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.
I Wish You Love
Jane Monheit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No use leading with our chins
This is where our story ends
Never lovers, ever friends
Goodbye,
Let our hearts call it a day
But before you walk away
I sincerely want to say
I wish you bluebirds in the Spring
To give your heart a song to sing
And then a kiss,
But more than this,
I wish you love!
And in July a lemonade
To cool you in some leafy glade
I wish you health,
And more than wealth,
I wish you love!
My breaking heart and I agree
That you and I could never ever be
So with my best,
My very best,
I set you free!
I wish you shelter from the storm
A cozy fire to keep you warm
But most of all,
But most of all
When snowflakes fall,
I wish you wealth
I wish you health
I wish you love!
The song "I Wish You Love" by Jane Monheit is beautifully poignant and melancholic in its lyrics. It speaks of a relationship that seems to have run its course and two individuals who have decided to part ways, without holding any resentment or anger towards each other. The lyrics suggest that they were "never lovers, ever friends" and that it's time for them to say goodbye. However, before the other person walks away, the singer of the song wishes them well and bestows upon them different things that they would wish for them.
The singer wishes the other person bluebirds in spring to give their heart a song to sing and a kiss, more than this, wishing them love. In July, they wish them a cool lemonade to refresh them in some leafy glade, along with wishing them health and more than wealth, love. The singer and their breaking heart agree that they could never be together and thus, they set the other person free, wishing them shelter from the storm, a cozy fire to keep them warm, and most of all, when snowflakes fall, they wish them wealth, health, and love.
The song conveys a message of acceptance, goodwill, and hope for the future. It reflects the idea that people may not always end up with each other, but they can still wish the best for one another. It's a beautiful depiction of how one can let go of a relationship while still holding respect and affection for the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye
Farewell
No use leading with our chins
There's no point in being defiant or confrontational
This is where our story ends
Our relationship is over, and this is the end of our story together
Never lovers, ever friends
We were never romantically involved, but I hope we can remain friends
Let our hearts call it a day
Let's decide to end things peacefully, without any regrets
But before you walk away
One last thing I want to say
I sincerely want to say
I truly mean what I'm about to say
I wish you bluebirds in the Spring
I hope you find happiness and peace in the beauty of nature
To give your heart a song to sing
May your heart be filled with joy and inspiration
And then a kiss,
A gesture of love and affection
But more than this,
But above all else,
I wish you love!
I hope you find true love and companionship
And in July a lemonade
May you enjoy the simple pleasures of life
To cool you in some leafy glade
May you find tranquility and refreshment in nature
I wish you health,
I hope you stay healthy and well
And more than wealth,
I value your happiness and contentment above material possessions
My breaking heart and I agree
Even though it's difficult, I know in my heart that this is the right decision
That you and I could never ever be
We're simply not meant to be together romantically
So with my best,
With all my heart and soul
My very best,
My utmost sincerity
I set you free!
I release you from any guilt or obligation, and wish you the best in your future endeavors
I wish you shelter from the storm
May you have a safe and secure place to weather life's difficulties
A cozy fire to keep you warm
May you always have warmth and comfort, even on the coldest of days
But most of all,
Above all else,
When snowflakes fall,
When life gets tough and things seem bleak,
I wish you wealth
May you have an abundance of everything you need to be happy and successful
I wish you health
May you stay healthy and strong in body, mind, and spirit
I wish you love!
Above all else, I hope you find love and fulfillment in all aspects of your life
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALBERT ASKEW BEACH, CHARLES LOUIS TRENET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind