Columbo
Never again
CLOSE TO MY HEART
Tonight, I am going to talk about a subject that is close to my heart: Tina Arena and how I became so interested in her music. In this speech I shall discuss how I went from someone who was not interested in music to someone who is now a huge fan of this well-loved Australian singer.
Growing up, I was never that interested in music. I remember hearing songs on the car radio. The same ones being repeated a hundred times. Sitting in the back of the Suzuki as my mum drove myself, my brother, and my sister around Launceston. One hit wonders and pop classics all became a swirl of noise to me. I only remember a few songs. The rest were forgettable. I also remember my mum playing a Savage Garden tape in the car. This was a pop duo who were big in the 90’s. They even had a number one hit in the United States of America. Mum was a fan of their music. She would play it over and over again. My mum replayed that whole tape so many times that there are still days when I hear some of their songs in my head. However, music just did not capture my attention. My interests were different. I enjoyed watching Aussie rules football. Seeing all the spectacular goals and the high-flying marks. Cricket was another sport that I liked to watch. Witnessing a well-executed cover drive by a batsmen, or a searing yorker by a fast bowler. Over the years though, my interest in sports have slowly started to wane. Now I am not into sports at all. There was no particular reason for this change. Just a reflection of how interests can change. There are some things that I am still passionate about in my life. I have always loved to watch movies. My preferences being of the classic variety such as an Alfred Hitchcock film. Television is also another strong interest for me. Shows such as Press Gang or Agatha Christie’s Poirot are particular favourites of mine. Tina Arena was not even on my mind. That interest did not start to develop until much later in my life.
Sixteen months ago. That is how long ago since I first became interested in Tina Arena. It all started with the opening of her song ‘That’s the way a woman feels’. A song that had become stuck in my head. Drumming itself into my brain and down in to my soul. It sparked a desire in me to listen to some of her music. I started to remember even more of her work. Lost memories were found. The song ‘Chains’ began to float around in my head. Opening You Tube I began to play it. As soon as Tina sang her first note I was hooked. A jolt of electricity went through my brain. Her voice, tender yet rough, captivated me. The way she was able to say so much by saying so little. After that song had ended I decided to play another one. I wanted to see if this feeling was a one off or not. I chose ‘Heaven Help My Heart’ as the next video to watch. Clicking the link, I sat back and waited. If I thought that ‘Chains’ was electrifying, well that was nothing compared to this song. It sent a shiver down my spine. I was enchanted. Never before had I heard something so magical. Once again her voice lured me to a world of pure imagination. When I had finished listening to ‘Heaven help My Heart’ I smiled. Because I just knew that it would always hold a special place in my heart.
After I had listened to those two brilliant songs, the seed had been planted. Over the next few weeks I started to listen to even more of her music. Any of her stuff that I could get on YouTube I played it. Over and over again. Then I felt a bit guilty that I was able to listen to her songs for free. That I was lucky enough to live in an age where so much media is a click away. Saving up some of my money I began to purchase her albums. From her magnum opus in ‘Don’t Ask’ to her recent work in ‘Eleven’ I collected them all. For my birthday I received a framed black and white photo of Tina that sits proudly on my bedroom wall. I also purchased a DVD of her greatest hits. Being able to sit down and watch her music videos over and over again was something special. I have watched her ‘Heaven Help My Heart’ video at least a thousand times. Other songs about five hundred times each. The seed that had been planted all those months ago had grown into a forest.
The journey from a sports loving television obsessed child to a Tina Arena fan is one that I will never forget. Her music will always be close to my heart.
@hooleydooley
Tonight, I am going to talk about a subject that is close to my heart: Tina Arena and how I became so interested in her music. In this speech I shall discuss how I went from someone who was not interested in music to someone who is now a huge fan of this well-loved Australian singer.
Growing up, I was never that interested in music. I remember hearing songs on the car radio. The same ones being repeated a hundred times. Sitting in the back of the Suzuki as my mum drove myself, my brother, and my sister around Launceston. One hit wonders and pop classics all became a swirl of noise to me. I only remember a few songs. The rest were forgettable. I also remember my mum playing a Savage Garden tape in the car. This was a pop duo who were big in the 90’s. They even had a number one hit in the United States of America. Mum was a fan of their music. She would play it over and over again. My mum replayed that whole tape so many times that there are still days when I hear some of their songs in my head. However, music just did not capture my attention. My interests were different. I enjoyed watching Aussie rules football. Seeing all the spectacular goals and the high-flying marks. Cricket was another sport that I liked to watch. Witnessing a well-executed cover drive by a batsmen, or a searing yorker by a fast bowler. Over the years though, my interest in sports have slowly started to wane. Now I am not into sports at all. There was no particular reason for this change. Just a reflection of how interests can change. There are some things that I am still passionate about in my life. I have always loved to watch movies. My preferences being of the classic variety such as an Alfred Hitchcock film. Television is also another strong interest for me. Shows such as Press Gang or Agatha Christie’s Poirot are particular favourites of mine. Tina Arena was not even on my mind. That interest did not start to develop until much later in my life.
Sixteen months ago. That is how long ago since I first became interested in Tina Arena. It all started with the opening of her song ‘That’s the way a woman feels’. A song that had become stuck in my head. Drumming itself into my brain and down in to my soul. It sparked a desire in me to listen to some of her music. I started to remember even more of her work. Lost memories were found. The song ‘Chains’ began to float around in my head. Opening You Tube I began to play it. As soon as Tina sang her first note I was hooked. A jolt of electricity went through my brain. Her voice, tender yet rough, captivated me. The way she was able to say so much by saying so little. After that song had ended I decided to play another one. I wanted to see if this feeling was a one off or not. I chose ‘Heaven Help My Heart’ as the next video to watch. Clicking the link, I sat back and waited. If I thought that ‘Chains’ was electrifying, well that was nothing compared to this song. It sent a shiver down my spine. I was enchanted. Never before had I heard something so magical. Once again her voice lured me to a world of pure imagination. When I had finished listening to ‘Heaven help My Heart’ I smiled. Because I just knew that it would always hold a special place in my heart.
After I had listened to those two brilliant songs, the seed had been planted. Over the next few weeks I started to listen to even more of her music. Any of her stuff that I could get on YouTube I played it. Over and over again. Then I felt a bit guilty that I was able to listen to her songs for free. That I was lucky enough to live in an age where so much media is a click away. Saving up some of my money I began to purchase her albums. From her magnum opus in ‘Don’t Ask’ to her recent work in ‘Eleven’ I collected them all. For my birthday I received a framed black and white photo of Tina that sits proudly on my bedroom wall. I also purchased a DVD of her greatest hits. Being able to sit down and watch her music videos over and over again was something special. I have watched her ‘Heaven Help My Heart’ video at least a thousand times. Other songs about five hundred times each. The seed that had been planted all those months ago had grown into a forest.
The journey from a sports loving television obsessed child to a Tina Arena fan is one that I will never forget. Her music will always be close to my heart.
@hooleydooley
