don´t mind we're different
And your mamma said
It's gonna be a bad match boy
Cards never lie
This time I´m gonna beat them all…
When the stars begin to shine
No cheap romance no candle light
When the stars begin to shine, shine, shine…
That's all I need to make you mine…
Pour milk in my coffee
In the morning and then
Do the things only lovers can
Watching the clouds
And waiting for the rain
I wanna love you everyday…
In this song, Jana Kirschner expresses her desire to love and be loved by someone every day, and not just have a superficial romance. She sings about wanting to kiss the person just to be sure that their love is real, and not just a dream. She also mentions that when the stars begin to shine, that's all she needs to make the person hers.
The lyrics depict the singer's determination and willingness to pursue the love that she desires, even though there are differences and obstacles that she may have to overcome. The reference to pouring milk in the coffee and doing things that only lovers can, suggests an intimate and loving relationship that the singer longs for. Overall, the lyrics convey a message of true and genuine love that goes beyond the surface level of romance.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna love you everyday
I desire to love you with all my heart every single day.
Seems to me you don´t feel that way
It appears to me that you don't reciprocate the same level of love and affection.
I wanna kiss you, just to be sure
I need to kiss you to confirm whether your love is genuine or just a mere fantasy.
That your love is real
I need assurance that the love you claim to have for me is not just a façade.
Not some kind of dream anymore
I desire to have tangible proof that what we share is not just a dream but a reality.
When the stars begin to shine
The moment when the stars light up and create a magical atmosphere.
No cheap romance no candle light
I'm not interested in a flimsy romantic affair with superficial gestures like candlelight dinners or gifts.
That's all I need to make you mine…
The ideal conditions that will make you mine are simply the enchanting ambiance created by the stars.
First time I saw you
I have a vivid recollection of the first time I laid eyes on you.
I knew we could be the real thing
I had an intuitive feeling that we could be a genuine couple with a promising future ahead.
Can't wait anymore
I've been anticipating this moment for so long and now I can't contain my eagerness any longer.
Just to tell you everything
I need to express all my feelings to you in their entirety.
I don´t mind we're different
Our differences don't bother me, they only add variety and richness to our relationship.
And your mamma said
Your mother warned that we're not a suitable match for each other.
It's gonna be a bad match boy
She thinks you and I won't have a successful love story together.
Cards never lie
I believe that the future is written in the cards and they will reveal our fate and compatibility.
This time I'm gonna beat them all…
I'm confident that this time, I'll defy the odds and prove that our love can conquer all obstacles.
Pour milk in my coffee
A simple and ordinary gesture that I love and cherish because it's something that only true lovers do.
In the morning and then
It's a morning routine that brings back fond memories of us being together.
Do the things only lovers can
Engage in intimate actions that only people who truly love and care for each other do.
Watching the clouds
Spending time together admiring the beauty of nature and the sky above us.
And waiting for the rain
Anticipating the arrival of a new day full of exciting opportunities and adventures.
Contributed by Ava P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.