“I didn't just want songs that would allow me to lash out with my voice,” he says. “It had to be songs I could actually work on, do something with. I even chose a few that would lead me into fairly unknown territory.” Indeed, it's an album with a handful of cover tracks stripped to the core, altered considerably, resulting in very personal interpretations that seek the minimal: vocals, piano, once in a while a stroke of strings and perhaps—if the song would ask for it—an electrical guitar.
Songs of Innocence features songs that go for Emotion, capital E. No volume, nor violence. Just tension, subtlety, nuance. “I wanted to bring the atmosphere and the feel of classical music into pop music,” says Jasper. “I know a lot of people shy away from classical music because they think it's too high brow for them. It would be great if some of them would get closer to classical music through this record.”
The album thus constitutes the end—or the beginning—of a personal quest into his own potential as a singer, as an artist who wants to explore his talent, discover ways to go beyond what he would think to be its limits. His inspiration: Jeff Buckley. “Buckley never stopped looking for songs to cover,” says Jasper, “because he felt music, be it from the present or the past, shouldn't just exist on a shelf, but should reside in your head, in your body. He felt you could only make music enter your body if you worked on it, if you played and tried to understand the work of other musicians.”
Songs of Innocence is a courageous album, one that isn't afraid of taking on the callenge of performing the songs of others. In Jasper's version each one of the tracks are reborn: Madness'. ‘It Must Be Love' becomes a heart-felt ballad, Elton John's ‘We Al Fall In Love Sometimes' loses its kitsch, The Chemical Brothers' ‘Golden Path' turns into a quest for the original, and Bob Dylan's ‘Make You Feel Love' sounds as if it's raining rose petals.
Songs of Innocence is a testimony to Jasper Steverlinck's consciousness as an artist who is ready to discover and keep on discovering the power and imagination of music, of all those songs—some forgotten, others never forgotten—that managed to give us beauty and consolation.
A Song for You
Jasper Steverlinck Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've sung alot of songs I've made some bad rhyme
I've acted out my love on stages
With ten thousand people watching
But we're alone now and I'm singing a
song for you
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
There's no one more important to me
Darlin' can't you please see through me
Cause we're alone now and i'm singing a
song for you
You taught me precious secrets
Of the truth withholding nothing
You came out in front and I was hiding
But now I'm so much better
And if my words don't come together
Listen to the melody
Cause my love is in there hiding
I love you in a place
Where there's no space or time
I love you for in my life
You are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing a
song for you
We were alone and I was singing a
song for you
The song “A Song For You” by Jasper Steverlinck has been called one of the most beautiful love songs of all time. It’s a song about a man reflecting on his life and all of the places he’s been, things he’s done, and how he’s acted out his love on stages. However, now he’s alone and singing a song for the woman he loves. He acknowledges that he hasn’t always been the person she wants him to be, and asks her to see through him. He speaks about how she’s taught him precious secrets about the truth and how she’s come out in front while he was hiding. He is now better for it and even if his words don’t come together, his love is expressed through the melody.
The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and honesty that is rare in love songs. The singer recognizes that he has flaws and has made mistakes but also acknowledges how important the person he’s singing the song to is to him. He expresses his love for her in a way that transcends anything temporal or physical. The way he loves her is beyond space and time.
Overall, the song is a tribute to love and the impact it has on our lives. It’s about appreciating the people who are important to us and expressing our love for them even when it’s difficult. It’s a song that has resonated with people for decades and will continue to do so in the future.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been so many places in my life and time
I have lived a long and varied life, travelling to many different places.
I've sung alot of songs I've made some bad rhyme
Over the years, I have written and performed many songs, some of which were not very good.
I've acted out my love on stages
I have expressed my love on stage in front of audiences.
With ten thousand people watching
Many people have witnessed me expressing my love on stage, in front of large crowds.
But we're alone now and I'm singing a song for you
Right now, it is just the two of us, and I am singing this song directly to you.
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I am aware that you have a certain image of me in your mind, which I hope matches who I truly am.
I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see
I have not always been kind to you, but I hope you can overlook that and see how much you mean to me.
There's no one more important to me
You are the most important person in my life.
Darlin' can't you please see through me
I hope you can look past any flaws or mistakes I have made, and see the real me.
You taught me precious secrets
You have revealed valuable secrets to me.
Of the truth withholding nothing
You have been completely open and honest with me.
You came out in front and I was hiding
You were brave and honest, while I was guarded and reserved.
But now I'm so much better
Thanks to you, I have improved and grown as a person.
And if my words don't come together
If my words fail me, and I can't express my feelings adequately.
Listen to the melody
Please focus on the music instead.
Cause my love is in there hiding
Even if I can't express it in words, my love is still there in the music.
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you unconditionally, beyond the constraints of space and time.
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
I love you not just as a romantic partner, but as a friend and companion.
And when my life is over
When I die.
Remember when we were together
Please remember the time we spent together.
We were alone and I was singing a song for you
During that time, it was just the two of us, and I was singing this song directly to you.
We were alone and I was singing a song for you
Again, reiterating that it was just the two of us and I was expressing my feelings through song to you.
Contributed by Bella O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.