Jewel (singer)
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- This article is about pop singer Jewel Kilcher. For R&B singer Jewell Caples see Jewell (singer).
Jewel Kilcher (born May 23, 1974 in Payson, Utah) is a singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and author, generally known just by her first name, Jewel. Her albums are successful in Indonesia, the Philippines, Canada, and Australia as well as the United States.
Early years
Jewel was born in Payson, Utah to German immigrants from Switzerland Atz Kilcher and Lenedra Carroll, and spent most of her young life growing up in Homer, Alaska, living with her father. The home in which she grew up did not have indoor plumbing, but a simple outhouse instead. She and her father sometimes earned a living by singing in bars and taverns. It was from these experiences she learned to yodel, a quality demonstrated in many of her songs. Her father was a Mormon, but they stopped attending the church shortly before she turned eight.During high school, Jewel was known to spell her name "Jule" or "Juel", but she attributes this to simply playing with her name, as teenagers are prone to do.
Jewel learned to play the guitar while on scholarship at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan, where she majored in operatic voice. She started writing songs at the age of seventeen.
For a time, she was poverty-stricken and lived in her van while traveling about the country busking and doing small gigs. She gained some recognition by singing at the Innerchange Coffeehouse and Java Joe's in San Diego, California. Her friend Steve Poltz's band, The Rugburns played the same venues. Jewel later collaborated with Poltz on some of her songs including "You Were Meant For Me". (He also appeared in the second, best-known, video for this song.) The Rugburns opened for Jewel on her Tiny Lights tour in 1997. Poltz appeared in Jewel's band on the Spirit World Tour 1999 playing guitar.
Career
Music
It was at these coffeehouse appearances that she was discovered by Atlantic Records. She cut her debut album, Pieces of You, when she was nineteen and it was released in 1995. Some of the songs on the album were recorded at the coffeehouse. The album stayed on the Billboard 200 for an impressive two years, reaching number four at its peak popularity. The album spawned the Top 10 hits "You Were Meant for Me", "Who Will Save Your Soul" and "Foolish Games". The album was a huge success and eventually sold over 12 million copies in the US alone, more than all of her subsequent albums put together.The original version of "Who Will Save Your Soul" was removed from the final version of the album when she went back into the studio and reworked the single for the radio. Instead of just a guitar and her voice, other instruments were added and more pop sound was created, a verse was cut, and the radio version of the single was produced.
Jewel's music is noted for its stark honesty and soulful introspection. However, as is the case with many writers, some of her songs are not based on events that actually occurred in her life. Her songs resist categorization, but, because of their mostly guitar accompaniment, have sometimes been categorized as folk music or the hybrid class folk-pop. However, her music is mostly recognized as popular music and enjoys wide exposure on a variety of music radio stations.
Due to her success, she was chosen to sing the national anthem at the opening of the Super Bowl in January 1998.
In November 1998, Jewel released her second album, Spirit. The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 4 million copies in the US. The songs "Hands" and "Down So Long" hit the Top 10. Other singles followed, a new version of "Jupiter (Swallow The Moon), "What's Simple Is True", the theme song to her upcoming movie, and the charity single "Life Uncommon".
A year later, In November 1999, Jewel released her holiday album, . The album sold over a million copies and peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200. She released a cover of "Joy to the World" from the album.
In November 2001, the album This Way was released. The album peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 1 million copies in the US, standing as her most critically acclaimed album to date. Jewel hit the Top 10 with the song "Standing Still" and the Top 40 with the song "Break Me". Other singles released were "This Way" and "Serve The Ego", the latter giving Jewel her first number one club hit.
Although noted for original songs, Jewel has been known to cover a few famous tunes. Of note are the acoustic version of the classic The Water Is Wide and the Christmas songs on . However, the rise of file-sharing software has led to at least two instances where many people mistakenly believe she sings other cover versions: the version "Bizarre Love Triangle" credited to Jewel is in fact by Frente!, while the version of "Leaving On A Jet Plane" credited to Björk and Jewel is actually by Chantal Kreviazuk.
In 2003 Jewel underwent a drastic image change with the release of her album 0304. She writes in her liner notes, "I wanted to make a record that was a modern interpretation of big band music. A record that was lyric driven, like Cole Porter stuff, that also had a lot of swing. And a lot of it is thanks to Lester, because when I told him I wanted to make a record that combined dance, urban and folk music, he didn't look at me like I was crazy." While some fans considered 0304 an innovative album that held to the tradition of her previous albums, others felt that Jewel's new direction brought with it an unwelcome change to her folky sound and folksy, unassuming persona [link].
Her video for the debut single Intuition had her cavorting in full dance numbers, often scantily clad in bras and bikinis. The song, with a music style uncharacteristic of Jewel that featured the prevalent pop beat, and video were an ironic social commentary on the state of music, but it left many wondering if Jewel had in fact become what she was satirizing, especially considering the fact the song was licensed by Schick to promote their new Intuition woman's razor. "Intuition" hit the Top 20, and the album 0304 debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, giving Jewel her highest chart dating ever. A follow-up single, "Stand," was released, but did not help the album in the USA, where it sold just 900,000 units, making it her lowest-selling album. "0304" gave Jewel her highest selling album in Australia, despite its lukewarm reception elsewhere.
On May 2, 2006, Jewel released her sixth album, "Goodbye Alice In Wonderland". The album received mixed reviews, but still managed to debut at #8 on the Billboard Albums Chart. The album sold 82,000 copies in its first week out. The lead single "Again and Again" has had moderate success on Top 40 Radio, peaking at #16. The second single, "Good Day", is to be released to radio in late June.
Critiques
One retrospective critique of Jewel's albums is that most of the singles released from her records are remixed, radically altered, or completely different recordings of the song found on the record. Of the eighteen singles released since her debut record Pieces of You, fourteen have been altered for the radio (q.v. below).
Singles
- "Who Will Save Your Soul?" [Radio Version] was Jewel’s debut single and was altered from the café live version to a more friendly radio version. The radio version was included on the debut album from the Alaskan singer. One verse is missing from the radio version, however that missing verse is included in the lyrical liner notes within the album, and it is sung when she performs the song live. A commercial single was also issued within the US (and other countries). The song is credited as the ‘radio version’. Who Will Save Your Soul article
- "You Were Meant For Me" [Radio Edit] was Jewel’s second single to be taken from her debut album. The single again was altered from the album version and re-recorded for a more radio friendly version. A verse again was deleted from the original lyrical liner. A commercial single of the song was available in the US (and internationally). The song is credited as either the, 'single edit', 'radio edit' or 'album edit'.
- "Morning Song" [Single Mix] was the third single taken from Pieces Of You. The single however was not released within the US and only internationally. The single received a slight remix, a more pop sound and a reggae mix. A commercial single was issued in most countries it was released to. The single is credited as the 'single mix' or 'pop radio mix'. A video was never released.
- "Foolish Games" [Single Edit] was Jewel’s third/forth and final single taken from her debut album. It was also the third single to be lifted from the Batman and Robin motion picture soundtrack. Again Jewel re-recorded the single for the soundtrack to a more commercial sound. Another verse was taken from the original lyrical liner to shorten the length of the song. The single version can be found on the soundtrack of Batman and Robin. There was no commercial single issued within the US for Foolish Games. However a re-released version of the single You Were Meant For Me contained a bonus-hidden track of the single version of Foolish Games. However this was not noted on the back inlay of the CD single, which listed the tracks.
- "Hands" [Radio Edit] was, taken from Jewel’s second album Spirit, was the first single released by Jewel that saw no altercation in the sound from the original version released on the album. However a radio edit did surface for the commercial release. Like most artists radio edits are issued when the label feels the song is running too long for radio airplay. The radio edit only cut the song short by a minute or less. A commercial single was never issued in the US, and the singles that were issued internationally received the album version. The radio edit can be found on promos for the single of Hands.
- "Down So Long" [Radio Edit] was the second single taken from Jewel’s sophomore album. This was the second single that Jewel had not re-recorded vocals to in order for it’s release. The guitar in the song was slightly altered creating a stronger sound. A commercial single was not released within the US, but was internationally. The single is credited as the 'radio edit' or sometimes the 'radio remix'.
- "Jupiter (Swallow The Moon)" [Radio Version] was released in 1999 following the second single Down So Long. The single release saw an entirely new version. Jewel re-recorded vocals and the music for a more pop release to the public, even the title of the song was changed from Jupiter to Jupiter (Swallow The Moon). A commercial single was issued within the US for the song (and internationally). The single is credited as the ‘radio version’.
- "What's Simple Is True" [Single Mix] is one of the more quieter singles released by Jewel. The song received little if no airplay and was not promoted like her pervious singles from Spirit. The single was the forth single taken from the album and also the debut single from the original motion picture soundtrack Ride With The Devil starring Toby Maguire and Jewel. The single again received new vocals and a more pop tune for commercial release. A commercial single was never released, however the single mix can be found on the soundtrack of the movie. The single is credited as either the ‘single mix’ or the ‘radio remix’.
- "Life Uncommon" [Single Version - Live] was the final single to be taken from Jewel’s second album. The final single release saw a live version of the song. However even the live version was altered from the album version to a more pop-gospel sounding release. A commercial single was released within the US only for charity reasons. The single contained one track.
- "Standing Still" [Album Version] was the very first single ever released by Jewel that received no shorten length or altercation for its final commercial release. However the single did not receive a commercial release within the US, but was issued internationally and was available as an import only.
- "Break Me" [Radio Remix] was the second single taken from Jewel’s third LP, This Way. The single was yet again re-recorded for it’s final release. Like most of Jewel’s singles, a radio remix was justified for it’s commercial release. The new version brought a more instant liking to the song unlike the album version (which is a version that would have to grow on you). The single received a more pop remix. Two versions were released, the ‘radio remix’ and the ‘radio remix – edit’. The ‘radio remix – edit’ only shortened the intro of the song. A commercial single was not issued domestically but internationally. The released version is credited as the ‘radio remix’.
- "Serve The Ego" [Mike Rizzo Radio Mix] or [Wayne Rodriguez Radio Edit] was the third single taken from Jewel’s album. However unlike pervious singles released by Jewel, this single embarked new territory for the artists and a new fan base. By the time Jewel’s third LP was released she stated that she had been getting into the club scene of LA. She was fascinated and intrigued by the music being played at the clubs in LA and NYC (house music). Jewel grew fond of the new genre she discovered and decided to release Serve The Ego to DJ’s for a remixing. This decision paid off, getting Jewel a number one single on the Billboard Club and Dance Charts within the US and single sales charts. However the single was not released for radio release, club only. Some radio stations in San Francisco, NYC and LA however did play a shortened version of the single. The versions that were most played on the (dance) radio stations were the ‘Mike Rizzo Radio Mix’ and the ‘Wayne Rodriguez Radio Edit’. A US-maxi single was issued for commercial purchase.
- "This Way" [Radio Remix] saw the final release from the This Way album. The single again was remixed creating a more poppy sound. However the single remained untouched by radio stations and saw no commercial release. The single is credited as either the ‘Single Version’ or the ‘Radio Remix’.
- "Intuition" [Radio Mix] or [Album Version]. With the success of Serve The Ego, Jewel pulled a complete 180 on her fans with her follow up single after This Way by releasing her first single from her forthcoming album 0304, Intuition in 2003. The shock spread fast; Jewel acquired some new fans but many of her old fans felt betrayed, cynically insinuating she altered her sound for the sole purpose of personal gain, or selling out. Leaving behind her guitar, she turned to the more “manufactured sound” of pop music. Using synthesizers and keyboards, she created a "dance" type single that was completely different from anything she had done before. The final release of the single saw no alteration from the album version. Radio stations however did receive a radio edit of the song, only deleting one repeated chorus verse from the ending of the song cutting it down to three minutes and thirteen seconds. Commercial singles were released within the US and internationally. Within the US there was a single and a maxi-single release. The single containing only two tracks while the maxi containing all the club mixes. The single went number 20 in the billboard. Intuition article
- "Stand" [Single Mix] or [Album Version] was Jewel’s second single from her pop album 0304. This single saw no alteration for the final release. However on some promos it is credited as the ‘single mix’, but no changes were made to the single. Commercial singles were issued again throughout the world (including the US). A single contained again two tracks while the maxi-single contained all the club mixes.
- "2 Become 1" [Sped Up Version] or [Album Version] was the final single taken from Jewel’s album. For the final release the US saw no altercation with the song, however the international release saw a shortened version of the song. However the only altercation of the single was the fact that the pace of the song was sped up a bit. A commercial single was issued in the US containing the album version while the international release saw the sped up version of the single. This was Jewel’s first single that saw no music video released for promotion.
- "Again and Again" [Album Version] was the first single taken from Jewel’s album, Goodbye Alice In Wonderland. Again and Again saw Jewel’s seventh single that was released with no alteration from the album version. A commercial single was not issued within the US but internationally. Some view this single as a double-A side release with the single Goodbye Alice In Wonderland. (This is however not the case. Although an album promo of Goodbye Alice In Wonderland was indeed released to radio stations, that song was never intended for airplay. There was a web-only video for "Wonderland" on her pay site, but, this was only a teaser for the album. The song was not a single.)
- "Good Day" is the second single from Goodbye Alice In Wonderland. It was released to radio in late June 2006.
Film
Jewel starred in the 1999 Ang Lee film Ride with the DevilTelevision
Jewel guest-starred in the NBC legal drama The Lyon's Den in 2003, playing Rob Lowe's character's ex-girlfriend who was also a lawyer.Jewel appeared on an episode of The Young and the Restless on May 31, 2006. On the show, Jewel, appearing as herself, performed at a fundraiser hosted by characters Nick and Sharon Newman to mark the first anniversary of their teenage daughter's death in a drunk-driving accident.
Jewel will also be providing the voice for the character of 'Punk Rock Angel Girl' for the Nickelodeon eponymous animated show. Jewel was actually the one to come up with the concept of the show, she wrote the first episode and drew the character.
Writing
Jewel published a book of poetry titled "A Night Without Armor" in 1998. Although it sold over 1 million copies and was a New York Times Bestseller, it received mixed reviews, with Beau Sia lampooning her writing style in his own book, A Night Without Armor II: The Revenge, which he wrote in four hours.Jewel went on to write an autobiography titled Chasing Down the Dawn in 2000. Chasing Down The Dawn was a collection of diary entries and musings detailing her life growing up in Alaska, her struggle to learn her craft and life on the road.
Jewel was scheduled to release a third book called "Love Poems" which was supposed to be an extremely intimate portrayal of her relationship with her boyfriend Ty Murray. It was canceled several months before release because Jewel was worried about Ty's mother's reaction to her intimate confessions.
Philanthropy
Jewel Kilcher formed a non-profit organization called Higher Ground For Humanity with her mother Lenedra J. Carroll and her older brother Shane Kilcher. The organization's main focus became access to clean water in developing countries after The Clearwater Project was launched in 1999. The organization's focus is education, sustainable improvements, and building alliances with like minded organizations.
The Clearwater Project has taken on projects in South America, Central America, India, and Africa, building wells and water filtration systems. One such project was the reactivation of construction of a well through the use of a solar powered pump for the benefit of the Maasai people in the Sukenia region of Tanzania, Africa. Before Clearwater's involvement villagers were walking as much as 10 hours a day to fetch clean water. Other projects have taken place in Malakkara, India; Gualcea, Honduras; Sisoguichi, Mexico; and Bangladesh.
Jewel donates a portion of her income to the organization and often holds events to benefit the organization. The organization tends to parallel the career of Jewel since she provides the majority of the organization's funding. As of 2005, the activities of the organization were reduced.
Jewel has publicly supported The ONE Campaign, to eradicate third world poverty.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title | Chart positions | U.S. sales | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | AUS
| |||
| 1995 | Pieces of You | 4 | 5 | 12 Million |
| 1998 | Spirit | 3 | 5 | 4 Million |
| 1999 | 32 | 1 Million | ||
| 2001 | This Way | 9 | 6 | 1 Million |
| 2003 | 0304 | 2 | 10 | 1 Million |
| 2006 | Goodbye Alice in Wonderland | 8 | 17 | 234,304 |
Singles
| Year | Title | Album | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | AUS | UK | |||
| 1995 | "Who Will Save Your Soul" | Pieces of You | 11 | 52 | |
| 1997 | "You Were Meant For Me" | Pieces of You | 3 | 2 | 32 |
| 1997 | "Foolish Games" | Pieces of You | 2 | 12 | |
| 1997 | "Morning Song" | Pieces of You | |||
| 1998 | "Hands" | Spirit | 6 | 25 | 41 |
| 1999 | "Down So Long" | Spirit | 59 | 38 | |
| 1999 | "Jupiter (Swallow the Moon)" | Spirit | |||
| 1999 | "What's Simple Is True" | Spirit | |||
| 1999 | "Life Uncommon (Live)" | Spirit | |||
| 2001 | "Standing Still" | This Way | 25 | 32 | |
| 2002 | "Break Me" | This Way | |||
| 2002 | "This Way" | This Way | |||
| 2002 | "Serve the Ego" | This Way | |||
| 2003 | "Intuition" | 0304 | 20 | 4 | 52 |
| 2003 | "Stand" | ''0304 | 21 | ||
| 2003 | "2 Become 1" | 0304 | 49 | ||
| 2006 | "Again and Again" | Goodbye Alice in Wonderland | 80 | 38 | |
| 2006 | "Good Day" | Goodbye Alice in Wonderland | |||
Top 40 Radio
While Jewel has had major success on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles charts, she has had her biggest chart success on Billboards Adult Top 40 Charts.
- "Who Will Save Your Soul" - #3
- "You Were Meant For Me" - #2
- "Foolish Games" - #1 (3 Weeks)
- "Hands" - #2
- "Down So Long" - #5
- "Jupiter (Swallow the Moon)" - #15
- "Standing Still" - #4
- "Break Me" - #30
- "Intuition" - #5
- "Stand" - #26
- "Again and Again" - #16
Videos
-Videos have been shot for the following songs:- Who Will Save Your Soul
- You Were Meant For Me (Version 1) [Directed by Sean Penn]
- You Were Meant For Me (Version 2) [Radio Remix]
- Foolish Games [Radio Remix]
- Hands
- Down So Long
- Jupiter (Swallow the Moon)[Radio Remix]
- What's Simple Is True
- Standing Still
- Break Me [Radio Remix]
- This Way [Radio Remix]
- Intuition
- Stand
- Goodbye Alice In Wonderland (Fan Club Exclusive)
- Again and Again (Released March 20, 2006 Dir. Matthew Rolston)
- Good Day
DVDs
- Jewel: A Life Uncommon. An intimate documentary featuring live performances and candid interviews. (1999)
- Live at Humphrey's By The Bay. Shot over two sold-out performances at the San Diego venue. Bonus features include interviews, live footage from her This Way Tour, and a photo gallery. (2004)
Books
- Revealing Jewel An Intimate Portrait from Family and Friends (2003) Edited by Kenneth Calhoun and Cambria Jensen
Major tours
- Papillion Tour (1997)
- Lilith Fair Tour (1997)
- Tiny Lights Tour (1997)
- Spirit World Tour (1999) Support Acts: Steve Poltz, Rusted Root
- This Way World Tour (2002) Support Acts: M2M, Soul City Cafe Artists
- New Wild West Acoustic Tour (2002) Support Acts: Stewart Mathis, Jason Mraz
- 0304 World Tour (2003) Support Acts: Josh Kelly (Tour cancelled after death of bassist Terone "T-bone" Hannon.)
- 0304 Acoustic Tour (2003/2004) Support Acts: Madeline Peyroux, Joe Firstman, Ryan Cabrera, Susan Greenbaum
- Tour For No Reason [Acoustic] (2005) Support Acts: Joe Firstman
- 2006 Summer Tour (Jewel will do several solo dates, as well as co-headling dates with Rob Thomas. The opening act will be Toby Lightman for all dates.)
Awards and nominations
1996- MTV Video Music Awards: Best Female Video - Who Will Save Your Soul (Nominated)
- MTV Video Music Awards: Best New Artist - Who Will Save Your Soul (Nominated)
- American Music Awards: Favorite New Artist (WON)
- American Music Awards: Favorite Pop/Rock Artist (Nominated)
- VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards: Most Fashionable Video: Foolish Games (Nominated)
- Grammy Awards: Best New Artist (Nominated)
- Grammy Awards: Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - Who Will Save Your Soul (Nominated)
- MTV Video Music Awards: Best Female Video - You Were Meant For Me (WON)
- MTV Video Music Awards: Viewer's Choice - You Were Meant For Me (Nominated)
- MTV Video Music Awards: Video of the Year - You Were Meant For Me (Nominated)
- Billboard Magazine: #1 Female Singles Artist of the Year (WON)
- Billboard Magazine: Top 40 Artist of the Year (WON)
- American Music Awards: Favorite Female Artist (Nominated)
- American Music Awards: Favorite LP - Pieces of You (Nominated)
- Grammy Awards: Best Female Pop Vocal Perfomance - Foolish Games (Nominated)
- Blockbuster Music Awards: Favorite Female Arist - Modern Rock (WON)
- Audie Award: Best Spoken Word Album - A Night Without Armor (WON)
- Governer's Award (Los Angeles NARAS Chapter) - Songwriting Awards (WON)
- Radio Music Awards: Best Hookup Song - Intuiton (WON)
- Regis and Kelly Awards: Favorite Musical Guest (WON)
See also
- List of best-selling music artists
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart
External links
- [The Official Jewel Web Site]
- [The Official Jewel Fanclub]
- [Jewel's Atlantic Records Page]
- [Jewel's artist page on Launch.com]
- [The World Jewel Forum]
- [The Jewel Kilcher Forum]
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