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
What a Wonderful World
Renee Olstead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I see skies of blue, clouds of white
Bright blessed day, oh the dark sacred night
And I think to myself
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands, saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, "I love you"
I see friends shaking hands, saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, "I love you"
I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
My wonderful world
Renee Olstead's rendition of the beloved classic "What a Wonderful World" aims to remind us of the beauty and wonder of the world we live in. The lyrics of this song celebrate nature, the changing seasons, and the vibrant colors present in nature's creations. Olstead mentions trees of green, red roses, and skies of blue, along with clouds of white that surround them. She notes how these natural wonders bloom not just for her, but for everyone to see and enjoy. This sentiment is articulated further as she observes the rainbow's colors in the sky, which are also present in people's faces as they pass by.
The song captures not only the beauty of the world but the inherent goodness of people as well. Olstead describes people greeting each other with friendly handshakes, which she interprets as them expressing love for one another. These simple gestures of kindness and love give the world an added layer of beauty and wonder. Finally, Olstead comments on the growth of babies as they learn more than she ever could, indicating that the world is full of hopeful possibilities.
Line by Line Meaning
I see trees of green, red roses too
The world is full of beauty, from the lush greenery of trees to the vibrant hues of blooming roses.
I see them bloom for me and you
Nature brings joy to everyone, as the flowers bloom and display their beauty for all to see.
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Reflecting on the beauty of the world fills me with a sense of awe and appreciation for the wonders around us.
I see skies of blue, clouds of white
The sky is a vast canvas of ever-changing colors and textures, with blue skies and fluffy white clouds bringing a sense of calm and wonder to the world.
Bright blessed day, oh the dark sacred night
Each day is a gift, and even the darkness of night holds its own special place in the world, offering a sense of quiet reverence and peaceful reflection.
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Rainbows are a stunning display of light and color, reminding us of the beauty that can be found in the natural world.
Are also on the faces of people going by
The world is full of diverse and unique people, each with their own individual beauty and light that shines brightly.
I see friends shaking hands, saying, "How do you do?"
In the simple act of greeting one another, we acknowledge our shared humanity and the importance of connection between individuals.
They're really saying, "I love you"
Behind every friendly greeting is a deeper expression of love and appreciation for one another.
I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
Even in the midst of the struggles and challenges of life, the incredible growth and development of infants and children serves as a reminder of the resilience and wonder of the human spirit.
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
As children grow and learn, they acquire knowledge and experiences that expand their understanding of the world far beyond what any one individual could ever fully comprehend.
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Reflecting on the beauty and complexity of the world reminds me of the incredible potential and infinite possibilities that exist within it, and fills me with a deep sense of gratitude and wonder.
Contributed by Maya O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.