I’ve noted that 1995 was a big year for debut albums, so I’m closing out this edition of Decades with another notable first album. This one is interesting because it didn’t become a hit until two years after its release.

Jewel wrote most of the songs on Pieces of You as a teenager, busking her away across the country in search of a music career. She eventually drew the interest of record labels while playing in coffeehouses and signed a deal to record an album. Released when she was 21, the record failed to make a splash.

Pieces of You is an achingly earnest and naive record, exactly what you’d expect from a 16-year-old. The production is flimsy and the lyrics are often corny and didactic. But some raw talent shines through, especially in the confident, expressive vocals.

Bob Dylan heard something he liked, and invited Jewel to open for him on his 1997 tour. That gig led to increased exposure for the record and she eventually landed two songs at #2 (‘You Were Meant For Me’ and ‘Foolish Games’). Album opener ‘Who Will Save Your Soul,’ the first song Jewel ever wrote, made it to #11.

Buoyed by those hits, Pieces of You became a smash hit, eventually reaching Diamond status and becoming one of the top-selling debut albums of all time.

That wraps up my look at 1995… stay tuned for my next Decades installment in a couple of months, when I’ll dive into the music of 2005.