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.
Merry Christmas Darling
Jane Monheit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you
Merry Christmas darling
We're apart that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
Holidays are joyful
There's always something new
But every day's a holiday
When I'm near to you
The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it every day
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish
On this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
Logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year, too
I've just one wish
On this Christmas Eve
I wish I were with you
I wish I were with you
(Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas - darling)
In Merry Christmas Darling, Jane Monheit expresses the longing she feels during the holidays while being apart from her loved one. The first stanza establishes the setting of the song: the Christmas season has ended, but she has one wish left to make. That wish is for her loved one to have a merry Christmas, even if they are separated. The second stanza describes the joy and excitement of the holidays, but emphasizes that every day feels like a holiday when she is near to her loved one. She wishes he could see the lights on her tree and feel the warmth of the fire filling her with desire. The chorus is a repetition of the song’s main message, that despite being apart, she still wishes him a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Line by Line Meaning
Greeting cards have all been sent
All the greeting cards that needed to be sent for Christmas have been sent out by now.
The Christmas rush is through
The period of rushing around and making preparations for Christmas is over and done with.
But I still have one wish to make
Although Christmas is over, there is still one thing that the singer wishes for.
A special one for you
This wish is particularly special and meaningful for the recipient.
Merry Christmas darling
The singer is wishing the recipient a merry Christmas.
We're apart that's true
The singer and the recipient are physically separated from each other.
But I can dream and in my dreams
Although they are apart, the singer can still dream about being together with the recipient.
I'm Christmas-ing with you
In the singer's dreams, they are spending Christmas together with the recipient.
Holidays are joyful
The holiday season is supposed to be a happy and enjoyable time.
There's always something new
There is always something different or exciting happening during the holidays.
But every day's a holiday
Being near the recipient makes every day feel like a holiday for the singer.
When I'm near to you
The singer feels this holiday-like joy when they are close to the recipient.
The lights on my tree
The colorful lights that decorate the singer's Christmas tree.
I wish you could see
The singer wishes that the recipient could be there to see the lights and the tree.
I wish it every day
This desire for the recipient to be present is not just restricted to Christmas day but every day.
Logs on the fire
The burning wood in the fireplace, which signifies warmth and comfort.
Fill me with desire
Being near the fire makes the singer long for the recipient even more.
To see you and to say
In the singer's current state, they really want to be with the recipient and express their feelings.
That I wish you Merry Christmas
The singer is again conveying their Christmas wishes to the recipient.
Happy New Year, too
In addition to wishing for a merry Christmas, the singer is also hoping for a happy new year for the recipient.
I've just one wish
The singer has only this one heartfelt wish for the recipient.
On this Christmas Eve
This wish is being made on the day before Christmas, when the holiday spirit is at its peak.
I wish I were with you
The strongest desire of the singer - they wish to be with the recipient during the holidays.
(Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas
A repetition of the holiday greeting, wishing the recipient a merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas - darling)
The song closes on the same note, with the singer wishing the recipient a merry Christmas once again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Frank Pooler, Richard Lynn Carpenter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RustySax
Nice interpretation of this classic Carpenter song. I like the way you soulfully changed the melodic line to add additional emotion. Well done.
Lambonrye
More vocal goodness from Jane. A beautiful voice and a face to match. Merry Christmas, all.
Irishcolleen110253
Absolutely gorgeous, Jane! I will never, ever forget your performance in Lafayette, LA last Tuesday night, and the absolute honor it was to meet, speak with you, and have my picture taken with you. It was a moment I will treasure for a lifetime! Best of everything to you and your family! I hope your career takes you to the highest of heights because you are so deserving of recognition! God bless you!......Bonnie Logan :)