Jen Foster is an award-winning singer/songwriter influenced heavily by clas… Read Full Bio ↴Jen Foster is an award-winning singer/songwriter influenced heavily by classic artists such as the Rolling Stones, U2, and Bob Dylan. In 2009 Foster has spent the last several months in a Nashville recording studio working on her third album. Foster, along with co-producer, Greg Droman, put together an all-star group of musicians, including Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow), Rami Jaffee (The Wallflowers), Sean Hurley (Vertical Horizon), and Fred Eltringham (The Wallflowers, Dixie Chicks, The Wreckers). Embodying a blend of sounds which range from soft, lazy-day melodies to more raucous guitar-driven tracks, the forthcoming new collection includes two tracks (“Closer To Nowhere” and “Venice Beach”) which have recently garnered nominations in the International Songwriting Competition.

Foster started her own label – now called Fosterchild Records - in 2003. Her debut release, Everybody’s Girl, garnered national radio success at the Triple A format, as well as positive reviews, praising her no-frills, unfiltered lyrics. Songwriting awards followed and she has also secured some impressive Film/TV placements, with songs placed in the popular television soap opera All My Children as well as a recent placement in an American Pie movie sequel.

The title track of Foster’s 2006 sophomore CD, The Underdogs, won “Song of the Year” at the Out Music Awards. Foster grew up in a very conservative, Houston, TX, suburb.

Foster credits another outsider, Ani DiFranco, for inspiration in her business model. “Ani did it her way, and she inspired me to do it my way. I’ve created a fairly unique situation. I’ve built a team of people I trust at my label and also, a community of fans,” Foster proudly notes. “It’s always challenging to take off the artist hat and put on the business hat, but it’s a challenge I embrace. My music means too much to me to blindly put it in someone else’s hands.”

Foster’s new album, "Thirty-Nine," was slated for a 2009 release, and a four-song EP, "Songs From Thirty-Nine," is currently available. The video for the single "Closer To Nowhere" recently reached #1 on the LOGO Channel (MTV Network) charts.

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SONGWRITING AWARDS

1) "CLOSER TO NOWHERE" - WINNER, TRIPLE A CATEGORY, INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
2) "TAKING BOB DYLAN" - GRAND PRIZE, INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC AWARDS

3) "TAKING BOB DYLAN" - BEST FEMALE ARTIST, INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC AWARDS

4) "THE UNDERDOGS" - SONG OF THE YEAR, OUT MUSIC AWARDS

5) "AMEN" - WINNER, GOSPEL CATEGORY, USA SONGWRITING CONTEST

6) "SHE" - WINNER, POP CATEGORY, 2001, JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST

7) "SHE" - WINNER, POP CATEGORY, 2001, GREAT AMERICAN SONGWRITING CONTEST

8) "EVERYBODY'S GIRL" (FULL RECORD) - WINNER, BEST DEBUT RECORDING - FEMALE, 2004, OUT MUSIC AWARDS

9) "IN BETWEEN POSES" - WINNER, 1st ANNUAL AWARDS, BEST FEMALE ARTIST, INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC AWARDS 10) "TAKING BOB DYLAN" - WINNER, NASHVILLE SONG & LYRIC CONTEST

Amen
Jen Foster Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Words & music by Jen Foster

When the light of love surrounds you
When the dark of night confounds you
When the shadow life astounds you
Breathe in, and say amen, amen, once again
The day breaks in technicolor
A mother wakes her child from slumber

A little boy peeks out from under the sheets and grins
Say amen, amen, once again
At times this world can be so beautiful
It's hard to take it all in
But don't you be afraid, just let it rain
And say amen
A boy kisses a girl for the first time
A bird leaves her nest and takes flight
A broken man gets up and tries again
Say amen, amen, once again
At times this world can be so beautiful
It's hard to take it all in

But don't you be afraid, just let it rain
And say amen

Overall Meaning

Jen Foster's song "Amen" talks about the contrasting elements of life, the light, and the dark, the beautiful and the ugly, the high and the low points. The song emphasizes the power of acceptance and gratitude in dealing with life's ups and downs. The chorus of the song which repeats the word Amen encourages the listener to acknowledge the goodness of life and to be thankful for it. The song highlights the small but important moments that make everyday life worth living, from waking up to a new day, the laughter of a child, the triumphs of a broken man, and the creation of new life.

By repeating the word Amen after each line, the song takes on a spiritual feel, suggesting that the power of acceptance and gratitude has the power to connect us to a higher power. The song invites the listener to look beyond the present darkness and to embrace the beauty of life.

In conclusion, "Amen" by Jen Foster encourages the listener to find hope, meaning and gratitude in both the good and bad times. The song speaks of the power of acceptance and taking on life with grace, Thus, exuding a positive aura that is very much needed in today's days of chaos.

Line by Line Meaning

When the light of love surrounds you
When you're immersed in love and all its positivity

When the dark of night confounds you
When things get tough and you feel uncertain

When the shadow life astounds you
When life throws you a curveball and takes you by surprise

Breathe in, and say amen, amen, once again
Take a breath and acknowledge what's happening, and say amen to remind yourself of the good things in life

The day breaks in technicolor
Another day begins, and the world is full of possibilities and beauty

A mother wakes her child from slumber
A simple, heartwarming moment between a mother and child

A little boy peeks out from under the sheets and grins
A small moment of joy and innocence

Say amen, amen, once again
Remember to appreciate these happy moments

At times this world can be so beautiful
Life can be amazing and awe-inspiring

It's hard to take it all in
It can be overwhelming to process everything

But don't you be afraid, just let it rain
Don't be scared of the ups and downs of life - embrace them