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.
My Grown Up Christmas List
Jane Monheit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well I'm a grown up now and still need help somehow?
I'm not a child but my heart still can dream
So here's my life long wish, my grown up Christmas list
Not for myself but for a world in need
No more lives torn apart and wars would never start
And right would always win and love would never end
This is my grown up Christmas list
As children we believed the grandest sight to see
Was something lovely wrapped beneath our tree
Well Heaven surely knows that packages and bows
Can never heal a hurting human soul
Oh no more lives torn apart and wars would never start
And time would heal our hearts, and everyone would have a friend
And right would always win and love would never end
This is my grown up Christmas list
Why is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth
No more lives torn apart and wars would never start
And time would heal our hearts, everyone would have a friend
And right would always win and love would never end
This is my grown up Christmas list, this is my only lifelong wish
This is my grown up Christmas list
The song “Grown-Up Christmas List” by Jane Monheit is a heartfelt plea for a world where love, peace, and harmony prevail. The song begins as the singer reminisces about her childhood when she believed in Santa Claus and wrote letters to him with her wishes. However, now that she’s all grown up, she understands that there are bigger problems in the world that need to be resolved. She talks about her “life long wish” and pleads with a higher power to make this world a better place.
The chorus of the song is a stirring reminder of all the things that need to change in this world. The singer wishes for an end to war, a world where no lives are torn apart, a place where everyone has a friend, and where love always wins. The singer’s plea is that of someone who is deeply concerned about the violence and turmoil around her and wants to see a world where harmony and love rule.
The singer’s words are a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas – love, compassion, and selflessness. In a world that is often fraught with hate and division, her message is a timely one that resonates deeply in the hearts of many. The song is a poignant reminder that the world can become a better place if we all work towards creating a more harmonious and just society.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember me? I sat upon your knee
Do you remember when I was an innocent child and believed in the magic of Christmas?
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
I wrote letters to you with all my childhood dreams and wishes.
Well I'm a grown up now and still need help somehow?
As an adult, I know that I cannot rely on Santa Claus to fulfill my wishes, but I still yearn for things beyond my control.
I'm not a child but my heart still can dream
Even though I am an adult, I still have a childlike heart that imagines a better world.
So here's my life long wish, my grown up Christmas list
I have a lifelong dream for the world, and I call it my grown-up Christmas list.
Not for myself but for a world in need
My Christmas list is not for myself but for the world that needs so much help.
No more lives torn apart and wars would never start
I wish for a world without conflicts and wars that cause destruction and loss of lives.
And time would heal our hearts, and everyone would have a friend
I hope for a world where time can heal the deep wounds of our hearts, and anyone can find a true friend.
And right would always win and love would never end
I wish for a world where justice always prevails, and love will never cease to exist.
This is my grown up Christmas list
These are the things I ask for in my life-long dream for a better world.
Why is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Why do we call the naivete of children an illusion, when in fact, it is what helps us believe in something better?
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth
Perhaps only our blind belief in the beauty of life can lead us to finding the truth.
This is my grown up Christmas list, this is my only lifelong wish
This is the list of things I wish for to come true for the world and it is my one and only lifetime desire.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Linda Thompson, David Foster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@malabarjack
This is an incredible talent. I truly enjoy listening to the gift that God has given you
@charlestownchief
Lots of singers out there. But none like Jane.