"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.
The Love We Got
Karina Pasian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He'll always be my baby
We may bend,Won't break
But we got no one else to take
He's the sun when my day is low
Im his picture in front front row
His love is the center of my attention (oo oo)
See i dont know what he'd do for me
We argue,we fight
Then we make up by the end of the night
Dont even speak it speak it
We know what we got
And i love him,he loves me
And this is how love should be
Im down for the love that he got that, he got
And he stays down for the love that we got, that we got
I love him,he loves me
And this is how love should be
Im down for the love that he got that,that he got
And he stays down for the love that we got, that we got
He's embebed in myspace
Everytime he speaks he blows me away
Dont care what people say
As long as hes in the same place where i lay
See ill be as that goes
Im his princess hes my general
And no matter what you think about love
Time wont outlast us
See yall dont know what he do for me
And im tellin you hes my everything
We argue we fight
Then we make up by the end of the night
Yall dont kno what we got
And i love him,he loves me
And this is how love should be
Im down for the love that he got that, he got
And he stays down for the love that we got, that we got
I love him,he loves me
And this is how love should be
Im down for the love that he got that,that he got
And he stays down for the love that we got, that we got
The miles I'd walk for him are infinite
Ill run circles around the world
And everyday im beside him feals heaven sent
And all else is irrelevant
So keep on exsuding your love on to me
And i love him,he loves me
And this is how love should be
Im down for the love that he got that, he got
And he stays down for the love that we got, that we got
I love him,he loves me
And this is how love should be
Im down for the love that he got that,that he got
And he stays down for the love that we got, that we got (X2)
The lyrics of Karina Pasian's "The Love We Got" depict a strong and loyal romantic relationship that persists through trials and tribulations. The singer loves her partner unconditionally and believes that their love is mutual and unbreakable. She portrays her partner as her everything and appreciates the way he makes her feel loved and cherished.
The first verse talks about how the singer's partner is always there for her in times of need, standing by her side even when things get tough. The singer acknowledges that they may have arguments and fights, but their love for each other is so strong that they always make up by the end of the night. The chorus adds to this sentiment, declaring that the singer and her partner are in a perfect example of a loving relationship that inspires them to stay down for each other.
In the second verse, the singer talks about the romantic bond she shares with her partner, being each other’s everything, even when the world doesn’t seem to understand. The singer talks about being committed and devoted to her partner, and the lyrics suggest that they both feel the same way about each other. She ends the song by expressing her love and devotion, speaking about how they are meant to be together.
Line by Line Meaning
My heart he takes
He has captured my heart and has it completely.
He'll always be my baby
He will always be my beloved partner.
We may bend,Won't break
Despite facing difficulties, we won't let them break us apart.
But we got no one else to take
We only have each other, but that's all we need.
He's the sun when my day is low
He brings warmth and brightness to my life when I'm feeling down.
Im his picture in front front row
I am his biggest supporter and fan, always right by his side.
His love is the center of my attention (oo oo)
I am fully focused on the love we share.
See i dont know what he'd do for me
I am constantly surprised by the depths of his love for me.
That guy is my everything
He is everything to me and more.
We argue,we fight
We have our disagreements and conflicts,
Then we make up by the end of the night
but we always resolve them and make amends by the end of the day.
Dont even speak it speak it
We don't need to say it out loud,
We know what we got
because we both know the depth and strength of the love we share.
And i love him,he loves me
We both love each other deeply and wholeheartedly.
And this is how love should be
Our love is a perfect example of true and genuine love.
Im down for the love that he got that, he got
I am fully committed to the love that he provides and gives me.
And he stays down for the love that we got, that we got
He is equally committed to the love we share and will always be there for me.
He's embebed in my space
He is an integral part of my life.
Every time he speaks he blows me away
His words always have a powerful impact on me.
Dont care what people say
The opinions of others do not affect our love.
As long as hes in the same place where i lay
As long as we are together, that is all that matters.
See ill be as that goes
Our love will stand the test of time.
Im his princess hes my general
We both have unique and special roles within our relationship.
And no matter what you think about love
Regardless of anyone else's opinion on love,
Time wont outlast us
Our love will withstand the test of time.
The miles I'd walk for him are infinite
I would go to great lengths and distances for him.
Ill run circles around the world
I would do anything and everything for him, even if it seems impossible.
And everyday im beside him feals heaven sent
Being with him feels like a gift from above every single day.
And all else is irrelevant
Nothing else matters as long as we have each other.
So keep on exsuding your love on to me
Continue to pour your love onto me.
Contributed by Alexandra E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.