Love Songs | ||||
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Compilation album by | ||||
Released | January 25, 2013 | |||
Recorded | 63:31 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Destiny's Child chronology | ||||
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Love Songs is the third compilation album by American R&B girl group Destiny's Child, released on January 25, 2013 through Columbia Records. [1] [2] The album differs from their first two compilations in that it features mostly album-only selections as well as the newly recorded song "Nuclear", the first original song from Destiny's Child since the group disbanded in 2005. The album cover is based on the single artwork from the group's 2004 single "Lose My Breath".
Sometimes you get songs where the verse is already written or the chorus is already written, so when I came in the chorus wasn't written so Bey was like "Girl, you gone have to write a bridge!" I was like "Okay!", so that's fun where you can have a contribution... [3]
Destiny's Child was formed in Houston, Texas in 1990, and its final line-up consisting of Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams dismantled in 2005. [4] Their reunion was rumored over the years. [5] In July 2012, Mathew Knowles, Beyoncé's father and the group's manager, confirmed that Destiny's Child still have their joint venture with Sony Music and would be releasing two "records with new material". [6] [7] The first was Playlist: The Very Best of Destiny's Child , which was released in October 2012. Knowles announced via her official website on January 10, 2013, that a compilation featuring new music entitled Love Songs, which would be the group's first album in over eight years, would be released. [8] She posted its official artwork, "I am so proud to announce the first original Destiny's Child music in eight years." It contains one new song entitled "Nuclear", which was produced by Pharrell Williams.[ citation needed ]
Apart from "Nuclear", the rest of the album consists of assorted previously recorded music, which Knowles, Rowland and Williams handpicked. [8] [9] Williams said that Love Songs was made "for the fans", and told MTV News about recording the "Nuclear" track, "It was a bunch of fun. It was just picking up right where we left off. The harmonies and just us stacking [vocals] ... Beyoncé laid hers first, then I'd go and lay another note to the bottom, and I'm like, 'Wow, this is dope.' I literally got goose bumps." [9] In an interview with German web show MalcolmMusic, commenting her contribution to the song as a songwriter, Michelle Williams revealed that Pharrell had already written the verses for Rowland and Knowles, and that Knowles urged Michelle to write her own bridge. [3]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [10] |
Consequence of Sound | [11] |
New York Daily News | [12] |
Upon its release, the public reaction to "Nuclear" was mixed. According to MTV News, "Those saying "no, no, no" called it too mid-tempo, underwhelming even, for an act that built its catalog on power anthems like "Survivor." But supporters fell hard for the drum-heavy Pharrell production." [13] Consequence of Sound's Amanda Koellner gave Love Songs a mixed review, noting that its material highlights "the group’s knack for harmony and emotion" and it is "a shot of nostalgia", but isn't an "essential collection". [11] Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe was displeased with the lack of new material, calling the album "unnecessary" in the "digital world of playlist-making". Although, Rodman did praise "Nuclear" as a "modestly appealing trifle that features quasi-scientific nonsense about 'when two become one on a quantum level' and benefits from all the slow jam somnambulance preceding it by being slightly more alert." [14]
Jim Farber of the New York Daily News said the album's ballads which "didn't flatter Destiny's core persona" sounded like "extended runs rather than fully honed tunes." Farber, who had given the album an overall score of three out of five stars, went on to praise their "rich" vocal performances, writing "the way the voices of Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams wrap around Beyoncé’s — encouraging ever higher flights, while jazzing up each other’s runs — proves this wasn’t just a one-woman show". [12]
Andy Kellman of Allmusic described the collection as "a sharp selection of deep album cuts, including one from Kelly Rowland's Simply Deep ("Heaven"), that demonstrates the group's depth behind the hits". Kellman gave particular praise to "Nuclear", calling it a "knockout" and writing, "it sounds more like something released in 1990 by the Chimes, Soul II Soul, or the Family Stand than any pop-R&B circa 2013". [10]
In the United States, the album debuted at number seventy-two on the Billboard 200 the chart issue dated February 16, 2013. [15] The album sold 6,000 copies in the first week of release. [16] In its second week the album dropped to number one-hundred and twenty-two. [17] In its third week the album dropped to one-hundred and fifty-one. [18] The album spent a total of four weeks on the Billboard 200 Albums chart with its final chart at number one-hundred and sixty-six. [19] The album also debuted at number seven on the R&B Albums chart [20] and number fourteen on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. [21]
In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number forty-four on the UK Albums Chart [22] and number three on the UK R&B Albums Chart on February 10, 2013. [23] In Ireland, the compilation debuted at number twenty-seven on the Irish Albums Chart for the week ending February 7, 2013. [24] Across other European countries, the album peaked within the top one-hundred in Italy and Switzerland. [25] [26] The album charted at number one-hundred and forty-nine in France. [27]
In Australia the album charted at number sixty-nine on the Australian Albums Chart [28] and number fourteen on the Australian Urban Albums Chart. [29]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original album | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Cater 2 U" |
| Destiny Fulfilled , 2004 | 4:05 |
2. | "Killing Time" | Destiny's Child , 1998 | 5:07 | |
3. | "Second Nature" |
| Destiny's Child | 5:08 |
4. | "Heaven" (performed by Kelly Rowland) |
| Simply Deep , 2002 | 3:59 |
5. | "Now That She's Gone" |
| The Writing's on the Wall , 1999 | 5:33 |
6. | "Brown Eyes" |
| Survivor , 2001 | 4:33 |
7. | "If" |
| Destiny Fulfilled | 4:15 |
8. | "Emotion" | Survivor | 3:55 | |
9. | "If You Leave" (featuring Next) |
| The Writing's on the Wall | 4:33 |
10. | "T-Shirt" |
| Destiny Fulfilled | 4:39 |
11. | "Temptation" |
| The Writing's on the Wall | 4:03 |
12. | "Say My Name" (Timbaland remix) |
| This Is the Remix , 2002 | 5:01 |
13. | "Love" |
| Destiny Fulfilled | 4:29 |
14. | "Nuclear" |
| 3:56 | |
Total length: | 63:31 |
Chart (2013) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA) [30] | 69 |
Australian Urban Albums (ARIA) [29] | 14 |
French Albums (SNEP) [31] | 149 |
Greek Albums (IFPI) [32] | 44 |
Irish Albums (IRMA) [24] | 27 |
Italian Albums (FIMI) [33] | 69 |
Japanese Albums (Oricon) [34] | 84 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [35] | 89 |
UK Albums (OCC) [36] | 44 |
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [37] | 3 |
US Billboard 200 [38] | 72 |
US Top R&B Albums (Billboard) [39] | 7 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [40] | 14 |
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | January 25, 2013 | Columbia Records | [1] | |
United Kingdom | [2] | |||
Australia | [41] | |||
France | [42] | |||
Italy | [43] | |||
Switzerland | [44] | |||
Destiny's Child was an American girl group whose final lineup comprised Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. The group began their musical career as Girl's Tyme, formed in 1990 in Houston, Texas. After years of limited success, the original quartet comprising Knowles, Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and LeToya Luckett were signed in 1997 to Columbia Records as Destiny's Child. The group was launched into mainstream recognition following the release of the song "No, No, No" and their best-selling second album, The Writing's on the Wall (1999), which contained the number-one singles "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name", alongside successful singles "Bug a Boo" and "Jumpin', Jumpin'". Despite critical and commercial success, the group was plagued by internal conflict and legal turmoil, as Roberson and Luckett attempted to split from the group's manager Mathew Knowles due to favoritism of Knowles and Rowland.
Kelendria Trene Rowland is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups. During the group's three-year hiatus, Rowland released her debut solo studio album, Simply Deep (2002), which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and sold over 3 million copies worldwide. It included the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Dilemma", as well as the UK top-five hits "Stole" and "Can't Nobody". Rowland also ventured into acting with starring roles in Freddy vs. Jason (2003) and The Seat Filler (2005).
Dangerously in Love is the debut solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on June 20, 2003, by Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment.
Destiny Fulfilled is the fifth and final studio album by American girl group Destiny's Child. It was released on November 8, 2004, by Columbia Records and Sony Urban Music. Following the conclusion of promotional activities for their globally successful third studio album Survivor (2001), Destiny's Child embarked on a two-year hiatus, during which each member released solo albums to varying levels of success. They reunited in the summer of 2004 to record Destiny Fulfilled, primarily at the Sony Music Studios in New York City. Unlike the group's previous recordings, the album saw each member equally contributing to the songwriting and production, drawing inspiration from the events in their lives while being apart.
Tenitra Michelle Williams is an American singer and actress. She rose to fame in the early 2000s as a member of R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling female groups of all time with over 100 million records, of which more than 60 million copies sold with the trio lineup that included Williams. During her time in the group she earned several accolades including a Grammy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Survivor is the third studio album by American girl group Destiny's Child. It was released on April 25, 2001, by Columbia Records. As their breakthrough second studio album The Writing's on the Wall (1999) became a rising commercial success, Destiny's Child faced the controversial departure of original members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson, who were replaced with Farrah Franklin and Michelle Williams, in February 2000. Soon afterwards, they commenced production of their third studio album, tentatively titled Independent Women.
Heart to Yours is the debut solo studio album by American singer and songwriter Michelle Williams. Released on April 16, 2002, by Sanctuary and Columbia Records, it became the first solo release of any Destiny's Child member. Production of the album began in 2001, with Williams working with an array of producers, including her brother Erron Williams, HR Crump and Warryn Campbell. Heart to Yours is primarily a contemporary gospel album, which incorporates elements of other styles and genres such as neo-soul, inspirational, R&B and rock music. The album includes a tribute, dedicated to the victims and families affected by the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. Writing on her vocal performances, critics drew comparisons to Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott.
The Writing's on the Wall is the second studio album by American girl group Destiny's Child. It was released on July 14, 1999, by Columbia Records. Dissatisfied with their 1998 eponymous debut studio album, Destiny's Child sought transition from the record's neo soul-influenced sound. Hence, the group took more creative control and enlisted an almost entirely different array of collaborators, including Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, Kandi Burruss, Missy Elliott, Rodney Jerkins, and LaShawn Daniels, among others.
Simply Deep is the debut solo studio album by American singer Kelly Rowland. It was first released on October 22, 2002, by Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment. Initially expected to be released during the hiatus of her group Destiny's Child in 2003, recording of the album was accelerated after the success of the single "Dilemma," a collaboration with rapper Nelly. Largely produced within three weeks only, guest appearances on Simply Deep include Nelly, Solange Knowles and Joe Budden.
"Cater 2 U" is a song recorded by American group Destiny's Child for their fifth and final studio album Destiny Fulfilled (2004). The song was written by group members Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams along with Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Ricky "Ric Rude" Lewis and Robert Waller, with Beyoncé, Rude and Jerkins handling its production. An R&B ballad talking about a woman's desire to cater to the male love interest of her life, "Cater 2 U" contains synthesizers in its instrumentation. A lawsuit filled by singer-songwriter Rickey Allen in 2006 claimed the group only recorded a cover of the song, which was originally his; however, the case was settled in 2009.
"Girl" is a song recorded by American girl group Destiny's Child for their fifth studio album Destiny Fulfilled (2004). The group co-wrote the song with Darkchild, Ric Rude, Angela Beyincé, Sean Garrett, and Patrick "9th Wonder" Douthit; the latter co-produced it with group members Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland. Sampling "Ocean of Thoughts and Dreams" by the Dramatics, the soul song was written about an abusive relationship Rowland went through during the time of writing. "Girl" was released as the third single from Destiny Fulfilled on March 14, 2005, by Columbia Records.
"Lose My Breath" is a song recorded by American group Destiny's Child for their fifth and final studio album Destiny Fulfilled (2004). It was written by Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Sean Garrett and Jay-Z. The song was partially developed by Jerkins before being presented to Destiny's Child; its chorus was afterwards rewritten by Jay-Z. An uptempo R&B and dance-pop song, "Lose My Breath" has a marching, military percussion-led instrumentation with different sound effects in its backing track. The song was released as the lead single from Destiny Fulfilled on September 9, 2004, by Columbia Records.
"Say My Name" is a song by American group Destiny's Child from their second studio album, The Writing's on the Wall (1999). It was written by Beyoncé Knowles, LeToya Luckett, LaTavia Roberson, Kelly Rowland, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, and Rodney Jerkins, featuring production by the latter. "Say My Name" was released as the third single from The Writing's on the Wall on October 14, 1999, by Columbia Records. While the song features the group's original line-up consisting of Luckett and Roberson, the music video for the single marked the introduction of the group's second line-up with replacement members Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin. In some territories, including the United States, single artwork for the song features the previous lineup, while releases in other territories such as the United Kingdom and France feature newer images of the second lineup.
"Soldier" is a song recorded by American group Destiny's Child, featuring American rappers T.I. and Lil Wayne, for the group's final studio album Destiny Fulfilled (2004). The artists wrote the song with Sean Garrett and Rich Harrison who produced it with the latter co-produced it with Beyoncé. A Southern hip hop mid-tempo song, it lyrically describes each member's favorite type of male love interest. The song was released as the second single from Destiny Fulfilled on November 8, 2004, by Columbia Records and Sony Urban Music.
"Check on It" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé. It was written by her, Swizz Beatz, Sean Garrett, Angela Beyincé and Slim Thug, and produced by Swizz Beatz. Serving as the main theme of the 2006 film The Pink Panther, in which Beyonce co-starred as Xania, it was supposed to be featured on the film's soundtrack. As it was ultimately not included on the soundtrack, the version with additional vocals from Slim Thug was placed on the 2005 Destiny's Child's greatest hits album #1's. Columbia Records released a remix version of "Check on It" featuring both Slim Thug and Bun B as the second single from #1's on October 11, 2005.
"Dangerously in Love 2" is a song written and produced by Beyoncé and Errol McCalla, Jr. The ballad was first recorded by Destiny's Child for their third studio album Survivor (2001), under the title "Dangerously in Love". The song later became the title track to Beyoncé's debut album with some minor adjustments instrumentally. "Dangerously in Love 2" is an R&B ballad, the lyrics of which detail romantic obsession.
American gospel and R&B singer-songwriter Michelle Williams has released four studio albums, one compilation album and ten singles.
Playlist: The Very Best of Destiny's Child is the third compilation album by American R&B girl group Destiny's Child. It was released on October 9, 2012, through Columbia Records matching with the fifteenth anniversary of Destiny's Child's formation. The compilation contained fourteen songs from the group's repertoire consisting of four studio albums.
"Say Yes" is a song by American singer Michelle Williams, taken from her fourth studio album Journey to Freedom (2014). It features Williams' former Destiny's Child groupmates Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland. The song was written by Williams, Carmen Reece, Al Sherrod Lambert and Harmony Samuels who also produced it. E1 Music released "Say Yes" as the album's third single on June 2, 2014. "Say Yes" marks the third time the trio collaborated as solo artists following the disbandment of their group in 2006.
Journey to Freedom is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Michelle Williams, released on September 9, 2014, by E1 Music and Light Records. It marked her first release under the label after severing professional ties with longtime record company Columbia Records and manager Mathew Knowles in 2009. Following a hiatus from her recording career, Williams' album, a collaboration with main producer Harmony Samuels, was a fusion of both urban contemporary gospel and R&B sounds.