"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.
Slow Motion
Karina Pasian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I Know That You've Been Calling Me,
And I'm happy that we met.
Don't think that I'm not interested.
I'm just playing hard to get
[Bridge:]
So much about this crazy game they call love
So could you be my best friend,
Before you call yourself my man
[Hook:]
Why can't I love you in slow motion,
Take my time,
Take away the pressure on my mind
Really get to know you
But rewind
Wanna love you in slow motion
Why can't I?
[Verse 2:]
You seem to know just what you want
And I like your confidence
Some things a girl should never rush
Cause If you do you hurt yourself
[Bridge:]
So much about this crazy game they call love
I'm still trying to understand,
So could you be my best friend,
Before you call yourself my man
[Hook:]
Why can't I love you in slow motion,
Take my time,
Take away the pressure on my mind
Really get to know you
But rewind
Wanna love you in slow motion
Why can't I
[Breakdown:]
I'm too young for tears in the night
And it's to soon for this to be right
Don't wanna mess with your pride
The questions not when but why
[Hook:]
Why can't I love you in slow motion,
Take my time,
Take away the pressure on my mind
Really get to know you
But rewind
I Wanna love you in slow motion
Why can't... I
The lyrics to Karina Pasian's song Slow Motion reflect the complicated emotions that come with falling in love. The singer is clearly interested in the person who has been calling her, but she is hesitant to dive headfirst into a relationship. She acknowledges that there is so much about love that she doesn't understand, and she wants to take things slowly in order to truly get to know the other person. The chorus drives this point home, with the singer singing that she wants to love in slow motion, taking her time to understand her feelings and the other person before jumping in.
The bridge of the song highlights the importance of friendship in a relationship. Before she can consider being in a romantic relationship with this person, she wants them to be best friends. It's clear that the singer values a strong connection built on trust and understanding, rather than just the excitement and intensity of a new love.
The breakdown of the song adds another layer to the singer's hesitation. She is young and doesn't want to waste her time or hurt herself by rushing into anything too quickly. She even acknowledges that it might be too soon for a relationship to be right. The questions she's asking herself are not just about when the right time to fall in love is, but why she feels this way in the first place.
Overall, the lyrics to Slow Motion explore the complexities of falling in love and the importance of taking things slow and building a strong foundation of friendship.
Line by Line Meaning
I Know That You've Been Calling Me,
I am aware of your calls, messages, and interest in me.
And I'm happy that we met.
I am happy that our paths have crossed, and we have met each other.
Don't think that I'm not interested.
Do not assume that I am not interested in you. I am just hesitant.
I'm just playing hard to get
I am playing a game to make it a little challenging for you to impress me.
So much about this crazy game they call love
Love is a complicated game with many ups and downs.
That I'm trying to understand,
I want to comprehend love and its complexities.
So could you be my best friend,
Before we start dating, I want us to be friends first, and know each other better.
Before you call yourself my man
I need to know you better and establish a closer relationship with you before making a commitment.
Why can't I love you in slow motion,
I want to take things slow and enjoy getting to know you without any rush.
Take my time,
I want to take all the time I need before committing to a relationship or anything else.
Take away the pressure on my mind
I want to avoid any pressure and anxiety that comes with rushing into things.
Really get to know you,
I want to know you deeply, your personality, your likes and dislikes aside from the surface level stuff.
But rewind,
I wish that I had the ability to rewind time and start all over again, maybe with another pace.
You seem to know just what you want
You come off as very confident and assertive.
And I like your confidence,
I find confidence to be a desirable trait, and I like that about you.
Some things a girl should never rush
I believe that rushing into certain aspects of life can lead to negative outcomes.
Cause If you do you hurt yourself,
I believe that hurrying might lead to making a bad decision that negatively affects oneself.
I'm too young for tears in the night,
I am too young to be crying in the middle of the night due to relationship problems or heartbreaks.
And it's too soon for this to be right
Entering a relationship too soon may lead to issues later on.
Don't wanna mess with your pride
I do not want to hurt your feelings or ego.
The question's not when but why
The question is why am I rushing things?
I Wanna love you in slow motion
I want to take things slowly and enjoy the process of falling in love.
Why can't... I
I wish things could go slower instead of rushing into things.
Contributed by Connor D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.