"Well, my dad was a music teacher and forced me, I was reluctant to play piano. I didn’t want to, but then I did. He made me practice. I couldn’t play with my friends until I practiced, which I’m very grateful for now. And then, I kinda dropped it. I wanted to do acting when I saw the movie My Girl. That was the moment, ‘I want to be an actress.’ Then I got recruited for the choir, because they needed girls. They didn’t know I could sing, I didn’t know I could sing either. So I said ok. And when I tried I and I thought, I’m not bad. And I went from there."
Her musical influences vary from Ella Fitzgerald to Fiona Apple. "I would say, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington are the two singers that I wanted to sound like. From there, of course, Fiona Apple and Muse were like the obsessions I had in the last two years, where all I listened to was that. I would say I’m really really inspired by classical music and I try to incorporate it into my songs. Aside from that, Radiohead, and other bands that add regular piano stuff with electronica sounds."
Fresh off the stage from HOTEL CAFE and The Whisky A Go Go, Melinda was voted Best of 2008 AND Best of 2007 for KLAS FM Radio in Los Angeles. Semi-finalist for IMWSC, Melinda Ortner has been building her growing fan base in the tough love trenches of Los Angeles. Nominated for the LA Music Awards in 2007 for her tune “Something You Said”, the same song is now being featured on Star 98.7.com's playlist.
In 2009, she's won "Best Song" and "Best Performance" 4 different times at West Coast Songwriters Showcases and has been featured on MTV's True Life's 'Apollo's solo album. She was also recently a semi-finalist for the Independent Music World Series Contest put on by Discmakers. She was invited to perform at the 10th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute held at The Key Club, hosted by Jack Osbourne.
Coming in 2nd place for her tune “Sorry Tonight” at WCS Annual Play-Off's, and ranking high in several podcasts including “Next Big Hit”, Melinda's soulful voice and catchy songs matched with her honest and vulnerable performances keep her audiences returning.
Three of her songs are featured in two movies: "Heartbeats" in American Pie 7: Book Of Love and "Something You Said" and "Maybe" in "I Hate Valentine's Day" by Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding).
“One of the most uniquely talented people I have heard on MySpace and as a producer” says Les July, pro-guitarist. She won “Best New Band” at the Annual Best New Talent Competition and is the main subject with song placements in an upcoming film documentary set to release in Europe this month.
Heartbeats
Melinda Ortner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When everything's too right
And People they told me about this feeling
The one you can not fight
But I try and I try
But I just can't deny
When it's there it's everywhere
So I won't wonder why
Whenever I'm happy
Are you happy too
My heart beats for you
Whenever I'm happy
Are you happy too
So I play my cool and keep my quiet
Til the beat in my step feels right
And I try very hard to gently hide it
Every time you step in sight
And you look so unsure
As you walk me to the door
But you see you've got to me
And I'm only wanting more
My heart beats again
Whenever I'm happy
Are you happy too
My heart beats for you
Whenever I'm happy
Are you happy too
When the world is spinning
And you're lost in a dream
There's no reason to stop
When you can feel your heart beat again
Whenever you're happy
Are you happy too
Where can I place the blame
Tell me who put me in the frame
It's not fair don't you dare
Oh and I'm loosin' my head in this
But I'm loving every minute of it
What a shame it'd be to never see
The one thing that you really need
My heart beats again
Whenever I'm happy
Are you happy too
My heart beats for you
Whenever I'm happy
Are you happy too
My heart beats again
Whenever I'm happy
Are you happy too
My heart beats for you
Whenever I'm happy
Are you happy too
In Melinda Ortner's song "Heartbeats,” she talks about a feeling that is uncontrollable, something that people cannot resist. She describes it as a dream come true that is too perfect to believe, and she acknowledges that the feeling is so strong that she can't deny it. Melinda tries to hide the feeling and plays it cool because of how unsure the person who created the feeling is, but she is still drawn towards it. The song talks about a heart on fire that's beating again and again – it beats when she's happy, and it beats for someone who completes her happiness. Despite not knowing who put her in the frame, she is not willing to let go of this one thing that she knows she needs.
Line by Line Meaning
Some days I think I might be dreaming
There are times when I question if what I am experiencing is real.
When everything's too right
When everything seems to be going well and I am happy.
And People they told me about this feeling
Others have described this feeling to me.
The one you can not fight
It is a feeling that cannot be resisted or ignored.
But I try and I try
Despite my efforts to resist,
But I just can't deny
I cannot deny this feeling.
When it's there it's everywhere
This feeling seems to be present in every aspect of my life.
So I won't wonder why
I choose not to question why I feel this way.
My heart beats again
I am experiencing joy and my heart responds accordingly.
Whenever I'm happy
My feelings of happiness lead to this physical response.
Are you happy too
I am curious if the person I am thinking about is also experiencing happiness.
So I play my cool and keep my quiet
I try to remain composed and not reveal my true feelings.
Til the beat in my step feels right
I wait until I feel confident and comfortable with my emotions before acting on them.
And I try very hard to gently hide it
I make an effort to conceal how I am truly feeling.
Every time you step in sight
Whenever I see the person in question.
And you look so unsure
The person seems uncertain or hesitant in their actions or expression.
As you walk me to the door
During a specific moment of leaving or departing from somewhere.
But you see you've got to me
The person has had an impact on me and made me feel this way.
And I'm only wanting more
I desire more than what we currently have or what has already occurred.
When the world is spinning
During chaotic or overwhelming times.
And you're lost in a dream
Feeling out of touch with reality or caught up in a fantasy.
There's no reason to stop
There is no need to hold back or resist these emotions.
Whenever you're happy
This feeling is not exclusive to me - it can happen to anyone experiencing joy.
Are you happy too
I am interested in knowing if you, the listener, are also feeling happy.
Where can I place the blame
I am not sure who or what is responsible for making me feel this way.
Tell me who put me in the frame
Who or what is the cause of this feeling?
It's not fair don't you dare
This feeling is not something that can be controlled or manipulated.
Oh and I'm loosin' my head in this
I am caught up in my emotions and struggling to remain composed.
But I'm loving every minute of it
Despite the challenges, I am enjoying the experience of being overwhelmed with emotions.
What a shame it'd be to never see
It would be unfortunate to miss out on this feeling altogether.
The one thing that you really need
This feeling is something that is essential to one's emotional well-being.
Contributed by Isaac P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MiaJayy Reacts
Still my favourite song ever ❤️
Dan El Anormal
I will not be the exception that I heard this song on American pie TBOL, however your voice is fantastic, it hurts that you do not have the recognition you deserve.
From me, you have earned a new admirer, beautiful ♡
kynston
Thank you for creating such beauty in our world :)
usafan0751
I learned this song by ear, solely due to the fact that you're so freaking amazing! (: Love your music! Good choice in friends, Hutch! (:
Drewbles
Still in shock i got to meet this amazing woman the other day, so talented and loved the gig.
Ben
Amazing voice.
VIP11111111111
Beautiful Voice Mel , and Great Job on the Video hun , *Thumbs up* , Keep it comin' gurl ;)
redcthulhu
She is really good, and it's awesome that you don't forget where you came from, Hutch. Much respect from me.
pVpOioPvp
I normally don't listen to this kind of music..but besides that your a good singer (:
Jennifer Quiroz
such a great video. loved it! :)