TAMI NEILSON RELEASES ARETHA FRANKLIN COVER “ARE YOU SURE” FROM THE MOTION PICTURE HOLY DAYS
Tami Neilson brings us her rendition of “Are You Sure”, a song Aretha Franklin originally recorded in 1958. The film stars Judy Davis (Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, SAG, AFI, and 3x Emmy winner), Jacki Weaver (Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee), and Miriam Margolyes (O.B.E., BAFTA Best Supporting Actress, BBC Lifetime Achievement Award), alongside newcomer Elijah Tamati, playing the lead role of the young boy, Brian. Holy Daysdirector Nat Boltt asked Neilson to lend her voice for this song recorded specifically for the film’s soundtrack, which also features two previously released Neilson songs, “Sister Mavis” and “Queenie Queenie”.
On the new single, Neilson shares, “When Nat Boltt asked me to sing this gospel groove ‘Are You Sure’ for a gorgeous scene in her upcoming film Holy Days, I saw the incredible cast of iconic women and immediately jumped at the chance to be involved, saying yes before even hearing it. It was only after the fact that I realized she wanted me to sing in the original key of a 16 year old Aretha Franklin that I rued the error of my ways. This middle-aged alto saddled up and went to the studio, armed with Throat Coat tea, a jar of honey and the best band in New Zealand. I gave myself a pep talk in the car on the way, white-knuckled, gripping the steering wheel, ‘You can DO this, Neilson.’ All I remember is collapsing in a heap after the final note, vowing never to attempt such folly again.”
Alongside attending the Film Premieres in New York and Toronto, Neilson performed in Nashville on March 30th at The Ryman Auditorium for upcoming PBS special “Tammy Wynette: The First Lady of Country Music” and on March 31st she made her third appearance on the legendary stage of the Grand Ole Opry.
“Are You Sure” is available on digital streaming platforms on March 27th, coinciding with the North American theatrical release of Holy Days.
Canadian-born, New Zealand-based and Willie Nelson approved!
Tami Neilson’s worldwide appeal is due in no small part to her reputation, according to Rolling Stone, as “a fire breathing belter.” Neilson’s ground-shaking voice has wowed audiences across the globe and racked up numerous awards along the way.
In New Zealand Tami is one of her adopted home country’s most beloved artists, her albums topping the charts and populating a combination of categories almost every year at the NZ Music Awards. Her sold-out Kingmaker tour culminated into a live album backed by the 80-piece Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
Neilson has also built an audience of all ages in Europe, Australia and her native North America thanks to appearances on the star-studded PBS “Great Performances” concert series filmed live at the Ryman in Nashville as well as the legendary Grand Ole Opry. Tami is an award-winning composer who has written and performed music for feature films like Spongebob Squarepants ‘Saving Bikini Bottom’ and ‘Holy Days’ starring Miriam Margolyes, as well as making cameo appearances in the hit television series “The Brokenwood Mysteries”.
Counting American icon Willie Nelson as a fan and friend, Neilson duetted with Nelson for their award-winning song “Beyond the Stars”. In 2025, she also joined Willie and Bob Dylan on the Outlaw Tour across the USA.
Tami’s latest critically acclaimed album Neon Cowgirl features collaborations with Neil Finn and JD McPherson, her single, “Borrow My Boots” featuring Ashley McBryde hit the Top 10 on the US Americana Charts.