Ryan was born in the small village of Tessenderlo, Belgium. She grew up in a musical family, and had talent for music at a very early age. At eight years of age she had learned to play the piano and guitar. She had singing and piano lessons from her aunt who teaches at a conservatory, but had other interests too. She studied at an art school, specializing in jewelry design. She also lived some time in Meerhout, a small village near Tessenderlo.
Ryan played frequently in bars and cafés as a teenager, and one night a manager approached her, wanting her to record a song in a studio. She became a member of a pop group called Melt at the age of 16. The group was active for two years, but they did not release any material commercially. When she met with producer Andy Janssens, she left Melt and the pair began to write music together. Their debut single "Scream For More" was released in 2001, and it became an unexpected chart success.
She gained international prominence with a cover of Mylène Farmer's "Désenchantée", which was a hit on various European pop music charts. She signed with EMI Belgium and released her first album Different in 2002 exclusively in Europe. The album went Gold, selling more than 250,000 copies throughout Europe.
It became popular enough in the States that music consumers who favour dance-pop with a European flavour bought Different even though it was only available as an import title. Kate's Stateside debut single was "Scream For More", released July 17, 2001, on Robbins Entertainment. It did well on dance–music radio and in nightclubs. The follow–up single, "Desenchantee/U R My Love" also released on Robbins, did as well on dance radio and in nightclubs, but the single sold more than the previous single.
In 2004, Ryan released a second album in Europe and in North America in 2005 on Water Music Records, the album named Stronger, with two more popular songs—"Another Day" and "The Rain" which were rumored to have been inspired by the twilight series. While the album did well on the dance charts, it failed to chart on the pop charts because of poor promotion.
In 2006 she participated in Eurosong '06, the national final to select the entrant for Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. She was selected as the entrant after placing first in the Eurosong final on March 9, 2006. Ryan represented Belgium at the Eurovision semifinal held on May 18, 2006 in Athens singing "Je t'adore". She did not qualify for the final, however, finishing two places outside the advancing Top 10 (12th) with 69 points.
It was announced on the August 14, 2006 that Ryan would release "Je t'adore" in the UK for which exclusive mixes by Credheadz were commissioned, but the release was shelved, close to the release date. It did however enjoy heavy rotation on the UK's music channels, and is still played regularly on Flaunt.
The following single was "Alive", taken from the album of the same name, which also features French versions of several tracks including "Je t'adore", "Alive", and the third single "All For You".
In 2007, she had some success with the double sided single "Voyage Voyage"/"We All Belong". The track "Voyage, Voyage" is a cover of the 1987 European smash hit by Desireless, and "We All Belong" was selected as the official anthem for the Eurogames 2007 in Antwerp.
In 2008, she released two singles: "L.I.L.Y. (Like I Love You)" and then "Ella, Elle L'a", a cover of France Gall's song. Both tracks (and Voyage Voyage) were included on her album Free, which was released on May 30, 2008. The album also contains a duet with Spanish singer Soraya Arnelas.
On July 11, 2008, a best-of-album with the title Essential was released. It includes songs which were released by Ryan's former label EMI.
On August 8, 2008 Kate took part in the Polish Sopot Hit Festival. During the show she received the Gold album for selling over 10,000 copies of Free in Poland. This is her first certification for this album in Europe.
On November 9, 2008 in Monaco Kate Ryan won the prestigious World Music Award for The Best Selling Benelux Artist.
In 2009, Ryan released the concept album "French Connection" which was an album of all her French language songs, covers and previously unreleased songs in the language.
After several delays, Ryan's fifth album "Electroshock" will be released on June 25, 2012. The album was preceeded by the hit singles "Lovelife", "Broken" and "Robots."
Believer
Kate Ryan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby say yeh oh oh
Say Yeh Oh
Baby say yeh oh oh
Say Yeh Oh
Baby say yeh oh oh
When there's no more to explore, oh oh
Lay your faith into the beat, oh oh
So, come on I guarantee
I will surrender, I wanna let myself around
Let the music come inside me
Let it spin me around.
I surrender to the the beat of the drum
And the Dj's got me spinning around.
You made me a believer
I'm down on my knees
A believer
Give me what I need
Say Yeh oh oh
Baby say yeh oh oh
Say Yeh Oh Oh
You made me a believer
I'm down on my knees
A believer
Give me what I need
Say Yeh oh oh
Baby say yeh oh oh
Made me a believe-lieve-lieve x2
Say Yeh oh oh
Baby say yeh oh oh.
I wanna feel the energy, oh oh
Something real inside of me, oh oh
Let the speakers save my soul, oh oh
I'll watch you weigh my self control
I will surrender, I wanna let myself around
Let the music come inside me
Let it spin me around.
I surrender to the the beat of the drum
And the Dj's got me spinning around.
You made me a Believer
I'm down on my knees
A Believer
Give me what I need, and
Say Yeh oh oh
Baby say yeh oh oh
You made me a believer
I'm down on my knees
A believer
Give me what I need
Say Yeh oh oh
Baby say yeh oh oh
Made me a believe-lieve-lieve x2
Say Yeh oh oh
Baby say yeh oh oh.
Say Yeh oh oh
Baby say yeh oh oh.
Say Yeh oh oh
Baby say yeh oh oh.
The chorus of "Believer" by Kate Ryan is a declaration of surrender to the power of music. The lyrics express the idea that when life feels stagnant or overwhelming, music can provide a release of energy and emotion. The repetition of "Say Yeh Oh" is an invitation to the listener to join in this surrender and allow themselves to be carried away by the beat. Ryan sings that she wants to feel the energy of the music and let it "spin" her around, suggesting a loss of control that is ultimately freeing.
The verses describe the physical and emotional sensations that the music creates. Ryan sings of being "down on [her] knees" and asking for what she needs, suggesting a vulnerability and a desire for catharsis. The line "let the singers save my soul" is a powerful image of music as a salvation. The singer surrenders herself to the beat of the drum and allows the DJ to control her movements. This idea of being controlled by music is a common one in dance music, where the goal is often to let go of inhibitions and follow the rhythm.
Overall, "Believer" is a celebration of the power of music to move us physically and emotionally. Its message is simple but effective: when life gets tough, turn up the music and let yourself go.
Line by Line Meaning
Say Yeh Oh
Encouraging the audience to sing along with the song.
Baby say yeh oh oh
Continuation of the above statement.
When there's no more to explore, oh oh
When no other options are available to explore in life.
Get me back for on the floor, oh oh
To dance and enjoy the music.
Lay your faith into the beat, oh oh
To trust in the music and let it guide one's movements.
So, come on I guarantee
Encouraging the audience to trust and follow the music.
I will surrender, I wanna let myself around
Giving oneself up to the music and allowing it to take control.
Let the music come inside me
Allowing oneself to fully experience and feel the music.
Let it spin me around.
Allowing oneself to be carried away by the music and dance.
You made me a believer
Referring to the music and its ability to fully engage and captivate the listener.
I'm down on my knees
Showing complete submission and devotion to the music.
Give me what I need
Asking for more of the music and its effects.
I wanna feel the energy, oh oh
Desiring to feel the energetic and powerful effect of the music.
Something real inside of me, oh oh
Seeking a genuine and authentic experience through the music.
Let the speakers save my soul, oh oh
Allowing the music to provide emotional and spiritual salvation for the listener.
I'll watch you weigh my self control
Acknowledging the powerful effect of the music on one's self-control, and accepting the loss of it.
Made me a believe-lieve-lieve x2
Reinforcing the idea that the music has made the listener a true believer.
Say Yeh oh oh
Repeating the encouragement for the audience to participate in the song.
Baby say yeh oh oh.
Continuing the above statement.
Say Yeh oh oh
Once again, repeating the encouragement for the audience to participate in the song.
Baby say yeh oh oh.
Continuing the above statement.
Say Yeh oh oh
Final repetition of the encouragement for the audience to participate in the song.
Baby say yeh oh oh.
Final continuation of the above statement.
Contributed by Aiden H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.