Secada arrived with his parents in the United States in 1971 at the age of nine. While attending school, his family managed a coffee shop. As a teen, Secada discovered his gift for music. In the culturally diverse city of Miami, Secada was exposed to salsa and merengue. Secada also became interested in R&B and pop music performed by Barry Manilow, Marvin Gaye, Billy Joel, Elton John and Stevie Wonder.
Secada graduated from South Florida's Hialeah High School in 1979 and then enrolled at the University of Miami. During college, he became an accomplished jazz musician. He was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor afforded a University of Miami student. He completed a Bachelor's degree in Music and then earned a Master's degree in Jazz Vocal Performance.
In the late 1980s, Gloria Estefan hired Secada as a background singer. He also started composing music for Estefan, including some of her best-known ballads. Among other songs, Secada co-wrote and sang background on Coming Out of the Dark Gloria's number one hit from her 1991 album Into the Light. During Estefan's "Coming Out of the Dark" tour, Secada was given the life-changing opportunity of taking over the stage and performing solo. It launched his career as a solo performer.
In 1991, Secada legally changed his first name from Juan to Jon. The following year, Secada released his self-titled debut album Jon Secada (SBK/EMI), which sold over six million copies worldwide and being certified triple platinum in the U.S., where it reached No. 15 among the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Secada scored a No. 5 Pop hit (and a No. 5 UK hit) with his Gold single "Just Another Day", and three more top 30 hits, Angel (No. 18 Pop, No. 23 UK), I'm Free (No. 27 Pop, No. 50 UK), Do You Believe in Us? (No. 13 Pop, No. 30 UK), and Do You Really Want Me (No. 30 UK) received national radio play. The Spanish-language version of Secada's solo album, Otro Día Más Sin Verte (EMI-Latin), became the Number One Latin album of 1992 and earned Secada his first Grammy Award for "Best Latin Pop Album".
In 1994 by Secada's second album, Heart Soul and Voice (EMI) featured members of The Miami Sound Machine and guests Arturo Sandoval (trumpeter) and Betty Wright (background vocals). The album went Platinum in the US. One of its singles had a top ten Pop hit If You Go and a Top 30 hit Mental Picture, which was used in the soundtrack for the film "The Specialist". His third album on EMI, Amor, was released in 1995 and earned Secada his second Grammy for "Best Latin Pop Performance".
Secada co-wrote the song Bella, the Spanish version of She's All I Ever Had for Ricky Martin's 1999 Multi-platinum self-titled album. He also co-wrote and co-produced the song Baila for Jennifer Lopez, which appeared on her 1999 multi-platinum album, On the 6. He worked with teen singing sensation Mandy Moore on two of her tracks, One Sided Love and It Only Took a Minute from her self-titled multi-platinum album. In 2001 he was a backing vocalist on Enrique Iglesias's album multi-platinum Escape on the tracks Don't turn off the Lights and Love 4 Fun.
Secada has performed with opera legend Luciano Pavarotti and recorded a duet with Frank Sinatra on "The Best Is Yet to Come" from Sinatra's Duets II album.
In 1995, Secada starred on Broadway's hit musical Grease, where he acted in the lead role of "Danny Zuko". Broadway called upon Secada once again in 2003, where he played the Emcee role in Sam Mendes' acclaimed version of Cabaret. In the fall of 2004, Secada also starred as "Joseph" in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's theatrical hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Nov 30, 2007: Jon participated in the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade which taped inside the Magic Kingdom at Disney World Orlando, Florida.
Jon Secada Albums
1992 Jon Secada SBK
1992 Otro Dia Mas Sin Verte Capitol
1994 Heart, Soul & A Voice SBK
1994 Si Te Vas EMI International
1995 Amor EMI Latin/SBK
1997 Secada Capitol
1997 Secada (Spanish Version) EMI International
1999 Greatest Hits Virgin
1999 Grandes Exitos EMI International
2000 Better Part Of Me Epic/550 Music
2001 The Gift Sony
2002 Solo Lo Mejor: 20 Exitos EMI Latin
2002 Latin Classics EMI International
2002 Amanecer Sony International
2003 30 Exitos Insuperables EMI International
2005 Same Dream Big3 Records
2006 Lo Esencial De Jon Secada EMI Latin
2008 Dentro De Mí Big3 Records
Links
http://www.jonsecada.com
http://www.jonsecada.net
http://www.justsecada.com
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/secada/
You can write to Jon Secada @:-
Jon Secada
2250 Coral Way
Miami
FL 33145-3509
Free
Jon Secada Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A rainbow shining over us
In the middle of a hopeless storm, oh
Sometimes I'm blinded by my feelings
And I can't see beyond my troubled mind
Afraid of what I'll find, the story of our lives
But there's tomorrow
'Cause I'm free, I'm free
And things are only as important as I want them to be
We'll have a breath of sunshine
When the rain goes away I pray, I pray, yeah
Do you need a friend right now
On the road that you're going to
If you get lost just call me, I'll be there
Yes I'll be right there
'Cause though I may not have the answers
At least I know what I'm looking for
Yes, I can do without sorrow
There's a day after tomorrow
So I'm leaving it behind
I'm free, I'm free (I'm free)
Things are only as important as I want them to be
We'll have a breath of sunshine
When the rain goes away I pray, I pray (I pray)
I'm free, I'm free (I'm free)
Things are only as important as I want them to be (baby)
We'll have a breath of sunshine
When the rain goes away I pray, I pray (baby)
And if you want to share my dreams
Well all you have to do is say it, say it
Let me hear you loud and clear
'Cause I need you if you wanna be, if you wanna be
Do you see what I see
A rainbow shining over us
In the middle of a hopeless storm
We'll be safe and warm
I'm free, I'm free
Things are only as important as I want them to be
We'll have a breath of sunshine
When the rain goes away I pray, (when the rain goes away) I pray
I'm free, I'm free (I'm free)
Things are only as important as I want them to be
We'll have a breath of sunshine
When the rain goes away (sunshine) I pray (sunshine), I pray (I pray)
The song "I'm Free" by Jon Secada speaks about finding hope and freedom in the face of hardship. The opening lines describe a rainbow shining over the middle of a hopeless storm, which can be interpreted as a symbol of hope and beauty amidst despair. The lyrics go on to acknowledge that at times our feelings can blind us, making it difficult to see beyond our troubles. The singer recognizes the value of looking towards the future and working towards positivity, even when it feels easier to focus on sorrow and negativity.
The chorus repeats the statement "I'm free," emphasizing the idea that we have the power to control the importance we place on certain things in our lives. The song suggests that we should strive towards positivity and hold onto hope, even when things seem difficult. It encourages listeners to reach out for support and to share their dreams with others, as this can help to foster a sense of community and connection.
Overall, "I'm Free" is a song about finding light in the darkness and holding onto hope even when life feels challenging.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you see what I see
Do you perceive the situation in the same way as I do?
A rainbow shining over us
A symbol of hope and optimism shining above us
In the middle of a hopeless storm, oh
During a time of desperation and turbulence
Sometimes I'm blinded by my feelings
Occasionally, my emotions overshadow my ability to perceive things accurately
And I can't see beyond my troubled mind
I am limited by my problems and worries
Afraid of what I'll find, the story of our lives
Apprehensive of discovering the supposed narrative of our existence
But there's tomorrow
There is always a chance for a better future
'Cause I'm free, I'm free
I am liberated, both physically and mentally
And things are only as important as I want them to be
The significance of something is solely determined by my perspective
We'll have a breath of sunshine
Our fortunes will change for good
When the rain goes away I pray, I pray, yeah
When our problems dissipate, it will be a blessing
Do you need a friend right now
Are you in need of companionship at present?
On the road that you're going to
In the journey you're undertaking
If you get lost just call me, I'll be there
In case you lose your way, I am available to assist you
Yes I'll be right there
I will avail myself instantly
'Cause though I may not have the answers
Although I may not be privy to the solutions
At least I know what I'm looking for
However, I know what I am pursuing
Yes, I can do without sorrow
Yes, I can exist devoid of grief
There's a day after tomorrow
There will always be another day, beyond today and tomorrow
So I'm leaving it behind
Therefore, I'm forsaking my past anxieties and difficulties
And if you want to share my dreams
If you desire to partake in my aspirations and goals
Well all you have to do is say it, say it
Express it vocally and directly
Let me hear you loud and clear
Speak audibly and intelligibly
'Cause I need you if you wanna be, if you wanna be
I depend on you, only if you're willing
We'll be safe and warm
We will be protected and secure
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JON SECADA, MIGUEL MOREJON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind