Born in Brooklyn, Lee moved to Montreal at the age of 28 in 1970. She toured North America in the 1970s as a jazz drummer and tenor saxophonist. She subsequently landed a starring role playing Billie Holiday in Lady Day, and won a Dora Mavor Moore Award for her performance. She subsequently began recording as a vocalist, releasing her first album Live at the Bijou in 1984.
She wrote and starred in Dark Divas, The Musical, a tribute to the lives and careers of seven of the most popular female jazz singers of the 20th century: Josephine Baker, Billie Holiday, Pearl Bailey, Lena Horne, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.
Her music appears in the animated short film Black Soul (2002).
She is also a children's book writer (author of Nana, What Do You Say?); an educator, long associated with the University of Laval in Quebec City and the Schulich School of Music of McGill University; and she hosted the television series The Performers
I'm Alive
Ranee Lee Lyrics
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When I hear you breathe
I have wings that fly
I feel that I'm alive
When you look at me
I can touch the sky
I know that I'm alive
When you bless my day
I wanna drift away
All of my worries die
I'm glad that I'm alive
You've set my soul on fire
You've filled me with love
Made me a woman
I couldn't get much higher
My spirit takes flight
'Cause I come alive
When you call my name
And when I feel you breathe
You give me wings that fly
I feel that I'm alive
When you reach for me
You reach my spirits high
And I know that
I'll be the one
Who will stand by
Through good and through trying times
Yes I'll be the one
Who's gonna stand by
Through good and through trying times
And it's only begun
I can't wait for the rest of our lives
When you call my name
I when I hear you breathe
You give me wings that fly
I feel that
When you bless the day
I want to drift away
All my worries die
I'm glad that I'm alive
All my worries die
I'm glad that I'm alive
The song "I'm Alive" by Ranee Lee is all about the joy and love that come with being with someone special. The first verse speaks to the feeling of freedom and exhilaration that can come with hearing the voice or breath of a loved one. The second verse talks about feeling the love of that person and feeling like you can touch the sky. Throughout the song, there is a sense of gratitude for this special person and the way they have made the singer feel. The idea is that this love has made her feel more alive than she ever has before.
The chorus is particularly significant because it shows the ways in which this love has impacted the singer. Her spirit is on fire, her worries die away, and her soul takes flight. She feels like she can truly live when this person is around. And when they reach for her, her spirits are lifted even higher. This sense of being alive is so powerful that she knows she will stand by this person through good and bad times. The song ends on an optimistic note, with the singer looking forward to spending the rest of her life with this special someone.
Line by Line Meaning
When you call my name
Hearing your voice makes me feel alive and gives me a sense of purpose.
When I hear you breathe
The sound of your breath reminds me that I'm not alone and that there is life surrounding me.
I have wings that fly
You make me feel free and unburdened, like I can soar above my troubles.
I feel that I'm alive
You bring me joy and vitality, and remind me of the pleasures of living.
When you look at me
Your gaze makes me feel seen and known, like I am valued and understood.
I can touch the sky
Your attention and affection make me feel invincible, like I can do anything.
I know that I'm alive
The experience of being loved and appreciated by you reminds me of my own existence and worth.
When you bless my day
The small things you do have a huge impact on my life and fill me with gratitude.
I wanna drift away
Your kindness and attention make me feel like anything is possible and dreaming big is allowed.
All of my worries die
Being around you makes my anxieties disappear and allows me to live in the moment.
You've set my soul on fire
The passion and love you've brought into my life has transformed me and heightened my desires.
You've filled me with love
Your presence has shown me how to love and care for myself and others.
Made me a woman
Your support and affection have empowered me to embrace my true identity and live authentically.
I couldn't get much higher
Being with you is the ultimate high and it's a feeling that cannot be matched.
My spirit takes flight
Being in your presence fills me with an inexplicable joy and gives me a sense of freedom.
'Cause I come alive
Being with you makes me feel alive and reminds me of the beauty of living life to the fullest.
You reach my spirits high
Your love and positive influence have a profound effect on my mood, lifting me up even on my worst days.
And I know that
I have complete trust and confidence in you and in our relationship.
I'll be the one
I commit to being your partner and standing by your side through thick and thin.
Who will stand by
I will always be there for you, supporting you and cheering you on no matter what.
Through good and through trying times
I will stand by you and remain loyal to our relationship, even during the toughest moments.
And it's only begun
Our love story is just beginning and I can't wait to see what the future holds.
All my worries die
Being with you makes me feel safe and secure, allowing me to let go of my worries and anxieties.
I'm glad that I'm alive
Your love and presence remind me of the many blessings in life and how grateful I am to be alive to experience them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andreas Carlsson, Kristian Lundin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind