"You're Beautiful" is a song by English singer-songwriter James Blunt. It was written by Blunt, Sacha Skarbek and Amanda Ghost for Blunt's debut album, Back to Bedlam (2004). It was released as the third single of the album in 2005.
"You're Beautiful" | ||||
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Single by James Blunt | ||||
from the album Back to Bedlam | ||||
B-side | "Fall at Your Feet" (Acoustic) | |||
Released | 18 May 2005 | |||
Recorded | 2004 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Tom Rothrock | |||
James Blunt singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
Music video | ||||
"You're Beautiful" on YouTube[a] |
In the United Kingdom and Australia, the song reached number one and number two respectively. When released as the debut single from Back to Bedlam in Canada and the United States, it reached number one on both charts and received widespread airplay. In 2006, the song won an Ivor Novello Award for airplay.[1] The song has sold 625,000 copies in the United Kingdom as stated by the Official Charts Company, and by October 2012 over three million in the United States.[2] It remains Blunt's biggest hit single in the United States to date, and his only one to reach the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. In 2012, a new version of the single was issued in Japan. The Q;indivi+ Remix, featuring Japanese performer Keri, was issued on 28 March 2012.[3][4]
Writing and inspiration
editNewspapers have claimed that "You're Beautiful" is about a former girlfriend of Blunt, Dixie Chassay,[6] casting assistant for the Harry Potter films, although Blunt refuses to confirm or deny this. On 8 March 2006 on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Blunt said of the song, "It's kind of miserable. It was about seeing my ex-girlfriend on the Underground in London with her new man, who I didn't know existed. She and I caught eyes and lived a lifetime in that moment, but didn't do anything about it and haven't seen each other since."[7] According to Blunt, he wrote the lyrics of the song at home in two minutes after meeting her, and then finished the song with Sacha Skarbek in Los Angeles, and with Amanda Ghost also credited as a co-writer.[8] Blunt said of the song: "It's always been portrayed as romantic, but it’s actually a bit creepy. It’s about a guy (me) who’s high and stalking someone else’s girlfriend on the subway. And then the stalker kills himself." In an interview with HitQuarters, co-writer Sacha Skarbek said that Blunt brought the title, verses, and the approach of the chorus to a songwriting session. Skarbek's contribution largely focused on the music aspect to the track, contributing chord ideas for the verses, honing the melodies, and making sure the song stuck to, "a couple of key hooks rather than making it too complicated".[9]
Several versions of the song exist. One lyrical version has an explicit word in it ("She could see from my face that I was fucking high") which was released on Back to Bedlam and most of the "You're Beautiful" singles. The radio edit of the song replaces the explicit lyric, changing it to "She could see from my face that I was flying high". Acoustic, live, and DVD versions have also been released. However, because of the word in question, the album was given a Parental Advisory sticker. When asked about the song, Blunt responded, "It's probably one of the least meaningful songs on the album and by no means people's favourite. The album is like a book covering various aspects of life in a specific order."[10]
At the beginning of the song, Blunt sings the first line twice ("My life is brilliant"). The mistimed delivery was left in the final recording but omitted in most radio versions. This is parodied in "Weird Al" Yankovic's song "You're Pitiful": After the initial start, he says "What, was I too early? Oh, sorry. Should I...Do you wanna start over? Or, keep going? Okay. Now? Now?" and then begins the song again.
Music video
editThe music video for "You're Beautiful" was directed by Sam Brown. At least one writer's interpretation is that it shows Blunt taking his own life, perhaps following a Japanese tradition of removing one's shoes and contents of clothing prior to jumping from a great height.[11][12] However, the director of the video states in a "making-of" piece of footage that "the idea [of the video] is built around the last line, where he says, 'I'll never be with you', and that idea of completely forgetting about something, of getting rid of that emotion, and moving on, and I think that the video is a sort of visual manifestation of that emotion."[13]
Blunt removes the upper portion of his clothing in a cold, bare, snowy setting and places all of his personal belongings on the ground. While doing this, seagulls circle overhead like buzzards.[14] At the end of the video, he jumps off a cliff and falls into the water while he sings the lyrics: "But it's time to face the truth, I will never be with you". According to Blunt, he had to jump twice and suffered a split lip in the jumps. The video was filmed in Mallorca, Spain on 23 March 2005.[8]
On 9 November 2021, Blunt announced a 4K remaster of the video on his Instagram.[15]^[a]
The video has been parodied in a Dead Ringers spoof, with Jon Culshaw impersonating Blunt, singing the song with different lyrics where he explains how he can be cool. [citation needed]
Critical reception and ubiquity
editAbout.com gave the song four and a half stars out of five, saying "The simple power of Blunt's songwriting is effective at conveying the pain of realizing he will never be with the object of his affections."[16]
"You're Beautiful" was ranked number seven in a poll conducted by Rolling Stone magazine to identify the 10 most annoying songs.[17] VH1 ranked it number 95 on its list of the 100 Greatest Songs of the '00s.[18] In October 2014, Blunt stated it had become so ubiquitous that it was "force-fed down people's throats".[19] It has been named as one of the worst songs ever recorded, despite its positive critical reviews.
Chart performance
edit"You're Beautiful" is Blunt's most successful single release to date. It was also his first successful single and reached number one in ten countries across the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Mexico, Canada, and the Netherlands. The song peaked within the top five in New Zealand, number four, Australia, number two, France, and Germany. Released on 18 May 2005, it entered at number twelve on 5 June and reached number one six weeks later where it remained for five consecutive weeks. The highest position "You're Beautiful" reached in Australia was number two, where it stayed for two consecutive weeks.
In November 2005, "You're Beautiful" was released in North America where it achieved widespread success. In Canada, it ascended to number one (where it remained for four consecutive weeks) 22 weeks following its debut on the BDS Airplay chart. In the United States, it debuted at number 88 before reaching number one 17 weeks later. It replaced Beyoncé's "Check on It" and itself was replaced by Ne-Yo's "So Sick".[20]
The song became the first non-urban or American Idol song to reach the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 since Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" in 2001. While "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani achieved the same accolade, it has been disputed due to the song's hip-hop-based influences. This also became the first single by a British artist to reach number one since Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" (1997).[21] It achieved success on the Billboard Pop 100, Hot Digital Songs, Adult Contemporary, and Adult Top 40 formats. It has been certified double platinum by the RIAA for digital and platinum for mastertone.[22] It has sold over three million in the United States.[2]
Awards
editThe song received three nominations at the 2007 Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.[23]
The song won the BMI Internet Award for most plays on BMI-licensed websites in 2007 and was the first song to receive this honor at BMI's London Awards.[24]
Release
editThe single was released in four official physical formats. CD1 includes an exclusive acoustic recording of "Fall at Your Feet", a cover taken from the BBC Radio 1 live lounge sessions. CD2 includes an exclusive acoustic version of "High", plus the video for "You're Beautiful" and "Making-Of" footage. The 7" vinyl includes an exclusive acoustic version of "So Long, Jimmy". The fourth physical format was an exclusive version of CD1, only available at HMV, which includes an additional third track, in the form of an acoustic version of "You're Beautiful". This version was also sold in Australia.[25]
Track listing
edit- UK CD single number one
- "You're Beautiful" (Edit) – 3:22
- "Fall at Your Feet" (Acoustic) – 2:25
- UK CD single number two
- "You're Beautiful" (Edit) – 3:22
- "High" (Acoustic) – 4:03
- "You're Beautiful" (The Making of the Video) – 3:00
- "You're Beautiful" (Video) – 3:23
- UK 7" single
- "You're Beautiful" (Edit) – 3:22
- "So Long, Jimmy" (Acoustic) – 4:14
- Australian CD single
- "You're Beautiful" (Edit) – 3:22
- "Fall at Your Feet" (Acoustic) – 2:25
- "You're Beautiful" (Acoustic) – 3:35
- Japanese CD single[4]
- "You're Beautiful" (The Q;indivi+ Remix) (featuring Keri) – 3:28
Release history
editCountry | Release date |
---|---|
United Kingdom | 18 May 2005 |
Worldwide | 30 May 2005 |
United States | 13 December 2005 |
Japan (The Q;indivi+ Remix) | 28 March 2012 |
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit |
Year-end chartsedit
Decade-end chartsedit
|
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[92] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[93] | Gold | 15,000* |
Belgium (BEA)[94] | Gold | 25,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[95] | 2× Platinum | 40,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[96] Ringtone |
Platinum | 40,000* |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[97] | Platinum | 8,000^ |
Germany (BVMI)[98] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
Italy (FIMI)[99] sales since 2009 |
2× Platinum | 100,000‡ |
Japan (RIAJ)[100] Digital single |
Platinum | 250,000* |
Japan (RIAJ)[101] Full-length ringtone |
Gold | 100,000* |
Japan (RIAJ)[102] Ringtone |
2× Platinum | 500,000* |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[103] | Gold | 30,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[104] | Gold | 5,000* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[105] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF)[106] | Platinum | 20,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[107] | Gold | 20,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[108] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[109] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[110] Mastertone |
Platinum | 1,000,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
See also
editReferences
editNotes
edit- ^ [1] Archived 14 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Grein, Paul (24 October 2012). "Week Ending Oct. 21, 2012. Songs: Maroon 5′s "Nixon Moment"". Chart Watch. Yahoo Music. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ James Blunt - You're Beautiful(Q;indivi+ Remix with KERI) on YouTube
- ^ a b "JAMES BLUNT You're Beautiful Q;indivi+ remix Japanese CD single". eBay. 10 June 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ James, Blunt; Sacha, Skarbek; Amanda, Ghost; James, Blunt (16 October 2006). "You're Beautiful". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Varsity" (PDF). Dixie Chassay, Page 22. Retrieved 1 October 2008.
- ^ "Oprah.com". Blunt: It's kind of miserable. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2006.
- ^ a b Simpson, Dave (14 January 2020). "James Blunt: how we made You're Beautiful". The Guardian.
- ^ "Interview With Sacha Skarbek". HitQuarters. 13 July 2009.
- ^ "ContactMusic.com". Blunt: "You're Beautiful" not meaningful. Archived from the original on 5 March 2006. Retrieved 11 March 2006.
- ^ Gordenker, Alice (17 January 2006). "Suicide | The Japan Times". Search.japantimes.co.jp. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ "BlogCritics.org". Keep an Eye on James Blunt. Retrieved 11 March 2006.
- ^ James Blunt (17 May 2007). "James Blunt - You're Beautiful (Making Of)". Archived from the original on 13 December 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "ManchesterOnline.co.uk". Watch James Blunt's "You’re Beautiful" video – what it's about. Archived from the original on 5 March 2006. Retrieved 11 March 2006.
- ^ "James Blunt on Instagram: YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL Now in 4K". Archived from the original on 26 December 2021.
- ^ "James Blunt - You're Beautiful". Top40.about.com. 5 March 2014. Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ "10 most annoying songs". Rediff.com. 31 December 2004. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ Anderson, Kyle (29 September 2011). "U2, Rihanna, Amy Winehouse, Foo Fighters fill out VH1's '100 Greatest Songs of the '00s'". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
- ^ Abid Rahman (22 October 2014). "James Blunt Apologizes for 'You're Beautiful'". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ "Billboard". Ne-Yo Completes Chart Takeover With "So Sick". Retrieved 12 March 2006.
- ^ "Billboard". Blunt Leapfrogs Beyoncé to Claim No. 1. Retrieved 11 March 2006.
- ^ "American single certifications – blunt – You're Beautiful". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Grammy Awards: Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male". Rock on the Net. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ "James Blunt Receives BMI London Internet Award". BMI. 20 November 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 3 August 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ "Don Omar domina". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). 29 January 2006. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "James Blunt Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "R&R Canada AC Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1636. 9 December 2005. p. 73.
- ^ "RR Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1646. 24 February 2006. p. 27. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "RR Canada Hot AC Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1642. 27 January 2006. p. 55. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Don Omar domina". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). 29 January 2006. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ James Blunt — You're Beautiful. TopHit. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "Splašený obojživelník už zase válcuje obchody". musicserver.cz. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful". Tracklisten.
- ^ "Don Omar domina". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). 29 January 2006. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – You're Beautiful". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 51 2007" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – James Blunt" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful". VG-lista.
- ^ "Don Omar domina". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). 29 January 2006. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Nov 17, 2005". TopHit. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful" Canciones Top 50.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "James Blunt – You're Beautiful". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "James Blunt Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "James Blunt Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "James Blunt Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "James Blunt Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "James Blunt Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
- ^ "Pop 100". Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 9. 4 March 2006. p. 52. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
- ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 2005". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2005". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2005". Ultratop. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "Rapports Annuels 2005". Ultratop. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "CIS Year-End Radio Hits (2005)". Tophit. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2005" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ [2] Archived 20 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2005". Mahasz. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2005". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2005" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2005". TopHit. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2005" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2005". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart : 2005" (PDF). Ukchartsplus.co.uk. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2006". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2006". Ultratop. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2006". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "CIS Year-End Radio Hits (2006)". Tophit. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "Classifica annuale 2006" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2006". TopHit. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2006". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart : 2006" (PDF). Ukchartsplus.co.uk. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
- ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
- ^ "Die ultimative Chart Show | Hits des neuen Jahrtausends | Download". RTL.de. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Decade Chart: 00s". TopHit. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ Radio 1 Official Chart of the Decade, as broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on 29 December 2009, presented by DJ Nihal
- ^ "The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks – Decade Year End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – James Blunt – You're Beautiful" (in German). IFPI Austria.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2005". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – James Blunt – You're Beautiful". Music Canada.
- ^ "Canadian ringtone certifications – James Blunt – You're Beautiful". Music Canada. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – James Blunt – You're Beautiful". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (James Blunt; 'You're Beautiful')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – James Blunt – You're Beautiful" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 16 August 2022. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "You're Beautiful" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – James Blunt – You're Beautiful" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 24 August 2022. Select 2014年1月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "Japanese ringtone certifications – James Blunt – You're Beautiful" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 23 May 2023. Select 2006年9月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "Japanese ringtone certifications – James Blunt – You're Beautiful" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 19 September 2021. Select 2007年5月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 2 April 2015. Type James Blunt in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and You're Beautiful in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
- ^ "Certifications July 16 2006". radioscope.co.nz. Archived from the original on 1 October 2006. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – James Blunt – You're Beautiful". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2005" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('You're Beautiful')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
- ^ "British single certifications – James Blunt – You're Beautiful". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "American single certifications – James Blunt – You're Beautiful". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "American ringtone certifications – James Blunt – You're Beautiful". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
General sources
edit- "Amazon.com". James Blunt – releases and track listings. Retrieved 12 March 2006.
- "ARIA.com". Australian airplay and sales charts. Retrieved 11 March 2006.
- "Billboard". Billboard Hot 100 chart. Retrieved 11 March 2006.
- "Dot Music". United Kingdom sales chart. Retrieved 11 March 2006.
- "IFop.com". French sales chart. Archived from the original on 6 March 2006. Retrieved 11 March 2006.
- "Jam.canoe.ca". Canadian airplay and sales charts. Archived from the original on 29 June 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2006.
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