You Were Meant for Me (Jewel song)

Last updated

"You Were Meant for Me"
Jewelyouweremeantforme.jpg
US CD cardboard variant of standard artwork
Single by Jewel
from the album Pieces of You
B-side
ReleasedNovember 12, 1996 (1996-11-12)
Genre Pop
Length
  • 4:13 (album version)
  • 3:45 (radio edit)
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s)
  • Jewel Kilcher
  • Steve Poltz
Producer(s)
  • Ben Keith
  • Peter Collin
Jewel singles chronology
"Who Will Save Your Soul"
(1996)		"You Were Meant for Me"
(1996)		"Foolish Games"
(1997)
Music video
"You Were Meant for Me" on YouTube

"You Were Meant for Me" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Jewel, released on her first album, Pieces of You (1995). It was written by Jewel and Steve Poltz. It describes a failed relationship and the narrator's inadequate attempts at moving on with her life.

Contents

"You Were Meant for Me" was released as the second single from Pieces of You. It reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, and number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for a single week. In 1997, a reissue of the single containing the unreleased "Foolish Games" allowed the song to rebound to number seven on the Hot 100, eventually totaling 65 weeks in the top 100, which at the time was a record. "You Were Meant for Me" reached number three in Australia, number two in Canada and number 32 in the United Kingdom.

"Foolish Games" / "You Were Meant for Me" ranked at number 15 on Billboard's "All Time Top 100" list in 2008. [1] When the All Time chart was retabulated for the chart's 55th anniversary in 2013, it remained in the top 20 at number 17. [2] The song was also re-recorded for Jewel's Greatest Hits album with backing vocals from the country trio Pistol Annies.

Background

"You Were Meant for Me" was Jewel's second single to be taken from her debut album. Atlantic Records had Jewel re-record the song for a more radio-friendly version. Initially, the first version that was released was the "Juan Patino Radio Mix" (with a music video produced by Sean Penn). This version omits the first two lines of the chorus and the last four lines of the second verse, and did not gather much attention. It was later cancelled, with the video pulled from MTV and VH1. Jewel recorded the song for a third time, and the resulting version produced is known as the "radio version" and is featured on Greatest Hits.

The original radio version, "Juan Patino Radio Mix", only appeared on a promotional LP titled Phyllis Barnabee Finally Gets a Bra in 1996, and its only commercial release came on a Canadian various artists compilation entitled "Now! 2" that same year. The actual "radio version" was released on a commercial CD single and later on a re-release of Pieces of You.

Composition

"You Were Meant for Me" is written in the key of E minor with a moderate, swinging tempo of 114 beats per minute. The song follows a chord progression of Cadd9–G/B–C–Em, and Jewel's vocals span from G3 to C5. [3]

Release

"You Were Meant for Me" was serviced to US contemporary hit radio on October 15, 1996. [4] Following its release as a commercial single later in the year, the song appeared on the Billboard Hot 100, climbing to a peak of number two in April 1997. [5] As the single began descending the chart, radio stations began airing the B-side, "Foolish Games", and it soon garnered enough airplay to become the new A-side according to Billboard chart rules. [6] Although the single was deleted from retail in July 1997, constant airplay kept "Foolish Games" / "You Were Meant for Me" within the upper reaches of the Hot 100. [7] On October 7, 1997, the single was re-released to retail. [8] With physical sales now combined with airplay points, the single re-entered the top 10, reaching number seven early the following month. [9] In December, the single spent its 56th week on the Hot 100, surpassing Everything but the Girl's "Missing" as the longest-lasting single on the ranking at the time. [6] In total, it spent 65 weeks on the Hot 100. [5]

Critical reception

Steve Baltin from Cash Box picked "You Were Meant for Me" as Pick of the Week, writing that "this simple, charming pop ditty shows why Jewel's star is rising at a meteoric rate, with no sign of slowing down." He added, "A staple of VH1 and Triple A for the past couple of months, Jewel has just landed a role in the star-studded pop version of The Wizard of Oz . The ensuing publicity from that, coupled with the previous success of 'Who Will Save Your Soul', should break this song out in a big way. It couldn't happen to a more deserving artist or song." [10] Another editor, Daina Darzin complimented it as "a sweetly affecting, charming tune whose easy groove showcases her effortless, lovely voice." [11] British magazine Music Week gave it four out of five, describing it as "[an] acoustic cross-fertilisation of Tori Amos and Alanis Morissette." [12]

Music video

A music video was directed by Lawrence Carroll for the Radio Edit. Steve Poltz appeared in the video. In the video Jewel and Poltz appeared together in numerous scenes, most of them depicting how both of them want to be together but always separated. In one scene, Poltz tries to reach for Jewel's hand, but a curtain appears between them separating their hands. In another scene, Jewel lies in front of Poltz and starts to undress and reveals her underwear, but instead of reaching for him, she moves away from him, leaving Poltz with his arms raised towards her. Other scenes include Jewel lying beside a little pond with some little ships (which is also the single's cover), sitting inside a boat in the middle of a room alone, and lastly sitting on the side of a bedroom while Poltz, shirtless, is on the other side and tries to reach for her. The video won the award for Best Female Video at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards.

Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1997"You Were Meant for Me" MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video Won
MTV Video Music Award – Viewer's Choice Nominated
MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [43] Platinum70,000^
United States (RIAA) [44] Platinum1,300,000 [45]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesOctober 15, 1996 Contemporary hit radio Atlantic [4]
November 12, 1996
  • CD
  • cassette
[ citation needed ]
October 7, 1997 (re-release) [8]
United KingdomNovember 10, 1997 [46]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be There for You (The Rembrandts song)</span> 1995 single by The Rembrandts, theme song of the television sitcom "Friends"

"I'll Be There for You" is a song by American pop rock duo the Rembrandts. The song was written by David Crane, Marta Kauffman, Michael Skloff, and Allee Willis as the main theme song to the NBC sitcom Friends, which was broadcast from 1994 to 2004. American rock band R.E.M. was originally asked to allow their song "Shiny Happy People" to be used for the Friends theme, but they turned the opportunity down. "I'll Be There for You" was subsequently written and Warner Bros. Television selected the only available band on Warner Bros. Records to record it: the Rembrandts. In 1995, after a Nashville radio station brought the song to mainstream popularity, Rembrandts members Danny Wilde and Phil Sōlem expanded the theme song with two new verses and included this version on their third studio album, L.P. (1995).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Building a Mystery</span> 1997 single by Sarah McLachlan

"Building a Mystery" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan from her fourth studio album, Surfacing (1997). At a live performance, Sarah explains the song as being "basically about the fact that we all... have insecurities to hide, and we often do that by putting on a facade." She also goes on to say that "unfortunately, if we just be who we are, that's usually the more attractive and beautiful thing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elegantly Wasted (song)</span> 1997 single by INXS

"Elegantly Wasted" is the title track and first single released from the album Elegantly Wasted by Australian band INXS. The single was released in Europe, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Canada, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Will Save Your Soul</span> 1996 single by Jewel

"Who Will Save Your Soul" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Jewel. It was the first song released from her first studio album, Pieces of You (1995), and became a hit in North America and Australasia, peaking at number seven in Canada, number 11 in the United States, number 14 in New Zealand, and number 27 in Australia. It was also moderately successful in the United Kingdom, reaching number 52 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way (Fastball song)</span> 1998 single by Fastball

"The Way" is a song by American alternative rock band Fastball. It was released on January 7, 1998, as the lead single from their second studio album, All the Pain Money Can Buy (1998). The song was written by the band's lead vocalist, Tony Scalzo, and was produced by the band and Julian Raymond. Scalzo was inspired to write the song after reading about the disappearance of an elderly couple who were found dead in their car many miles away from their intended destination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everyday Is a Winding Road</span> 1996 single by Sheryl Crow

"Everyday Is a Winding Road" is the second single from American singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow's 1996 eponymous album. Neil Finn, lead singer of Crowded House, provides backing vocals. Paul Hester, another member of Crowded House, was the inspiration for the song. The single was issued in the United Kingdom in November 1996 and was released in the United States the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Headlight</span> 1997 single by the Wallflowers

"One Headlight" is a song by American rock band the Wallflowers. The song was written by lead singer Jakob Dylan, and produced by T Bone Burnett. It was released in January 1997 as the second single from the band's second studio album, Bringing Down the Horse (1996).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Long December</span> 1996 single by Counting Crows

"A Long December" is a song by American rock band Counting Crows. The ballad is the second single and 13th track from their second album, Recovering the Satellites (1996). Lead singer Adam Duritz was inspired to write the track after his friend was hit by a motorist and injured, making the song about reflecting on tragedy with a positive disposition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazed</span> 1999 single by Lonestar

"Amazed" is a song by American country music group Lonestar, released on March 22, 1999, to country radio as the second single from their third studio album Lonely Grill (1999). The power ballad is the band's longest-lasting number one single and biggest hit, spending eight weeks at the top of the Billboard country chart. The song was written by Marv Green, Aimee Mayo, and Chris Lindsey. A pop remix of the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts in 2000. The song has sold over 1,650,000 digital copies in the US as of February 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunny Came Home</span> 1997 single by Shawn Colvin

"Sunny Came Home" is a folk-rock song by American musician Shawn Colvin. It is the opening track on her 1996 concept album, A Few Small Repairs, and was released as a CD and cassette single on June 24, 1997. In the United Kingdom, the song was released in July 1997 but did not chart until a re-release in May 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foolish Games</span> 1997 single by Jewel

"Foolish Games" is a song by American singer-songwriter Jewel from her debut studio album, Pieces of You (1995). It was also the third single to be lifted from the Batman & Robin motion-picture soundtrack. Jewel re-recorded the single for the soundtrack to produce a more radio-friendly version, similar to her other singles "Who Will Save Your Soul" and "You Were Meant for Me". This version is shorter than the album version by one verse. The song details the frustration and agony of knowing that the intensity of one's love is not reciprocated by one's lover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hands (Jewel song)</span> 1998 single by Jewel

"Hands" is a song by American singer Jewel, released as the first single from her second studio album, Spirit (1998). Jewel wrote the song following an incident in which she considered stealing a sundress after getting fired from various jobs due to kidney troubles, and she decided that her hands were better suited to writing songs than stealing clothes. Written as one of the last songs for the album, the lyrics express how the smallest decisions have the power to make change. A piano-driven ballad, the song was serviced to American radio stations on October 7, 1998, ahead of its planned release date in mid-October due to a radio leak in Dallas, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Down So Long</span> 1999 single by Jewel

"Down So Long" is a song written by American singer Jewel and produced by Patrick Leonard for Jewel's second album, Spirit (1998). Jewel wrote the song in 1992, when she was 18 years old. This was the second single that Jewel had not re-recorded vocals for its single release. The single release received a very slight change in the instrumental and was released on March 16, 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?</span> 1997 single by Paula Cole

"Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" is a song by American singer Paula Cole. It was released on March 25, 1997, as the lead single from her second studio album, This Fire. The song is Cole's only top-ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number eight, and was her first top-ten hit in Canada, where it reached number seven. It was additionally a critical success, earning nominations for three Grammy awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Me (Paula Cole song)</span> 1998 single by Paula Cole

"Me" is a song written, produced, and performed by American singer-songwriter Paula Cole. It was released as the third and final single from her second studio album, This Fire (1996), in February 1998. Released only to radio, the song entered the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart and peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Adult Top 40. In Canada, the song reached number 20 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. A promotional CD was also distributed in Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give Me One Reason</span> 1995 single by Tracy Chapman

"Give Me One Reason" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman. It was included on her fourth studio album, New Beginning (1995), and was released as a single in various territories between November 1995 and March 1997, her first since 1992's "Dreaming on a World". The song is Chapman's biggest US hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also her biggest hit in Australia, where it reached number three as well, and it topped the charts of Canada and Iceland. Elsewhere, the song reached number 16 in New Zealand, but it underperformed in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 95 in March 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Could Only See</span> 1997 single by Tonic

"If You Could Only See" is a song by American rock band Tonic from their debut studio album Lemon Parade (1996). It was released to radio as the third and final single from the album on March 18, 1997, by Polydor Records. Frontman Emerson Hart is the sole writer of the song, whilst production on the song was helmed by Jack Joseph Puig. According to Hart, the song was written as a result of his family disowning him due to their disapproval of Hart's relationship with an older woman. The song is Tonic's most successful, becoming a hit in several countries, and has been described as "rock radio's most played song of 1997."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way You Love Me (Faith Hill song)</span> 2000 single by Faith Hill

"The Way You Love Me" is a song written by Keith Follesé and Michael Dulaney and recorded by American country music singer Faith Hill. It was released on February 14, 2000, as the second single from her fourth studio album, Breathe (1999), and was later released to pop radio on August 15, 2000, becoming Hill's third single serviced to the format. The track utilizes Auto-Tune for Hill's backup vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As Long as You Love Me (Backstreet Boys song)</span> 1997 single by Backstreet Boys

"As Long as You Love Me" is a song by American boy band Backstreet Boys, from the group's eponymous debut studio album in the United States, Backstreet Boys (1997), and their second studio album worldwide, Backstreet's Back (1997). The song was written by Max Martin, who produced it with Kristian Lundin, and lyrically describes the reciprocity of a relationship. "As Long as You Love Me" was released by Jive Records as the second single from both albums in the United Kingdom on September 29, 1997, and in the United States on October 7, 1997. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised the production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Man & Me (When I Get to Heaven)</span> 1996 single by Hootie & the Blowfish

"Old Man & Me " is a song by American rock group Hootie & the Blowfish. It was released in April 1996 as the lead single from their second album, Fairweather Johnson. In the United States, it peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 18 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and number six on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The song also reached number one in Canada, becoming the band's third and final single to do so.

References

  1. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 Chart 50th Anniversary - All-Time Top Songs". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 13, 2008.
  2. ↑ "Hot 100 55th Anniversary: The All-Time Top 100 Songs | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 3, 2013.
  3. ↑ Poltz, Steve (June 22, 2009). "Jewel "You Were Meant for Me" Sheet Music in E Minor (transposable) - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1167. October 11, 1996. p. 63. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 "Jewel Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  6. 1 2 Bronson, Fred (December 27, 1997). "The Year in Music 1997: The Year in Charts". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. p. YE-8. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  7. ↑ Taylor, Chuck (September 20, 1997). "'Batman' Soundtrack Soars at Radio, but Sales Disappoint". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 38. p. 75. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Sandiford-Waller, Theda (October 25, 1997). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 43. p. 97. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  9. ↑ Bronson, Fred (November 15, 1997). "Chart Beat". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 46. p. 92. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  10. ↑ Baltin, Steve (November 25, 1995). "Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box . p. 7. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  11. ↑ Darzin, Daina (September 21, 1996). "Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 7. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . November 1, 1997. p. 16. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  13. ↑ You Were Meant for Me (US CD single liner notes). Jewel. Atlantic Records. 1996. 2-87021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ You Were Meant for Me (US cassette single sleeve). Jewel. Atlantic Records. 1996. 4-87021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ You Were Meant for Me (US CD single liner notes). Jewel. Atlantic Records. 1997. 2-87021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ You Were Meant for Me (UK & Australian CD single liner notes). Jewel. Atlantic Records. 1997. A5463CD, 7567-85463-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ You Were Meant for Me (UK cassette single sleeve). Jewel. Atlantic Records. 1997. A5463C, 7567-85463-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ "Jewel – You Were Meant for Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3203." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3225." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (13.3. '97 – 19.3. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). March 14, 1997. p. 16. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Jewel: You Were Meant for Me" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Jewel – You Were Meant for Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Jewel – You Were Meant for Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Jewel: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Jewel Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Jewel Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  29. ↑ "Jewel Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  30. ↑ "Jewel Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  31. ↑ "Jewel Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  32. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". ARIA . Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  33. ↑ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM . Retrieved October 2, 2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
  34. ↑ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Retrieved October 2, 2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
  35. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1997". Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  36. ↑ "The Year in Music 1997: Hot Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. YE-82. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  37. ↑ "The Year in Music 1997: Hot Adult Top 40 Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. YE-83. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  38. ↑ "Best of '97: Top 40/Mainstream Singles". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 5, no. 52. December 28, 1997. p. 38.
  39. ↑ "Best of '97: Triple A Tracks". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. December 28, 1997. p. 28.
  40. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1998". Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  41. ↑ "Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s". Billboard. May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. May 22, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  43. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  44. ↑ "American single certifications – Jewel – You Were Meant for Me". Recording Industry Association of America.
  45. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1997". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 5. January 31, 1998. p. 76. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  46. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . November 8, 1997. p. 35. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.