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 β 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.
Silver Lining
Jewel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got my raspberry jam
My grandfather was a sailor
that came onto this land
and he was looking for gold,
a pretty hand to hold,
or some cards to fold.
At least, that's what I was told.
Silver Lining
Silver Lining, where'd you go?
Turn on my TV
They got talking heads in space
used to be so easy
to have a little faith
I used to rely on luck
To earn an honest buck
I didn't feel so stuck
I didn't limp around, like Jon Kruk.
Silver Lining
Silver Lining, where'd you go?
I used to have hope
Now we got soap on a rope
I used to have dreams
Now we got overplayed baseball teams
We got grocery baggers, grafitti taggers,
golf-ball shaggers, go team go.
Silver Lining
Silver Lining, where'd you go?
My landlord knocks upon my door
He's got that payday face
I swear to God he should be payin me
To live inside this place
It's filled with sharks and fins
whose double chins say
Thicken your skin, child
if you want to win
Silver Lining
Silver Lining, where'd you go?
I fix myself some herbal tea
cause it's healthier they say
well, healthier ain't half as fun
I take a cold beer anyday
I used to have dysfunctional fun
in the cancerous sun
with my co-dependent hon
eatin greasy greasy hotdogs on a buttered up bun
Silver Lining
Silver Lining, where'd you go?
Silver Lining
Silver Lining, where'd you go?
The song "Silver Lining" by Jewel, on the surface, appears to be a simple collection of verses, but in reality, it is a poignant commentary on the disillusionment and uncertainties of modern life. The song starts with Jewel talking casually about her mundane morning routine. She then reveals her grandfather's origin story and follows it up with his search for material possessions and love, which left him feeling unfulfilled. The lyrics allude to the fact that life is more than just getting what we want.
The chorus, "Silver Lining, where'd you go?" serves as a kind of lamentation, where Jewel questions why it seems so hard to find the bright side of things. The second verse takes a more significant turn as Jewel turns to her TV and sees a wall of talking heads discussing current events, which she feels has led her to lose faith in everything. She talks about how working an honest day to make a buck is not as easy as it once was, and instead of relying on hope or a sense of destiny, she consoles herself with luck.
In the third verse, Jewel talks about how she used to have aspirations and dreams, but now those things feel trivial in a world where baseball teams get more attention than art. She uses the metaphor of "soap on a rope" to describe what has happened to hope and faith, how they have been cheapened and relegated to something functional. In the final verse, Jewel's landlord comes to the door and reminds her about paying rent, which leads her back to the idea that life is filled with double-dealing people who care only about their own success. The song ends with Jewel bemoaning her new lifestyle and the loss of the dysfunctional yet delightful past.
Line by Line Meaning
My muffins are in the toaster
I have something simple and comforting going on in my life at the moment.
I got my raspberry jam
I have something to look forward to that is simple but brings me happiness.
My grandfather was a sailor
My family history involves people making long and difficult journeys to find something they're searching for.
that came onto this land
This land is new and different, and my grandfather had to adapt to it.
and he was looking for gold,
My grandfather was searching for something of value, something worth working hard for.
a pretty hand to hold,
My grandfather was also searching for love and companionship.
or some cards to fold.
My grandfather may have been a bit of a gambler.
At least, that's what I was told.
This is a story that has been passed down through my family and may not be entirely accurate.
Turn on my TV
I am seeking entertainment or distraction.
They got talking heads in space
The entertainment being offered these days may seem ridiculous or nonsensical.
used to be so easy
Life used to be simpler and more straightforward.
to have a little faith
I used to feel more optimistic and hopeful.
I used to rely on luck
I used to have to take risks and hope for the best.
To earn an honest buck
I used to work hard, but knew that hard work would pay off.
I didn't feel so stuck
I wasn't weighed down by my problems or worries.
I didn't limp around, like Jon Kruk.
I wasn't struggling or feeling defeated.
I used to have hope
I used to feel that there were opportunities and possibilities in life.
Now we got soap on a rope
Nowadays, even simple things seem pointless or absurd.
I used to have dreams
I used to have aspirations and goals for my life.
Now we got overplayed baseball teams
Nowadays, even entertainment seems stale and repetitive.
We got grocery baggers, grafitti taggers,
People's actions or occupations may seem unremarkable or meaningless.
golf-ball shaggers, go team go.
People may be more interested in sports or entertainment than anything else.
My landlord knocks upon my door
I am struggling to make ends meet financially.
He's got that payday face
My landlord seems more interested in making money than helping me.
I swear to God he should be payin me
My living situation is difficult and frustrating.
To live inside this place
I am not getting what I need from my living situation.
It's filled with sharks and fins
My living situation is filled with potentially dangerous or untrustworthy people.
whose double chins say
These people do not seem to care about me or my wellbeing.
Thicken your skin, child
I need to be tougher or more resilient to survive this situation.
if you want to win
If I want to get ahead or be successful, I need to be able to handle difficult situations.
I fix myself some herbal tea
I am trying to take care of myself or be healthier.
cause it's healthier they say
I am listening to advice or following trends related to health or wellbeing.
well, healthier ain't half as fun
I am not satisfied with the way my life is going even though I'm trying to take care of myself.
I take a cold beer anyday
I am still drawn to things that may not be good for me.
I used to have dysfunctional fun
I used to engage in things that were bad for me, but made me feel alive or happy.
in the cancerous sun
I used to engage in dangerous activities that could hurt me or cause health problems.
with my co-dependent hon
I used to have a partner who was not good for me, but I relied on them for support or validation.
eatin greasy greasy hotdogs on a buttered up bun
I used to be satisfied with things that weren't really that great, but seemed enjoyable at the time.
Silver Lining
I am trying to hold onto hope or optimism.
Silver Lining, where'd you go?
I am struggling to find anything positive or hopeful in my life.
Contributed by Layla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mark
How can this be 21 years old already!!!!! Silver lining,,,, great music is timeless!!! Love it!!!
Belinda au
She has an insane voice. What a talent. Great duo song. Loved it. x
Timothy Paul Winter
I love jewel. I used to listen to her a lot when I was living in an old isolated country dairy shed, riding a broken down honda xl250 with half an exhaust pipe way out in the paddocks near my home town bellingen nsw AUSTRALIA. Her song gave me hope and nurtured my saddness. Love Timothy Paul Winterππ
The Lost Tones
what an amazing audio quality! Precious gem!
Craig Monteforte
Glad to see more of Jewel ,always liked her music and stories think she looks great with the short hair too ! Hope to see more YouTube videos of her as well
Stiffkittens Reviews
IMO, she looked way better with brown hair
ζ±ζΉδΈζ
I relly love this song and jewel singing this song use voice ~ β€οΈ
treehuggerdude4
Shes so good!
launderground
back when we went to joe's every day.. and when crowds weren't holding up smartphones up the whole show.
Dizzy
Cool bravo βΌοΈππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»π