Beautiful Surprise (song)

Last updated
"Beautiful Surprise"
Beautiful Surprise (song).jpg
Single by Tamia
from the album Beautiful Surprise
ReleasedMarch 2, 2012
Genre R&B
Length3:37
Label Plus One
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Salaam Remi
Tamia singles chronology
"Almost"
(2007)
"Beautiful Surprise"
(2012)
"Give Me You"
(2012)

"Beautiful Surprise" is a song by Canadian recording artist Tamia. It was written by Claude Kelly, Salaam Remi and the singer herself for her same-titled fifth album (2012), while production was overseen by Remi. The last song to be recorded for Beautiful Surprise, the R&B song has a breezy mid-tempo groove that is structured around a smooth synth. Lyrically, the song is an ode to her family, husband Grant Hill and her two daughters Myla and Lael, on which she sings about how happy she is to have experienced an unexpected but fulfilling love with a man.

Contents

The track was released as the album's lead single in the United States on March 2, 2012. It received a mixed to positive reception from music critics, who complimented Tamia's vocals on "Beautiful Surprise" as well as the joyful nature of the song. "Beautiful Surprise" reached number 24 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and entered the top five of the Adult R&B Songs, peaking at number four. It received a nomination for Grammy Award for Best R&B Song at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, held in February 2013. A music video for "Beautiful Surprise" was directed by Ryan Pallotta.

Background

"Beautiful Surprise" was written by Tamia, Claude Kelly, and Salaam Remi, while production was helmed Remi. [1] The trio hunkered down in the Chalice Studios in Los Angeles to work on material for Tamia's fifth album, with "Beautiful Surprise" becoming the last song to be recorded for the project. [1] According to Kelly they were "just kicking ideas around and we wanted to have a romantic song but an underlying message of what she is about. Obviously, she is married to Grant Hill and they both have working schedules. And we said… 'Let’s celebrate the marriage and what it’s like to come off the road and surprise you. Let’s do ‘Beautiful Surprise.'” [1] The song was finished in about 45 minutes. [1]

Critical reception

In his review for the same-titled parent album, Jon Caramanica found that "Beautiful Surprise" was out of several tracks on the album that nod "at the dance floor while never really stepping onto it. Of these, the title track [...] hits hardest, juxtaposing restrained boom-bap against Tamia’s pretty fluttering." [2] Mark Edward Nero from About.com remarked that the song was "a prime example of how underrated her vocal strength is." It had Tamia singing "sweetly" over "a moderately uptempo beat." [3] Richard Spadine, writing for DJBooth, felt that the "track finds Salaam Remi serving up a smooth synth beat as Tamia expresses her joy at finding herself in the arms of the man she loves upon waking up in the morning." He called it "one of many quality tunes to be found on the singer's fifth studio album." [4] Associated Press cited "Beautiful Surprise" as "one of the album's shortcomings," calling it "lukewarm." [5]

Music video

The music video for "Beautiful Surprise" was filmed at a mansion in the hills of Malibu. Eastern Malibu 1.jpg
The music video for "Beautiful Surprise" was filmed at a mansion in the hills of Malibu.

The accompanying music video for "Beautiful Surprise" was directed by Canadian filmmaker Ryan Pallotta. [7] Filmed at a mansion in Malibu, it was shot along with the photography for the album artwork of parent album Beautiful Surprise. [6] A plotless performance video that consists of several editorial shots, is deptics Tamia in different locations of the house, dressed in "simple, sexy and chic" fashion. [6] The video co-stars her husband Grant Hill who depicts a ghost-like entity. [6] On their decision to include him in the video, she commented: “After twelve years of marriage, he finally made it into one of my videos. I told him, ‘This is your chance, boo.’" [8]

Track listing

Digital download

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Beautiful Surprise. [9]

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamia</span> Canadian singer and songwriter (born 1975)

Tamia Marilyn Washington Hill is a Canadian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Tamia performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child. In 1994, after signing a development deal with Warner Bros. Records, she was asked by veteran producer Quincy Jones to appear on his album Q's Jook Joint (1995), earning her Grammy Award nominations for their collaboration on "You Put a Move on My Heart" and "Slow Jams". Her self-titled debut album was released in 1998 and followed by a series of successful albums with Elektra Records, including A Nu Day (2000) and More (2004). Several songs from these albums became hit singles on the pop and R&B record charts, including "So Into You", "Stranger in My House", and "Imagination", as well as her collaborations "Into You", "Missing You", and "Spend My Life with You".

<i>More</i> (Tamia album) 2004 studio album by Tamia

More is the third studio album by Canadian R&B recording artist Tamia. It was released by Elektra Records on April 6, 2004 in North America. Created over a period of three years, in which the singer gave birth to her first child, the album, initially titled Still, was indefinitely bumped from its original August 2003 schedule after Tamia was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and forced to undergo treatment. With the illness in remission, she resumed work on the album later that year and arranged additional recording sessions with producers Poke & Tone, Spanador and R. Kelly to revamp parts of the album which saw her also reteaming with frequent partners such as Jermaine Dupri, Shep Crawford and Mario Winans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Into You (Tamia song)</span> 1998 single by Tamia

"So Into You" is a song performed by Canadian singer Tamia from her self-titled debut album Tamia (1998). It was written by Tamia, Tim Kelley, and Bob Robinson, with production helmed by Kelley and Robinson under their production moniker Tim & Bob. The song is built around a sample from "Say Yeah" (1978) by American soul band The Commodores. Due to the inclusion of the sample, its writers Lionel Richie and Ronald LaPreads are credited as songwriters. "So Into You" is a mid-tempo R&B song with lyrics describing the protagonist's feelings of love for her partner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stranger in My House (Tamia song)</span> 2001 single by Tamia

"Stranger in My House" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Tamia. It was written by Shae Jones and frequent collaborator Shep Crawford and produced by the latter. Initially helmed for fellow R&B singer Toni Braxton, it was left unused and later recorded by Tamia for her second studio album, A Nu Day (2000). Inspired by the surprise ending of the supernatural thriller film The Sixth Sense (1999), the strings-led, dramatic contemporary R&B ballad is about a woman who is confused with her partner's recent change in behavior and goes into denial about it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Get Enough (Tamia song)</span> 2006 single by Tamia

"Can't Get Enough" is a song by Canadian recording artist Tamia. It was written by LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins for her fourth album Between Friends (2006), while production was helmed by the latter. The song was released as the album's lead single in 2006. It reached number 26 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Me (Tamia song)</span> 2007 single by Tamia

"Me" is a song by Canadian recording artist Tamia. It was written and produced by Shep Crawford for the singer's second album A Nu Day (2000), but it did not make into the final track list. However it was later included on her fourth studio album Between Friends (2006) and released as its second single in 2007, reaching number 29 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<i>Fearless</i> (Jazmine Sullivan album) 2008 studio album by Jazmine Sullivan

Fearless is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan. It was released on September 23, 2008, through J Records. Production for the album took place during 2007 to 2008 and was handled by several record producers, including Missy Elliott, Stargate, Carvin & Ivan, Wyclef Jean, Jack Splash and Salaam Remi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bust Your Windows</span> 2008 single by Jazmine Sullivan

"Bust Your Windows" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan from her debut album Fearless. The song was available as a digital download on Amazon in the U.S. on September 16, 2008. The song was then later released as a promo CD on November 15, 2008, after it was sent to radio stations for airplay around the U.S..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claude Kelly</span> American singer-songwriter

Claude Kelly is an American singer, songwriter and music producer. He is a four-time Grammy Award nominee, and has written or co-written songs for Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Christina Aguilera, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Lopez, Kesha, Brandy, Keke Wyatt, and One Direction. He and Chuck Harmony make up the R&B duo Louis York, and founded the music collective Weirdo Workshop.

<i>Lip Lock</i> 2013 studio album by Eve

Lip Lock is the fourth studio album by American rapper Eve. The album, her first in eleven years, was released on May 14, 2013, by From The Rib Music and distributed by RED Distribution. The album features guest appearances from Gabe Saporta, Dawn Richard, Missy Elliott, Snoop Dogg, Chrisette Michele, Juicy J, and Pusha T among others. The album was supported with the singles "Make It Out This Town" and "Eve", in addition to the promotional single "She Bad Bad".

<i>Beautiful Surprise</i> 2012 studio album by Tamia

Beautiful Surprise is the fifth studio album by Canadian recording artist Tamia. It was released by her own label, Plus One Music Group on August 28, 2012 in the United States, with distribution handled by EMI and Capitol Records. Her first release since 2006's Between Friends following a longer hiatus during which she gave birth and raised her second daughter with husband Grant Hill, much of Beautiful Surprise was produced in the eight months leading up to the release of the album. A breakaway from her previous effort, Tamia consulted a wider range of musicians to work with her, including Claude Kelly, The Runners, duo Carvin & Ivan, Salaam Remi, and frequent collaborator Shep Crawford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All That (Lady)</span> 2013 single by The Game featuring Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Fabolous and Jeremih

"All That (Lady)" is a song by American rapper The Game, released as the second single from his fifth studio album Jesus Piece. The song features additional vocals from fellow rappers Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Fabolous and American singer/rapper Jeremih. The song contains a clear vocal sample of "Lady" by D'Angelo. The week of the album's release the song "All That (Lady)" debuted at number 48 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherry Wine</span> Song by American rapper Nas from his 2012 album Life Is Good

"Cherry Wine" is a song by American rapper Nas, released in 2012 by Def Jam Recordings as the fourth single from his tenth studio album Life Is Good (2012). The single features vocals by singer Amy Winehouse and was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2013 Grammy Awards. It is the final single to feature vocals from Winehouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give Me You (Tamia song)</span> 2012 single by Tamia

"Give Me You" is a song by Canadian recording artist Tamia. It was written and produced by Claude Kelly and Andre Brissett for her fifth studio album Beautiful Surprise (2012). Released as the album's second and final single in the United States, it reached number 19 on the US Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.

<i>Love Life</i> (Tamia album) 2015 studio album by Tamia

Love Life is the sixth studio album by Canadian recording artist Tamia, released on June 9, 2015 by Plus One Music Group and Def Jam Recordings. Her first major label release since More (2004), it saw Tamia consulting a diverse roster of collaborators including songwriting credits from Rachel Assil, Claude Kelly, and Dillon Pace. With much of the album completed in ten days only, she used two studios to record material for Love Life simultaneously. Production comes courtesy of the likes of Pop & Oak, The-Dream, Tricky Stewart and Polow da Don, as well as frequent collaborators The Stereotypes and Shep Crawford, amongst others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandwich and a Soda</span> 2015 single by Tamia

"Sandwich and a Soda" is a song by Canadian recording artist Tamia, recorded for her sixth studio album Love Life (2015). It was written by Tamia, Stephen Mostyn, Autoro Whitfield, Alicia Renee Williams, Warren Felder, and Andrew Wansel, with production helmed by Felder and Wansel under their production moniker Pop & Oak. An energetic and upbeat R&B song that talks about a woman's desire to cater to the male love interest of her life, "Sandwich and a Soda" contains a heavy electric bass and slightly squealing organ hits in its instrumentation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuck with Me (Tamia song)</span> 2015 single by Tamia

"Stuck with Me" is a song by Canadian recording artist Tamia. It was written by Rachel Assil, Kesia Hollins and Jamal Jones for her sixth studio album Love Life (2015), while production was helmed by Jones under his production moniker Polow da Don. "Stuck with Me" is a silky, romantic R&B slow jam in which the singer professes her undying love for her significant other. Musically, the light and airy groove is built upon a liquid, pulsing bass line over which Tamia sings with smoky vocals, also making use of her falsetto range.

Shep Crawford is a Grammy Award-winning American R&B and gospel musician, songwriter, and record producer best known for Whitney Houston's "Same Script, Different Cast", Deborah Cox's "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here", Tamia's "Stranger in My House", Sisqó's "Incomplete", and Kelly Price's "As We Lay". He is the founder and pastor of The Experience Christian Ministries in Los Angeles, California.

<i>Passion Like Fire</i> 2018 studio album by Tamia

Passion Like Fire is the seventh studio album by Canadian singer Tamia. It was released on September 7, 2018 through Plus One Music Group and 21 Entertainment. Her first project to be distributed by eOne Music, its release marked twenty years since the release of her solo debut single "Imagination" and its eponymous parent album. A breakaway from her previous album Love Life (2015), the singer worked with a smaller team of collaborators on the album, involving longtime contributors Shep Crawford and Salaam Remi as well as songwriters Lundon Knighten and Jonas Myrin and chief producer Lil' Ronnie and his team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leave It Smokin'</span> 2018 single by Tamia

"Leave It Smokin'" is a song by Canadian singer Tamia. Inspired by New York summertime music, Tamia wrote the song alongside frequent collaborators Alicia Renee Williams and Salaam Remi for her seventh studio album Passion Like Fire (2018); its production was handled by Remi. A throw-back to 1990s music, the uptempo R&B song exhibits elements of 1990s funk, soul, and dance music. Built on a stoic, snare-heavy retro break beat and a smooth, rhythmic groove, the song's instrumentation includes moody synthesizers, keyboard tones, and drums. Lyrically, "Leave It Smokin'" finds the singer looking for passions in her lover to fuel her needs.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Behind The Song: Tamia "Beautiful Surprise"". sacramento.cbslocal.com. January 30, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  2. Pareles, Jon; Caramanica, Jon; Chinen, Nate; Ratliffaug, Ben (27 August 2012). "Music From Yeasayer, Tamia, Lionel Loueke and Divine Fits". The New York Times . Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  3. Nero, Mark Edward. "Review: Tamia - 'Beautiful Surprise'". About.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  4. "Tamia - Beautiful Surprise". djbooth.net. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  5. "Review: R&B singer Tamia is consistent on 5th CD". deseret.com. August 27, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Tamia - Beautiful Surprise (Behind the Scenes)". YouTube.com. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  7. "Artist Videography". mvdbase.com. ASG. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  8. "Tamia's Beautiful Surprise". supatrax.com. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  9. Beautiful Surprise (Media notes). Tamia. Plus One Music Group. 2012.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. "Tamia Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  11. "2012 Year End Chart: Adult R&B Songs". Billboard . Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  12. "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - 2012 Year End Charts". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on 2015-11-09. Retrieved 2012-12-17.