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.
Caminhos Cruzados
Jane Monheit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Encontra um coração também cansado de sofrer
É tempo de se pensar,
Que o amor pode de repente chegar
Quando existe alguém que tem saudade de outro alguém
E esse outro alguém não entender
Deixe esse novo amor chegar,
Que tolo fui eu que em vão tentei raciocinar
Nas coisas do amor que ninguém pode explicar
Vem, nós dois, vamos tentar
Só um novo amor pode a saudade apagar.
The lyrics of Jane Monheit's Caminhos Cruzados address the idea of love and how it can unexpectedly find us when we least expect it. The song starts by talking about two hearts that are both tired of suffering, hinting at the possibility of these hearts finding each other and letting love in. The lyrics suggest that when there is someone who misses someone else, but they don't understand each other, the best thing to do is to let go and allow a new love to enter. However, it also acknowledges that this new love may bring tears and pain, but it is worth trying for the chance to have the old pain healed.
The song reflects on the unpredictable nature of love, suggesting that trying to rationalize it is futile because it is too complex for explanation. The lyrics also emphasize the importance of taking risks and trying new things, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. In conclusion, the song suggests that even though love can be unpredictable and painful, it is worth taking a chance on because it has the power to heal old wounds and bring happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Quando um coração que está cansado de sofrer
When a heart that is tired of suffering
Encontra um coração também cansado de sofrer
Meets another heart that is also tired of suffering
É tempo de se pensar,
It's time to think
Que o amor pode de repente chegar
That love can suddenly arrive
Quando existe alguém que tem saudade de outro alguém
When someone misses another person
E esse outro alguém não entender
And that other person doesn't understand
Deixe esse novo amor chegar,
Let this new love arrive
Mesmo que depois seja imprescindível chorar
Even if crying becomes indispensable later
Que tolo fui eu que em vão tentei raciocinar
How foolish was I to try reasoning in vain
Nas coisas do amor que ninguém pode explicar
In matters of love that no one can explain
Vem, nós dois, vamos tentar
Come on, let's try together
Só um novo amor pode a saudade apagar.
Only a new love can erase the longing.
Contributed by Jonathan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.