Sinéad did not enter the Fame Academy in the same way as the other contestants. The first eleven contestants were picked by the show's judges, but the final contestant was picked through a public vote in the first programme of the series. Sinéad, David Sneddon and Paul MacDonald sang in this vote but Sinéad won the public's support. She gained 51% of the votes and won her place in the Fame Academy.
The fan base Sinéad built up in the first programme stayed with her during the whole series, and allowed her to reach the final. During this time she sang a range of songs from Macy Gray's "I Try" and Garth Brook's "If Tomorrow Never Comes" to "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Don't Speak".
In the final, Sinéad was up against David Sneddon (who had entered the Academy at a later date due to Naomi Roper pulling out due to illness) and Lemar Obika. She finished second with 2.5 million of the 6.5 million votes cast. Although missing out on the guaranteed record deal and living the "lifestyle of a star" for a year, she had the attention of the music industry.
Within a week of leaving the Fame Academy, Sinéad signed a £1 million, five album record deal with Mercury Records.
Her debut single, "I Can’t Break Down", was released 10 February 2003. It reached number 2 in the British charts, being beaten to the top spot by t.A.T.u.. The single sold around 70,000 copies, finishing in 65th place for the top selling UK singles of 2003.
Sinéad's follow up single "What You Need Is" only reached number 19 in the charts, and her self-written album, Ready To Run, peaked at number 48.
Sinéad's only other releases to date was on the Fame Academy Album alongside all the other Fame Academy contestants and guest vocals on fellow contestant Malachi Cush's debut album.
Both before and after Fame Academy, Sinéad was a keen songwriter and performer. The show allowed her to develop her song writing talents and provided her with her first ever singing lessons. The Fame Academy Tour, which followed the series, gave Sinéad her first major public performances outside a TV studio.
In the three years since leaving the Fame Academy, Sinéad has had a regular list of public performances. With the backing of a guitar based group she went on a University tour in 2003. She has played to a full-house at Music Live 2003 at the National Exhibition Centre and in 2005 she supported Children in Need with a performance and sang at the switch-on of Christmas lights in Coventry. She has also taken part in RTÉ's TV show - "The Lyrics Board" and on New Year's Eve, 2005, she performed on another RTÉ television show - "Everyone's A Winner", singing Sheryl Crow's song - "Everyday Is A Winding Road".
Also in 2005 Sinéad was invited by the Irish President, Mary McAleese, "to a reception to celebrate (her) contribution to the entertainment industry in Ireland" at the Presidents official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin.
Sinéad has been touring with SSVC performing for the British Armed Forces around the world. Of note is the fact that while in Cyprus a special "Going Out Tonight" show was put on for those living on the RAF Akrotiri base, unusual because this meant it was open to anyone living on the base, including families of forces members, whereas these shows are normally reserved for servicemen on operations.
Sinéad played the role of Beth in the 2007 live tour of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. Also in 2007 she performed at and judged each of the nine regional finals for Girl Guiding UK's talent competition 'Guiding Star' and also appeared at the Grand Final in Sheffield on 30 June 2007 as a performer and a judge.
Whilst she's concentrated on smaller intimate gigs in 2008, mainly in smaller locations in London, she'll be the support act for Lulu at the Chichester Festivities in July.
I Try
Sinéad Quinn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where do they go from here
When will they stop
I believe that fate has brought us here
And we should be together babe
but we're not
I play it off but I'm dreaming of you
I keep my cool but I'm fiendin
I try to walk away and I stumble
though I try to hide it, it's clear
My world crumbles when you are not near
good-bye and I choke
I try to walk away and I stumble
though I try to hide it, it's clear
my world crumbles when you are not near
I may appear to be free
but I'm just a prisoner of your love
I may seem alright
and smile when you leave
but my smiles are just a front
I play it off but I'm dreaming of you
I'll keep my cool but I'm fiendin
I try to say good-bye and I choke
I try to walk away and I stumble
though I try to hide it, it's clear
my world crumbles when you are not near
Good-bye and I choke
I try to walk away and I stumble
though I try to hide it, it's clear
my world crumbles when you are not near
Here is my confession
may I be your possession
boy I need your touch
Your love kisses and such
with all my might I try
but this I can't deny
I play is off but I'm dreaming of you
I keep my cool but I'm fiendin
I try to say good-bye and I choke
I try to walk away and I stumble
Though I try to hide it, It's clear
my world crumbles when you are not near
The lyrics of Sinéad Quinn's song "I Try" revolve around the themes of longing, unrequited love, and the struggle to let go. The opening lines "Games, changes, and fears, where do they go from here / When will they stop?" suggest a sense of uncertainty and confusion in a relationship. The singer believes that fate has brought them together and that they should be together, but for some reason, they are not. This creates a constant inner turmoil and longing for the person they desire.
The line "I play it off but I'm dreaming of you" indicates that the singer tries to hide their feelings and act as though everything is fine, but deep down, they are consumed by their thoughts and desires. The repetition of "I try to say goodbye and I choke, I try to walk away and I stumble" portrays the struggle of attempting to let go and move on, but failing every time. It's clear that the absence of the person they love has a significant impact on their world, causing it to crumble.
The second verse reinforces the idea of the singer being trapped in their feelings, appearing free on the surface but actually being a prisoner of love. The line "my smiles are just a front" suggests that their outward happiness and contentment are merely a facade. The confession in the bridge reveals the singer's desperate desire to be possessed by the person they long for, expressing their need for their touch, kisses, and love. Despite their efforts to deny their feelings, the singer cannot resist their longing, and their world falls apart without the presence of the person they desire.
Overall, "I Try" is a poignant and emotional depiction of unrequited love, showcasing the internal struggle of trying to move on while still holding onto hope and longing for the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
Games, changes and fears
I'm caught up in the uncertainties and anxieties of life
where do they go from here
I wonder where all these emotions and problems will lead me
When will they stop
I long for a time when these struggles will come to an end
I believe that fate has brought us here
I have faith that destiny has led us to this moment
And we should be together babe
We are meant to be together
but we're not
But unfortunately, we are not
I play it off but I'm dreaming of you
I pretend to be unaffected, but deep down I am yearning for you
I keep my cool but I'm fiendin
I maintain an appearance of composure, but I am craving your presence
I try to say good-bye and I choke
I attempt to bid farewell, but the words get stuck in my throat
I try to walk away and I stumble
I make an effort to leave, but I falter and struggle
though I try to hide it, it's clear
Even though I try to conceal my feelings, they are obvious
My world crumbles when you are not near
Without you, my whole world falls apart
I may appear to be free
From the outside, I may seem liberated
but I'm just a prisoner of your love
However, I am actually trapped by my love for you
I may seem alright
I might give the impression of being fine
and smile when you leave
And even smile when you depart
but my smiles are just a front
Yet, my smiles are merely a facade
Here is my confession
I am revealing my innermost feelings
may I be your possession
May I become someone who belongs to you
boy I need your touch
I yearn for your touch, my dear
Your love kisses and such
Your affectionate kisses and other expressions of love
with all my might I try
I make every effort with all my strength
but this I can't deny
But I cannot deny this truth
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Lee Wilder, Jeremy Ruzumna, Jinsoo Lim, Macy Gray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind