I Am (Leona Lewis song)

Last updated

"I Am"
Leona Lewis - I Am (Official Single Cover).png
Single by Leona Lewis
from the album I Am
Released17 July 2015
Genre Breakbeat
Length3:42
Label Island
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Toby Gad
  • Eg White
Leona Lewissingles chronology
"Fire Under My Feet"
(2015)
"I Am"
(2015)
"Thunder"
(2015)

"I Am" is a song by British singer and songwriter Leona Lewis from her fifth studio album of the same name. The song was written by Lewis, Toby Gad and Eg White, with Gad and White producing it. Lyrically, "I Am" is about the feelings and emotions experienced by Lewis following her departure from her former record label Syco and its boss, Simon Cowell. It is a dance-influenced track which makes use of strings, piano and drums as part of its instrumentation. Its composition garnered comparisons to singers Avril Lavigne and Massive Attack. Island released "I Am" on 17 July 2015 as the lead single for the United Kingdom, but it is the second single to be released from the album overall. Remixes by Fastlane and DEVolution were also released. The track garnered a positive response from music critics, many of whom praised Lewis' strong and emotive vocal performance and described it as a standout on the album. Lewis has performed the song live on The National Lottery: In It to Win It and at the BBC's Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park festival.

Contents

Background and composition

"I Am" was written by Leona Lewis, Toby Gad and Eg White, with Gad and White producing the track, for Lewis's fifth studio album of the same name (2015). It was published by ASCAP and Atlas Music publishings (on behalf of itself and Gadfly Songs (ASCAP) and Kobalt Music Group Ltd. White performed much of the song's instrumentation, and is credited with playing the piano, drums, bass and bells, as well as the string and drum programming. The strings were recorded by White and Kristian Larsen in Studio A at Kensaltown Studios, and were arranged by White, transcribed by Clarissa Farran, and contracted by Hilary Skewes. The violins were played by Marije Johnston, Kotono Sato, Max Baillie, Bea Lovejoy, Warren Zielinksi, Janice Graham, Helen Paterson and Hannah Dawson. Meghan Cassidy and James Boyd played the viola, while David Cohen and Ben Chappell played the cello. "I Am" was mixed by Wez Clarke, with additional mixing carried out by Gad at Kite Music Studios in Los Angeles. The track's audio was mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound studios in New York City, with assistance from Randy Merrill. Lewis provided all of the vocals for the track. For the acoustic version of "I Am", Gad undertook all of the instrumentation and also performed the mixing. [1]

"I Am" is a dance-influenced song. Some critics believe the lyrics allude to Lewis' emotions and feelings following her departure from Syco Records and Simon Cowell, her former label boss and friend. [2] [3] Digital Spy writer Lewis Corner felt that the title track had very few barriers, exemplified by the lyrics "I am, with or without you / I am, breathing without you / I am, somebody without you." [4] Lewis performs the lyrics over an instrumentation of "rousing" strings and breakbeats. [4] As she sings "I won't change for you," a heavy drum beat and occasional piano chimes reminiscent of songs by Avril Lavigne are played. [5]

Release and remixes

On 30 June 2015, Lewis released a three-minute teaser video with snippets of "I Am", "Ladders, "Power" and "Thunder". [6] "I Am" was released as the second single from the album and lead single for the United Kingdom; it was not promoted in the United States due to the decision to release the album's third overall single "Thunder" as its lead single instead. [7] [8] The full length version of "I Am" premiered on BBC Radio 2 on 17 July 2015. [7] The same day, the track was made available as an automatic download for anyone who had previously pre-ordered the album. [2] A two-track remix EP with dance remixes by Fastlane and DEVolution was also made available as a digital download on 17 July in the United Kingdom, [9] Australia, [10] France, [11] Germany, [12] Ireland, [13] and New Zealand. [14] "I Am" was added to BBC Radio 2's B-list playlist on 15 August. [15]

Critical reception

Kathy Iandoli of Idolator highlighted "I Am" as a "gorgeous standout" example of Lewis' ability to "just [sing]" a song as opposed to using auto-tune on "Power" and over-singing on "I Got You". [16] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy felt that the track put "Simon [Cowell] in his place in a way Louis Walsh could only dream of." [4] Brad O'Mance for Popjustice likened the song to Massive Attack's 1991 song "Unfinished Sympathy" "with a different song on top", [17] while Official Charts Company writer Rob Copsey described it as "gutsy and uplifting". [7] However, Michael Clemons of The Daily Reveille thought that while it was not a stand out track, it was a good listen. [5] Chuck Campbell of Knoxville News Sentinel thought that the track's lyrical theme, and the album's theme as a whole, was flawed as a concept, writing "The problem with repeatedly declaring you don’t need the approval of someone who has wronged you is that your message is false. Clearly if Lewis indulges in six straight bitter songs about defiantly rebounding from a bad relationship (which she does on “I Am”), she obviously craves validation from the very person (or people) who did her dirty." [3]

Live performance

Lewis performed "I Am" for the first time during a live showcase at the Hospital Club in London on 14 April 2015. [18] The singer premiered four other tracks from I Am including "Ladders", "I Got You", "Thank You" and "Fire Under My Feet". [18] Lewis later performed the track live on The National Lottery: In It to Win It on 12 September 2015, [19] and again the following day at the BBC's Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park festival. [20] The set-list also included performances of "Better in Time", "Bleeding Love", "Run", "Fire Under My Feet" and "I Got You". [20] "I Am" was included as the opening song on her 2016 concert tour of the same name. [21]

Formats and versions

Personnel

Credits sourced from album booklet and liner. [23]

Release history

CountryVersionDateFormatLabelRef.
United KingdomOriginal17 July 2015Radio premiere Island [7]
Automatic download (From album pre-order) [2]
AustraliaRemix EP Digital download [10]
France [11]
Germany [12]
Ireland [13]
New Zealand [14]
United Kingdom [9]
Original15 August 2015 BBC Radio 2 B-list playlist [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run (Snow Patrol song)</span> 2004 song by Snow Patrol

"Run" is a song by Scottish-Northern Irish alternative rock band Snow Patrol from their third studio album, Final Straw (2003). It was released in the United Kingdom on 26 February 2004 as the second single from the album. The song was conceived in 2000 by frontman Gary Lightbody after an accident he had during a bender. "Run" is described as a Britpop power ballad and was received with positive reviews by music critics, who compared it with Coldplay's "Yellow".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leona Lewis</span> British singer (born 1985)

Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer, songwriter, actress, and model. Born and raised in Islington, Inner London, she later attended the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in Croydon. Lewis achieved national recognition when she won the third series of the television talent show The X Factor in 2006, winning a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music. Her winner's single, a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This", peaked at number one for four weeks on the UK Singles Chart and broke a world record by reaching 50,000 digital downloads within 30 minutes. In February 2007, Lewis signed a five-album contract in the United States with Clive Davis's record label, J Records.

<i>Echo</i> (Leona Lewis album) 2009 studio album by Leona Lewis

Echo is the second studio album by English singer Leona Lewis. It was released on 9 November 2009 including 16 November in the United Kingdom, and 17 November 2009 in the United States. Its worldwide release was through Sony Music. The album charted across the globe, including the US, UK, Canada, across Europe, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand, with commercial success.

"Outta My Head" is a song recorded by British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis for her second studio album Echo (2009). The track was written by Savan Kotecha, Max Martin and Johan "Shellback" Schuster, and produced by the latter two. It is an electropop song with Eurodance influences, and its compositional structure is noticeably different from the other songs on Echo. The instrumentation consists of keyboard riffs and beats, instead of pianos and guitars which are used on the other songs. The chorus of "Outta My Head" was compared to the works of Australian singer Kylie Minogue and German group Cascada due to its Eurodance style. It debuted and peaked at number 98 on the Slovakian Singles Chart upon the release of Echo. Lewis has performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and it was included on the set list of her debut concert tour, The Labyrinth (2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Got You (Leona Lewis song)</span> 2009 single by Leona Lewis

"I Got You" is a song recorded by English singer Leona Lewis for her second studio album Echo (2009). It was written by Arnthor Birgisson, Max Martin and Savan Kotecha, with production helmed by Birgisson. The song is a pop and R&B ballad, whose instrumentation consists of guitars and synthesizers. It was released as the second and final single from Echo on 1 November 2009, by Syco Music and J Records.

<i>Do It in the AM</i> 2011 studio album by Frankmusik

Do It in the AM is the second studio album by English recording artist Frankmusik. It was released in the United Kingdom on 26 September 2011 by Island Records. Preceding its release, the album's eponymous official lead single "Do it in the AM", which features labelmates Far East Movement, was released in the US on 3 May 2011 and in the UK on 1 August 2011. The album's title was revealed in a press release issued on Frankmusik's Myspace page.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hush Hush (Alexis Jordan song)</span> 2011 single by Alexis Jordan

"Hush Hush" is a song by American recording artist Alexis Jordan, taken from her self-titled debut album (2011). It was released as the album's third single on June 10, 2011. The dance-pop song was written by Autumn Rowe, Stargate and Sandy Vee. Alexis called the song "feisty" and that it was a song that "unleashes a fiery side of her personality".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collide (Leona Lewis and Avicii song)</span> 2011 single by Leona Lewis and Avicii

"Collide" is a song performed by British recording artist Leona Lewis and Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii. It was written by Tim Bergling, Simon Jeffes, Arash Pournouri, Autumn Rowe, Sandy Wilhelm, with production helmed by Wilhelm under his production name Sandy Vee and Youngboyz. "Collide" is a house-inspired love song with instrumentation consisting of piano riffs and a guitar. The song was recorded for Lewis' third studio album Glassheart, but was not included on the album's final track listing.

<i>Glassheart</i> 2012 studio album by Leona Lewis

Glassheart is the third studio album by English singer Leona Lewis, released on 12 October 2012 by Syco Music. Glassheart was conceived in 2010 shortly after the completion of Lewis' first headline tour, The Labyrinth. Recording and production took place in Denver, Los Angeles and London; originally the album was due for release in November 2011 but was pushed back several times to accommodate new recording sessions and allow more creative time. The album was the first – and so far only – of Lewis' albums not released in North America.

"Glassheart" is a song recorded by British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis for her third studio album of the same name (2012). The song was conceptualised by Lewis and frequent collaborator Ryan Tedder at his family home in Denver, Colorado. As she was experiencing a stressful time in her life, Lewis wanted to create an uptempo dance track with Tedder as she felt a ballad would make her more upset. It was co-written by Lewis and Tedder alongside Brent Kutzle, Noel Zancanella, Justin Franks, Fis Shkreli and Peter Svensson. Production of the song was handled by Tedder and Franks, with the latter credited under his production alias DJ Frank E. It was co-produced by Zancanella, Kutzle and Shkreli.

<i>Hurt: The EP</i> Extended play by Leona Lewis

Hurt: The EP is the first EP by English singer Leona Lewis. It was released on 9 December 2011 by Syco Music and RCA Records. The EP served as something to bridge the gap for her fans whilst she finished recording her third studio album Glassheart (2012). The album was supposed to be released in November 2011, but was delayed to March 2012, and again to November 2012. Lewis's reason for delaying the album was because after she met producer Fraser T. Smith, the singer wanted to collaborate on new material for possible inclusion on Glassheart. As a result, Smith also produced Hurt: The EP. The EP consists of three cover versions: "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails; "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls and "Colorblind" by Counting Crows. Musically, the songs are influenced by rock music, whilst the lyrics revolve around feeling pain.

"Take a Bow" is a song recorded by British singer Leona Lewis for her debut studio album Spirit (2007). It was written by Jordon Omley, Michael Mani, Wayne Wilkins, Louis Biancaniello and Ryan Tedder. Tedder explained that he wanted to create an edgy song for Lewis so that it would not be boring or predictable. A Contemporary R&B and urban song, the lyrics focus the failure of a relationship. Its composition features an Ebb and Flo groove and received several comparisons to "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trouble (Leona Lewis song)</span> 2012 single by Leona Lewis featuring Childish Gambino

"Trouble" is a song recorded by British recording artist Leona Lewis and American entertainer Childish Gambino for Lewis' third studio album, Glassheart (2012). Inspired by Lewis' break-up with childhood sweetheart Lou Al-Chamaa, "Trouble" is a mid-tempo R&B and trip hop ballad, with a piano and strings-driven melody. It was written by a British writing collective consisting of Lewis, Donald Glover, Hugo Chegwin, Harry Craze, Shahid Khan, James Murray, Mustafa Omer, Emeli Sandé and Fraser T Smith. Production came courtesy of Khan under his production name of Naughty Boy and Smith, along with co-producer Chris Loco and additional producer Jahlil Beats. Music critics noted that the urban production marked a new direction for Lewis, particularly by featuring Gambino during the song's middle eight breakdown with a poetic rap verse. A version excluding Gambino is also included on Glassheart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovebird (song)</span> 2012 single by Leona Lewis

"Lovebird" is a song recorded by British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis for her third studio album Glassheart (2012). It was written by Bonnie McKee, Joshua "Ammo" Coleman and Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, and produced by Josh Abrahams, Ammo and Oligee. "Lovebird" was recorded at Pulse Recording in Los Angeles and is a power ballad, incorporating a piano and synth-driven melody. The lyrics consist of Lewis informing her past lover that enough time has passed since their relationship for her to have moved on and to have developed as a person. Critics praised Lewis' vocal performance, likening her technical abilities to those of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. The musical structure of the song was heavily compared to one of her previous singles, "Bleeding Love", along with songs performed by Adele. The accompanying music video shows Lewis trying to escape from a giant bird cage.

<i>I Am</i> (Leona Lewis album) 2015 studio album by Leona Lewis

I Am is the fifth studio album by English singer Leona Lewis. It was released on 11 September 2015, by Island Records after Lewis took leave from Syco Music in June 2014. Recording began in mid 2013, during the production of Lewis's first Christmas album and fourth studio album, Christmas, with Love (2013). Recording sessions resumed in January 2014 with producer Poet, Toby Gad and Wayne Wilkins. I Am is preceded by the release of "Fire Under My Feet" and the album's title track except for in the United States where "Thunder" precedes the album. The album reached top 40 in multiple countries, including US, United Kingdom, Spain and Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crazy Stupid Love (song)</span> 2014 single by Cheryl Cole featuring Tinie Tempah

"Crazy Stupid Love" is a song recorded by British singer Cheryl Cole for her fourth studio album Only Human (2014), featuring British hip hop artist Tinie Tempah. The song was co-written by Cole, Tempah, Wayne Wilkins, Heidi Rojas, and singer-songwriter Katelyn Tarver and Kevin Anyaeji, and produced by Wilkins. It was released on 30 June 2014 as the lead single from the album, coinciding with Cole's 31st birthday. Musically, the song is a pop and R&B song with saxophones, handclaps, percussion and fingersnaps, while lyrically talks about being uncontrollably in love with someone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fire Under My Feet</span> 2015 single by Leona Lewis

"Fire Under My Feet" is a song by British singer and songwriter Leona Lewis from her fifth studio album, I Am (2015). It was released as the lead single from the album on 7 June 2015 by Island and Def Jam. An uptempo song with gospel influences, "Fire Under My Feet" was recorded at Kite Music Studios in Los Angeles and was written by Lewis with Toby Gad, who also produced the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thunder (Leona Lewis song)</span> 2015 single by Leona Lewis

"Thunder" is a song by British singer and songwriter Leona Lewis from her fifth studio album, I Am (2015). The song was written by Lewis and Toby Gad, who also produced the track. Lyrically, "Thunder" is about finding the strength to pick yourself up after falling on difficult times. Lewis explained that the song is about self-reflection and self-empowerment and finding the ability to look within in order to decide what is best to do next. Def Jam released "Thunder" on 24 July 2015 as the lead single in United States, but it is the third single to be released from the album overall. Remixes by Danny Verde and Tom Swoon were also released.

"(We All Are) Looking for Home" is a charity single recorded by British singer and songwriter Leona Lewis, which was written by the Grammy Award-winning songwriter Diane Warren.

References

  1. I Am. Def Jam Recordings (Inlay cover). Leona Lewis. 11 September 2015. p. 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. 1 2 3 Corner, Lewis (17 July 2015). "Leona Lewis releases new single 'I Am' from upcoming album". Digital Spy . Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  3. 1 2 Campbell, Chuck (8 September 2015). "'Tuned In' review: Leona Lewis' return with 'I Am' feels rote". Knoxville News Sentinel . Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Corner, Lewis (4 September 2015). "Leona Lewis's new album I Am reviewed: A different kind of Ex-Factor". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  5. 1 2 Clemons, Michael (16 September 2015). "Review: Leona Lewis – 'I Am'". The Daily Reveille . Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  6. Love, Ryan (30 June 2015). "Leona Lewis previews new tracks from forthcoming album I Am". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Copsey, Rob (17 July 2015). "Leona Lewis releases uplifting new single I Am – listen". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  8. Corner, Lewis (16 July 2015). "Leona Lewis debuts studio version of new US single 'Thunder'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 "I Am (Remixes) – Single". iTunes Store UK. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  10. 1 2 "I Am (Remixes) – Single". iTunes Store IE. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  11. 1 2 "I Am (Remixes) – Single". iTunes Store FR (in French). 17 July 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  12. 1 2 "I Am (Remixes) – Single". iTunes Store DE (in German). 17 July 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  13. 1 2 "I Am (Remixes) – Single". iTunes Store IE. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  14. 1 2 "I Am (Remixes) – Single". iTunes Store NZ. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  15. 1 2 "Radio 2 Playlist". BBC. 15 August 2015. Archived from the original on 17 August 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  16. Iandoli, Kathy (11 September 2015). "Leona Lewis' 'I Am': Album Review". Idolator. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  17. O'Mance, Brad (17 July 2015). "Leona Lewis new single 'I Am' is now online in an official capacity". Popjustice . Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  18. 1 2 "We Love What We've Heard Of Leona Lewis's New Album So Far!". MTV News . 15 April 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  19. "Episode 1 Series 18". BBC . 12 September 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  20. 1 2 "Set List on Main Stage on 13 Sep 2015 at Hyde Park". BBC. 13 September 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  21. Corner, Lewis (22 February 2016). "Leona Lewis launches I Am tour – check out the setlist, pictures and a Sam Smith covers". Digital Spy . Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  22. 1 2 "I Am (Deluxe)". iTunes Store. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  23. I Am (booklet). Leona Lewis. London: Island Records (Island Def Jam Music Group). 2015. 00602547442499.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)