LOS ANGELES--In the three years since Jewel [ tickets ] released 1998's "Spirit," the singer spent time on a Texas ranch, reflecting on her life as a musician and relishing time spent away from the industry. Songs from her recently released album "This Way," such as "Standing Still" are the product of this type of introspection, she said.

"It’s about the irony of how much a person travels in my job, and how it can really cause your emotional life to stand still," said Jewel of her new single. "Fame really tolerates a prolonged adolescence, and your fame and career can outgrow your ability to handle it. You can get really spoiled, and I wanted to get away from that and make sure I wasn’t standing still."

Recorded in Nashville, Jewel co-produced "This Way" with Dann Huff (Megadeth, Faith Hill), co-writing the song "Till We Run Out Of Road," with her boyfriend, rodeo star Ty Murray.

Jewel credited her easy pace of one album every three years with keeping her on an even keel. "It became about hits and being famous, and it was really hard for me to stay impassioned about it," she said of the whirlwind of promotion surrounding the release of "Spirit." "More than anything, stepping back allowed me to get back to why I really like what I do.

In addition to playing a series of Christmas radio package shows, Jewel will make a flurry of TV appearances, including a Wednesday (12/5) spot on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," Dec. 15 on CBS' "Saturday Morning," Dec. 21 on "Larry King Live," Dec. 22 on "Weekend Today" and a pre-recorded "Today Show" set to run on Christmas Day.

Jewel's headlining tour in support of "This Way," is expected to kick off in the spring of 2002.