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
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.
The lyrics to Renee Olstead's "Sentimental Journey" describe a person's decision to return to the place where their fondest memories were made. The nostalgia in the lyrics is clear, as the singer expresses a longing to revisit old memories and set their heart at ease. The song suggests that the person may have wandered away from home, leaving behind familiar surroundings and those they hold dear, and after spending time traveling and venturing into the world, they have realized that they need to come back to their roots.
The lyrics symbolize the journey of life, as the person learns through experiences that nothing can replace the feeling of home, and nothing can match the love and sentimentality they have for their past. The song's emotion resonates with listeners who can relate to the feeling of missing someone, a particular place or period in their lives. The title, "Sentimental Journey," encapsulates a yearning for memories of the past, and the need to revisit them to gain a sense of comfort, belonging, and closure.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna take a Sentimental Journey,
I am about to embark on a journey that will evoke feelings of nostalgia and sentimentality.
Gonna set my heart at ease.
I hope this journey will help me find peace in my heart.
Gonna make a Sentimental Journey,
I will be making this journey with the purpose of reminiscing about old memories.
To renew old memories.
I hope to revisit old memories and find a renewed appreciation for them.
I got my bags, I got my reservations,
I have already made all the necessary arrangements for my journey.
Spent each dime I could afford.
I have already spent all the money I was willing to spend on this journey.
Like a child in wild anticipation,
I am filled with excitement and anticipation for this journey, like a child on Christmas morning.
Long to hear that, "All aboard!"
I am eagerly waiting to hear the announcement that will signal the beginning of my journey.
Seven...that's the time we leave at seven.
The train will depart at exactly 7 o'clock.
I'll be waitin' up at heaven,
I will be unable to sleep, too excited for the journey to come.
Countin' every mile of railroad track, that takes me back.
I will be paying attention to every mile of the journey, as it brings me closer to my destination and old memories.
I never knew my heart could be so yearny.
I did not realize how deeply nostalgic and sentimental I could feel.
Why did I decide to roam?
I am questioning my decision to leave my past behind and travel somewhere new.
I'm gonna take that Sentimental Journey,
Despite my doubts, I am committed to taking this journey and revisiting old memories.
Sentimental Journey home.
I hope this journey will help me find my way back home, both literally and metaphorically.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benjamin Homer, Bud Green, Les Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind