Biography
Johnson is from the small town of Ängelholm in the south western part of Sweden, but the surroundings and the media compare her with the biggest stars in the music business. By the age of four, she had decided that she wanted to become an artist. She was highly encouraged by her local choir leader.
She now lives in a hunting lodge in the Western Gothlandic woods of Sweden, but also has a home in Stockholm.
As a 12-year old, she started off as vocalist in a Country & Western band, Tomboola Band, touring in Norway and Denmark. She signed eventually with EMI-Medley in Denmark and recorded an album, produced by top producer Paul Bruun. The title-track, Sugar Tree, became a hit in Denmark. In 1996, she had her first Swedish hit with Kommer tid, kommer vår”, a duet with Jan Johansen.
In 1998, she performed Kärleken är at Melodifestivalen, winning the Swedish finals and going on to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest. This established Johnson as one of the prime Swedish artists. The success was followed by the hit album När hela världen ser på and a successful tour.
In mid 1999, Johnson went to L.A. to look for material for her second album. At home, she worked with Andreas Carlsson (ASCAP Writer of the Year 2000), who is known for several massive hits, the biggest , so far, being Celine Dion's That's the Way It Is. She also tried out a few local new-comers and the album Daughter of Eve was released in early 2000. It was very well received and Johnson was compared with some of the world's best artists.
In 2000, she received a platinum-record in Denmark for the sound-track Promise To Love from the Danish block-buster, "Eneste Ene". Later that year, Johnson started to collaborate with other songwriters such as Jenny Orenstein, Charlie Stefl, Mary Green [Biem Writer of the Year 2001]. This resulted in her receiving a Publishing contract in Nashville Tennessee. Consequently, in 2002 Johnson's album entitled "Good Girl" came to be with the help of producer Scott Bagget and some of Nashville’s top musicians. This album secured Johnson's artistic sound and style and once again she was extremely well received by the press in their reviews where she was described as an artist of International calibre.
In the Swedish finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 she qualified at fourth place (out of 32 entries) but and her song “Crazy in Love" became a hit and received a great deal of radio play and was followed by a successful tour.
Johnson's collective "Discography" CD was released in late March 2003. It contains the 20 most popular songs since her debut in 1995. This Cd went straight into the sales charts for best selling CDs in Sweden. The single “Crazy in Love” stayed at No 1 in the Swedish Top Charts (Svensktoppen) 12 weeks consecutively and No 2 for 15 weeks. "Discography" sold Gold in Sweden and Johnson also got a Grammy for this album.
The new album "Roots and Wings" was released in November 2003, recorded and produced by Amir Aly in Sweden and by Scott Baggett in Nashville, USA. "Roots and Wings" sold gold in less than two weeks and platinum a few months later. The album "Being who you are" was released in Sweden in late March 2005 and sold gold in only a few weeks. Johnson was the host of the 2005 Swedish finals of the Eurovison Song Contest in Stockholm
Roots & Wings
Jill Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Married after school and settled down
Like most round here, bought a little ground
and planted roots.
Her brother Mark works att daddy's store
Sister Connie's wornin' on kid number four
But Rose hut eighteen and hit "that" door
she said I know they're thinkin'
I'm just the wild thing
Just cause you've got roots
Doesn't mean you can't have wings
CHORUS:
So she flies
soaring where she's never been
Reaching out for a life
Grabbin' all she can take in
She flies like an eagle on the wind
Just cause you've got roots
Doesn't mean you can't have wings
She moved to Dallas then Frisco Bay
Spent a year in Denver, (and) wound up in L.A.
Where she met a guy who took her breath away
and said I do!
They had a daughter late next fall
Took a trip back home to show her to mum
Her mama said (baby) I've seen it all
she act's just like you
Rose - when she grows up
remember one thing
Just cause she's got roots
Doesn't mean she can't have wings
CHORUS
Her mum and dad move to town
In north L.A they settled down
Like most round here, bought a little ground
and planted roots.
The lyrics of Jill Johnson's song "Roots & Wings" tell the story of a young woman named Rose who grows up in a small town where most people settle down and establish roots. However, Rose feels a strong desire for something more, something beyond the boundaries of her hometown. She decides to leave her family and her familiar surroundings behind and sets off on a journey to find her own path in life.
The song highlights Rose's determination to break free from the expectations and limitations placed on her. She refuses to be confined by her roots and aspires to soar without holding back. The chorus emphasizes this message, reminding us that having roots does not mean we cannot have wings. Rose moves to different cities, explores new places, and eventually meets someone who takes her breath away. They get married and start a family, but Rose always remembers to pass on the message to her daughter: Just because she has roots, it doesn't mean she can't have wings.
Overall, "Roots & Wings" is a celebration of individuality, bravery, and the idea that we can honor our roots while still pursuing our dreams and aspirations. It encourages us to embrace the possibilities that lie beyond our comfort zones and to strive for a life that fulfills our deepest desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Her mum and dad grew up in this town
Her parents were born and raised in the same town
Married after school and settled down
They got married right after finishing school and established a stable life
Like most round here, bought a little ground
Just like the majority in this town, they purchased a small piece of land
and planted roots.
They embedded themselves and created a strong foundation in the community
Her brother Mark works att daddy's store
Her brother Mark is employed at their dad's store
Sister Connie's wornin' on kid number four
Her sister Connie is currently expecting her fourth child
But Rose hut eighteen and hit "that" door
However, Rose left home at eighteen and chose a different path
and she flew
She pursued her own aspirations and flew away from her roots
she said I know they're thinkin'
Rose acknowledges that others may judge her choices
I'm just the wild thing
She recognizes that she is seen as someone who defies conventions
Just cause you've got roots
Having a strong foundation
Doesn't mean you can't have wings
Doesn't prevent you from pursuing your dreams and exploring new opportunities
So she flies
Rose takes flight
soaring where she's never been
Exploring new territories and experiences
Reaching out for a life
Striving for a fulfilling existence
Grabbin' all she can take in
Embracing every opportunity and seizing the moment
She flies like an eagle on the wind
Moving forward fearlessly, like an eagle in flight
Just cause you've got roots
Having a strong foundation
Doesn't mean you can't have wings
It doesn't limit your potential
She moved to Dallas then Frisco Bay
Rose relocated to Dallas and later to the Frisco Bay area
Spent a year in Denver, (and) wound up in L.A.
She spent a year in Denver before ultimately ending up in Los Angeles
Where she met a guy who took her breath away
In Los Angeles, she encountered a man who captivated her completely
and said I do!
They got married
They had a daughter late next fall
They welcomed a daughter in the late months of the following autumn
Took a trip back home to show her to mum
They visited their hometown to introduce their daughter to her grandmother
Her mama said (baby) I've seen it all
Her mother commented that she has lived through various experiences
she act's just like you
Rose's mother noticed similarities between Rose and her own daughter
Rose - when she grows up
Referring to her daughter, Rose, in the future
remember one thing
Rose's mother advises her to keep in mind
Just cause she's got roots
Even though she has a strong foundation
Doesn't mean she can't have wings
It won't hinder her from pursuing her dreams and aspirations
Her mum and dad move to town
Her parents relocated to the town
In north L.A they settled down
They established their new home in the northern part of Los Angeles
Like most round here, bought a little ground
Similar to the majority of people in that area, they purchased a small piece of land
and planted roots.
They established a stable presence and created a sense of belonging
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL HEENEY, JILL JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mattias Tiri
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