As a versatile and prolific singer/songwriter, Bruce's songs, written on guitar and piano, are triggered by inspiration rather than to suit a specific genre; the fertile depth of her work no doubt influenced by the dynamic and eclectic melting-pot of her Manhattan upbringing.
Bruce's songs have been heard on Dawson's Creek, King of The Hill, Jake 2.0, The Today Show, Ghost Whisperer, All My Children and more.
Few independent artists have managed to attain the level of exposure Bruce has achieved since the release of her first album in 1997. Her work has been recognized with numerous songwriting awards including first place in the Billboard songwriting contest while her recordings can be heard in multiple network TV shows as well as in several acclaimed independent films. A 1999 Lilith Fair Talent Search finalist, she garnered attention from major music industry publications for her work, including Billboard Magazine. "Home" from her 2001 release, "Soul On Fire" was included as the only track from an "unsigned" artist on a popular Martha Stewart compilation CD featuring Alison Krauss, Barenaked Ladies, Lucinda Williams and other well known artists. Over the years, Bruce has shared the stage with Sophie B. Hawkins, The Nields, Toby Lightman, Richard Julian, Vanessa Carlton, Gavin DeGraw, Livingston Taylor, Lucy Woodward, Joe Jackson and others.
Music Connection calls Bruce's work "Intelligent" and "full of pathos and gentle ironies." The MA Springfield Union says, "A lot of women picked up guitars to join the Lilith trend, but Bruce is the real thing." Bruce is currently working on her 3rd studio album to be released in 2004. In putting this record together, she enlisted her drummer and multi-instrumentalist/Producer, Ethan Eubanks (David Mead, Redtime, Brad Jones of Crash Test Dummies) to help capture the band sound she was seeking. Her band is mostly comprised of Ethan Eubanks, Whynot Jansveld (David Mead, Crash Test Dummies), Ben Butler (Dar Williams, Jane Siberry, Lucy Woodward).
Soul on Fire
Jenny Bruce Lyrics
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Got a hula hoop bicycle couldn't be higher
Old man barely can shuffle across the floor
Takes a look at the pretty girl
Another soul on fire Little Japanese Ballerina lost her mind
Now she's dancing on the train like a bird on a live wire
Young man listens to his radio loud
It's a city boy swan lake
Why does every moment bring a sense that someone's dream
May not come true
I'll light a fire within my soul for you Young girl hangs on the words of a saint
Now everybody's laughing cause they know he's a liar
All the people dancing just to know they're alive
Come and lead me to the dance floor
Another soul on fire Why does everybody just ignore the plate that's set upon their table
Why does every moment bring a sense that someone's dream
May not come true
I'll light a fire within my soul for you
Jenny Bruce's song "Soul on Fire" is a powerful anthem about the search for passion and meaning in life. The opening verse sets the scene with a pretty girl standing outside the post office door with her hula hoop bicycle, catching the eye of an old man who can barely shuffle. These two strangers are brought together by their shared sense of yearning – they are both souls on fire. The second verse introduces a young Japanese ballerina who has lost her mind but still dances on the train tracks, and a city boy swan lake admirer. Both are driven by a fierce passion for their respective arts that sets them apart from the crowd.
The chorus of the song seems to challenge the listener, asking why so many people ignore the opportunities and experiences right in front of them. Why do people feel that their dreams may not come true, and what can be done to ignite a sense of purpose and possibility? The final verse returns to the idea of individuals finding meaning in unlikely places, with a young girl hanging on the words of a saint who is revealed to be a liar. Even though others may scoff or tease, there is a sense that the act of dancing or pursuing a creative passion is enough to keep one's soul on fire.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty girl standing by the post office door
A beautiful girl is standing outside the post office.
Got a hula hoop bicycle couldn't be higher
She has a bicycle that has a hula hoop on it that is really high up.
Old man barely can shuffle across the floor
An elderly man can barely walk across the floor.
Takes a look at the pretty girl
He glances at the beautiful girl.
Another soul on fire
He feels alive and full of passion.
Little Japanese Ballerina lost her mind
A young Japanese ballerina has gone crazy.
Now she's dancing on the train like a bird on a live wire
She is now dancing on the train like a bird on a power line.
Young man listens to his radio loud
A young man is listening to his radio really loudly.
It's a city boy swan lake
He's listening to the song 'Swan Lake' by a city boy.
Another soul on fire
He feels alive and full of passion.
Why does everybody just ignore the plate that's set upon their table
Why does everyone ignore what they have in front of them and take it for granted?
Why does every moment bring a sense that someone's dream may not come true
Why does everything make us think that our dreams might not come true?
I'll light a fire within my soul for you
I'll ignite passionate feelings inside myself for you.
Young girl hangs on the words of a saint
A young girl is listening closely to the words of a saint.
Now everybody's laughing cause they know he's a liar
Now people are laughing because they know that the saint is lying.
All the people dancing just to know they're alive
Everyone is dancing to feel alive.
Come and lead me to the dance floor
Come and take me to the dance floor.
Another soul on fire
I feel alive and full of passion.
Writer(s): DANZIG GLENN
Contributed by Ellie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.