Upon hearing Tami Neilson’s voice, the listener is instantly transported back in time. The throwback “You Were Mine,” which Billboard premieres today (Jan. 15), embodies that of the 1950s crooners as Neilson soulfully belts of a time when her man was hers alongside a distinct jazz feel with seductive percussion accompaniment.
“You Were Mine” will be featured on the Canadian singer’s upcoming Feb. 14 release Chickaboom! She penned the song with her brother, Jay, and “You Were Mine” was in part inspired by the death of their father.
“We had recently lost our beloved Dad and were discussing how, when you lose someone, it is such a line in the sand, a marker in time,” Neilson tells Billboard. “We talk about everything in terms of ‘before’ and ‘after’ — each family event, each movie that comes out, each album that is recorded: ‘Was Dad there for that? Did he see that movie or was it after? He would've loved that album…'
"So, this song is for anyone who measures time against a deep loss of love that was an integral part of the fabric that makes up your life.”
The music video for “You Were Mine” was created by Neilson’s other brother, Todd, and included a fiery blaze. Due to the brush fires currently inhabiting Australia, she has decided against releasing it.
“I am a Canadian/ New Zealander who resides in NZ, where the skies have been hazy, orange and smoke-filled as we grieve for our Australian neighbors fighting the terrible bush fires,” she says. “Please donate and help the beautiful people of this beautiful country.”
Listen to “You Were Mine” below.