Norah Jones is like a warm hug from a loved one. The 45-year-old, New York City-born songwriter and performer combines sublime art with a cooing coyness that has marked her as one of the most lovable and sought-after artists in modern music. And it makes sense—the nine-time Grammy Award-winner comes from a line of artists, as she’s the daughter of famed sitarist Ravi Shankar.
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Here below, we wanted to explore three songs Jones released that have remained timeless. A trio of tracks that showcase her ability to wriggle into your heart and soul and make for a perfect backdrop for your winter weekends. Indeed, these are three timeless Norah Jones songs that will soothe your soul.
[RELATED: Norah Jones Makes Your Wishes Come True by Announcing New Christmas Album, Podcast]
“Don’t Know Why” from Come Away With Me (2002)
Originally written by Jesse Harris, Norah Jones covered this track for her 2002 debut LP Come Away With Me and it immediately turned her into a household name. Many from that era can remember their friend passing them a Jones-burned CD saying, “Have you heard THIS?” It was her blend of soft sonic touch and her diamond-like clarity. Her ability to bend a note like a blanket fold or a warm sweater stitch. The song, which hit No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, garnered Jones three Grammy Awards, including Record and Song of the Year. And on it, she sings of lilting heartbreak,
I waited ’til I saw the sun
I don’t know why I didn’t come
I left you by the house of fun
Don’t know why I didn’t come
Don’t know why I didn’t come
When I saw the break of day
I wished that I could fly away
Instead of kneeling in the sand
Catching tear-drops in my hand
My heart is drenched in wine
But you’ll be on my mind forever
“Come Away With Me” from Come Away With Me (2002)
The title song from Jones’ debut LP, this song cemented her status as one of the premier artists of the 21st century. She asks the listener to go with her and immediately our hearts acquiesce. Singing over piano and dreamy electric guitar, Jones is in love and we return the favor. On the song, which seems a match for the song above on which she sings about not arriving, Jones croons this time about departure,
Come away with me in the night
Come away with me and I will write you a song
Come away with me on a bus
Come away where they can’t tempt us with their lies
And I wanna walk with you
On a cloudy day
In fields where the yellow grass grows knee-high
So won’t you try to come?
“Sunrise” from Feels Like Home (2004)
The kind of song that can get you out of bed in the morning, even if the winds are blowing outside and the floor is cold in your bathroom. This song is reviving, combining Jones’ delightfully raspy voice and vibrant musical quality with piano and acoustic guitar. It’s almost like a spell, the recipe of which calls for chills down your neck and warmth in your chest. On the offering, which has been certified Gold, Jones sings like sunlight twinkling on your window, offering,
Sunrise, sunrise
Looks like mornin’ in your eyes
But the clock’s held 9:15 for hours
Sunrise, sunrise
Couldn’t tempt us if it tried
‘Cause the afternoon’s already come and gone
And I said
Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
Hoo, ooh, ooh, ooh
To you
Photo by ShowbizIreland/Getty Images
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