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
Summertime
Renee Olstead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fish are jumpin', and the cotton is high
Your Daddy's rich and your Mama is good lookin'
So, hush, little baby don't you cry
One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singin'
You're gonna spread your wings and take to the sky, take to the sky
But until that mornin' there's nothin' that can harm you
With Daddy and Mommy standin' by
Summertime
Yes, it's the time,
I'm talking about summertime
And the livin', summer living,
And the living is so fine
Fish are jumpin',
And the cotton is high
Your Daddy's rich, he's rich,
Your Daddy's filthy rich
And your Mama, hot Mama,
Your Mama's so good lookin'
So, hush, little baby don't you cry
Summertime and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin',
And the cotton is high
Your Daddy's rich and your Mama is good lookin'
So, hush, little baby don't you cry
Renee Olstead's song "Summertime" is a classic jazz piece that has been covered by numerous artists over the years. The lyrics of the song are a portrayal of idyllic Southern life during the summertime, where everything seems perfect and troubles are far off. The opening lines suggest the relaxed pace of life during the summer, with the fish jumping and the cotton growing high. The words evoke images of lazy days by the riverbank or picnics in the park with family and friends.
The second verse talks about the hope that the future brings. The line "One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singin'" suggests the promise of a bright future, full of opportunities to soar and achieve success. However, until that day arrives, the child depicted in the song can rest easy, knowing that Mama and Daddy are there to protect and care for them.
Overall, the lyrics of the song are a refreshing return to a simpler time when people appreciated the beauty of nature and the warmth of family bonds. It's a reminder to savor the joys of life and appreciate the people who make it all worthwhile.
Line by Line Meaning
Summertime and the livin' is easy
It's summertime, a season of ease and comfort
Fish are jumpin', and the cotton is high
Nature thrives during this season, fish are active, and the cotton crops are high
Your Daddy's rich and your Mama is good lookin'
The singer is addressing someone who is fortunate to have wealthy and attractive parents
So, hush, little baby don't you cry
The singer reassures the person to not worry because there's nothing to fear or be sad about
One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singin'
The singer promises the person that one day, they will overcome their struggles and rise up singing
You're gonna spread your wings and take to the sky, take to the sky
The singer predicts that the person will find success and soar like a bird
But until that mornin' there's nothin' that can harm you
Until success comes, nothing can harm the person because their parents are supportive
With Daddy and Mommy standin' by
The person's parents are always there to support them
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ACUM Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Heyward, Du Bose Heyward, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Black Wiskers
Summertime and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin', and the cotton is high
Your Daddy's rich and your Mama is good lookin'
So, hush, little baby don't you cry
One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singin'
You're gonna spread your wings and take to the sky, take to the sky
But until that mornin' there's nothin' that can harm you
With Daddy and Mommy standin' by
Summertime
Yes, it's the time,
I'm talking about summertime
And the livin', summer living,
And the living is so fine
Fish are jumpin',
And the cotton is high
Your Daddy's rich, he's rich,
Your Daddy's filthy rich
And your Mama, hot Mama,
Your Mama's so good lookin'
So, hush, little baby don't you cry
Summertime and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin',
And the cotton is high
Your Daddy's rich and your Mama is good lookin'
So, hush, little baby don't you cry
Black Wiskers
Summertime and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin', and the cotton is high
Your Daddy's rich and your Mama is good lookin'
So, hush, little baby don't you cry
One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singin'
You're gonna spread your wings and take to the sky, take to the sky
But until that mornin' there's nothin' that can harm you
With Daddy and Mommy standin' by
Summertime
Yes, it's the time,
I'm talking about summertime
And the livin', summer living,
And the living is so fine
Fish are jumpin',
And the cotton is high
Your Daddy's rich, he's rich,
Your Daddy's filthy rich
And your Mama, hot Mama,
Your Mama's so good lookin'
So, hush, little baby don't you cry
Summertime and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin',
And the cotton is high
Your Daddy's rich and your Mama is good lookin'
So, hush, little baby don't you cry
CJ Gamble
Voice of an angel!!! Love this girl on Still Standing and even more as a singer!!!
vankullstudio
16 years old, unbelievable talent. Who's the fool that didn't like it? Great band, don't forget the musicians.
artbeau
Have been a fan since this was released. Renee has an amazing voice. Her phrasing is astounding. Keep em comin'!
Diane Moonstone
Yes! Me too.
m1t2a1
Since Still Standing.
Ms Clawdy
Wonderful song.......wow what a voice...Love it...
Tricia Merritt
Her voice is amazing! Her voice go so good with jazz, and maybe sound good with blues. =)
Sasha88841
So glad to see you again. I heard you do this on Still Standing & loved your voice. I will buy everything your sing since I have found you again. Now this is talent folks! And this is natural beauty! Do not change a thing girl!!!!
mmjmobile
Wow! Wonderfully sung. Each note so thoughtfully expressed.
Helen Duke
Gorgeous voice. very talented. could listen to this voice all day!