Renee developed a great love for music at an early age and honed her voice by singing
along with the radio. Before long she was entering talent contests and appearing in
local musical productions. Her aspirations for stardom were documented on video and
became the subject of two E! television documentaries,
"The Making of a Child Star" and "The Journey Continues".
In 1995, Renee appeared in her first commercial, the award winning ad for Levi Jeans.
In 1998 she did a Segento Cheese commercial.
She made her first foray in TV in 1995 in "Streets Of Laredo".
In 1998, Renee appeared in the episode "Doodlebug" in "Touch By An Angel".
In 1999, she was seen in two shows, "Chicken Soup For The Soul" and "Providence".
In 1999, Renee’s first major motion picture roles were "The Insider",
starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe, and "End Of Days" with
Arnold Schwarzenegger. And, in 2000, she appeared in "Space Cowboys".
In 2002, she had her first major role in the CBS comedy "Still Standing", a four year run.
But, by 2002, Renee’s second career, her singing career, began to take shape.
After she saw the movie "Pleasantville", she fell in love with Etta James’s "At Last",
which began a love affair with the music of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald,
Anita O’Day and the Great American Songbook.
Then Renee was able to perform with Eddie Reed’s Swing Band playing LA area clubs.
In September 2002, she released "By Request" to commemorate her club performances.
"At Last" being one of the tracks.
Renee gained the attention of Grammy Award winning producer David Foster
and subsequently signed a contract with the Warner Records label.
In 2003, 13 year old Renee performed at the Playboy Jazz Festival singing
"At Last" to an amazed jazz audience, who gave Renee a standing ovation.
Bill Cosby, whose jazz band backed Renee quipped that “she’s only 13
and knows only one song”.
Finally, in May 2004, all elements of Renee’s career came together.
On the "Still Standing" final episode, of the second season, she performed "Summertime",
in a dream sequence, the first track on her self-titled CD "Renee Olstead",
produced by David Foster, released that month.
The release started Renee on a whirlwind promotional tour starting with
the "Today Show" and "Jazz At Lincoln Center Spring Gala" in NYC.
Montreux Jazz Festival, as part of a European tour, David Letterman and
finally Oprah ended a busy 2004. Renee’s CD was #5 on the
Billboard Jazz Chart, for 2004, after many rave reviews.
In 2004, Renee recorded two songs for movie soundtracks.
She recorded "Merry Christmas In Love" for the Italian movie "Christmas In Love"
and "A Love That Will Last", a track on her CD, was used in "Princess Diary 2".
Also, in the summer of 2004, Renee’s next film "13 Going On 30" was released.
During and after the end of the "Still Standing" run, in the Spring of 2006,
Renee continued to perform her music around the world.
She performed in numerous charity events in the US.
Renee again toured Europe, this time with B.B. King, performed in Live 8,
in Berlin, and with Chris Botti and at the "Unite The Stars" charity event,
in South Africa.
Performance highlights include the "28th Gift Of Life Celebration" hosted
by George Lopez, with Renee performing "Midnight Man" with David Foster,
in 2007. The Java Jazz Festival, in 2008, "My Baby Just Cares For Me",
where Renee received the International Jazz Talent Award, and the "Hit Man:
David Foster And Friends" tribute to David Foster with Renee performing Through The Fire, in 2008.
In 2008, she recorded her third movie soundtrack with "Ain’t we Got Fun"
for the movie "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl".
TV came back in the picture, in 2008, as Renee was cast in the series
"The Secret Life Of The American Teenager" as Madison.
In the final episode, of the second season, again her two careers came together,
as Madison sang "Fly Me To The Moon" and
"Someone To Watch Over Me" at a wedding reception.
In 2009, Renee’s long awaited CD "Skylark", again produced by David Foster,
was released, and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Jazz Chart.
Discography:
2000: Stone Country
2000: Unleashed
2002: By Request
2004: Renee Olstead
2009: Skylark
Official Web Site: www.ReneeOlstead.com
Official Fan Site: www.ReneeOlstead.info
12- Sentimental Journey
Renee Olstead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gonna set my heart at ease.
Gonna make a Sentimental Journey,
To renew old memories.
I got my bags, I got my reservations,
Spent each dime I could afford.
Like a child in wild anticipation,
Seven...that's the time we leave at seven.
I'll be waitin' up at heaven,
Countin' every mile of railroad track, that takes me back.
I never knew my heart could be so yearny.
Why did I decide to roam?
I'm gonna take that Sentimental Journey,
Sentimental Journey home.
Sentimental Journey.
In Renee Olstead's nostalgic track "Sentimental Journey," the singer is preparing for a trip down memory lane to reconnect with her past. The lyrics reflect on the idea of taking a journey for the sake of reliving old memories, with the hope of finding inner peace. The singer starts the song by preparing for the sentimental journey, packing her bags and making reservations. She's spent all her dimes on this journey, and she's filled with anticipation like a child waiting to hear the train announcement.
The chorus of the song ("I'm gonna take a Sentimental Journey, Gonna set my heart at ease. Gonna make a Sentimental Journey, To renew old memories.") outlines the main objective of this sentimental journey: to experience the past and get some closure. As the song progresses, the lyrics highlight the uncertainty and longing that comes with revisiting the past (“I never knew my heart could be so yearny. Why did I decide to roam?”). The singer wonders about the decision to make this trip and if it'll lead to more unanswered questions about her past. Ultimately, she resolves that taking the sentimental journey home will help her heal and move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna take a Sentimental Journey,
I am embarking on an emotional journey to revisit cherished memories from the past.
Gonna set my heart at ease.
This journey will bring me peace and comfort as I am able to relive happier times.
Gonna make a Sentimental Journey,
I am committed to taking this trip to reminisce about the past regardless of any potential obstacles or challenges.
To renew old memories.
My primary objective is to evoke previously experienced and cherished memories of my past.
I got my bags, I got my reservations,
I am well-prepared and ready for this journey with all the necessary travel arrangements completed.
Spent each dime I could afford.
I have spent all the money I could afford on this journey because reliving my memories is that important to me.
Like a child in wild anticipation,
I am eagerly and excitedly looking forward to this trip, just as a child would look forward to a special event.
Long to hear that, "All aboard!"
I cannot wait for the trip to begin and for everyone to call out for boarding the train.
Seven...that's the time we leave at seven.
This journey begins at precisely seven o'clock.
I'll be waitin' up at heaven,
I will eagerly wait up for my loved ones in heaven hoping to relive the happy times we shared together once again.
Countin' every mile of railroad track, that takes me back.
I am paying close attention to every mile of track the train travels because each one brings me closer to precious memories of my past milestones.
I never knew my heart could be so yearny.
I never realized how badly I missed and longed for the people, places, and things from my past.
Why did I decide to roam?
Doubts arose in my mind why I ever left and wandered away from the people, places, and memories I once loved so much?
I'm gonna take that Sentimental Journey,
I am resolute in my decision to revisit my precious past by taking this emotional journey.
Sentimental Journey home.
This emotional journey will help me reconnect with my roots and find my way back to the place where I belong.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENJAMIN HOMER, BUD GREEN, JACQUES (F) PLANTE, LES BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
gauss truth
Amazing. Very rarely is there a singing talent like this. But to combine that singing talent with the beauty that this gal has is super-real. What can you say?
Dinyar Dalal
Wow! I wish I can give a thousand 'thumbs ups'. Beautiful voice.
Chee-Keung Lee
Pretty and gorgeous, with a beautiful sweet voice that I always love to listen.
anubisrwm
you have to consider the fact that this was recorded live, and she was only 14 years old when she recorded it!
Ingvald Vea-Klungtvedt
Voice from heaven......<3
Ali Altizo
you can't compare renee to charice, they're completely different artists with unique strengths. charice is a power ballad belter like whitney and celine. renee is pure smoky jazz, sexy. she has a more subtle but profound strength in inflections and phrasing much like ella, etta and peggy.
Timur Isyanov
She is pretty girl with very sweet voice. I do love her creation.
Luiz Francisco Flores
Just amazing
Nancy Olahova
Beautiful
Eddie Reed BIG BAND
Eddie Nichols and I listened to this just now. We, are proud you !