"I’ve been singing and playing piano since I was three," says Karina. "My babysitter had a piano, and she started teaching me how to play. It wasn’t until a year later that I began getting professional lessons." While some have been quick to compare Karina Pasian to other performers including Aaliyah, Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey, one listen to her self-assured debut disc is evidence enough that she is destined for success.
Karina remembers the first time she sang in front of an audience. "I sang Céline Dion’s ’My Heart Will Go On’ at a talent show. I was kind of nervous, but the audience loved it."
From that point, there was no denying that music would be her life. A few years later, after using the Prince-penned ballad "How Come U Don’t Call" for an audition, Karina Pasian was cast on a revamped version of Star Search. "That was such a wonderful experience," says Karina, who won the first round of the competition with a rousing version of the Jackson Five classic "I’ll Be There."
Working with an array of songwriters, producers and artists that include The Dream, Tricky Stewart, Gordon Chambers, Chris Brown, Carlos McKinnney, Lil Mama and others, Karina proves to be a breath of fresh soul. "I’ve recorded over 70 songs in the last two years," Karina says. "It was a period of real growth for me as I learned to focus and stay consistent."
Karina Pasian’s godfather, famed producer and businessman Quincy Jones, has also been a guardian angel for the young singer. In addition to giving her advice, the maestro included her in the "We Are the Future" charity concert in 2006. Considering the talents Jones has worked with, from Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan to Michael Jackson and Tamia, she is in good company. "I know I’m blessed to have someone like Quincy in my corner," she says.
A fan who embraces all forms of music, from the stylish pop of Brandy to old school jazz greats, Karina performed the standard "Misty" when she was at the White House last year. "Emilio Estefan, who has been a friend of my family for years, helped to put the show together, and invited me to be a part of it," says Karina. "Later, my brother told me that I was the first Dominican to play at the White House, and that made me very proud." Studying music and voice at High School for the Professional Performing Arts, the Washington Heights native was more than prepared for any challenges that arose in the studio. "I was blessed to have some pretty amazing teachers who prepared me well," she says sweetly. Refusing to fall into any cliché, Karina Pasian has recorded an album that is a reflection of her age and independent point of view.
Karina Pasian’s song "Sixteen" is a song of independence and admiration. "Ain’t no daddy’s where I’m from, its just mad mothers…why am I disrespected by someone I should call brother," she sings in a pristine voice. "I wanted to do a song about what teenager girls go through in urban areas. It’s not cool that boys think they’re being cute when they say nasty stuff to us on the street." Written and produced by The Dream and Tricky Stewart, best known for their work with Rihanna’s "Umbrella" and Madonna’s "Me Against the Music," the song "Sixteen" reminds one of vintage Brill Building girls like the Crystals or Little Eva with an electro-groove.
Another Tricky Stewart and The Dream track that will leave fans breathless is "Baby Baby," an uptempo song that is destined to be a dancefloor scorcher. "Though this is a fun song, it’s not just a party song," says Karina "It’s about guys who simply see young women as sex objects, but I refuse to be that girl." Indeed, like Aretha Franklin, she simply wants some respect. Sharing the mic with rapper Lil Mama ("Lip Gloss" & "Shawty Get Loose"), the two young stars connected in the studio. "Lil Mama was so cool, but it was her confidence in the booth that was really exciting."
Produced and written by Carlos McKinney, the sing-songy "Can’t Find the Words" embraces elements of jazz and pop while simultaneously creating a whimsical track that sounds like nothing else of the radio. Additionally, Karina’s favorite song "Winner," which highlights her elegant piano (her light touch on the keyboard reminds one of Erroll Garner) playing, is laidback and uplifting.
A beautiful young woman with more musical moxy than most sixteen year olds, Karina Pasian has constructed one of the finest debut discs in years. Melancholic and truthful, funky and real, blissful and bold, Karina’s album is the sound of a better tomorrow.
Last to Know
Karina Pasian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got my heart out on a mission,
Can you tell me what's up?
Feels like you're giving up,
Maybe I'm over reacting, and nothing's wrong,
But I'm getting a feeling you're slowly moving on,
Why you sending me to voice mail I know you seen me call?
Boy it's been a while,
And I'm hoping maybe you can help me out
Cause I know you remember how you used to call me every night,
But now I hold my pillow tight,
Cause the one I love don't seem to feel the same,
So baby just in case
Don't let me be the last to know,
If you're gone, then I'll go
Don't think I'll make it difficult,
Cause I won't,
If it's what you want, then go,
But please, let me know
You don't want this no more
Don't play with my heart,
I'll be ok alone,
But boy don't let me be the last to know
And I don't want you to think I'm trippin',
But I just can't be looking stupid,
I'll hope you understand,
My heart is in your hand,
I'm trusting you know what to do with it,
And I really don't think that you go and do me wrong
But sometimes you never know, what's going on
Don't wanna take a chance,
Catching you holding hands,
I know I would be so devastated
Cause I know you remember how you used to call me every night,
But now I hold my pillow tight,
Cause the one I love don't seem to feel the same,
But baby just in case
Don't let me be the last to know, (Know)
If you're gone, then I'll go (I'll go)
Don't think I'll make it difficult, (Difficult)
Cause I won't,
If it's what you want, then go, (Go, but please)
But please, let me know (Let me know)
You don't want this no more (If you don't want this no more)
Don't play with my heart,
I'll be ok alone, (Alone)
But boy don't let me be the last to know
Can you tell me honestly?
Right now I'm finding it so hard to breath, eat, think, sleep
I don't wanna go another day
Not knowing what I need,
Talk to me,
Don't let me find out the hard way,
If you care at all about me,
Boy if you're ready to leave,
Just let me know I don't deserve to be the last to know
Don't let me be the last to know, (yeah, yeah)
If you're gone, then I'll go (If you're gone, I'll go)
Don't think I'll make it difficult, (So don't make it)
Cause I won't,
If it's what you want, then go, (If it's what you want)
But please, let me know (let me know)
You don't want this no more (If you don't want this no more)
Don't play with my heart,
I'll be ok alone, (Alone)
But boy don't let me be the last to know (The last to know)
The song "Last to Know" by Karina Pasian is about a woman who feels like her partner is withdrawing from their relationship. She suspects that he may be moving on without telling her, and she's begging him to communicate his feelings to her so she won't be the last to know about the end of their relationship. The lyrics express her vulnerability and fear of being hurt and her desire to be kept informed of everything going on between them.
The opening lines convey how the singer's partner has been acting distant, and she feels like he's no longer interested in being with her. This feeling makes her anxious, and she's keen to know what's wrong. She thinks that maybe she's overreacting, but at the same time, she can't shake off the feeling that he's moving on.
She's worried that she may be the last person to hear about the end of their relationship, and she doesn't want to be left in the dark. She reminds him of how they used to communicate every night and how things have changed now. She acknowledges that she'll be okay if he decides to leave, but she doesn't want to be blindsided by the breakup. She hopes that he'll be honest with her and tell her what's going on between them.
Overall, the song is emotional and relatable, expressing the fear and uncertainty that often accompany the end of a relationship. It also highlights the importance of communication and honesty in any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Now lately you been acting different,
I've noticed a change in your behavior recently
You got my heart out on a mission,
I feel vulnerable and invested in our relationship
Can you tell me what's up?
What is the issue at hand?
Feels like you're giving up,
I am sensing that you are losing interest
Maybe I'm over reacting, and nothing's wrong,
I may be jumping to conclusions, but something feels off
But I'm getting a feeling you're slowly moving on,
I have a gut instinct that you may be ending things
Why you sending me to voice mail I know you seen me call?
I am feeling ignored and undervalued by your lack of response
Boy it's been a while,
It has been some time since we connected
Really miss your smile
I miss the intimacy we once shared
And I'm hoping maybe you can help me out
I am looking for your support and communication
Cause I know you remember how you used to call me every night,
I remember how we used to be affectionate towards one another
But now I hold my pillow tight,
I am now feeling lonely and unable to sleep comfortably
Cause the one I love don't seem to feel the same,
I feel like you do not reciprocate my feelings
So baby just in case
In case you are feeling differently than I am
Don't let me be the last to know,
Please communicate with me openly and honestly about our relationship
If you're gone, then I'll go
If you want to end things, then I will accept it and move on
Don't think I'll make it difficult,
I will not put up a fight if you want this to end
Cause I won't,
I will not resist or cause drama
If it's what you want, then go,
If this is what you truly desire, then I will support your decision
But please, let me know
I am asking for clear communication and closure
You don't want this no more
If you no longer want to be in a relationship with me
Don't play with my heart,
Do not toy with my emotions or feelings
I'll be ok alone,
I may feel hurt, but I can move on without you
But boy don't let me be the last to know
Please tell me your true intentions rather than leaving me in the dark
And I don't want you to think I'm trippin',
I do not want you to misunderstand or judge me
But I just can't be looking stupid,
I do not want to feel foolish or naive in this situation
I'll hope you understand,
I am hoping for your empathy and consideration
My heart is in your hand,
I have given you my trust and vulnerability
I'm trusting you know what to do with it,
I believe in your ability to handle my emotions with care
And I really don't think that you go and do me wrong
I do not anticipate you betraying or hurting me
But sometimes you never know, what's going on
However, I am still uncertain about what might be happening
Don't wanna take a chance,
I do not want to risk being blindsided by a sudden change
Catching you holding hands,
I do not want to witness you being intimate with someone else
I know I would be so devastated
I would feel heartbroken and shattered
Can you tell me honestly?
Can you be truthful and forthcoming with me?
Right now I'm finding it so hard to breath, eat, think, sleep
I am struggling to function normally due to the stress of our relationship
I don't wanna go another day
I cannot go another day without clarity and closure
Not knowing what I need,
I am unsure of what I need in order to move forward
Talk to me,
I am asking for open communication and dialogue
Don't let me find out the hard way,
I do not want to discover the truth through difficult or painful means
If you care at all about me,
If you truly have any emotional investment in me
Boy if you're ready to leave,
If you are ready and willing to end this relationship
Just let me know I don't deserve to be the last to know
I am deserving of honesty, transparency, and sufficient warning before any sudden changes occur.
Contributed by Christian R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Valia Blunt
Wow I felt every word in this song! Karina pasian is crazy talented
FideTheProducer
Love the chords and Karina's vocals
Raesrebornluv
I love her voice she's that beast
courtney chambers
Just hear this song on pandora! Fits me perfect!!! If we have to come to an end, I just don't want to be the last to know. /:
Queen Mir
the 11 dislikes are some real haters who need a life like seriously how can people not love this song😍fr! lol
gorgeous lala
beautiful song i just keep playing it over and over again
ssoto0291
This was my break up song I sent to my now ex. Definitely a song that gives a clear message.
rozeenaj
i wish i could love this! its on repeat
ShaSoPretty
Got this on repeat , at thee moment it reminds me of my current situation ... ( ! )
I_Am_AshleyJ
Love this record♡♡♡karina doesn't get her just do supporter from day one talented!!!!