Damien Leith (born 18 January 1976) is a singer song-writer. He was the win… Read Full Bio ↴Damien Leith (born 18 January 1976) is a singer song-writer. He was the winner of the music competition Australian Idol 2006. He was born in Ireland and now lives in Australia with his Australian wife, Eileen, and son Jarvis.
Early life
Leith was raised in Milltown, County Kerry, Ireland. His father travelled as part of his work as an engineer, and their family lived in countries including Libya and Botswana.
As a child he formed a family band, Leaf, with his sister Aine and brothers Paul and Darren. Leaf recorded in New York and then again later under the new name Releaf, which made an appearance in the Irish Top 100.
Since moving to Sydney, he has played in a number of high profile venues across Sydney, as the front man for the band Revelate. His first Australian performance was at The Basement in Sydney's Circular Quay.
He worked as a chemist prior to auditioning for Australian Idol.
Australian Idol
Leith was selected by the judges as one of the final 24 contestants, and was the first person voted into the competition's top twelve as the result of a viewer vote. He was praised by the show's judges for his falsetto technique, which he used regularly in performances.
Despite comments from judges Mark Holden and Kyle Sandilands in relation to Leith's unconventional appearance, and a performance of Kool and the Gang's "Celebration" which drew ridicule from Holden, the judges assessments of Leith's performances were usually positive. His renditions of Roy Orbison's "Crying", Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game", Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and Puccini's "Nessun Dorma" each earned Leith a "touchdown" from Mark Holden, a gesture which has come to be regarded as Holden's ultimate accolade for an excellent performance. Sandilands also stated that the family of Roy Orbison had contacted the Australian Idol producers requesting a copy of Leith's performance of "Crying".
Leith was the last contestant in the 2006 season to be in the bottom three, until the top five verdict on October 30. On Sunday, November 26, during a live broadcast from the Sydney Opera House, Leith was announced the winner, over runner-up Jessica Mauboy. His debut single, "Night of My Life", was released as a paid digital download from Bigpondmusic soon after the conclusion of the grand final, with an official CD release on November 28. It has been stated that his debut album will be released in early 2007.
Australian Idol Performances
* Sydney Auditions - "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice
* Theatre Round (Day Three) - "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen
* Top 24: Group 1 - "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker
* Top 12: Contestant's Choice - "With or Without You" by U2
* Top 11: Rock - "Creep" by Radiohead
* Top 10: No. 1 Hits - "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks
* Top 9: Contestant's Year of Birth - "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" by Elton John
* Top 8: Disco - "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang
* Top 7: Contestant's Choice: Acoustic - "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak
* Up Close And Personal Night - "Sky" (original) by Damien Leith
* Top 6: Rock Swings: "High & Dry" by Radiohead
* Top 5: ARIA Hall of Fame: "Message to My Girl" by Split Enz
* Top 4: Viewer's Choice: "Crying" by Roy Orbison
* Top 4: Viewer's Choice: "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen
* Top 3: Judge's Choice: "Nessun Dorma" by Giacomo Puccini
* Top 3: Judge's Choice: "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers
* Top 2: Contestant's Choice: "Never Meant to Fail" by Alex Lloyd
* Top 2: Contestant's Choice: "Waiting On an Angel" by Ben Harper
* Top 2: Grand Final Performance: "Nessun Dorma" by Giacomo Puccini
* Top 2: Winner's Single: "Night of My Life"
Early life
Leith was raised in Milltown, County Kerry, Ireland. His father travelled as part of his work as an engineer, and their family lived in countries including Libya and Botswana.
As a child he formed a family band, Leaf, with his sister Aine and brothers Paul and Darren. Leaf recorded in New York and then again later under the new name Releaf, which made an appearance in the Irish Top 100.
Since moving to Sydney, he has played in a number of high profile venues across Sydney, as the front man for the band Revelate. His first Australian performance was at The Basement in Sydney's Circular Quay.
He worked as a chemist prior to auditioning for Australian Idol.
Australian Idol
Leith was selected by the judges as one of the final 24 contestants, and was the first person voted into the competition's top twelve as the result of a viewer vote. He was praised by the show's judges for his falsetto technique, which he used regularly in performances.
Despite comments from judges Mark Holden and Kyle Sandilands in relation to Leith's unconventional appearance, and a performance of Kool and the Gang's "Celebration" which drew ridicule from Holden, the judges assessments of Leith's performances were usually positive. His renditions of Roy Orbison's "Crying", Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game", Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and Puccini's "Nessun Dorma" each earned Leith a "touchdown" from Mark Holden, a gesture which has come to be regarded as Holden's ultimate accolade for an excellent performance. Sandilands also stated that the family of Roy Orbison had contacted the Australian Idol producers requesting a copy of Leith's performance of "Crying".
Leith was the last contestant in the 2006 season to be in the bottom three, until the top five verdict on October 30. On Sunday, November 26, during a live broadcast from the Sydney Opera House, Leith was announced the winner, over runner-up Jessica Mauboy. His debut single, "Night of My Life", was released as a paid digital download from Bigpondmusic soon after the conclusion of the grand final, with an official CD release on November 28. It has been stated that his debut album will be released in early 2007.
Australian Idol Performances
* Sydney Auditions - "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice
* Theatre Round (Day Three) - "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen
* Top 24: Group 1 - "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker
* Top 12: Contestant's Choice - "With or Without You" by U2
* Top 11: Rock - "Creep" by Radiohead
* Top 10: No. 1 Hits - "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks
* Top 9: Contestant's Year of Birth - "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" by Elton John
* Top 8: Disco - "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang
* Top 7: Contestant's Choice: Acoustic - "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak
* Up Close And Personal Night - "Sky" (original) by Damien Leith
* Top 6: Rock Swings: "High & Dry" by Radiohead
* Top 5: ARIA Hall of Fame: "Message to My Girl" by Split Enz
* Top 4: Viewer's Choice: "Crying" by Roy Orbison
* Top 4: Viewer's Choice: "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen
* Top 3: Judge's Choice: "Nessun Dorma" by Giacomo Puccini
* Top 3: Judge's Choice: "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers
* Top 2: Contestant's Choice: "Never Meant to Fail" by Alex Lloyd
* Top 2: Contestant's Choice: "Waiting On an Angel" by Ben Harper
* Top 2: Grand Final Performance: "Nessun Dorma" by Giacomo Puccini
* Top 2: Winner's Single: "Night of My Life"
Creep
Damien Leith Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Damien Leith:
22 Steps If I were him I'd know your birthday Just what to get The…
All I Want Is You If I told you that I want nothing more All those…
Annie's Song You fill up my senses like a night in a…
Beautiful I walked this earth to find the road in which…
Blue Bayou I feel so bad I've got a word in mind, I'm…
Crying I was alright for a while, I could smile for…
Danny Boy Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen…
Don't Give Up I know what you want I know what you need I feel…
Dream Baby Sweet dream baby Sweet dream baby Sweet dream baby How long …
Goodnight All I got to show for everything Is in my hands,…
Got My Mind Set On You I got my mind set on you I got my mind…
Hallelujah I heard there was a secret chord That david played and…
Handle With Care Been beat up and battered 'round Been sent up, and I've…
I Drove All Night I had to escape, the city was sticky and cruel Maybe…
I Still Miss Us I'm I'm not the one The one who is right for you I…
If If a picture paints a thousand words Then why can't I…
If Tomorrow Never Comes Sometimes late at night I lie awake and watch her sleeping S…
In Dreams A candy-colored clown they call the sandman Tiptoes to my ro…
It's Over Your baby doesn't love you any more Golden days before they…
Leah Hey, Leah Leah Hey, Leah Leah Here I go From the hut to…
Love Hurts Love hurts Love's scars, love wounds and mars Anyone not tou…
Night Of My Life Here we are shooting stars Renting time in someone else's sp…
Not Just For The Weekend Primitive love, I want what it used to be Primitive love,…
Oh Pretty Woman Pretty woman, walkin' down the street Pretty woman the kind …
Running Scared Just runnin' scared each place we go So afraid that he…
She's A Mystery To Me Darkness falls and she will take me by the hand Take…
Shine Like The Sun Where do we start When the lights gone out When the passio…
Sky Beautiful sky, Blooming like flowers. Towards the day, Lik…
Songbird For you, there'll be no more crying For you, the sun…
The Long Way Back Body, body, bo-bo-bo-body, body Body to body Body to body B…
The Times They Are a Changin' Come gather 'round people Wherever you roam And admit that t…
To Get to You I don't know what to say To make you happy When everything…
Unchained Melody Oh, my-y love, my dar-arling I′ve hungered for your touch A-…
Waiting On An Angel Waiting on an angel One to carry me home Hope you come…
Working For The Man Hey now you better listen to me everyone of you We…
You and I If I told you that I want nothing more All those…
You Got It Every time I look into your loving eyes I see a…
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Love his interpretation of the song to make it 'his own'. And love how he delivers it so convincingly - not a half-assed effort. It's honest and all heart.
Jenny F
Just got the urge to hear Damien sing this... After all these years! Brilliant 😘
Melanie O’Sullivan Hosny
I love this cover of Radiohead's Creep i wanted it to keep going and going when I heard it it's incredible!
Salmasaluki
at first I thought he would be as dull as the other Australian Idol winners I just watched, but wow, he's really great! Definitely the best of them! Very nice voice.
KurraMiss
I heard this version when I was just a young'un before I looked up the original by radiohead and I was disappointed that the original didn't have the same impact as Damien's cover of it - his voice is incredible!
Renlish
Thanks heaps for putting these up - I missed this one and it's my favourite.
moochyification
absolutely bloody fantastic :) well done MY IDOL xx
jilleemillee
Beautiful stunning voice
thebraff
Pick me up off the floor. That was fantastic. What a guy.
Melanie O’Sullivan Hosny
I love this song 💓