"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.
Winner
Karina Pasian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess the stars were aligned when we met up,
Cause Baby I,
I see the Fires in your eyes anytime we touch.
Sometimes I just wanna go run away and hide,
But everytime I do,
You always find a way to come change my mind,
You're my hero.
[Chorus:]
I feel like a winner,
When you're beside me,
There ain't a thing that I can't be,
I feel like a winner,
You're there to guide me,
Like the wind beneath my wings,
I feel like a winner,
Everytime I plan on giving it up,
You grab my hand and look inside of me,
To make me feel like a winner,
Feel like a winner.
[Verse 2:]
There were others,
That I loved in the past,
Now I know it didn't last,
Because we were distant from one another,
And I don't even have to ask,
If you got my back,
'Cause I know the answer to that,
You got me covered,
Everybody else is just a memory from long ago,
And I found love with you here by my side,
You're my hero.
[Chorus:]
I feel like a winner,
When you're beside me,
There ain't a thing that I can't be,
I feel like a winner,
You're there to guide me,
Like the wind beneath my wings,
I feel like a winner,
Everytime I plan on giving it up,
You grab my hand and look inside of me,
To make me feel like a winner,
Feel like a winner.
[Spoken:]
When I'm with you,
I feel like,
I can do anything
[Verse 3:]
I feel like I can fly a plane,
Race a train,
Travel through the galaxies,
And make the stars spell out your name,
I feel like I can climb the highest mountain,
And reach up into the sky,
Boy, with you here,
I can do anything,
I would give it all,
Just to feel your touch,
You're the only one I need,
It's like you got me star struck,
Baby Boy I'm part of,
You're the other part of me,
[Chorus:]
I feel like a winner,
When you're beside me,
There ain't a thing that I can't be,
I feel like a winner,
You're there to guide me,
Like the wind beneath my wings,
I feel like a winner,
Everytime I plan on giving it up,
You grab my hand and look inside of me,
To make me feel like a winner,
Feel like a winner.
[Chorus:]
I feel like a winner,
When you're beside me,
There ain't a thing that I can't be,
I feel like a winner,
You're there to guide me,
Like the wind beneath my wings,
I feel like a winner,
Everytime I plan on giving it up,
You grab my hand and look inside of me,
To make me feel like a winner,
Feel like a winner
The song "Winner" by Karina Pasian is a heartfelt tribute to the power of love and the transformative effect it can have on our lives. In the first verse, the singer reflects on the way she feels whenever she is around her partner, describing the intense connection between them as something that transcends ordinary experience. She admits to feeling overwhelmed at times and wanting to run away and hide, but her partner always manages to change her mind and convince her to stay. She sees him as a hero, someone who inspires her and gives her the strength she needs to keep going.
In the chorus, the singer celebrates the feeling of empowerment that her partner brings to her life, describing him as the wind beneath her wings. She feels like a winner whenever he is by her side, and believes that there is nothing she cannot achieve as long as he is there to guide her. The second verse acknowledges the singer's past experiences with other partners, which she now views as distant memories compared to the deep connection she shares with her current partner. She knows that he has her back and will always be there for her, and this gives her the courage to face anything that comes her way.
Overall, "Winner" is a song about the transformative power of love and the way it can change our lives for the better. Through her lyrics, Karina Pasian expresses the profound sense of gratitude and empowerment that comes from being with someone who truly loves and understands us.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess the stars were aligned when we met up,
It feels like fate brought us together.
Cause Baby I, I see the Fires in your eyes anytime we touch.
I can feel your passion for me every time we are close.
Sometimes I just wanna go run away and hide,
There are times when I feel overwhelmed and want to escape.
But everytime I do, You always find a way to come change my mind,
You have the ability to change my perspective and make me feel better.
You're my hero.
You are my savior and make everything better.
When you're beside me, There ain't a thing that I can't be,
When you are with me, I feel like I can accomplish anything.
You're there to guide me, Like the wind beneath my wings,
You support me and empower me to achieve my dreams.
Everytime I plan on giving it up, You grab my hand and look inside of me,
Whenever I feel like giving up, you reassure me and give me strength.
To make me feel like a winner, Feel like a winner.
You make me feel like a successful and accomplished person.
Now I know it didn't last, Because we were distant from one another,
My previous relationships failed because we were not close enough emotionally.
And I don't even have to ask, If you got my back,
I know I can rely on you and don't have to question your loyalty.
You got me covered,
You protect and support me.
Everybody else is just a memory from long ago,
My past relationships are a distant memory compared to the love we share.
And I found love with you here by my side,
Our love is strong and I am grateful to have you in my life.
When I'm with you, I feel like, I can do anything
When we are together, I feel invincible and capable of anything.
I feel like I can fly a plane, Race a train, Travel through the galaxies, And make the stars spell out your name,
My love for you gives me the confidence to do anything, even impossible feats like flying or traveling through space.
Boy, with you here, I can do anything,
Your presence gives me the strength and courage to overcome any obstacle and chase my dreams.
It's like you got me star struck, Baby Boy I'm part of, You're the other part of me,
I am in awe of your love and feel like you complete me as a person.
Contributed by Owen G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.