Jewel is the daughter of Nedra Carroll, an artist and personal manager, and Atz Kilcher, an elementary school music teacher, folk singer and social worker. Her mother of Irish descent and her father is of Swiss-German origin. She is the cousin of actress Q'Orianka Kilcher. She spent most of her young life in Homer, Alaska, United States, living with her father. The home she grew up in did not have indoor plumbing; it had a simple outhouse instead. She and her father sometimes earned a living by singing in bars and taverns. It was from these experiences she learned to yodel, a quality demonstrated in many of her songs. Her father was a Mormon, but they stopped attending the church shortly before she turned eight. Yule Kilcher, her grandfather, was a state senator involved in drafting Alaska's constitution for its admission into a state from a territory in 1959.
During high school, Jewel was known to spell her name "Jule" or "Juel," but she attributes this to simply playing with her name.
Jewel learned to play the guitar while at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan, United States where she majored in operatic voice. She started writing songs at the age of seventeen.
For a time, she was poverty-stricken and lived in her van while traveling about the country doing street performances and small gigs. She gained some recognition by singing at the Innerchange Coffeehouse and Java Joe's in San Diego, California, United States. Her friend Steve Poltz's band, The Rugburns, played at the same venues. Jewel later collaborated with Poltz on some of her songs, including "You Were Meant For Me" (He also appeared in the second, best-known, video for this song). The Rugburns opened for Jewel on her Tiny Lights tour in 1997. Poltz appeared in Jewel's band on the Spirit World Tour 1999 playing guitar.
In 1993, Michael Balzary (better known by the stage name – Flea) of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers met Jewel after he saw her perform at a local cafe. He went back to her van where she was living, where she sang a few of her songs to him. He described her singing voice as being "beautiful" and "breathtaking".
Jewel was discovered by Inga Vainshtein in August 1993, when a musician from a local San Diego band, Rust, whom Vainshtein was managing at the time, called to tell her about a girl surfer who sang at a local coffee shop on Thursdays. Vainshtein drove to Innerchange coffee shop with a rep from Atlantic Records, and after the show they called Danny Goldberg, the head of Atlantic Records west coast operations, and asked him to pay for Jewel's demo. Vainshtein eventually became Jewel's manager, and was instrumental in creating a major bidding war, which led to Jewel's deal with Atlantic Records. She cut her debut album, Pieces of You, when she was nineteen and it was released in 1995. Jewel recorded "Pieces of You" in a studio on Neil Young's ranch, and was backed by his band, The Stray Gators, who played on Neil Young's "Harvest" and "Harvest Moon" albums. Part of the album was cut live at the Innerchange Coffeehouse in San Diego where she had risen to local fame. The album stayed on the Billboard 200 for an impressive two years, reaching number four at its peak. The album spawned the Top 10 hits "You Were Meant for Me", "Who Will Save Your Soul" and "Foolish Games". The album was a huge success and eventually sold over 12 million copies in the United States. alone, more than all of her subsequent albums put together.
Due to her successes, she was chosen to sing the American national anthem at the opening of the Super Bowl in January 1998 in San Diego. She was introduced as "San Diego's own Jewel!" However, she was criticized for lip-syncing the anthem to a pre-recording. This was especially noticeable due to her missing her cue and not mouthing the first words.
In November 1998, Jewel released her second album, Spirit. The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 4 million copies in the United States. The songs "Hands" and "Down So Long" hit the Top 10. Other singles followed, a new version of "Jupiter (Swallow The Moon)", "What's Simple Is True", the theme song to her upcoming movie, and the charity single "Life Uncommon".
A year later, In November 1999, Jewel released Joy: A Holiday Collection. The album sold over a million copies and peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200. She released a cover of "Joy to the World" from the album.
In November 2001, the album This Way was released. The album peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 1 million copies in the United States, standing as her most critically acclaimed album to date. Jewel hit the Top 10 with the song "Standing Still" and the Top 40 with the song "Break Me". Other singles released were "This Way" and "Serve The Ego", the latter giving Jewel her first number one club hit.
In 2003, Jewel released the album 0304. She writes in the liner notes, "I wanted to make a record that was a modern interpretation of big band music. A record that was lyric driven, like Cole Porter, that also had a lot of swing. And a lot of it is thanks to Lester, because when I told him I wanted to make a record that combined dance, urban, and folk music, he didn't look at me like I was crazy." While some fans considered 0304 an innovative album that held to the tradition of her previous albums, others felt that it was too much of a departure from the style of her previous albums. Following the limited success of "Serve the Ego", Jewel moved to a more pop-oriented sound with the release of the single "Intuition". The song, which strays from her usual folk style with simple guitar instrumentation, starts off with a French accordion and experiments with pop beats using synthesizers. The song was successful, reaching #5 on the Billboard Adult Top 40. However, a number of Jewel's fans criticized her for abandoning her traditional folk style in exchange for a new pop sound. Accusations of "selling out" for personal gain, among other things, were made. Despite the different sound style, the song is lyrically similar to her previous work. It has a number of references to culture, including mentioning celebrities such as pop star Jennifer Lopez, model Kate Moss, magazines, film culture and commercialism.
On May 2, 2006, Jewel released her sixth album, Goodbye Alice In Wonderland. The album received mixed reviews, but still managed to debut at #8 on the Billboard Albums Chart. The album sold 82,000 copies in its first week out. The lead single "Again and Again" has had moderate success on Adult Top 40 Radio, peaking at #16. The second single, "Good Day", was released to radio in late June but failed to gain any traction on the radio airplay charts. Later, a video for "Stephenville, TX", her next single, has been seen on Yahoo! Launch.
As of December 2006, the album barely sold 270,000 copies. It is notable in that it is the only Jewel album not to achieve Gold certification, even though it has been hailed as arguably one of her best albums. As one music critic, Timothy Duggan, notes: "This album showcases Jewel's unique talent as a lyricist, alongside a definite growth in her musicianship. It is what 'Pieces of You' might have been had Jewel had the musical knowledge then that she has now. A very satisfying work, all in all". Rolling Stone however, called the album "overdone and undercooked" with a rating of 2 stars out of 5.
In early February 2007, Jewel recorded a duet with Jason Michael Carroll, "No Good in Goodbye (With Jewel)", that was featured on Carroll's debut CD, "Waitin' in the Country". She also made a promotional appearance on the T in Boston for the Verizon Yellow Pages, playing songs on a moving subway car and then doing an hour-long acoustic concert in South Station for a large crowd of adoring fans. In an interview with the Boston Globe, Jewel confirmed that she is no longer affiliated with a record label, confirming rumors that Atlantic Records failed to renew her contract after the lackluster sales of her then-latest album. She also hinted that she would like to do a country album next. She is working with John Rich of Big & Rich fame. He says that she is "probably one of the greatest American singer-songwriters we have had". He also said that "every label in Nashville" is talking to her now.
In November 2007, Jewel was signed to Valory Records, a newly formed division of the independent Big Machine Records label. Her first country album, Perfectly Clear, is currently scheduled for release on June 3, 2008; its lead single, Stronger Woman was released to country radio on January 17, 2008, and has entered the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. As of the April 26, 2008 country charts, the single was #13 on the charts, which is its peak position thus far.
She will tour with Brad Paisley, Chuck Wicks, and Julianne Hough on Paisley's 2008 tour.
Official site: www.jeweljk.com
2. Jewel is also japanese heavy metal band. Activity (1984-1989, 2000-2001).
3. Jewel is also a raw black metal band from Canada.
Near You Always
Jewel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Those words touch me much too deeply
They make my core tremble
Don't think you realize the effect you have over me
And please don't look at me like that
It just makes me want to make you near me always
And please don't kiss me so sweet
It makes me crave a thousand kisses to follow
Makes every other embrace seem pale and' shallow
And please don't come so close
It just makes me want to make you near me always
Please don't bring me flowers
They only whisper the sweet things you say
And don't try to understand me
Your hands already know too much anyways
Makes me want to make you near me always
And when you look in my eyes
Please know my heart is in your hands
It's nothing that I understand
But in your arms you have complete power over me
So be gently if you please
'Cause your hands are in my hair
But my heart is in your teeth, babe
And it makes me want to make you near me always
Your hands are in my hair
But my heart is in your teeth, babe
And it makes me want to make you near me always
Want to be near you always
Want to be near you always
Want to be near you always
Jewel’s “Near You Always” is a vulnerable love song that captures the essence of being in love with someone more than they can comprehend. The singer opens up to the person she loves, asking them not to say “I love you” because it affects her too much. She confesses that being near them makes her feel complete and their touch makes her crave more of it. She begs them not to leave her because they already know her too well, and being apart makes her feel incomplete. The person she loves holds her heart and has complete power over her, and she wants to be near them always.
The lyrics of “Near You Always” perfectly capture the feeling of overpowering love that makes you feel vulnerable yet complete. Jewel’s use of metaphors is commendable, as she compares her love’s touch to the touch of any other person that seems shallow. Her plea for her love to be gentle is also a nod to the vulnerability that comes with loving someone that holds your heart. The song’s overall mood is dreamy and romantic, with the melody being calming and comforting.
Line by Line Meaning
Please don't say I love you
As a response to a confession, I am asking that you do not say the words 'I love you', because they have a profound emotional impact on me.
Those words touch me much too deeply
From hearing those three words, I have a strong response of feeling touched on an emotional level that is difficult to articulate.
They make my core tremble
The impact of those words resonates with me so deeply that it causes a physical response of my core shaking or trembling.
Don't think you realize the effect you have over me
I don't think you fully understand the power you have over me and how much your words and actions affect me emotionally.
And please don't look at me like that
When you look at me with a certain emotion or intensity, it stirs up feelings in me that are difficult to handle.
It just makes me want to make you near me always
When you look at me with intensity, it makes me crave your closeness and presence in my life.
And please don't kiss me so sweet
When you kiss me in a way that is too tender or gentle, it creates a strong desire for more kisses to follow, which can become overwhelming.
It makes me crave a thousand kisses to follow
The sweetness of your kiss is like a drug and makes me want more and more of your kisses to follow.
And please touch me like that
When you touch me in a certain way, it makes every other touch or embrace I have experienced feel lukewarm in comparison.
Makes every other embrace seem pale and shallow
The way you touch me feels so intense and meaningful that it makes other forms of physical touch or embrace seem insignificant or meaningless.
And please don't come so close
When you come too close, whether physically or emotionally, it creates an overwhelming desire for you to always be near me.
It just makes me want to make you near me always
The closeness that we share makes me want to keep you near me always by any means necessary.
Please don't bring me flowers
For you, bringing me flowers is a gesture of affection, but it doesn't hold as much significance as the words or actions you have towards me.
They only whisper the sweet things you say
Flowers only serve as a reminder of the sweet things you have said to me in the past, which can be overwhelming to think about.
And don't try to understand me
I don't think it's possible for you to fully understand the depth of my emotions and what goes on inside my head, so please don't try.
Your hands already know too much anyways
Your touch and physical connection with me are already so strong that it feels like your hands already know everything there is to know about me.
And when you look in my eyes
When you make eye contact with me, it feels like you have the power to see straight into my heart and soul.
Please know my heart is in your hands
My heart is vulnerable and exposed to you, so please be careful with it and handle it with care.
It's nothing that I understand
The way that I feel about you doesn't quite make logical sense to me, but it's still true and overwhelming.
But in your arms you have complete power over me
When I'm held in your arms, you have complete power over me and my heart, and I am at your mercy.
So be gently if you please
Because of the power that you hold over me, please be gentle and kind with me and my heart.
'Cause your hands are in my hair
When you put your hands in my hair, it creates a feeling of intimacy and vulnerability.
But my heart is in your teeth, babe
Despite feeling vulnerable, my heart is still in your hands and I trust you to not hurt it.
And it makes me want to make you near me always
The feeling of vulnerability and trust of having my heart in your hands makes me crave your closeness and physical presence in my life even more.
Want to be near you always
Ultimately, my desire is to be near you always and to keep you close to me by any means necessary.
Want to be near you always
Reiterating the point that above all else, I want to be near you always and to maintain the strong emotional and physical connection that we share.
Want to be near you always
Once again emphasizing my unending desire to be close to you and the power that you hold over me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Jewel Kilcher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mori2039
Please don't say I love you
Those words touch me much too deeply
They make my core tremble
Don't think you realize the effect you have over me
And please don't look at me like that
It just makes me want to make you near me always
And please don't kiss me so sweet
It makes me crave a thousand kisses to follow
And please touch me like that
Makes every other embrace seem pale and' shallow
And please don't come so close
It just makes me want to make you near me always
Please don't bring me flowers
They only whisper the sweet things you say
And don't try to understand me
Your hands already know too much anyways
Makes me want to make you near me always
And when you look in my eyes
Please know my heart is in your hands
It's nothing that I understand
But in your arms you have complete power over me
So be gently if you please
'Cause your hands are in my hair
But my heart is in your teeth, babe
And it makes me want to make you near me always
Your hands are in my hair
But my heart is in your teeth, babe
And it makes me want to make you near me always
Want to be near you always
Want to be near you always
Want to be near you always
@TheRealGrhyme
Like 25 years later this still moves my soul. I'm forever grateful for this album.
@kateydevers7678
This has ALWAYS been my favorite song on this album!!!! Love it soo much!!!!💕
@templeton3504
As goofy as it sounds in 2000 I was dating the girl of my dreams (high school crush). She wrote me a letter asking me to listen to this song back then. After 19 years since I last saw her I find that letter and later find out she passed away, I never got to say goodbye. Not a day has gone by I haven't thought about her. I pray every day we'll be together again.
@rightbrainintrovert7764
Breaks my heart for you
@giveyouralltohim
You will be. God is building an eternal dwelling place in christ jesus.
@submissionartist444
Love is forever.
@dr.amazing2603
@@starlessgolightlyThe "i" in quotations immediately intrigued me. Mymind as a scientist goes right to maybe he or she understands that we are all one. Including every other organism, great or small, that thinks it is living ON a planet it is actually a part of the planet it IS the planet therefore it/HE/SHE is our galaxy, therefore it is "our current time-line universe. therefore it is our Multiverse, therefore I AM beyond what I can perceive, therefore I am everything. ,
But I don't know if that's what you meant when you put the "i" in quotation marks. Although I have been known to over complicate life. Will you kindly please elaborate your intent?
@captaincapitalism264
"We shall meet again, those who have loved." (anonymous)
@DarcyHeartsElvis
I was obsessed with this song and album in the 1990's. Jewel is amazing!!❤️
@themacocko6311
Same