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Jessie (song)

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Wikipedia article




{{Infobox song

| name = Jessie

| cover = Jessie_by_Joshua_Kadison.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Joshua Kadison

| album = Painted Desert Serenade

| released = May 11, 1993

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 5:19

| label = SBK

| writer = Joshua Kadison

| producer =

* Peter Van Hooke

* Rod Argent

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Beautiful in My Eyes

| next_year = 1994

| misc =

}}

"'Jessie'" is a song by American singer-songwriter Joshua Kadison. It was released in May 1993 as the debut and lead single from his first album, 'Painted Desert Serenade' (1993), but did not become a hit in continental Europe until 1994 and in the United Kingdom until 1995 (on its third release). The song was a top-10 hit in Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands, reaching number 15 in New Zealand.

Content



The song describes the narrator's tumultuous relationship with a woman named Jessie. The person named Jessie in this song was rumoured to be Sarah Jessica Parker, with whom Kadison was involved at the time. This has never been confirmed, and it has also been pointed out that Parker has never been known to be called "Jessie" or own a cat named Moses. In 1997, she married actor Matthew Broderick.https://www.songfacts.com/facts/joshua-kadison/jessie Songfacts entry on 'Jessie'. In a 1994 interview with 'Los Angeles Times', Kadison told about the song, "It's a song that a lot of people can relate to. Everybody's heart has been broken by somebody they'll always love. That's what this song is about.. It taps into a feeling that's buried in so many people."

Critical reception



The song received positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic editor Bryan Buss noted that it is "about the searching title heroine and the hopeful, needing narrator who gets sucked into her longing, he paints vivid portrayals of troubled and hopeful dreamers. With lyrics like "Jessie, paint your pictures/'bout how it's gonna be/by now I should know better/your dreams are never free," Kadison taps into the wanderer in all of us." Larry Flick from 'Billboard' wrote that the singer "indulges in a worldly, intelligent brand of storytelling that aims to place him among late luminaries Jim Croce and Harry Chapin. Poignant piano ballad actually is more along the lines of early Billy Joel. Sophisticated, complex production". Dave Sholin from the 'Gavin Report' complimented the "beautiful melody and catchy chorus" of the song.

Music writer James Masterton commented in his weekly UK chart commentary, "Quite why everyone was so keen for this to be a hit I am unclear, its a pretty enough romantic ballad but nothing extremely exciting." Pan-European magazine 'Music & Media' said that it "could tear down walls like Walking In Memphis did for Marc Cohn." Alan Jones from 'Music Week' described it as a "extremely attractive piano-led, mid-tempo ballad", noting that "along with a warm vocal style (two parts Billy Joel to one Jim Croce) Kadison has a fine melodic sense, and this lyrical song deserves to be heard." John Kilgo from 'The Network Forty' stated that a "soulful bluesy delivery exemplifies the main strength of newcomer Joshua Kadison, who reaches new heights with this electrifying piano ballad."

Music video



The accompanying music video for "Jessie" was directed by Piers Plowden.

Track listing



'CD single'

# "Jessie" (edit) 4:19

# "Jessie" (album version) 5:18

# "When a Woman Cries" 3:31

# "All I Ever Ask" 4:39

Charts



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



References



Category:1993 songs

Category:1993 debut singles

Category:1994 singles

Category:1995 singles

Category:Joshua Kadison songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Rod Argent

Category:Sentimental ballads

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