She's like a Star

Last updated

It's about my girlfriend but it's also about how you would feel if you had a child and how strongly you would feel if you had a daughter and how overwhelming the love would be and they would kind of be like a star, you know like she’s my everything, she’s an angel. [2]

"She's like a Star" is an R&B ballad, [3] and according to the digital sheet music published by Hal Leonard Publishing, was composed in the key of C major at a tempo of 100 beats per minute. [4] It contains synthesizers and uses a sample of a child's voice in the vocal "Like a star", which is repeated several times throughout the song. [5] According to Jon O'Brien of AllMusic, the song is reminiscent of American rapper Kanye West's older material. [6] British soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae claimed that Cruz sampled her voice with her song "Like a Star". [7] Cruz denied the accusation and stated that a musicologist was able to prove that he did not sample Rae's voice. [7]

Release and reception

"She's like a Star" is the fifth single from Departure, [8] and was released in the United Kingdom on 18 August 2008. [5] There are several remixes of the song, including one by Cahill which is more uptempo than the original version. [9] A remix that features vocals from English girl group Sugababes and American rapper Busta Rhymes was also released. [10] According to the Daily Mirror , the collaboration came about when they ran into each other at the Hot 97 studios in New York City. [11] A version of the remix without Busta Rhymes appears as a bonus track on the Sugababes' sixth studio album Catfights and Spotlights (2008). [12]

Critical response

Alex Fletcher of Digital Spy rated the song three out of five stars and stated that it is "undoubtedly" one of the album's low points. [3] Additionally, he criticised the song's lack of "bravado and pizazz" in comparison to Cruz's previous singles "I Can Be" and "Come On Girl". [3] Andy Welch of the Halesowen News described it as "a fine example of a Brit doing R&B as well as the Americans", but was unimpressed with the child's voice sample. [13] Hazel Robinson from the BBC Chart Blog gave the song a full five-star rating, and wrote that its composition and musical arrangement produced a song that sounds natural and "pretty extraordinary". [5] The reviewer admitted that while "She's like a Star" was not the best track from Departure, it sounds "infinitely cooler" than the album's previous single "I Can Be". [5] Daily Record's Rick Fulton praised "She's like a Star" as "one of the best R&B sounds to come out of the UK". [14] "She's like a Star" earned Cruz a MOBO Award nomination for Best UK Male. [15]

Chart performance

The song debuted at number 44 on the UK Singles Chart in the issue dated 16 August 2008. [16] It peaked at number 20 three weeks later, and spent a total of 15 weeks on the chart. [16] "She's like a Star" became Cruz's fifth consecutive top-thirty hit in the United Kingdom, and outpeaked the album's first two singles "I Just Wanna Know" and "Moving On". [16]

Promotion

Taio Cruz performed "She's like a Star" with the Sugababes at the 2008 MOBO Awards ceremony. Sugababes performing at the Manchester Apollo.jpg
Taio Cruz performed "She's like a Star" with the Sugababes at the 2008 MOBO Awards ceremony.

Music video

The music video for "She's like a Star" was filmed in Spain. [17] It features an appearance from the actress Roxanne McKee, known for her role as Louise in the British television soap opera Hollyoaks , in which she plays Cruz's love interest. [2] [17] Cruz, who is friends with McKee, explained how the collaboration came about, saying:

Why Roxanne? She's fit and I wanted her in my video! I'm only joking. I've known Roxanne for some time, although I don't watch Hollyoaks so I don't know about the character she plays. We needed an actress who wouldn't feel awkward doing the mock love scenes so I just rang her and she agreed to do it. It was a case of canoodling for a few hours in sunny Spain. [17]

Most scenes of the video take place in a large house. [18] Throughout the video, the pair are touching and kissing with each other, and McKee is shown in the bathtub. [18] In the concluding scenes, she leaves the house and is depicted as a bright star that travels towards the sky, while Cruz stands in front of the house by the pool. [18]

Live performances

The singer performed "She's like a Star" at the O2 Academy Sheffield, England in August 2008 along with many other tracks from Departure. [19] The Sugababes, along with Cruz, performed the song as part of a medley with their single "Girls" at the 2008 MOBO Awards ceremony. [20] Cruz performed it on MTV Live Sessions along with many of his previous and follow-up singles. [21] He performed "She's like a Star" on 15 May 2011 at Radio 1's Big Weekend, as the fourth song on the set list, which included his hits "Break Your Heart", "Higher" and "Dynamite". [22]

Track listings and formats

"She's like a Star"
She'sLikeAStar.jpg
Single by Taio Cruz
from the album Departure
Released18 August 2008
Recorded2007
Studio Gangsta Records
Genre R&B
Length
  • 3:17 (Radio Edit)
  • 3:38 (Album Version)
Label Island Records
Songwriter(s) Taio Cruz
Producer(s) Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz singles chronology
"I Can Be"
(2008)
"She's like a Star"
(2008)
"I Just Wanna Know '08"
(2008)
Sugababes singles chronology
"Denial"
(2008)
"She's like a Star"
(2008)
"Girls"
(2008)

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [32] Silver200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sugababes</span> English girl group

The Sugababes are an English girl group composed of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhán Donaghy. The lineup changed three times before returning to the original lineup in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In the Middle (Sugababes song)</span> 2004 single by Sugababes

"In the Middle" is a song by English girl group Sugababes, released on 22 March 2004 as the third single from their third studio album, Three (2003). The Sugababes were inspired to compose the song based upon the different situations experienced on a night out; they wrote it in collaboration with Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Niara Scarlett, Shawn Lee, Lisa Cowling, Andre Tegler, Phil Fuldner and Michael Bellina. Higgins, Xenomania and Jeremy Wheatley produced the song. "In the Middle" is a dance-pop and funk-influenced record that contains a sample of German DJ Moguai's song "U Know Y".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stronger (Sugababes song)</span> 2002 single by Sugababes

"Stronger" is a song by the British girl group Sugababes from their second studio album, Angels with Dirty Faces (2002). The Sugababes wrote the song in collaboration with Jony Rockstar, Marius de Vries and Felix Howard; it was inspired by group member Heidi Range's experience of being separated from her family and friends. "Stronger" is a downtempo pop and R&B ballad with a self-empowerment theme. It is the third single from Angels with Dirty Faces and was released as a double A-side with the album's title track. The song received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the lyrics and the group's vocals, although some were ambivalent towards its composition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freak like Me</span> 1995 single by Adina Howard

"Freak like Me" is a song by American R&B singer Adina Howard, released on January 25, 1995 by East West and Lola Waxx, as the debut single from her first album, Do You Wanna Ride? (1995). The song reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, as well as number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart for four weeks, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of one million copies. Its music video was directed by Hype Williams. In 2023, Billboard ranked "Freak like Me" among the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time". The song has been covered by several artists, most notably by British girl group Sugababes, who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart with their version in 2002.

<i>Overloaded: The Singles Collection</i> 2006 greatest hits album by Sugababes

Overloaded: The Singles Collection is the first greatest hits album of British girl group Sugababes. It was released on 10 November 2006—almost one year following the departure of founding member Mutya Buena and the introduction of her replacement, Amelle Berrabah. Overloaded features twelve of the group's singles, four of which reached number one in the UK; "Freak like Me", "Round Round", "Hole in the Head", and "Push the Button". The Sugababes collaborated with members from Orson to produce two new tracks for the album, "Easy" and "Good to Be Gone". Overloaded received positive reviews from critics, who generally praised it as a reflection of the group's success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Easy (Sugababes song)</span> 2006 single by Sugababes

"Easy" is a song by British girl group Sugababes, released as the lead single from their greatest hits album Overloaded: The Singles Collection (2006). Development of "Easy" began when the American rock band Orson discovered that the Sugababes were working on a new album, in which they proposed ideas for new tracks. They subsequently wrote the song with the group, and produced it. Backed by bass synthesizers, it is an uptempo electropop and pop rock song that features metaphorical lyrical content containing sexual euphemisms. The song is the group's first single to feature written contributions from then-new member Amelle Berrabah, who had previously sung on re-recorded versions of three songs from the album Taller in More Ways, including the singles "Red Dress" and "Follow Me Home".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taio Cruz</span> Brazilian-English singer-songwriter (born 1980)

Jacob Taio Cruz is a Brazilian-English singer-songwriter, rapper, and record producer. In 2008, he released his debut album Departure, which he wrote, arranged and produced. The album achieved certified gold status in the United Kingdom and earned him a Music of Black Origin Awards (MOBO) nomination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angels with Dirty Faces (Sugababes song)</span> 2002 single by Sugababes

"Angels with Dirty Faces" is a song by British girl group Sugababes from their second studio album of the same name. It was written by the Sugababes in collaboration with the Xenomania members Brian Higgins, Bob Bradley, Tim Powell and Matthew Del Gray. Higgins, Bradley, Powell and Gifford Noel produced the song. An uptempo pop and R&B record with dance influences, it was released on 11 November 2002 as a double A-side with "Stronger", as the album's third single. The song received generally favourable reviews from critics, who praised its composition and highlighted it as one of the album's better tracks.

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

Rosa Isabel Mutya Buena is an English singer and songwriter who rose to fame as a member of girl group Sugababes. With Sugababes, Buena had four UK number-one singles, an additional six top-ten hits and three multi-platinum albums. After leaving the group in December 2005, she released her debut solo album, Real Girl in June 2007. Buena returned to Sugababes with the original line-up in 2012.

<i>Departure</i> (Taio Cruz album) 2008 studio album by Taio Cruz

Departure is the debut studio album by English singer and songwriter Taio Cruz. It was released on 17 March 2008. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">About You Now</span> 2007 single by Sugababes

"About You Now" is a song by British girl group Sugababes from their fifth studio album, Change (2007). Written and produced by Dr. Luke along with Cathy Dennis and Steven Wolf, it was released on 24 September 2007 by Island Records as the lead single from the album, the first to feature Amelle Berrabah on all tracks. An uptempo pop track that combines heavy elements of pop rock and dance-pop, it infuses light electronic sounds. Lyrically, "About You Now" finds the protagonist thinking deeply over her relationship with her love interest from whom she parted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Just Wanna Know</span>

"I Just Wanna Know" is the debut single written and produced by English singer and songwriter Taio Cruz. "I Just Wanna Know" was released as the lead single from Cruz's debut studio album Departure (2008). The single was released on 4 November 2006, via digital download, and two days later physically. It charted on the UK Singles Chart at #29. Despite having a lower peak position than his second single, "Moving On", "I Just Wanna Know" managed six weeks inside the UK top 75 compared to the four weeks "Moving On" charted for. The single is the only of Cruz's releases to be made available on two physical single formats. The B-side, "Backseat Love", features rapper Erick Sermon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denial (Sugababes song)</span> 2008 single by Sugababes

"Denial" is a song by English girl group Sugababes from their fifth studio album, Change (2007). Coinciding with the commencement of the group's 2008 Change Tour, it was released on 10 March 2008 as the album's third and final single. V V Brown wrote "Denial" for the band while she was on London Underground's Victoria line, and attempted to "get into their mindsets" in the process. The Sugababes and the song's producers, Flex Turner and Elliot Malloy, co-wrote it. Composed of staccato verses, a harmonious chorus and a solo middle eight, "Denial" is a pop rock and disco song that samples "Standing in the Way of Control" by the Gossip.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Break Your Heart</span> 2009 single by Taio Cruz

"Break Your Heart" is a song by British singer and songwriter Taio Cruz. The song serves as the lead single from his second studio album, Rokstarr (2009). It was written by Cruz and Fraser T Smith and produced by Smith. It was first released in the United Kingdom on 20 September 2009, followed by a release in the United States and other markets on 2 February 2010. The single version features US rapper Ludacris; that version was the single released in North American countries. The song, originally penned for Cheryl Cole, is an electropop song with dance-pop elements, accompanied by Cruz's vocals. The song is lyrically a warning to someone about being a heartbreaker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">About a Girl (Sugababes song)</span> 2009 single by Sugababes

"About a Girl" is a song by English girl group Sugababes from their seventh studio album, Sweet 7 (2010). RedOne produced the song and wrote it in collaboration with Makeba Riddick. It is an uptempo europop and future house song with a dance-inspired middle eight. The song was released on 8 November 2009 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as the album's second single. "About a Girl" is the first single to feature vocals by band member Jade Ewen, following the departure of Keisha Buchanan, the last remaining original member, in September 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dirty Picture</span> 2010 single by Taio Cruz

"Dirty Picture" is a song by British R&B singer Taio Cruz, which features vocals from American singer Kesha and was released from his second studio album, Rokstarr (2009). The song was written and produced by Cruz alongside Fraser T Smith, and later released as the album's third single on 5 April 2010. Originally, Cruz wanted the female vocals to be done by Lady Gaga but opted to switch to Kesha due to heavy influence by Dr. Luke and for finding her voice unique. The song was later re-recorded as an album bonus track for Kesha's debut album, Animal (2010), and dubbed the "Kesha edit" or "Dirty Picture Pt. 2". Lyrically, the song is about sending a dirty picture to a significant other whom you miss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dynamite (Taio Cruz song)</span> 2009 single by Taio Cruz

"Dynamite" is a 2009 song by British singer and songwriter Taio Cruz from the revised version of his second studio album, Rokstarr (2010). Cruz co-wrote the song, along with Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, Benny Blanco, and Dr. Luke; the latter two are also the producers. It was released as his first single of the album Rokstarr (2009). The song features additional instrumentation by Cruz himself. It was released internationally as the fourth single from Rokstarr. In the UK, the song was released as the first single from Cruz's compilation album, The Rokstarr Collection (2010). On 30 May 2010, it was released to US and Canadian radio stations as his second single and across Europe as his fourth single. An official remix was released featuring new label mate, Jennifer Lopez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Bad Girl</span> 2011 single by David Guetta featuring Taio Cruz and Ludacris

"Little Bad Girl" is a single by French DJ David Guetta, featuring vocals from English recording artist Taio Cruz and American rapper Ludacris. It was released for digital download from 27 June 2011 by Virgin Records, serving as the second single from Guetta's latest studio album Nothing but the Beat. This song later appeared on Cruz's third album TY.O.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hangover (Taio Cruz song)</span> 2011 single by Taio Cruz

"Hangover" is a song by English singer Taio Cruz from his third studio album, TY.O. Released on 4 October 2011 in United States, 18 October 2011 in Germany and 4 March 2012 in the United Kingdom, the song serves as the album's international lead single, and follows "Troublemaker" as the album's second British single. American rapper Flo Rida contributes guest vocals. Another alternate version of the song, titled "Takeover", was leaked online via NewJams.net.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">There She Goes (Taio Cruz song)</span> 2012 single by Taio Cruz featuring Pitbull

"There She Goes" is a song by English singer-songwriter Taio Cruz from his third studio album, TY.O. The track was released physically and digitally as the album's third single on 20 April 2012 in Germany. The song features vocals from American rapper, pop singer-songwriter and record producer Pitbull. The track was later selected to be released as the album's third single in the United Kingdom, being released on 25 June 2012. However, the British release of the track does not feature Pitbull. The track peaked at #12 on the UK Singles Chart.

References

  1. "It will be sunny – I've had words..." Birmingham Mail . Trinity Mirror. 15 August 2008. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Exclusive interview: Taio Cruz". Sugar . Hearst Magazines. 31 July 2008. Archived from the original on 31 August 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 Fletcher, Alex (9 August 2008). "Taio Cruz: 'She's Like a Star'". Digital Spy . Hearst Magazines. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  4. Cruz, Taio (2008). "Digital Sheet Music – Taio Cruz – She's Like a Star". Musicnotes.com. Hal Leonard Publishing. SC0095042.
  5. 1 2 3 4 McAlphine, Fraser (17 August 2008). "Taio Cruz – 'She's Like a Star'". BBC Chart Blog . BBC. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  6. O'Brien, Jon. "Departure – Taio Cruz". AllMusic . Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  7. 1 2 "Corinne Bailey Rae scraps with Taio Cruz". Daily Star . Northern and Shell Media. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  8. "Taio Cruz the new UK R&B talent". Metro . Associated Newspapers. 11 August 2008. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  9. "Singles". Birmingham Mail. Trinity Mirror. 30 August 2008. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2013.(subscription required)
  10. Kilkelly, Daniel (1 October 2009). "Taio Cruz comments on Sugababes switch". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Archived from the original on 8 January 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  11. Moodie, Clemmie; Lawler, Danielle (20 August 2008). "Is this the weirdest pop collaboration?". Daily Mirror . Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2013.(subscription required)
  12. "Sugababes – Catfights and Spotlights – Review". BBC Music. BBC. 17 October 2008. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  13. Welch, Andy (23 August 2008). "On the record". Halesowen News . Newsquest. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  14. Fulton, Rick (15 August 2008). "Singles and albums". Daily Record . Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 19 April 2013.[ permanent dead link ](subscription required)
  15. Jones, Steve (12 March 2010). "Taio Cruz's 'Break Your Heart' zooms to No. 1 on Hot 100". USA Today . Gannett Company. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  16. 1 2 3 "Taio Cruz". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  17. 1 2 3 "It's nice work if you can get it!". Birmingham Mail. Trinity Mirror. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  18. 1 2 3 "She's Like a Star Video". MTV UK . MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  19. Mugan, Chris (14 August 2008). "Taio Cruz, Academy 2, Sheffield". The Independent . Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  20. "In pictures: Mobo Awards 2008". CBBC . BBC. 16 October 2008. Archived from the original on 19 October 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  21. "Live Sessions – Taio Cruz – 'She's Like a Star'". MTV Australia . MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  22. "Radio 1's Big Weekend 2011 – Taio Cruz". BBC Radio 1 . BBC. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  23. "She's Like a Star (Single)". Amazon (UK). Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  24. "She's Like a Star – Single". iTunes Store . Apple . Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  25. "She's Like a Star (Remix) [feat. Sugababes & Busta Rhymes] – Single". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  26. "She's Like a Star (feat. K.R.) - Single". iTunes .
  27. "She's Like A Star (Remixes) – EP". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  28. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  29. "2008 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive". Official Charts Company . 30 August 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  30. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  31. "Official Singles Chart 2008" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  32. "British single certifications – Taio Cruz – She's Like a Star". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 7 May 2021.