"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.
When You're In Love
Karina Pasian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And theres no need for words
The emotions complete
My closest friend the one that I need
And the one who needs me
Like a song on repeat
My loneliness has up and gone
When you find the one all the colors are warm
Because when you're in love
The stars shine much brighter
The sky up above is bluer than blue
When you're in love your eyes
Open wider the world is brand new
Thats how it feels when you're in love
In love
Here we walk hand in hand
No where special to go no major plans
We run around with love in the air
And I'm smiling inside because I know someone cares
It took awhile but I can feel it now
If words can't describe let me try and sing it aloud
Because when you're in love
The stars shine much brighter
The sky up above is bluer than blue
When you're in love your eyes
Open wider the world is brand new
Thats how it feels when you're in love
In love
Finally I know how it feels
To take a love song and sing it for real
Finally there's peace in my heart
And stress don't bother me
I've got somebody there for me
Because when you're in love
The stars shine much brighter
The sky up above is bluer than blue
When you're in love your eyes
Open wider the world is brand new
Thats how it feels when you're in love
In love
In “When You're In Love,” Karina Pasian paints a beautiful picture of what it’s like to be in love. She sings about how being in love makes everything better and how it changes the world around you. Throughout the song, she uses various poetic devices to describe and convey the emotions she feels when she’s with her loved one.
The song begins with Pasian describing how she feels when she’s with her loved one. There are no words needed between them because their emotions are complete. She compares the feeling to a song on repeat, indicating that the emotions are ongoing and consistent. Pasian also notes that her loneliness has gone away since she found the one. This suggests that the love she found is fulfilling a void she previously had.
Pasian goes on to describe how being in love makes everything brighter and better. The stars shine much brighter, the sky is bluer than blue, and her eyes open wider. The world around her is brand new, and all the colors are warm. She sings about how simply walking hand in hand with her loved one feels special and fills her with joy. Finally, Pasian notes that she feels complete, at peace, and stress doesn't bother her because she has someone there for her.
Overall, “When You're In Love” is a beautiful tribute to love and how it changes everything one goes through. Pasian conveys the emotions attached to being in love in a poetic and moving way.
Line by Line Meaning
There you are in front of me
I see you standing before me
And theres no need for words
Our emotions don't require verbal communication
The emotions complete
Our feelings for each other are fulfilling
My closest friend the one that I need
You are my best friend and I rely on you
And the one who needs me
You also depend on me
Like a song on repeat
Our love is continuous, like a repeating melody
My loneliness has up and gone
My loneliness has disappeared
When you find the one all the colors are warm
Love makes the world a brighter and warmer place
Because when you're in love
Being in love makes a difference
The stars shine much brighter
Even the stars seem to shine brighter
The sky up above is bluer than blue
The sky is more vivid, like never before
When you're in love your eyes
Love makes you perceive things differently
Open wider the world is brand new
Everything around you looks new and exciting
Thats how it feels when you're in love
This is what falling in love feels like
In love
When you're in it, everything seems magical
Here we walk hand in hand
We are walking together, hand in hand
No where special to go no major plans
We don't have a destination or a specific agenda
We run around with love in the air
We are giddy with excitement and affection
And I'm smiling inside because I know someone cares
I feel happy because I know you care about me
It took awhile but I can feel it now
It took some time, but I now understand love
If words can't describe let me try and sing it aloud
If I can't convey my feelings in words, I'll express it in song
Finally I know how it feels
I finally understand the feeling of being in love
To take a love song and sing it for real
I am now singing a love song in actuality
Finally there's peace in my heart
I am finally at peace in my heart
And stress don't bother me
I am now less bothered by stress
I've got somebody there for me
I have someone who is there for me
Contributed by Sophie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.