Her career began at the age of seven when she was selected as a regular performer for the music television program Young Talent Time. As a child Arena attracted attention for the power of her voice, which was considered remarkable for such a young child.
She was born to Italian parents and has a sister, Nancy (born 1961). Often billed as "Tiny Tina Arena", she was seen on weekly television singing and dancing the current pop hits. The show's policy was to promote talented children, and at the age of sixteen team members would leave, ostensibly to follow an adult career. As one of the show's youngest performers, Arena's nine year stint was also one of the show's longest. "Strong As Steel" Like most of the children who left the show, Arena carried with her a stigma that made it difficult to be taken seriously as an adult vocalist, and for a short time she contemplated ending her career, and found employment with an insurance company. She was invited to support Lionel Richie on his Australian tour, but despite this success and the profile it gave her, record companies were unwilling to offer her a recording contract. Arena persevered, playing nightclubs in Melbourne and in several stage musicals, before finally being offered a contract.
Her album Strong as Steel, released in 1990, contained one major hit single, the uptempo dance track, "I Need Your Body", whose accompanying video demonstrated Arena as a sexy and confident adult. The contrast between her adult image and that of the seven year old child she had been when she first became famous attracted considerable publicity in Australia, but some elements of the media insisted that she was little more than a novelty act. Despite the success of the further singles, The Machine's Breaking Down and the Diane Warren title track, the album failed to establish her as a major act, and she relocated to the United States.
After signing a contract with Sony Music, Arena released the album Don't Ask in 1994. It became one of the highest selling albums of the year in Australia and provided her with her first substantial hit single "Chains". The song also reached the Top 10 in the United Kingdom and Top 40 in the United States. Arena's career was said to be a priority of record executive Tommy Mottola who envisioned her achieving the level of success of Céline Dion or Mariah Carey, but the album failed to sell well in the US, and Mottola moved on to other projects. Other hits followed in Australia and Europe, including "Heaven Help My Heart", "Wasn't It Good" and "Sorrento Moon". The album won Arena five ARIA Awards for "Album of the Year", "Song of the Year" ("Chains"), "Pop Release of the Year" ("Chains") and "Best Female Vocalist", as well as a special award for "Highest Selling Female Artist in Australian History".
After more than twenty years she was finally accepted as a credible performer by both the record buying public and the Australian music industry.
Her next album In Deep (1997), produced by Foreigner's Mick Jones contained a cover version of their hit "I Want To Know What Love Is" (with backing vocals by the song's original vocalist Lou Gramm) and another major hit single "Burn". In Deep was the highest selling Australian album of the year. During this time she recorded the theme song for the film The Mask of Zorro, a duet with Marc Anthony titled "I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You". This song was highly successful in Europe, and Arena embraced European culture, recording several songs in French and relocating temporarily to France. During this period her greatest successes were these French recordings and they were major hits in France. A repackaged version of the In Deep album including the new French versions, and a cover version of the Edith Piaf song "Les Trois Cloches" was a major hit throughout Europe and reached number 3 in France.
Her 2001 album Just Me was a moderate success and included such hit singles as "Soul Mate #9", "Dare You To Be Happy" and "Symphony of Life". In 1998, Arena was invited to perform the role of Esmerelda in the West End production of Notre Dame de Paris in London. In 2000, she performed to the largest audience of her career at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Later that year she received an outstanding achievement ARIA Award for her career achievement, with the award also specifically recognising her success in France.
In 2003 she was recruited by Dance DJ Ray Roc to sing on his single "Never (Past Tense)". The song was one of the year's longest running hits on the Hot Dance Club Songs charet where it reached number one.
Arena completed her contract with Sony Music in the Fall of 2004, releasing a Greatest Hits album and a Greatest Hits DVD marking the end of her association with them. She was also released her Greatest Hits Live which features 90 minutes of LIVE concert footage recorded during her 2004 Greatest Hits tour in Australia.
After resigning a record deal with Columbia France, Arena recorded a new entirely French album, called Un Autre Univers (Another Universe). The album was co-written by Arena and an assortment of French and English writers and producers. The first single "Aimer jusqu'a l'impossible" (Love Till The Impossible) received airplay across French radio and debuted on the French national charts at #3. On November 17th 2005, Arena and partner Vincent Mancini became parents, with the birth of a son, Gabriel Joseph, in Paris.Arena's sixth studio album titled Songs of Love & Loss was recorded independently and self-financed as she no longer had a recording contract in Australia. The album was eventually released on 1 December 2007 after a new deal was struck with EMI Australia. The record was primarily made up of torch songs originally recorded by women in the 1960s and 70s such as Dusty Springfield and Diana Ross and the arrangements featured a full string orchestra conducted by Simon Hale. A promotional tour of Australia in early November included appearances on Dancing with the Stars and Sunrise. Five concert dates backed by a 35 piece orchestra were held in December–January: three at the Sydney Opera House and two at Melbourne's Hamer Hall. The album peaked at #3 on the ARIA Top Albums chart and was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Selling Album.
While Arena was still promoting Songs of Love & Loss in Australia, her first French single in two years, "Entends-tu le monde?", was made available to French radio. The video was shot in and around Sydney during the promotional tour of her home country and went on heavy rotation on French music television channels upon its release. The song was the first single from her sophomore French album 7 vies which was released on 28 January 2008 and debuted at #12 on the official French charts, her highest debut ever in the country. The single "Entends-tu le monde?" was physically released on 11 February 2008 and debuted at #10 on the French charts, becoming her sixth top ten single there.
August 2008 saw Arena performing with Andrea Bocelli during his Australian tour. The two performed well received duets of "The Prayer", "Canto della Terra" and a cover of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love". Prior to the tour she had been in the UK recording her eighth studio album Songs of Love & Loss 2, which was released on 15 November 2008.[4] For this album, her vocals were recorded live with the London Studio Orchestra, again conducted by Hale.[5]
Arena & Alison Jiear at Sydney Mardi Gras 2009.Alongside fellow Australian singer and songwriter Darren Hayes, Arena appeared as a guest judge during the London auditions of Australian Idol's sixth season. The episode featuring Arena and Hayes aired on 27 August 2008. She again appeared as a guest judge on 16 November while she was in Australia to promote Songs of Love & Loss 2.
Arena has been awarded a Knighthood of the Order of National Merit, the second highest civil honour in France, by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in February 2009 for her contributions to French culture.
In March 2009, Arena toured Australia in support of her album Songs of Love & Loss 2 and also appeared as a surprise guest performer at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras party singing a medley of "Aimer jusqu'à l'impossible" and "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" at 3 am accompanied by Alison Jiear on the latter.
2009 also saw the release of Arena's first French greatest hits album, The Best & le meilleur, and The Peel Me Sessions, an album of original material recorded in 2003 but rejected by her label at the time Sony.
A live CD and DVD was released in Australia in January 2010, The Onstage Collection, where the album peaked at #22 on the ARIA Charts.
Arena announced that she will release her seventh English studio album in 2011.
If I Was A River
Tina Arena Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah
If I was the sun
I would shine my light
To light your world
And if I was the rain
I would wash your tears away
Be your light in the night
If I was the sky
I would rain down love into your life, oh
If, if I was a river (if I was a river)
You would be my ocean (my ocean)
Every stream would lead me to your arms
And if, if I was a river (if I was a river)
I'll flow to you forever (forever)
Love would run forever in this heart of mine
If I (if I), if I
Was a river, yeah
If I was the wind
I would carry you (carry you)
Above the clouds
And if I was the earth
I would be your solid ground
If I could I'd be
All you ever would need
I would be your world
You're the only world there is for me, ohh
If, if I was a river (if I was a river)
You would be my ocean (you'd be my ocean)
Every stream would lead me to your arms
And if, if I was a river (if I was a river)
I'll flow to you forever
Love would run forever in this heart of mine (in this heart of mine)
If I (if I), if I
If I was a river
I'd run into your arms
Into your arms
Oh yeah
I'd run to you, baby
Oh, yeah, yeah
If, if I was a river (if I was a river)
You would be my ocean (you'd be my ocean)
Every stream would lead me to your arms (it would lead me there)
And if, if I was a river (if I was a river)
I'll flow to you forever (would you flow to me, baby?)
Love would run forever in this heart of mine (in this heart of mine)
(If I was a river)
If I was a river (if I was a river)
You would be my ocean (you'd be my ocean)
Every stream would lead me to your arms (it would lead me there to your arms)
And if (if I was a river)
If I was a river (if I was a river)
I'll flow to you forever (to you forever)
Love would run forever in this heart of mine
And if I (if I), if I
If I was a river
If I was a river
If I, if I was a river
If I was your river
(If I was) if I
(If I was) if I was a river
Let me be, let me be your river, baby
(If I was) if I
(If I was) if I was a river
Ooh, If I was your river
(If I was) if I
(If I was) if I was a river
I wanna be your river
Let me be, let me be
(If I was) if I
(If I was) if I was a river
If I was a river
(If I was) if I
In "If I Was A River," Tina Arena explores what she would become if she could be any element of nature. She imagines herself as the sun, rain, sky, wind, and earth, all with the purpose of being the one to light and ground the person she loves. With the repeating line "If I was a river, you would be my ocean," she reveals a desire to flow towards her lover, to be one with them forever. She envisions every stream leading her to the arms of the one she loves, bringing with her a never-ending flow of love.
The song is ultimately about the depth of her love for her partner, and her dedication to making their world a better place. By personifying various aspects of nature, Arena is highlighting the importance of these elements in our lives, but also how we can embody these characteristics and channel them into our actions, specifically towards the people we love.
Line by Line Meaning
If I was the sun
If I had the power to shine and give light
I would shine my light
I would use that power to shine and give light
To light your world
To bring light into your life and make it brighter
And if I was the rain
If I had the power to bring rain
I would wash your tears away
I would use that power to wash away your sadness
I'd keep your world right
I would use my power to make things right for you
Be your light in the night
I would be the guiding light to help you find your way through the dark
If I was the sky
If I had the power to be the sky
I would rain down love into your life, oh
I would use that power to bring love into your life and shower you with it
If, if I was a river (if I was a river)
If I had the power to become a river
You would be my ocean (my ocean)
You would be the one to receive my love and affection as the vast ocean
Every stream would lead me to your arms
All paths would lead me to you, the one I love
And if, if I was a river (if I was a river)
If I had the power to become a river, again
I'll flow to you forever (forever)
I would use that power to keep flowing towards you, forever
Love would run forever in this heart of mine
The love I have for you would remain in my heart, forever
If I (if I), if I
If I had the power, if I could make it happen
Was a river, yeah
To become a river
If I was the wind
If I had the power to become the wind
I would carry you (carry you)
I would use that power to carry you along with me, wherever I go
Above the clouds
High up in the sky, above everything else
And if I was the earth
If I had the power to become the earth
I would be your solid ground
I would be the one you could always rely on, the one who is always there for you
If I could I'd be
If it were possible for me
All you ever would need
I would be everything you need, and more
I would be your world
I would be the world you live in, the world that revolves around you
You're the only world there is for me, ohh
You are the only one who matters to me, the one I revolve my life around
I'd run into your arms
I would use my power to run towards you and into your arms
Oh yeah
With great enthusiasm
I'd run to you, baby
I would use my power to run towards you with all my heart and soul
If I was your river
If I had the privilege to be your river
Let me be, let me be your river, baby
Let me be the river that carries your love, your dreams, your hopes and your desires
I wanna be your river
I wish to be the river that provides for everything that you need to make you happy
Let me be, let me be
Allow me the chance
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Realsongs
Written by: Diane Eve Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thank You So Very Much
If I was the sun
I would shine my light
To light your world
If I was the rain
I would wash your tears away
I keep your world right
Be your light in the night
If I was the sky
I would rain down love into your life
If I was a river
You would be my ocean
Every stream would lead me to your arms
And if
If I was a river
I'll flow to you forever
Love would run forever in this heart of mine
If I, if I
If I was a river
If I was the wind
I would carry you
Above the clouds
And if I was the earth
I would be your solid ground
If I could I'll be
All you ever would need
I would be your world
You're the only world there is for me
If I was a river
You would be my ocean
Every stream would lead me to your arms
And if
If I was a river
I'll flow to you forever
Love would run forever in this heart of mine
If I, if I
If I was a river
I'll run into your arms
Into your arms
Oh yeah
I'll run to you baby
Oh yeah
If I was a river
You would be my ocean
Every stream would lead me to your arms
And if
If I was a river
I'll flow to you forever
Love would run forever in this heart of mine
If I, if I
If I was a river
Pikachu
One of her most underrated songs. Heck she deserved so much more recognition than she gets. If this was sung by Mariah Carey/Whitney/Celine etc this would win every award going.
Mohamed Hesham
still and will forever be one of the most beautiful songs of all time <3
Karen Teig
Agreed!
Carpintero en casa
Beautiful song...
Michael Thompson
Most underrated talented singer/song writer in my opinion bar none! Over 23 years ago now, 1995/96, I was extremely fortunate to have lived in Australia and lucky enough to have discovered/heard her music while living in Cronulla and Hobart, Australia and was forever touched by her wonderful/unique voice/emotions as a visiting Alaskan which I'll never forget as she continues to grace our world with song! Thanks so much Tina:)
Alexander Ilić
Such a wonderfull comment. You are right, Tina is underated in her own country but in France she us adored. I was lucky to see her in concert in Melbourne and she was brilliant.
Ross Salvatore
Absolutely beautiful song by the greatest Australian artist of all time
steamyboy69
Why isnt this A Grammy winning song!? Why isnt this a monster hit!!!
Jo alltheway
@J-ART yep. that would happen when if Sony's CEO would be ruthless Tommy Mottorolla...!!! if u not a money maker, no matter how talented or beautiful u r he'll throw u in the garbage bin!!!
J-ART
Sony Music didn't promote Tina more to the world compared to Celine Dion.