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.
Tea For Two
Jane Monheit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just tea for two
And two for tea
Just me for you
And you for me alone
Nobody near us to see us or hear us
No friends or relations
We won't have it known, dear
That we own a telephone, dear
Day will break and you'll awake
And start to bake a sugar cake
For me to take for all the boys to see
We will raise a family
A boy for you, a girl for me
Oh, can't you see how happy we would be
The song "Tea For Two" by Jane Monheit is a romantic song that portrays a couple's desire for privacy and isolation in their companionship. The lyrics describe the pleasure of being alone, enjoying a cup of tea with just the two of them. The couple wants to keep themselves away from the prying eyes of society and their close ones. The lyrics depict a sense of intimacy between them, as the song talks about how they don't need anyone else's company but each other's.
Furthermore, the lyrics mention the idea of baking a sugar cake for the boys to see, portraying the image of a perfect happy family with a boy and a girl. The couple is confident in their love, and they imagine a future where they live together, away from anyone else's interference. The song showcases the sentiment that true love is enough to live for and how even the smallest moments of feeling like 'Tea For Two' can turn into a lifetime of happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Picture you upon my knee
Imagining you comfortably on my lap
Just tea for two
We don't need anything fancier than a simple cup of tea
And two for tea
Enough tea for both of us
Just me for you
It's just the two of us, with no one else around
And you for me alone
We're completely dedicated to each other
Nobody near us to see us or hear us
We're alone, with no audience to observe us
No friends or relations
We don't need anyone else to be happy
On weekend vacations
We'll take time off to enjoy each other's company
We won't have it known, dear
We want to keep our love private
That we own a telephone, dear
We don't need to use modern technology to communicate
Day will break and you'll awake
We'll start a new day together
And start to bake a sugar cake
We'll make something sweet to enjoy together
For me to take for all the boys to see
We'll share our happiness with others
We will raise a family
We'll have children and build a life together
A boy for you, a girl for me
We'll have a balanced and happy family
Oh, can't you see how happy we would be
We have everything we need and are truly happy together
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRVING CAESAR, VINCENT YOUMANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charles Barry
A very good singer. Perfect blend of voice and piano.
Joseph Luciano Sr.
This is genius; Jane interprets this tune not typically as uptempo tap dance music but a tender ballad. Actually Jane interprets it as a proposal song! Genius, Virtuoso.
grkguy63
Her phrasing........incredible.
Per-Olov Berndalen
In a time when people expect music to be loud and fast it's abliss to hear something like this-it sounded like she was whispering in my ear... Wow!
TheMISTKat
Can u belive there is only one dislike...what a bad person that one person is :( her voice is sooo butiful :)
Aurimas Saveras
Thank Jane you for the subtle soul and romantic, pure, sweet voice. Wish you best of luck
stephanieboyla
Genius. She's added such pathos to an ordinarily 'chipper' song, so that it comes across as if the protagonist is trying to persuade a lover to stay at the end of a doomed relationship. Adds a whole new dimension.
C
Heard this for the first time on CBC French radio out of vancouver this afternoon. Found it on Youtube and read thru comments. I want to re-post what stephanieboyla wrote 5 years ago b/c it was so perfect:
''Genius. She's added such pathos to an ordinarily 'chipper' song, so that it comes across as if the protagonist is trying to persuade a lover to stay at the end of a doomed relationship. Adds a whole new dimension.''
Leananshae
Picture me, upon your knee Just tea for two, and two for tea Me for you m and you for me, alone Nobody near us, to see us or hear us No friends or ralations on weekend vacations We won't have it known that we own a telephone Day will break, and you will wake And I will bake a sugarcake For you to take for all the boys to see We will raise a family, a boy for you, a girl for me Can't you see how happy we will be
Leananshae
I'm discontented With homes that are rented And so I've invented my own Darlin, this place is a lovers' oasis Where life's weary chase is unknown Far from the cry of the city Where flowers pretty caress the breeze Lovely to hide in To live side by side in Don't let it abide in my dreams