It's an unfortunate state of affairs when, as an artist, one of your best songs is better known for being performed by a winner from a TV talent show (and sold more in that form too). But unfortunately for Shontelle, that's the case.
You may remember that Shontelle's impeccable R&B earworm 'Impossible' was released by problematic 2012 X Factor winner James Arthur. Arthur's rendition of the track, a swooping power ballad, shifted over 1 million copies in the UK, outselling Shontelle's original by a mile.
When she emerged eight years ago, Shontelle was hailed as the female NeYo. The singer, who is from Barbados, grew up with Rihanna, who she counts as a friend (she refers to the ANTI singer as 'Rih' in interviews and said that she 'got a lot of tips from her') and, at one point, it seemed like she might actually be an R&B singer-songwriter to match the melodic sensibilities of Alicia Keys with the snappy production of Usher.
Shontelle's breakout hit, 'T Shirt', wasn't huge in America (it peaked just inside the Top 40), but did manage to climb the charts in the UK, landing at number six. Despite this, her debut album, Shontelligence, failed to do much commercially and it received middling reviews critically. This led to her label re-releasing the collection with a new song, 'Stuck With Each Other'. However, this also failed to perform commercially.
Unperturbed, Shontelle soldiered on with a follow-up record, No Gravity, in 2010, which included 'Impossible', her highest-charting song in the US. Speaking to J-14 about the song, Shontelle said, 'I knew that there was no song out there for heartbroken people. I just wanted to put a song out that gave people hope – things may not work out the way you want them to, but you can move past it and everything is gonna be okay.'
Despite the nice sentiments and the high charting single, No Gravity also met mixed reviews from critics, with some chastising the album for being bland, faceless and unremarkable. Similarly, the album charted at a disappointing 81 on the Billboard 200, dropping out of the chart just a week after its release. On the bright side, it's sold at least 100,000 copies more than Shontelligence in America.
While rumours of a re-release (again) began to circulate, during a show at The Canal Room, New York in 2011, Shontelle revealed to the audience that she had actually begun work on her third LP.
While both Shontelligence and No Gravity were released through Universal Motown, Shontelle revealed that she had parted ways with that label and was set to release her untitled third album through Universal Republic. In September 2011 a new song, 'Reflection', premiered on SoundCloud. The track was alleged to be the lead single from the new album, although things went quiet following the song's release.
During 2012, Shontelle released a line of shoes and boots with Cat Footwear. Speaking to the Global Grind about the collection, she said, 'I feel as though I have had to embrace and conquer the seemingly impossible and find my own independence. This collaboration is an expression of that desire and of all my hopes and dreams.' During the interview, she also spoke about her album, saying that fans could expect 'growth and evolution'.
Nevertheless, as 2012 progressed there appeared to be no sign of an album. That same year, she teamed up with Omer Bhatti, the Norwegian rapper known for his friendship with Michael Jackson, on rather unremarkable song 'See The Light'.
In 2013, Shontelle announced that she was actually ready to release new music. 'Put Me On Blast' was confirmed as the lead single from her enigmatic third album and, according to Ultimate Music, a music video was even shot.
Despite this, Shontelle only appeared as a feature artist on two tracks that year, the messy EDM track 'I'm In Love' with Kato and the budget 'Stop Sign' with Angelique Sabrina. Then, after some restructuring at Universal Music Group, Shontelle's label was shut down and she was moved to Republic Records.
In 2014, Shontelle gave an interview saying that things had progressed with the writing of her album, which meant that instead of being the lead single, 'Put Me On Blast' would act as a buzz track and a mission statement.
'We don't wanna do just this minute album, like here's another album,' she explained to NationNews Barbados. 'We want it to be like a whole movement, a whole project. ['Put Me On Blast'] is almost going to be like my theme song, my superhero song.' In the same interview, Shontelle stated that her new single was actually produced by DJ Khaled and that it was a 'club anthem'.
Later in 2014, Shontelle's name disappeared from Republic Records' roster. Uploading a new press shot to Facebook on May 4, 2014, the singer wrote 'Just warming up. #newmusic #comingsoon'. This would be Shontelle's last Facebook post for over a year.
In June 2015, The Source reported that Shontelle had signed a new deal with SMH Entertainment, and that the singer was working on a new album that was due for release that same year. At the time, Shontelle seemed pretty pumped about this new chapter.
'My decision to team up with SMH comes mainly from a combination of my trust in my team and strong recommendations coming from key players in my career to date and my own research,' she said
Mike Smith, the owner of SMH, echoed these sentiments. 'I am so excited to see her go to the next level with us,' he said. 'Shontelle is truly gifted. I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to be able to go in the studio with her and having the opportunity to work with her as a songwriter as well.'
In spite of this, nothing materialised, and on New Year's Eve, the singer wrote a candid and lengthy Instagram message about 2015. 'This has probably been the most difficult and challenging year for me as far as my music and personal life go,' she wrote. 'But there have also been some incredible blessings of moments and events which I have also enjoyed that pretty much make them all negligible.'
Continuing, she added: '2016 will be filled with more highs than lows and I have so much to share. We all have the power to write our own story and 2016 begins a new chapter.'
So where exactly is Shontelle now? Well, this summer she released a trance-y song, 'Just Breathe', with Burkina and Eddzaa. Nevertheless, it's unknown whether Shontelle is still signed to SMH or has plans to release her third album. Perhaps 2016 is the year that Shontelle's luck begins to change. It's not impossible…
'Impossible' | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Shontelle | ||||
from the album No Gravity | ||||
Released | 9 February 2010 | |||
Format | Digital download | |||
Recorded | 2009 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Genre | R&B, pop | |||
Length | 3:46 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Arnthor Birgisson | |||
Shontelle singles chronology | ||||
|
'Impossible' is a song by Barbadian singer and songwriter Shontelle. It is the lead single from her second studio album, No Gravity (2010). The song was written by Arnthor Birgisson and Ina Wroldsen, and produced by Birgisson. It was released digitally on 9 February 2010. 'Impossible' peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, number 33 in Canada, number nine in the United Kingdom and number five in Denmark.
The X Factor winner James Arthur released a cover version of the song after winning the ninth series of the talent competition in December 2012. It was released shortly after his win and reached number one in the UK and Ireland, as well as charting in the top ten in 20 other countries. As of 2017, it has sold over 1,310,000 copies in the UK. Toad tutorials for dummies.
'Impossible' is a midtempo R&Bballad[1] written by Arnthor Birgisson and Ina Wroldsen, in the musical key of A♭ major with a time signature in common time and a tempo of 92 beats per minute. The melody is to be played in a moderate tone and tempo. The song's backing track consists of a simple chord progression of Fm7—A♭—E♭—D♭.[2] It was conceived after Shontelle stated that she felt that radio was currently missing a 'heartbreak ballad'. In an interview with J-14 magazine she said 'I knew that there was no song out there for heartbroken people. I just wanted to put a song out that gave people hope - things may not work out the way you want them to, but you can move past it and everything is gonna be okay.. [I want to help listeners] draw the strength to carry on past a break up where you're the one in the embarrassing position.'[3] Shontelle uses a vocal range from E♭3 to D♭5 in the song.[2]Billboard's Michael Menachem described her vocal precision as similar to that of Beyoncé's in 'Irreplaceable'.[4] Meanwhile, the production, helmed by Birgisson, was compared to Norwegian production team, StarGate[5] who are, coincidentally, the team responsible for producing 'Irreplaceable'.[6]
Michael Menachem of Billboard loved the song. He said 'Shontelle shines on 'Impossible', giving one of the year's standout female vocal performances and recalling the poignancy and technical precision of Beyoncé's 'Irreplaceable'. The 24-year-old's vulnerable delivery demands attention .. releasing the pain of a broken heart.. Nothing is impossible when a vocal sounds as effortless and anthemic as this.'[4] Ryan Love of Digital Spy gave the song five out of five stars, writing: 'Arnthor Birgisson's StarGate-style production is appealingly restrained, Ina Wroldsen's lyrics are blunt and utterly relatable, and Shontelle gives her strongest vocal performance yet without ever overdoing it. The result? A treat for everyone except the peeps at Greenpeace, who might not approve of a song that requires at least two Kleenex mansize every time you play it.'[5] Financial website MarketWatch branded the song a 'passionate ballad' and Shontelle's vocals 'soulful'.[7]
Carmen Castro of The Canadian Press said 'Shontelle hits the right notes on 'Impossible', the album's only standout track.'[8] A reviewer from Entertainment Focus said 'Impossible' showcases undeniably strong vocals from the 24-year-old. .. It's easily a contender for breakup song of 2010 and Shontelle sings with such passion that you can't help but hold back the tears. Things are about to turn around for Shontelle. 'Impossible' is the strongest release we've had from the young singer yet and it's a sign of bigger things to come.'[9] Meanwhile Bill Lamb of about.com said 'Shontelle delivers a strong, emotional R&B ballad. This smooth soul sound provides a valuable counterpart to the dominant uptempodance music on current pop radio.'[1]
'Impossible' made its US Mainstream Top 40 chart debut at number 40 on 1 May 2010, two months after the song was first released.[10] The following week it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, at number 88.[11] It continued to rise up both charts, before eventually peaking at number nine on the US Pop Songs chart, number eleven on the Hot Digital Songs chart and number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100. Consequently, it is Shontelle's most successful single in the United States.[12] On 27 August 2010, 'Impossible' was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for selling one million copies.[13]
'Impossible' equalled its US success in the United Kingdom, peaking at number three on the UK R&B Chart[14] and number nine on the UK Singles Chart.[15] It became Shontelle's second top-ten hit and her best chart peak since her 2009 debut single 'T-Shirt' which reached number six.[16] It was also the only newly released track to reach the top-twenty that week,[17] selling 22,292 copies according to Music Week.[18] Additionally it achieved some success in Europe too, reaching number five in Denmark,[19] fifteen on the Slovakia Airplay chart[20] and number twenty in Norway.[21] It also peaked in Canada at number 33.[12] It was certified gold by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Denmark, for selling 15,000 copies.[22]
On 16 December 2012, 'Impossible' re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 22 after James Arthur won The X Factor and released the song as his winner's single.[23]
The official video was directed by Taj Stansberry, Represented by Leah Harmony and Ciarra Pardo.[24] It premiered on 14 April 2010 and according to 92.3 Now FM's Ed Easton, the video is 'a great visualization of her struggles, professionally and personally.'[25] In the video, singer Steph Jones plays Shontelle's love interest. The video opens with Shontelle entering an apartment at 12:14 p.m. The video is a reflection of the past. During the first chorus, Shontelle is talking to her boyfriend and they start caressing. In the second chorus, Shontelle and her boyfriend are arguing while Shontelle is also shown writing a song and scribbling off words. Later, her boyfriend is having a beer at a party. He is celebrating his platinum success. Afterwards, Shontelle receives a letter from a recording studio, and realizes her own dreams are coming second to her boyfriends. Later, she is putting away glasses and bottles. At the end, a reflection is shown in black and white. The final scene is kissing her boyfriend on the head, taking the demo CD he made for her and leaving him. It then goes back to the present, where Shontelle is getting into a taxi while her boyfriend sleeps on the sofa.
Shontelle performed the song at the NewNowNext Awards televised on digital cable television channel Logo.[7] The event marked her first live performance on television.[7]
'Impossible' was recorded at Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California and The Vault in Stockholm, Sweden.[28]
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
Certifications[edit]
|
Region | Date | Format |
---|---|---|
United States[48] | 2 February 2010 | Top 40/Mainstream |
18 May 2010 | Rhythmic/Crossover |
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Canada[49] | 9 February 2010 | Digital download | Universal |
Denmark[50] | |||
Ireland[51] | |||
United States[52] | SRC | ||
Belgium[53] | 15 February 2010 | Universal | |
Netherlands[54] | |||
Norway[55] | |||
Sweden[56] | |||
Switzerland[57] | |||
United Kingdom[26][27] | 9 September 2010 | Digital download | Island |
'Impossible' | |||
---|---|---|---|
Single by James Arthur | |||
from the album James Arthur | |||
Released | 9 December 2012 | ||
Format | |||
Recorded | 2012 | ||
Genre |
| ||
Length | 3:29 | ||
Label | |||
Songwriter(s) | |||
Producer(s) | |||
James Arthur singles chronology | |||
|
James Arthur, the winner of the ninth series of The X Factor, released a cover version of 'Impossible' digitally on 9 December 2012, immediately after winning the show.[59] The CD single was released on 12 December 2012.[60] Profits from each download were expected to be at least £0.25 and all profits from CD and download sales were to be donated to the charity Together for Short Lives.[59][61] The charity works with 'children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions.'[62] Speaking on the decision to support Together for Short Lives, Simon Cowell creator and executive producer of The X Factor said, '[it] is such an inspiring and important charity for so many kids and their families who really need help and support. I'm delighted that The X Factor's winner single sales will go directly to helping them.'[62]
In its first week, the single sold 489,560 copies, making it the UK's fastest-selling single of 2012.[63] The song also peaked at number one in Ireland,[64][65] number two in both Australia and Switzerland, and number one in Slovakia.[66]
Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating, 'of course, making such a decision based on his victory single – a cover of Shontelle's 2010 hit 'Impossible' – is a futile exercise. The track, which was once sidelined for former finalist Cher Lloyd, has been drained of its R&B sassiness and re-worked into a swooping ballad, saved only by Arthur's quivering and gutsy vocal. Fortunately for him, at this stage that's the only bit that matters.' He gave the song three out of five stars.[67] The song was nominated for 'British Single of the Year' at the 2013 BRIT Awards, but lost out to 'Skyfall' by Adele.
In the United Kingdom, 'Impossible' sold over 187,000 downloads during its first 24 hours on sale; making Arthur the fastest-selling winner in X Factor history.[68] By the end of the week, the track had sold over 490,000 copies, enough to debut at number-one on the UK Singles Chart; achieving the largest first week sales of the year.[69] After eleven days, 'Impossible' had become the seventh biggest-selling debut single from any X Factor contestant, with sales of over 622,000; enough to overtake the lifetime sales of the debut singles of series 8 winners Little Mix ('Cannonball'), series 5 runners-up JLS ('Beat Again') and series 4 winner Leon Jackson ('When You Believe').[70] In its second charting week, sales of 'Impossible' fell to 233,770 copies as it dropped to number two behind 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' from The Justice Collective, the Christmas number one single of 2012.[71] In its third charting week, 'Impossible' reclaimed the number-one position; with sales of 183,660 copies.[72] As of 29 December, 'Impossible' had sold 896,990 copies, enough to overtake series 3 winner Leona Lewis ('A Moment Like This') and make it the fourth highest-selling single of the nine The X Factor winners; behind series 7 winner Matt Cardle ('When We Collide'), series 2 winner Shayne Ward ('That's My Goal') and series 5 winner Alexandra Burke ('Hallelujah').[72] On 31 December, it was announced that the track had finished 2012 as the fifth highest-selling single.[72] By February 2013, it had become the second best selling The X Factor winner's single with 1.25 million copies sold.[73] To date, it has sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK, overtaking Alexandra Burke's 'Hallelujah' to become the best-selling winners single ever.[74]
Arthur's version of 'Impossible' was also the best-selling single of 2012 in the Republic of Ireland, where it became the 2012 Christmas number one, with 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' peaking at number four. The track also became a huge success worldwide, topping the charts in the Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg and Slovakia. It also reached number two in Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland, number three in Belgium, number four in Austria, number five in Germany and number six in France and Hungary.[75]
Digital download[59] | |||
---|---|---|---|
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
1. | 'Impossible' | 3:29 |
UK and Irish CD single[62] | |||
---|---|---|---|
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
1. | 'Impossible' | 3:29 | |
2. | 'Sexy and I Know It' (The X Factor performance) |
| 3:19 |
3. | 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)' (The X Factor performance) | 3:35 | |
4. | 'Hometown Glory' (The X Factor performance) | Adele Adkins | 4:31 |
European CD single[76] | |||
---|---|---|---|
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
1. | 'Impossible' |
| 3:27 |
2. | 'Hometown Glory' | Adkins | 2:21 |
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
Certifications[edit]
|
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 9 December 2012[59] | Digital download | |
12 December 2012[60] | CD single | ||
Germany[76] | 24 May 2013 | CD single | Sony |