3 Eternal Tracks From Singer/Songwriter Jewel That Continue to Glisten

In the 1990s, few musicians garnered more acclaim and attention than the Payson, Utah-born artist known as Jewel. Her 1995 debut LP Pieces of You featured three all-time hit songs and led to Jewel touring with none other than Bob Dylan. Hard to beat that, huh? Since then, Jewel has released a dozen more recordings, including Freewheelin’ Woman in 2022.

In many ways, Jewel helped bring along and inspire countless singer/songwriters and here below, we wanted to explore three songs from her that helped spark a singer/songwriter revolution. Indeed, these are three eternal tracks from Jewel that continue to glisten.

[RELATED: Jewel: Constant Companion]

“You Were Meant for Me” from Pieces of You (1995)

This song, which hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, is about love—or, the lack of it. A breakup song, Jewel has described it as a track where the singer has a hard time coming to grips that the relationship is over. Often when it comes to this sort of subject, it’s a man pining for a woman who left him. So, for many music fans, it was refreshing to hear the shoe on the other foot. A woman not giving up—or at least not quite able to give up. And on it, Jewel sings,

I hear the clock, it’s six A.M
I feel so far from where I’ve been
I got my eggs, I got my pancakes too
I got my maple syrup, everything but you

I break the yolks and make a smiley face
I kinda like it in my brand new place
Wipe the spots off of the mirror
Don’t leave my keys in the door
I never put wet towels on the floor anymore
‘Cause

Dreams last so long
Even after you’re gone
I know that you love me
And soon you will see
You were meant for me
And I was meant for you

“Who Will Save Your Soul” from Pieces of You (1995)

While the above track was the second single released from Jewel’s debut LP, this was the first. “Who Will Save Your Soul,” which hit No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, was the first song Jewel said she ever wrote. It was inspired by a cross-country journey she had, going from town to town. And on the excursion, she noticed people all over were hoping to be saved by someone else. So, she penned the tune, not knowing it would ever be recorded or be her entryway to pop stardom. And on it, Jewel sings,

People living their lives for you on TV
They say they’re better than you, and you agree
He says, “Hold my calls from behind those cold brick walls”
Says, “Come here boy, there ain’t nothin’ for free”
Another doctor’s bill, a lawyer’s bill, another cute, cheap thrill
You know you love him if you put him in your will, but

Who will save your souls?
When it comes to the flowers now
Who will save your souls?
After all those lies that you told, boy
Now, who will save your souls?
If you won’t save your own?

“Hands” from Spirit (1998)

The lead single from Jewel’s sophomore release Spirit, this song, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, is about making better choices. After being fired from a job, Jewel thought about stealing a dress but at the last second decided her hands were better used writing music than they were participating in kleptomania. The lesson on the piano-driven tune? Small decisions can have big consequences. And on the track, she sings,

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we’re all okay
Not to worry ’cause worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these

Our hands are small nice weapons
Of conscience if they’re not idle with despair
We gather ourselves around our faithful light
As the darkness most feared

Our hands are small, I know
But they’re not yours, they are our own
But they’re not yours, they are my own
And we shall go unbroken

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