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
Midnight In Austin Texas (Spec
Renee Olstead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where you going to?
Cause I ain't got no plans
No one to run home to
If you've got a minute
And would like to sit down
I know a place around the corner
So boy
What's your name?
What do you do?
Either you don't look familiar
Or look like you used to
But are you from here
Or in from out of town?
A girl like me would sure like to show you around
Midnight in Austin, Texas
It'd be a shame to waste a Saturday night
Midnight in Austin, Texas
If you're alone right now
You won't be like that all night
So boy
Name your poison
What do you drink?
Follow your instincts
It's far too hot to think
Don't you worry
Just pretend to be friends
I think we both know
How this night's gonna end
Midnight in Austin, Texas
It'd be a shame to waste a Saturday night
Midnight in Austin, Texas
If you're alone right now
You won't be like that all night
So don't say you love me
Don't say you care
I'm not in a habit of having an exclusive affair
Those long relationships require repair
It's a shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame
Midnight in Austin, Texas
It'd be a shame to waste a Saturday night
Midnight in Austin, Texas
If you're alone right now
You won't be like that all night
The song "Midnight in Austin Texas" by Renee Olstead is about a chance encounter between two strangers in Austin, Texas. The verse opens with the singer addressing a stranger and wanting to strike a conversation. She is looking for someone to spend time with as she has "no plans" and "no one to run home to." She invites him to a place nearby that's still open, and the chorus sets the tone for the song's theme, which is to enjoy the night and not waste it. She is trying to convince the stranger to spend his time wisely and not be alone on a Saturday night.
The song's protagonist is interested in getting to know the stranger and finds him intriguing. She is curious about his background and asks him his name, what he does, and whether he is from Austin or just visiting. She offers to show him around the city, and the chorus reiterates the desire to make the most of the night. The bridge of the song is a little cynical as the singer warns the stranger not to get too attached as she is not looking for a long-term relationship but wants to enjoy the moment.
Overall, this song is about living in the moment, taking chances, and enjoying life. It encourages listeners to make the most of their time and not waste it, especially on a Saturday night in Austin, Texas, a city known for its vibrant nightlife.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey little mister
Addressing a stranger with a friendly tone
Where you going to?
Asking about the stranger's destination
Cause I ain't got no plans
Expressing that the singer has no particular agenda
No one to run home to
Acknowledging that the artist has no one waiting for them
If you've got a minute
Inviting the stranger to spend some time
And would like to sit down
Offering a place to rest
I know a place around the corner
Informing about a nearby spot
Still open right now
Mentioning that the place is currently operational
So boy
Addressing the stranger in a playful way
What's your name?
Asking the stranger's identity
What do you do?
Inquiring about the stranger's profession
Either you don't look familiar
Noticing that the artist hasn't met the stranger before
Or look like you used to
Noticing changes in the stranger's appearance
But are you from here
Asking if the stranger is a local resident
Or in from out of town?
Asking if the stranger is a tourist
A girl like me would sure like to show you around
Expressing interest in guiding the stranger
Midnight in Austin, Texas
Referring to the current time and location
It'd be a shame to waste a Saturday night
Suggesting that it would be regrettable to spend Saturday night alone
If you're alone right now
Noticing the stranger's solitude
You won't be like that all night
Imagining that the stranger won't remain alone for the entire night
So boy
Addressing the stranger once again
Name your poison
Asking the stranger's drink preference
What do you drink?
Repeating the question
Follow your instincts
Advising the stranger to trust their feelings
It's far too hot to think
Making a comment about the weather
Don't you worry
Assuring the stranger that everything is fine
Just pretend to be friends
Proposing that the singer and the stranger act as acquaintances
I think we both know
Hinting that there is a mutual understanding
How this night's gonna end
Anticipating a certain outcome of the evening
Don't say you love me
Setting a boundary for emotional involvement
Don't say you care
Further elaboration of the boundary
I'm not in a habit of having an exclusive affair
Outlining a personal preference for non-committal relationships
Those long relationships require repair
Justifying the previous statement with a comment about long-term relationships
It's a shame, shame, shame, shame, shame, shame
Repeating the word 'shame' for emphasis
If you're alone right now
Repeating the observation
You won't be like that all night
Repeating the prediction
Contributed by Julia Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.