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.
Please Be Kind
Jane Monheit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Handle my heart with care, oh, please be kind
This is all so grand my dreams are on parade
If you'll just understand they'll never ever fade
So tell me your love's sincere oh please be kind
Tell me I needn't fear, oh, please be kind
For if you leave me dear
If you love me, please be kind
In Jane Monheit's song, Please Be Kind, the lyrics are simple yet poignant. The song expresses the feeling of someone in love, who is experiencing their first romantic relationship. The singer begins by asking their partner to be kind, as this is their first love and they are inexperienced. They then implore their partner to handle their heart with care, as it is fragile and vulnerable. The dreams of the singer are on parade, and they plead with their partner to understand that these are not fleeting, but will last forever.
Moving on, the singer asks their partner to share their sincere love with them, and to reassure them that they need not fear. The fear of losing their partner is a constant presence and drives the need for reassurance. The last verse is the most heart-wrenching, as the singer reveals that if their partner were to leave them, they fear losing their mind. In this line, there is a hint at the finality of love lost.
Line by Line Meaning
This is my first affair so please be kind
I am inexperienced in love, therefore please treat me with gentleness and patience.
Handle my heart with care, oh, please be kind
My heart is fragile and vulnerable, I request you to take care of it gently and respectfully.
This is all so grand my dreams are on parade
I am thrilled with the prospect of being in love, as all my long-held desires are coming true.
If you'll just understand they'll never ever fade
If you can grasp the depth of my feelings, they will remain eternal and never wane.
So tell me your love's sincere oh please be kind
I implore you to honestly declare if your love for me is truthful, with a request to be gentle and kind.
Tell me I needn't fear, oh, please be kind
Assure me that there is no need to be apprehensive, with a plea to act kindly and considerately.
For if you leave me dear
As an explanation, if you were to abandon me
I know my heart will lose its mind
My emotions would be thrown into disarray and my heart would be deeply troubled, losing all sense and stability.
If you love me, please be kind
If you truly love me, I implore you to be compassionate and understanding in your behavior towards me.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SAMMY CAHN, SAUL CHAPLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind