Born in Oakdale, New York on Long Island, Monheit began singing professionally while attending Connetquot High School. At 17, she began studying at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City under the tutelage of Peter Eldridge. At the age of 20, as a senior, she won the first runner-up prize at the 1998 Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Competition. In 1999, she received her Bachelor's degree in music.
Monheit's voice has been compared to that of Ella Fitzgerald, whom she lists as one of her influences. Songs she has recorded range from jazz standards to MGM/RKO musicals of the 1930s-1950s and Brazilian rhythms such as "Começar de novo".
Monheit released her debut album, Never Never Land in October 2000 and it became an instant success. This was followed shortly by her second album, Come Dream With Me (May 2001) and her third, In The Sun (October 2002).
Her fourth album, Live at the Rainbow Room, was released in December 2003. A similarly-titled DVD was released to complement the CD.
Her fifth album, Taking a Chance on Love, was released in September 2004. It debuted at the #1 spot on Billboard's traditional jazz chart and entered Billboard's top 100 pop chart the first week it was released. The album included the song Over the Rainbow, which had been included in her previous release recorded at the Rainbow Room, and also in the soundtrack for the film, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.
The Taking a Chance on Love DVD was released in March 2005 and contains performances from the Brecon Jazz Festival in Wales, UK. Monheit released her sixth album, The Season, in October 2005. Her first holiday-themed album, it debuted in the top 10 on Billboard's jazz chart. Monheit told jazzreview.com that it was inspired by Ella Fitzgerald's holiday album, Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas.
The singer recently signed a recording contract with Concord Records. Her most recent album, Surrender, debuted at #1 on Billboard's jazz chart.
A Case of You
Jane Monheit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"I am as constant as a northern star"
And I said, "Constantly in the darkness
Where's that at? If you want me I'll be in the bar"
On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada, oh Canada
Oh, you are in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
And I could drink a case of you, my darling
And I would still be on my feet, I would still be on my feet
Oh, I am a lonely painter, I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil and I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid
I remember the time you told me, you said, "Love is touching souls"
Well surely you touched mine 'cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
Oh, you are in my blood like holy wine
So bitter, bitter and sweet
And I could drink a case of you, my darling
And I would still be on my feet, I would still be on my feet
I met a woman, she had a mouth like yours
She knew your life, she knew your devils and your deeds
And she said, "Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed"
Oh, you are in my blood like holy wine
So bitter and so sweet
And I could drink a case of you, my darling
And I would still be on my feet, I would still be on my feet
"A Case of You" by Jane Monheit is a song about the depths of love and the intensity with which it can affect a person. The opening lines "Just before our love got lost, you said 'I am as constant as a northern star'" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is deeply enamored with their lover, who they describe as being as constant as a northern star. However, the singer is not sure where they stand with their lover, and they say "constantly in the darkness, where's that at? If you want me I'll be in the bar." The words "constant" and "darkness" seem to contradict each other, suggesting that the singer is unsure about the future of their relationship.
The second verse is particularly powerful as the singer draws a map of Canada with their lover's face sketched on it twice. This metaphor illustrates how intertwined their lover is with their sense of identity, and how their love for their lover is not just a fleeting emotion but a part of their very being. The chorus "Oh, you are in my blood like holy wine, you taste so bitter and so sweet, and I could drink a case of you, my darling, and I would still be on my feet" emphasizes this point, stating that the singer's love for their lover is all-encompassing and something that they cannot live without.
The last verse reflects on the fact that the singer is a lonely painter who is drawn to people who are not afraid of the devil. The line "I remember the time you told me, you said 'Love is touching souls,' well surely you touched mine 'cause part of you pours out of me in these lines from time to time" is particularly poignant as it highlights the fact that the singer's love for their lover is what inspires them to create art. Overall, "A Case of You" is a beautiful and heartfelt love song that captures the all-consuming nature of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Just before our love got lost you said
Right before our relationship reached its end, you said
"I am as constant as a northern star"
"I am unwavering, just like a star in the north"
And I said, "Constantly in the darkness
In response, I said, "So you're always in the dark
Where's that at? If you want me I'll be in the bar"
Where exactly is that? If you need me, I'll be at the bar."
On the back of a cartoon coaster
On the other side of a makeshift drawing
In the blue TV screen light
Inspired by the light of a TV screen that's projecting a blue hue
I drew a map of Canada, oh Canada
I drew a map of Canada, oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice
And drew your face twice on it
Oh, you are in my blood like holy wine
You run through my veins like sacred wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
You bear the taste of both bitterness and sweetness
And I could drink a case of you, my darling
And I could consume large quantities of you, my love
And I would still be on my feet, I would still be on my feet
And I would still manage to stand strong
Oh, I am a lonely painter, I live in a box of paints
I am an isolated painter, confined to a studio of paints
I'm frightened by the devil and I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid
I am fearful of evil but am attracted to those who aren't
I remember the time you told me, you said, "Love is touching souls"
I recall the time when you said, "Love involves connecting with someone's soul"
Well surely you touched mine 'cause part of you pours out of me
You definitely did, since a piece of you is within me
In these lines from time to time
In these words, from time to time
I met a woman, she had a mouth like yours
I encountered a woman with similar oral features to yours
She knew your life, she knew your devils and your deeds
She was aware of your existence, your wrongdoings, and your achievements
And she said, "Go to him, stay with him if you can
She advised me, "Give him another chance to be with you, stay by his side if possible
But be prepared to bleed"
But be prepared for the pain this may cause"
Lyrics © Crazy Crow Music / Siquomb Music Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind