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.
Love Me Or Leave Me
Jane Monheit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You won't believe me but I love you only
I'd rather be lonely than happy with somebody else
You might find the night time the right time for kissing
But night time is my time for just reminiscing
Regretting instead of forgetting with somebody else
I intend to be independently blue
I want your love but I don't to borrow
To have it today and to give back tomorrow
My love is your love
There's no love for nobody else
In the lyrics to Jane Monheit's song Love Me Or Leave Me, the emotions of a person who is in love with someone but is also committed to their own individuality are expressed. The person expects that whoever they are in love with must either accept them entirely or leave them. Although their love for the other person is genuine, they do not want to be taken for granted or treated unfairly by the other person. The individual would rather be lonely than partaking in a relationship with someone who does not reciprocate their feelings with equal intensity.
The lyrics are poignant and describe the doubts and fears that an individual may have when starting a relationship. Despite their intentions of finding love and affection, they do not want to be vulnerable to any sort of emotional exploitation. The chorus repeats the phrase "Love me or leave me, or let me be lonely," highlighting the individual's strong stance of being able to stand on their own feet and not be clouded by their love for someone else. Furthermore, the lyrics in the second verse, mention how the individual wants to enjoy their own moments of solitude, indulging in contemplation and memories, rather than indulging in a night of passion.
Line by Line Meaning
Love me or leave me or let me be lonely
Either show me your love, set me free or let me be alone
You won't believe me but I love you only
You may not trust me, but I am sincere in my love for you
I'd rather be lonely than happy with somebody else
I prefer to be alone than to be in a relationship with someone else who does not make me truly happy
You might find the night time the right time for kissing
You may think of night time as romantic and perfect for physical intimacy
But night time is my time for just reminiscing
But for me, night time is when I like to remember the past and think deeply
Regretting instead of forgetting with somebody else
Reflecting on the negative instead of moving on with someone else
There'll be no one unless that someone is you
I will not settle down with anyone unless it is you
I intend to be independently blue
I want to embrace my lone and melancholic nature
I want your love but I don't to borrow
I desire your love, but I do not want to get it temporarily only to give it back later
To have it today and to give back tomorrow
To enjoy your love for a brief moment and then let it go quickly
My love is your love
My love belongs to you
There's no love for nobody else
I do not have love for anyone else other than you
Lyrics © DONALDSON PUBLISHING CO, TOBAGO MUSIC COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind