Sunrise (2004) – Norah Jones

Let’s kick it off with singer-songwriter and pianist Norah Jones who I dug from the get-go since she burst on the scene in 2002 with her chart-topping and award-winning debut album Come Away With Me. Initially focused on lounge jazz, Jones has since evolved and infused elements of blues, country, folk and pop in her music. Sunrise, co-written by Jones and Lee Alexander, is from her sophomore release Feels Like Home (see image below) from February 2002. It also appeared as a single and became her first to top Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart.

– Chris & Max Pick …songs from 2004 (Christian’s Music Musings)

I felt indifferent to Norah Jones initially because one of her big songs (perhaps Don’t Know Why) saturated the radio waves. I pigeon-holed her into lounge jazz music – a genre of music I wasn’t particularly fond of. Some in jest even called her ‘Snorer’ Jones. However, my blogger friend Christian introduced me to some of Norah’s music that I hadn’t encountered before, including today’s featured song – and I liked them a lot. Her breezy, catchy sound and relaxed demeanour bring to mind the Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas, whom I recently featured.

The following information was extracted from the Wikipedia reference below:

In 2004, the folk ballad reached number four in Canada and number 30 in the United Kingdom. Despite failing to chart on the US Billboard, the single was certified gold by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies. The song won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2005 Grammy Awards. The American singer-songwriter and musician Norah Jones born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar has sold more than 53 million records worldwide. As stated above, she launched her solo music career with the release of Come Away with Me.

Jones is the daughter of Indian sitarist and composer Ravi Shankar, and is the half-sister of fellow Indian musicians Anoushka Shankar and Shubhendra Shankar. She was born in1979, in Manhattan, New York City. After her parents separated in 1986, Jones lived with her mother, growing up in Grapevine, Texas. As a child, Jones began singing in church and also took piano and voice lessons. Her music took its first form early on in the local Methodist Church where she regularly sang solos. While in high school, she sang in the school choir, participated in band, and played the alto saxophone. At the age of 16, with both parents’ consent, she officially changed her name to Norah Jones.

Jones always had an affinity for the music of Bill Evans and Billie Holiday, among other “oldies”. She once said, “My mom had this eight-album Billie Holiday set; I picked out one disc that I liked and played that over and over again“. She attended Interlochen Center for the Arts during the summers. While at high school, she won the Down Beat Student Music Awards for Best Jazz Vocalist. Jones attended the University of North Texas (UNT), where she majored in jazz piano and sang with the UNT Jazz Singers.

In 1999, Jones left Texas for New York City. Less than a year later, she started a band with Harris, and her recordings with them were bestsellers. Jones was a lounge singer before becoming a recording artist. Before releasing her first studio album, she performed with Wax Poetic, Peter Malick, and jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter.

[Verse 1]
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

[Chorus]
And I said, “Hoh, ooh, hoo, ooh
Hoo, ooh, hoo, ooh
Hoo, ooh, hoo, ooh”
To you

[Verse 2]
Surprise, surprise, couldn’t find it in your eyes
But I’m sure it’s written all over my face
Surprise, surprise, never something I could hide
When I see we made it through another day

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
Now, the night will throw its cover down
Mm, on me again
Ooh, and if I’m right, it’s the only way
To bring me back

References:
1. Sunrise (Norah Jones song) – Wikipedia