CWW: Jewel

Jewel Kilcher

 

 

 

The singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, actress and poet Jewel Kilcher was born on May 23, 1974 in Payson, Utah. Shortly after she was born her and her family moved to Alaska. She grew up on a 800 acre farm with her parents and her two brothers. There she lived without many modern conveniences such as running water, and no heat. For food, they would eat what was grown on the farm or go hunting or fishing. They also did not have a bathroom so they used an out house that was located outside of her house. She spent most of her free time riding horses, playing instruments, singing and writing in her journal. She started singing at the age of 6 with her parents at local diners. When she was 8 her parents got a divorce and Jewel went to live with her father. Her father and her then started singing as a duo. Jewel's father taught her all about the basics of singing, how to perform, and how to write music. After performing with her father at local buisnesses like banks, veterans clubs, and biker bars she moved out of her father's house when she was 15 years old. Every day she would ride a horse 12 miles into town and then hitchike the rest of the way in order to get to work. Jewel lived in a cabin not to far from her father's house but the cabin still had no running water or plumbing. Jewel had to work many jobs just to get by. At fifteen she applied to a fine arts school in Michigan and was accepted on a partial scholarship. She was able to raise the rest of the money to attend school by singing at the local school and buisnesses donated items to be auctioned offed. Jewel raised $11,000 from that one concert to chase her dreams and go to school for music. She majored in classical voice and art and minored in dance and drama. She wrote her hit song "Who Will Save Your Soul" during this time. However, after she was ready to graduate the school gaver her a full scholarship to finish up art classes that she wanted to take. During that time she wrote songs in her free time. After school Jewel did not know what she wanted to do with her life. She ended up in San Diego working in a warehouse answering phones at the age of 18. She ended up getting fired because she refused to sleep with her boss. After loosing her job she lost everything and ended up living out of her car for the next year. This was when Jewel really started to focus on her music. She would play in a local coffee shop not letting anyone around her know she was homeless. Soon she became a hit and many record labels competed for her to sign with them. Jewel ended up choosing the label that didnt want her to change and let her be a simple songwriter.

 

Jewel's first album ended up selling 12 million copies. She has recieved four Grammy Award nominations and went on to sell over 27 million albums worldwide. Some of her hit songs include "Who Will Save Your Soul", "You Were Mean't for Me", and "Foolish Games".  She has also made guest apperances on many talk shows, tv shows and did an episode of SNL. She has also hosted or judged many tv shows such as Nashville Star and Platinum hit.

 

Jewel's music has touched many people because of her use of words and tone of song. She has used the experiences in her life to write many of her hit songs. One song that I felt related to this class and had a good meaning was her song "Hands". She wrote this song when she was homeless and living out of her van. She did not have any money what so ever and she started to feel useless. During that rough time in her life she started stealing food just so she could eat. However, she would only take what she really needed. One day she was desperate and almost stole a dress worth about $40 and realized that this is not how she wanted to be, having to steal to have the things she wanted.

 

 

 

 

"Hands"

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all OK
And not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these
I won't be made useless
I won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
Poverty stole your golden shoes
It didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn't ever after
We'll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
'Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
I am never broken
In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
We are never broken
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's mind
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's heart
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's eyes
We are God's hands
We are God's hands

I chose this song because as I listened to it I saw alot that related to topics that we have talked about in class. With out relating it to why she wrote the song there were many lines that reminded me of class.  It says I won't be made useless and this reminded me how we have talked about women wanting to do things with their lives. Jewel was stating that she wanted to do something with her life and stop living out of her car, and to get out of poverty. The lyrics also said And I am never broken Poverty stole your golden shoes It didn't steal your laughter. This reminded me the most about class becuase we have talked about the hardships that women have gone through especially the women who live in poverty. Jewel grew up without the basic needs that many people had. However, she did not take away who she was, it did not steal her laughter, and that nothing can break her. I feel as though this is the attitude many of the women writers we have read that have felt the same way Jewel did while she was writing this piece. The lyrics also say We'll fight, not out of spite For someone must stand up for what's right 'Cause where there's a man who has no voice There ours shall go singing. I feel that these few lines can relate to standing up for womens writes and I saw a little bit of "Talking Back" in these lines. I took it as women can fight for what they believe and for their freedom of speech. If a man has no voice then women will go on singing. Overall, these few lines really remind me of women's rights and women's freedom of speech. Lastly, the lines In the end only kindness matters And I am never broken We are never broken We are God's eyes God's hands God's mind. These last few lines just remind you again that people can be nice to one another and that no matter what she is never broken and women are never broken. I took it as that we have worked together as a whole to get where we are today and we are all creatures of god and we should have always been created equal.

I noticed things in the lyrics that related to topics brought up in class at different times. I really enjoy Jewel's music because she is very open and honest and writes all of her own music. Once I read her biography I was fascinated with what she has gone through as a young female. This song gives a little bit of hope to all women and people experiencing poverty in general. It can give people the motivation to not be made useless and to follow their heart.