Oprah moved my world to a whole new universe on her show yesterday (23/10/2007). Her guests are what I would call “people who know” what to do if you are in a rut and need a change, and succeed at it.
As I wrote in my
previous long article, I am re-evaluating my life. I need answers. NOU! What do I do to achieve success and happiness? What exactly is my dream? Someone at SABC 3 reads my blog so they decided to help me with bringing Oprah’s show ‘The Secrets Of My Big Success” yesterday.
Russel Simmons, the Def-Jam mogul, was the first true Oprah style guest. He was there to tell us about his book titled “Do You!”. I have put on my list of wanna reads on facebook. Sorry Dimago and Shugs!! I will not terminate my profile… I will add on more and more and more applications and meet more and more blasts from the pasts…
Russel SimmonsRussel’s book is a motivational book on tapping on your source. I could not stop myself from thinking that “the source” thing is all we here recently. Why am I not getting access to this source? What am I doing wrong not to be able to get it? or in? The book title was named by Oprah herself, after Russel sent the transcript to her for suggestions and she did not like the title suggested.
Russel’s book (Pic)
Russel began what is now a multimillion business in his dorm-room. Damn! When I was in tech/varsity my dorm-room was for getting sloshed with my good friend Solele and complaining about our roommates, parents, lectures and exams! Do you know anyone that succeeded by what they started in a dorm-room? I am not talking babies and relationships, but money success.
Diane Warren, the next True Oprah style guest is most notably my favourite songwriter ever. Ms Warren wrote most of the songs we so love! And she admitted that her mother had told her to give the dream up and be a secretary. Eish! Mothers! My ma used to discourage me when I wanted to be a an air hostess after studying my journalism diploma, she said I should be a teacher! Great Gaad! I refused and studied something else – which is now my unfulfilling career. If only I had had the guts Diane had and just pursued my dreams I would have published a book with all my travels by now. Damn!
Diane WarrenThis great woman is smiling all the way to the bank, and laughing in the faces of those who said she couldn’t do it! Her music teacher had begged her not to sing and told her she was tone deaf, but now her work is worth over half a billion. I was kicked out of choir in standard one; maybe I have a chance to crack this music writing thing… Well, I know I can’t sing, but can write…ha ha ha
Diane wrote the Celine Dion song “Because you loved me” in memory of her father who was supportive of her dream. Her father bought her a billboards subscription on her 14th birthday and encouraged her to pursue writing music. I feel that is the best gift she could ever give to him! Listen to the song now, I swear the hair at the back of your neck will stand up at the beauty of the words and rhythm.
Oprah, admitting she is great lip-syncher, sang some of the songs Diane has written – Cher – If I could turn back time; Michael Bolton’s Time, love and tenderness and how can we be lovers… Michael was there to perform the songs as a surprise! I was jumping up and down screaming like a mad person with my poor King K scared out of his wits that I liked Michael that much! Yes, I love Michael Bolton’s music…The man is etched in my 90’s memories. I personally love the songs like “Can I touch you… there?”, “How am I supposed to live without you?”, “Said I loved you… but I lied” and “Soul Provider”
Anyways, back to the show…. I googled Diane Warren, impressively wikipedia reports she “was the first songwriter in the history of Billboard to have seven hits, all by different artists, on the singles chart at the same time”. Ironically she writes beautiful love songs but she “has never been married, been in love and hates dating”, she told Oprah. The songs just come to her – the words and the rhythm and if she “could not write she would die” she says. She loves writing the music so much she compares it to breathing.
Here’s a
sample list of Diane’s songs
All my tomorrows – Kenny Lattimore
Do you feel me – Anthony Hamilton
All your attention – Daniel Bedingfield
Could I have this kiss forever – Whitney Houston & Enrique Eglisias
Come on down – TLC
For you I will - Monica
Don’t look at me that way – Chaka Khan
Couldn’t we – Deborah cox
Cry over me – Meatloaf
Have you ever - Brandy
How do I live – LeAnn Rimes
I learnt from the best – Whitney Houston
Next Plane out – Celine Dion
One night with you – Luther Vandross
If you asked me to – Celine Dion
By the tiem this night is over – Kenny G f/ Peabo Bryson
Saving forever for you - Shanice
The arms of the one who loves you – Xscape
Un-break my heart – Toni Braxton
Some kind of Miracle – Puff Johnson
Here’s where to get a
list of her songs and see if you are a fan too!