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…
Simple Song
Jana Kirschner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can hear an orchestra in my head and soul
Sleepiness falls over my eyes
let me play for you sweet lullaby
Will you walk with me across the sun
We can find a place and sit down a while
Will you call my name when nobody will
Even if I sing alone in my room
I can feel the audience in my heart and soon
I'll close my eyes and you're by my side
Let me play for you my sweet lullaby…
Jana Kirschner's song "Simple Song" depicts the artistic process of a musician, a composer who is able to hear an orchestra playing in his/her mind while playing a simple tune. The ability to perceive the full orchestration of a melody in one's mind and soul is a reflection of the depth and creativity of the composer. In the midst of feeling sleepy, the composer offers to play a sweet lullaby for the audience. The lyrics, “Even if I sing alone in my room, I can feel the audience in my heart and soon I'll close my eyes, and you're by my side, let me play for you, my sweet lullaby” highlights the connection that music brings to people. The power to evoke emotions and connect people despite distance is a testament to music's universality.
The second stanza of the song opens with a request for companionship in the walk across the sun. “Will you walk with me across the sun? We can find a place and sit down a while.” The chorus follows with a question of loyalty, asking if the person will call the composer's name and stay the same way they feel when nobody will. This question reflects the vulnerability that comes with the creation of music. It is also an invitation to connect with another person on a deeper level than passing moments.
Some interesting facts about Jana Kirschner's song Simple Song include:
* Jana Kirschner is a Slovakian singer-songwriter with six solo albums to her name.
* Simple Song is the opening track on Kirschner's album Moruša: Biela, from 2017.
* The song's lyrics were written by Milan Lasica, a well-known Slovak writer, comedian, and intellectual.
* It took Kirschner and Lasica one afternoon to write the lyrics of "Simple Song."
* Milan Lasica wrote the lyrics for "Simple Song" as a gift to Jana for her 40th birthday.
* The album Moruša: Biela is named after a variety of Slovakian mulberry tree, and the song "Simple Song" has a reference to the tree in its lyrics.
* The album Moruša: Biela was nominated for the Slovak Album of the Year Award in 2018.
* Jana Kirschner's music is a blend of multiple genres, including pop, rock, and jazz.
* Jana Kirschner has won numerous awards in her home country, including the Slovak Gold Record, and the Angel Award for Best Female Singer.
* The chords for "Simple Song" are C, Am, F, G.
Chords:
Verse: C-Am-F-G (repeated throughout)
Chorus: C-F-G-Am (repeated throughout)
Line by Line Meaning
Even though I play a simple tune
Despite the fact that I am playing a basic melody
I can hear an orchestra in my head and soul
I perceive an entire symphony in my thoughts and emotions
Sleepiness falls over my eyes
Drowsiness overcomes my vision
let me play for you sweet lullaby
Allow me to perform a soothing song for you
Will you walk with me across the sun
Would you accompany me on an adventurous journey
We can find a place and sit down a while
We can discover a spot to relax for an interval
Will you call my name when nobody will
Will you remember me when I am forgotten by all
Will you stay the same way that you feel
Will your feelings toward me remain genuine
Even if I sing alone in my room
Even if I am singing in solitude
I can feel the audience in my heart and soon
I sense the presence of an audience in my heart, soon to appear
I'll close my eyes and you're by my side
I will shut my eyes and envision you beside me
Let me play for you my sweet lullaby…
Allow me to perform my calming tune for you
Contributed by Colton E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.