While Karen Souza´s voice may sound like it was made for jazz, she is in fa… Read Full Bio ↴While Karen Souza´s voice may sound like it was made for jazz, she is in fact a relative newcomer to this genre of music. Her career began under various psydeonymns as she provided vocal support to a number of electronic music producers and was part of several International House hits.

She can be found singing under these pseudonymns on albums such as Pacha Ibiza, FTV (FashionTV), Paris Dernier, Hotel Costes and Privé. She had just begun to flirt with the idea of singing to jazz when she was contacted and invited to join the production of the first volume of the series, Jazz and ´80s. No one imagined the success that the series would have almost over night. The producer of the series knew a good thing when he saw it and he quickly shared his enthusiasm in the project with Karen and made her and her voice an important part of each album.

Now that Karen had gotten her toes wet in the studio, her label decided it was time to dive in and they sent her and the rest of the Quartet on tour to Brazil in late 2009. The visit was a great success and Karen came into her own onstage, gaining confidence and ever tuning and refining her singing.
On the heels of the Brazilian adventure, the label again stepped in and told Karen it was time to focus on her own material.

To this effect they sent her to Los Angeles for a few months to work with and learn from some of the best songwriters in the business. It was there that she studied under the guidance of Pam Oland , a multiple Grammy nominated songwriter who has worked with stars like Whitney Houston, Earth, Wind and Fire and Aretha Franklin, to name a few. This period gave new direction to Karens own composing and songwriting and has helped her develop her signature sound while continuing to please fans with her characteristic lush vocals.

After her stint in LA, Karen began to dedicate herself exclusively to rehearsing both new and older material with the rest of the quartet and they have achieved a symbiosis that is a pleasure to watch. The Cooltrane Quartet with Karen in the lead is an act not to be missed, full of excellent jazz versions and brand new soloist material from a truly dynamic young artist.

Personal Jesus
Karen Souza Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who's there
Feeling unknown

And you're all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I'll make you a believer
Take second best
Put me to the test
Things on your chest
You need to confess
I will deliver
You know I'm a forgiver
Reach out and touch faith
Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who's there
Feeling unknown
And you're all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I'll make you a believer
I will deliver
You know I'm a forgiver
Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus
Reach out and touch faith
Reach out and touch faith
Reach out and touch faith
Reach out reach out

Reach out and touch faith
Reach out and touch faith

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Karen Souza's song "Personal Jesus" depict a deep yearning for connection and understanding, encapsulated in the idea of having a "personal Jesus." The concept of a personal Jesus goes beyond the traditional religious understanding of Jesus Christ and instead represents a figure who is there to listen to one's prayers, provide comfort, and offer forgiveness. This personal Jesus serves as a source of support in times of emotional turmoil, a confidant to whom one can confess their innermost thoughts and feelings.

The repeated lines "Reach out and touch faith" emphasize the importance of reaching out and finding solace in this personal Jesus figure, who is portrayed as a tangible presence that can be relied upon in moments of distress. This figure is described as someone who cares, listens, and is always there for the individual, offering a sense of companionship and reassurance in times of loneliness and isolation. The imagery of being "all alone" and "by the telephone" conveys a sense of vulnerability and the longing for connection with another being.

The lyrics also touch upon the theme of redemption and forgiveness, with the personal Jesus being portrayed as a forgiving figure who is willing to accept and absolve the individual of their shortcomings and burdens. The lines "Take second best, Put me to the test" suggest a willingness to prove one's devotion and faith to this personal Jesus, while also acknowledging the need for confession and seeking forgiveness for past mistakes. The act of "lifting up the receiver" symbolizes the act of reaching out to this personal Jesus and finding a sense of belief and understanding in their presence.

Overall, "Personal Jesus" delves into the complexities of human emotions, the search for connection, and the desire for spiritual guidance and support. It highlights the universal need for understanding, compassion, and forgiveness, presenting the idea of a personal Jesus as a beacon of hope and solace in the midst of life's challenges and uncertainties. The song's evocative lyrics and haunting melody capture the essence of longing and seeking solace in a higher power or a guiding presence that can provide comfort and understanding in times of need.

Line by Line Meaning

Reach out and touch faith
Embrace and rely on your belief and trust in something greater than yourself

Your own personal Jesus
Your individual source of comfort and support in times of need

Someone to hear your prayers
A listener who is attentive to your needs and desires

Someone who cares
A compassionate presence who genuinely cares about your well-being

Feeling unknown
Experiencing emotions or situations that are unfamiliar or confusing

And you're all alone
Finding yourself isolated or without the presence of others

Flesh and bone
Being a human being with physical needs and limitations

By the telephone
Awaiting a connection or communication with someone important

Lift up the receiver
Answer the call or reach out to establish a connection

I'll make you a believer
I will provide you with evidence or experiences that will make you have faith

Take second best
Settle for something less than ideal or optimal

Put me to the test
Challenge me to prove my reliability or worth

Things on your chest
Confessions or burdens that you need to share or release

You need to confess
You have a need to admit or acknowledge your faults or mistakes

I will deliver
I will provide or fulfill what is needed or expected

You know I'm a forgiver
You are aware that I am willing to pardon mistakes or wrongdoings

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL GREEN, MABON HODGES, ANTHONY C. II WILLIAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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