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.
if
Jane Monheit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then why can't I paint you?
The words will never show
The you I've come to know
If a face could launch a thousand ships
Then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you
And when my love for life is running dry
You come and pour yourself on me
If a man could be two places at one time
I'd be with you
Tomorrow and today
Beside you all the way
If the world should stop revolving, spinning
Slowly down to die
I'd spend the end with you
And when the world was through
Then one by one, the stars will all go out
Then you and I will simply fly
If the world should stop revolving, spinning
Slowly down to die
I'd spend the end with you
And when the world was through
Then one by one, the stars would all go out
Then you and I would simply fly away
The lyrics of Jane Monheit's song "If" explores the idea of the depth of human connection and the limitations of language in expressing the nuances of emotion. The opening lines, "If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't I paint you?" suggest that despite the notion that a picture can convey a message, it is still inadequate in representing the complexity of love and intimacy.
The next stanza, "If a face could launch a thousand ships, then where am I to go?' emphasizes the power of physical attraction, but also hints at a sense of uncertainty about where that attraction will lead. The uncertainty is reinforced in the next line, "There's no one home but you. You're all that's left me too." The singer seems to be saying that despite the many options available in the world, they have chosen this person to connect with.
The final stanza reveals the depth of the singer's love, "If the world should stop revolving, spinning slowly down to die, I'd spend the end with you. And when the world was through, Then one by one, the stars would all go out, Then you and I would simply fly away." The singer is saying that even in the face of the end of the world, and the inevitability of death, their love for this person is so strong that they would want to spend their last moments with them, and ultimately transcend the limitations of the physical world in each other's company.
Overall, "If" is a powerful exploration of the nature of love and the human condition, suggesting that while language and physicality can be powerful tools in expressing ourselves, ultimately the most profound connections transcend any such limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
If a picture paints a thousand words
If a visual representation can convey so much, then why can’t I express my feelings for you in the same way?
Then why can't I paint you?
Why can’t I create a picture of you that accurately represents the true essence of who you are?
The words will never show
Words alone aren’t enough to express the depth of my love for you.
The you I've come to know
I have experienced and deeply know the true person that you are.
If a face could launch a thousand ships
If the sight of someone could inspire such passion and desire, then where do I go from here?
Then where am I to go?
I am so deeply drawn to you, there is nowhere else for me to turn to for that same level of love and fulfillment.
There's no one home but you
You are the only one who can truly make me feel at home.
You're all that's left me too
Without you, my world feels incomplete and empty.
And when my love for life is running dry
When I feel like I have nothing left to give, you are there to rejuvenate and inspire me.
You come and pour yourself on me
You give yourself to me completely and refresh my soul.
If a man could be two places at one time
If only it were possible for me to always be there with you, wherever you may be.
I'd be with you
I want to be with you always, no matter what.
Tomorrow and today
I want to be there for you even if it means giving up everything around me, including time itself.
Beside you all the way
I vow to stand by your side through thick and thin, now and always.
If the world should stop revolving, spinning
Even if everything else in the world were to come to a halt, my love for you would never end.
Slowly down to die
Even if it feels like the end of the world is near, I will stand by you till the very end.
I'd spend the end with you
When the end finally comes, I don't want to be anywhere else but with you.
And when the world was through
When everything else has faded away, my love for you will remain.
Then one by one, the stars will all go out
One by one, everything else will fade away but my love for you will still shine brightly.
Then you and I will simply fly away
In the end, we can leave everything else behind and escape into our love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Gates
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind