"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.
They Ain't Gotta Love You
Karina Pasian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't (Ain't)
Got (Got)
To (To)
La (La) - Ove (Ove)
You (You), No
They (They)
Ain't (Ain't)
To (To)
La (La) - Ove (Ove)
You (You), No
They ain't gotta be friends with you
They ain't gotta hang out with you
They ain't even have to deal with you
I love you even when you got an attitude
They ain't ever gotta hear you speak
Or think about you when you when they go to sleep
Baby I don't care what they think
You're the one for me
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
So tell me what they hating on our love for
When they know that your the one my heart beats for
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
So tell me what they hating on our love for
When they know that your the one my heart beats for (Beats for)
They can talk til they're blue in the face
They can scream, they can cuss, they can hate
They can say what they want to say
Don't cross the line disrespecting my babe
They trying hard to break us up (Up)
Trying hard and they doing too much (Too much)
Hearin' all that mess about us (About us)
Here's the bottom line
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
So tell me what they hating on our love for
When they know that your the one my heart beats for
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
So tell me what they hating on our love for
When they know that your the one my heart beats for
Don't care what my momma says
Cuz she ain't always right
Forget what daddy says
I'm gonna live my life
You are the only one for me
Baby I'm yours all day
They (They)
Ain't (Ain't)
Got (Got)
To (To)
La (La) - Ove (Ove)
You (You), No
They (They)
Ain't (Ain't)
Got (Got)
To (To)
La (La) - Ove (Ove)
You (You), No
They ain't gotta love
They (They)
Ain't (Ain't)
Got (Got)
To (To)
La (La) - Ove (Ove)
You (You), No
They (They)
Ain't (Ain't)
Got (Got)
To (To)
La (La) - Ove (Ove)
You (You), No
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
So tell me what they hating on our love for
When they know that your the one my heart beats for
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
So tell me what they hating on our love for
When they know that you're the one my heart beats for
Karina Pasian's "They Ain't Gotta Love You" is a love song that speaks to the power of real and genuine love. The song embraces the idea that even if the world turns against you, or if no one else accepts or loves you, there is someone who will always believe in you, despite your imperfections. The title of the song is repeated throughout, “They Ain't Gotta Love You,” emphasizing that the opinions of others do not matter when it comes to love. The song starts by acknowledging that people do not always have to like or love you, but it does not change the fact that love is essential. The singer then goes on to declare her love and loyalty for her partner, even when he/she is not at his/her best. The song emphasis that the opinions of others do not matter when it comes to real love.
Karina Pasian co-wrote the song with Makeba Riddick and Rodney Jerkins. The song was produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, who has worked with numerous artists, including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Beyonce. Besides, Jerkins discovered Karina Pasian when she was only 13 years old.
Line by Line Meaning
They ain't gotta be friends with you
Other people aren't obligated to be your friend
They ain't gotta hang out with you
Other people aren't obligated to spend time with you
They ain't even have to deal with you
Other people aren't obligated to interact with you at all
I love you even when you got an attitude
I accept you for who you are, even when you're in a bad mood
They ain't ever gotta hear you speak
Other people aren't obligated to listen to you talk
Or think about you when you when they go to sleep
Other people aren't obligated to think about you at all
Baby I don't care what they think
I don't care about other people's opinions
You're the one for me
I have strong feelings for you
They can talk til they're blue in the face
Other people can talk about us as much as they want
They can scream, they can cuss, they can hate
Other people can be very negative towards us
They can say what they want to say
Other people can express their opinions
Don't cross the line disrespecting my babe
Don't disrespect my partner
Trying hard to break us up (Up)
Other people are actively trying to end our relationship
Trying hard and they doing too much (Too much)
Other people are going overboard with their efforts to end our relationship
Hearin' all that mess about us (About us)
We're hearing a lot of negative things about ourselves and our relationship from others
Here's the bottom line
Here's the ultimate truth
Don't care what my momma says
I don't care about my mother's opinions
Cuz she ain't always right
Because she doesn't always know what's best
Forget what daddy says
I don't care about my father's opinions
I'm gonna live my life
I'm going to make my own decisions
You are the only one for me
I'm deeply in love with you and only you
Baby I'm yours all day
I'm committed to you all day long
They ain't gotta love
Other people aren't obligated to love us
They Ain't Gotta Love You, Oh No
Other people don't have to love you
So tell me what they hating on our love for
Why are other people being so negative towards our relationship?
When they know that your the one my heart beats for
When they know that you're the person I love the most
Contributed by Penelope V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.