Tattoo (Jordin Sparks song)

Last updated

"Tattoo"
Tattoo (Jordin Sparks song).jpg
Single by Jordin Sparks
from the album Jordin Sparks
ReleasedAugust 27, 2007 (2007-08-27)
Genre
Length3:52
Label Jive
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Stargate
Jordin Sparks singles chronology
"This Is My Now"
(2007)
"Tattoo"
(2007)
"No Air"
(2008)
Jordin Sparks Europeansingles chronology
"No Air"
(2008)
"Tattoo"
(2008)
"One Step at a Time"
(2009)

"Tattoo" is a song by American recording artist Jordin Sparks, taken from her self-titled debut album. Written by Amanda Ghost, Ian Dench and Stargate, with the latter also producing the song, "Tattoo" was released on August 27, 2007, as the lead single from the album.

Contents

"Tattoo" received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who noted its similarities to Beyoncé's 2006 hit, "Irreplaceable", which was also co-written and produced by Stargate. The song peaked at number three in Canada, number five in Australia, and number eight in the United States. It has since been certified platinum in all three countries. The song's music video premiered on Yahoo! Music on November 2, 2007. It was directed by Matthew Rolston and features a cameo appearance from sixth season American Idol runner-up, Blake Lewis. A second music video for "Tattoo" was directed by Scott Speer and released only in European countries in September 2008, due to the song failing to make an impact on the singles charts there.

Background and release

"Tattoo" was written by British songwriters Amanda Ghost, Ian Dench and Norwegian production team Stargate, with the latter also producing the track. According to Sparks, she loved the song the first time she heard it and immediately wanted to record it. [1] In an interview with Digital Spy, she spoke of the song saying:

"Tattoo's a song that can go so many different ways. Some people think of it as a break-up song, but, for me, it's about somebody who comes into your life and really touches you - be they a friend, a family member or someone you're in a relationship with. You know, with that kind of person, you can't just erase them from your memory if things go wrong. They're stuck there like a tattoo." [2]

Sparks also described "Tattoo" as being very "Beyoncé-ish." [3] The song premiered on AOL on August 24, 2007. [4] The single was sent to U.S. Top 40/Mainstream radio on September 25, 2007. [5] Prior to this, it was released for digital download in the United States, Australia and New Zealand on August 27, 2007. [6] [7] [8] An extended play featuring additional remixes of the song, was made available for download in Australia and New Zealand on March 8, 2008. [9] [10] "Tattoo" was released in the United Kingdom in April 2008, but failed to impact the singles chart, where it peaked at number fifty. However, due to the commercial success of "No Air" there, her record company decided to re-release "Tattoo" in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2008 [11] with a new music video. [12] [13]

Critical reception

Daniel Wolfe of About.com awarded the song 3½ stars, complimenting Sparks' "powerful, bittersweet vocals" and wrote, "America’s favorite 17-year-old balladeer plays to her strengths, releasing a strong down tempo number while channeling early Mariah Carey." [14] Nick Levine of Digital Spy awarded the song three out of five stars and said it was "a welcome reminder of why she won American Idol in the first place." [12] Michael Slezak of Entertainment Weekly said the song had a "pretty little melody" that reminded him of Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable". [15] This was echoed by Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times , who said "it sounds like a cousin of Beyoncé’s "Irreplaceable". [16] Editors from Popjustice said the song is "amazing" and felt it was a "cross between Rihanna's "Umbrella" and JoJo's "Too Little Too Late". [17]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Tattoo" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number fifty-eight on the week dated October 13, 2007. [18] After weeks of climbing the chart, the song reached a peak of number eight on December 29, 2007, becoming Sparks' first top ten hit. [19] It also peaked at number five on the Pop Songs airplay chart. [19] "Tattoo" has since been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and has sold 2,085,000 copies in the United States. [20] [21] In Australia, the song debuted on the ARIA Singles Chart at number twenty-nine and rose to its peak position of number five in its fifth week on the chart. [22] It certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 70,000 units. [23]

"Tattoo" was a slightly greater success in Canada, where it reached number three on the Canadian Hot 100. [19] In the United Kingdom, "Tattoo" debuted at number ninety on the UK Singles Chart on the week dated March 29, 2008. After weeks of ascending and descending the chart, the song reached its peak position of number twenty-four on November 1, 2008. [24] In New Zealand, the song peaked at number twelve, where it spent a total of thirteen weeks on the chart. [25]

Music video

First music video

The song's music video was directed by Matthew Rolston [26] and premiered on Yahoo Music on November 2, 2007. [27] In the video, a guy that Sparks likes begins following her, as she leads him to a merry go round. Sparks appears alone on the merry go round throughout the video. It also shows scenes of her and the guy on the merry go round having a good time. The video is shown in both color and black and white close face shots of Sparks intercut into it. It features a cameo appearance from Blake Lewis, the runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol , who appears briefly with Sparks on the merry go round at the end of the video.

Second music video

A European version of the music video was directed by Scott Speer [28] and was filmed to coincide with the song's re-release in Europe, due to the lack of interest of the original. The video was released in September 2008. [13] It features Sparks in a room with several other people, at what appears to be a college gathering. As she begins to sing, Sparks is shown with a "love" tattoo on her upper arm, as vines draw themselves down her arm. Following this, the ink begins to appear on the others and the floors of the room, creating tattoos in the process. Some of the people in the room are couples, and the tattoos seem to bring them closer. The created tattoos depict images and words, such as a heart or the words "free" and "peace." Sparks is also shown by herself in an empty room, with a mirror covering the wall throughout. During one point, Sparks self-consciously looks in the mirror, coinciding with the song lyric "when I looked in the mirror, didn't deliver." There are also recurring shots of Sparks in another room against a green wall.

Track listing

Charts and certifications

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Tattoo"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
United StatesSeptember 25, 2007 Contemporary hit radio Jive [5]
GermanyOctober 17, 2008 CD single Sony BMG [54] [55]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Boy (Beyoncé song)</span> 2003 single by Beyoncé featuring Sean Paul

"Baby Boy" is a song by American singer Beyoncé featuring Jamaican deejay Sean Paul, from her debut solo studio album, Dangerously in Love (2003). It was also included on the reissue of Paul's second studio album, Dutty Rock (2002). Both Beyoncé and Paul co-wrote the song with Robert Waller, Jay-Z and Scott Storch, who produced it with Beyoncé. Containing a lyrical interpolation of "No Fear" by hip-hop group O.G.C., "Baby Boy" is a dancehall and R&B song with Caribbean and Asian influences; its lyrics detail a woman's fantasies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordin Sparks</span> American singer and actress (born 1989)

Jordin Sparks is an American singer and actress. She rose to fame in 2007 after winning the sixth season of American Idol at age 17, becoming the youngest winner in the series' history. Her self-titled debut studio album (2007) was met with critical and commercial success; it peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200, received platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sold over two million copies worldwide. The album was supported by the Billboard Hot 100-top ten singles "Tattoo" and "No Air" —the latter received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and remains the third highest-selling song by an American Idol contestant—with three million digital copies sold in the United States.

<i>BDay</i> 2006 studio album by Beyoncé

B'Day is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on September 4, 2006, by Columbia Records, Music World Entertainment and Sony Urban Music. Originally set to be released in 2004, B'Day was planned as a follow-up to Beyoncé's solo debut Dangerously in Love (2003); however, it was delayed to accommodate the recording of Destiny's Child's final studio album Destiny Fulfilled (2004) and Beyoncé's starring role in the 2006 film Dreamgirls. While on vacation after filming Dreamgirls, Beyoncé began contacting various producers and rented Sony Music Studios, completing the album within two weeks. Most of the lyrical content of the album was inspired by Beyoncé's role in the film, with its musical style ranging from 1970s–1980s funk influences and balladry to urban contemporary elements such as hip hop, pop, and R&B. Live instrumentation was employed in recording most of the tracks as part of Beyoncé's vision of creating a record using live instruments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irreplaceable</span> 2006 single by Beyoncé

"Irreplaceable" is a song by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé for her second studio album, B'Day (2006). The song was written by Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, Beyoncé and produced by Stargate and Beyoncé. "Irreplaceable" was originally a country record; it was re-arranged as a mid-tempo ballad with pop and R&B influences by modifying the vocal arrangements and instrumentation. During the production and recording sessions, Beyoncé and Ne-Yo wanted to create a record which people of either gender could relate to. The song's lyrics are about the breakdown of a relationship with an unfaithful man and the song contains a message about female empowerment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful Liar</span> 2007 single by Beyoncé and Shakira

"Beautiful Liar" is a song by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé and Colombian singer Shakira. It was written by Beyoncé, Amanda Ghost, Ian Dench, and Stargate members Mikkel S. Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen, and produced by Stargate and Beyoncé for the deluxe edition of Beyoncé's second solo studio album, B'Day (2006). The mixing of the song was done by Gustavo Celis. "Beautiful Liar" was released on February 12, 2007, through Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment as the only single from the deluxe edition of the album. A Spanglish mixed version of the song was produced and titled "Bello Embustero".

<i>Jordin Sparks</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Jordin Sparks

Jordin Sparks is the debut album by the American pop and R&B singer Jordin Sparks, released on November 20, 2007, in the United States, and November 27, 2007, in Canada. In the United States, it debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200 with sales of 119,000 copies in the first week. It contains four top twenty singles, with "Tattoo" reaching number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100, and "No Air" reaching number three. The album has sold over 3 million copies worldwide and is her best-selling album. Sparks supported the album with the As I Am Tour and Jesse & Jordin LIVE Tour. The album was certified Platinum for sales in excess of 1,000,000 by the RIAA in the US on December 12, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">With You (Chris Brown song)</span> 2007 single by Chris Brown

"With You" is a song by American singer Chris Brown for his second studio album, Exclusive (2007). The song was written by Johntá Austin, Espionage, and Stargate, the latter of which produced the song. The song was released as the album's third single on December 4, 2007, in the United States. It was later released internationally on March 21, 2008. "With You" is composed as a midtempo R&B ballad that features an acoustic guitar as the base of the arrangement.

Espionage is a New York–based Norwegian songwriting and music production team consisting of Espen Lind and Amund Bjørklund. It is signed to Stellar Songs and EMI Music Publishing. Their breakthrough came in 2006 as co-writers of Beyoncé's worldwide smash "Irreplaceable", which was number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 consecutive weeks and the best selling single in the US in 2007. They are probably best known as the producers and cowriters behind several of Train's major hits after 2009, including "Drive By" and their comeback single "Hey, Soul Sister", which is among the 20 highest selling singles of all time in the US. Espionage has received numerous BMI Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Air</span> 2008 song by Jordin Sparks with Chris Brown

"No Air" is a song by American singer Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown. The song was written by James Fauntleroy II, Harvey Mason Jr., Steve Russell, Erik Griggs and Damon Thomas. It was released in the United States on February 11, 2008, and serves as the second single from Jordin Sparks, her first album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Step at a Time (Jordin Sparks song)</span> 2008 single by Jordin Sparks

"One Step at a Time" is the third and final single from American pop/R&B singer Jordin Sparks from her self-titled debut album. Written by Robbie Nevil, Lauren Evans, Jonas Jeberg and Mich Hansen the song was released in the U.S. on June 10, 2008. Sparks performed the song on the season finale of the seventh season of American Idol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordin Sparks discography</span>

American singer Jordin Sparks has released four studio albums, four extended plays, one mixtape, 25 singles, 14 soundtrack appearances and seventeen music videos. At the age of 17, Sparks won the sixth season of American Idol in 2007 and earned a record deal with Jive Records. She made her chart debut with the season's coronation song, "This Is My Now", which peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If I Were a Boy</span> 2008 single by Beyoncé

"If I Were a Boy" is a song written by BC Jean and Toby Gad and originally performed by Jean in 2008. The song gained international attention the same year in a version by the American singer Beyoncé, from her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Jean and Gad also handled its production alongside Beyoncé. Inspired by the difficult break-up of a romantic relationship, the song was initially recorded by Jean, whose record company rejected it. Beyoncé then recorded her own version. Jean was upset when she learned that Beyoncé was releasing it as a single, but eventually, they reached an agreement. Columbia Records released "If I Were a Boy" to US radio on October 8, 2008, as a double A-side single alongside "Single Ladies " as the lead singles. The two songs showcased the contrast between Beyoncé's personality and her aggressive onstage persona, Sasha Fierce. A Spanish version of the song, titled "Si Yo Fuera un Chico", was digitally released in Mexico and Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)</span> 2008 single by Beyoncé

"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé, from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Columbia Records released "Single Ladies" as a single on October 8, 2008, as a double A-side alongside "If I Were a Boy", showcasing the contrast between Beyoncé and her aggressive onstage alter ego Sasha Fierce. It explores men's unwillingness to propose or commit. In the song, the female protagonist is in a club to celebrate her single status.

<i>I Am... Sasha Fierce</i> 2008 studio album by Beyoncé

I Am... Sasha Fierce is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on November 12, 2008, by Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halo (Beyoncé song)</span> 2009 single by Beyoncé

"Halo" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé for her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Included on the I Am... disc, it was intended to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Beyoncé's life, stripped of her make-up and celebrity trappings. Columbia Records released the song, the album's fourth single, to mainstream radio in the United States on January 20, 2009, and to international markets from February 20. Inspired by Ray LaMontagne's 2004 song "Shelter", "Halo" was written by Ryan Tedder and Evan Bogart, with the former producing it alongside Beyoncé, who handled the vocal production. It was originally conceived by Tedder and Bogart specifically for Beyoncé, although there was media speculation that it had been intended for Leona Lewis.

Stargate is a record producing and songwriting team composed of Tor E. Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen, based in Los Angeles, USA. The team's genres include R&B, pop and hip hop. Stargate was established in Trondheim, Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battlefield (song)</span> 2009 single by Jordin Sparks

"Battlefield" is a song by the American singer Jordin Sparks, taken from her sophomore studio album of the same name. It was written by Louis Biancaniello, Ryan Tedder, Sam Watters and Wayne Wilkins, while production of the song was helmed by Tedder and The Runaways. "Battlefield" was released digitally in the United States on May 8, 2009, as the album's lead single. "Battlefield" is a mid-tempo ballad which draws from the genres of pop, R&B, pop rock and soft rock. The song's lyrics revolve around "a tumultuous relationship where neither side wants to compromise." The song's lyrical theme received comparisons to Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield" (1983), and its production was compared to Benatar's "We Belong" (1984).

<i>Battlefield</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Jordin Sparks

Battlefield is the second studio album by American singer Jordin Sparks, first released on July 17, 2009 through Jive Records and 19 Recordings. The album debuted at number 7 in the United States, number 11 in the UK, number 34 in Australia and top 20 in many territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)</span> 2009 single by Jordin Sparks

"S.O.S. " is a song performed by American R&B and pop recording artist Jordin Sparks. It is the second single from her second studio album titled, Battlefield. The song was released first in New Zealand on August 14, 2009 and was sent to US radio on September 29, 2009. It was released in the United Kingdom on October 12, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marry Me (Jason Derulo song)</span> 2013 single by Jason Derulo

"Marry Me" is a song by American recording artist Jason Derulo, released as the second single in the US and Canadian markets from his third studio album, Tattoos (2013). The song was written by Jason Derulo, Jonas Jeberg, "Hookman" Marlin Bonds, Andy Marvel while the song's production was handled by Jonas Jeberg. It is the third track on Tattoos and the eleventh and final track on Talk Dirty.

References

  1. "Jordin Sparks hopes to live up to 'Idol' title". Today . Today.com. August 23, 2007.
  2. Levine, Nick (February 15, 2008). "Interview - Jordin Sparks". Digital Spy . Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  3. Saldaña, Hector (July 16, 2007). "'American Idol' singers get ready for performance". San Antonio Express-News. Archived from the original on February 20, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  4. "Song Premiere: Jordin Sparks, 'Tattoo' - PopEater Music Blog". Archived from the original on October 16, 2007.
  5. 1 2 "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Abitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report Inc. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Tattoo - Jordin Sparks - United States". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. August 27, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  7. "Tattoo - Single - Australia". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. August 27, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  8. "Tattoo - Single - New Zealand". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. August 27, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  9. 1 2 "Tattoo - EP - Australia". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. March 7, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  10. 1 2 "Tattoo - EP - New Zealand". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. March 7, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  11. "Tattoo: Jordin Sparks". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  12. 1 2 Levine, Nick (October 20, 2008). "Music - Singles Review - Jordin Sparks: 'Tattoo'". Digital Spy . Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  13. 1 2 "New Video: Jordin Sparks, 'Tattoo' (Version 2)". MTV Buzzworthy. MTV Networks. September 30, 2008. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  14. Wolfe, Daniel. "Jordin Sparks - Tattoo". About.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  15. Slezak, Michael (August 24, 2007). "Snap judgment: Jordin Sparks' 'Tattoo'". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  16. Sanneh, Kelefa (November 26, 2007). "New CDs". The New York Times . Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  17. "Jordin Sparks - 'Tattoo'". Popjustice . Popjustice Ltd. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  18. "Hot 100 - Week of October 13, 2007". Billboard . Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Tattoo - Jordin Sparks". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved January 19, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  20. "RIAA - Gold & Platinum - Jordin Sparks". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  21. "'Idol' track sales: Adam Lambert, Daughtry, Carrie Underwood". USA Today . September 22, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  22. 1 2 "Jordin Sparks - Tattoo". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  23. "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2008 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  24. 1 2 "The Official Charts Company - Jordin Sparks". Official Charts Company . Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  25. 1 2 "Jordin Sparks - Tattoo". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  26. "Tattoo | Jordin Sparks". MTV . MTV Networks. Archived from the original on October 28, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  27. "'Tattoo' Video Premiere on Yahoo! Music". Jordin Sparks Official Site. November 2, 2007. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  28. "Tattoo (Version 2) | Jordin Sparks". MTV. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on October 26, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  29. "Jordin Sparks - Tattoo". austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  30. "Jordin Sparks – Tattoo" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  31. "Jordin Sparks Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  32. "Jordin Sparks Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  33. "Jordin Sparks Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  34. "Jordin Sparks – Tattoo" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  35. "Jordin Sparks – Global Dance Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  36. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Jordin Sparks". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  37. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 7, 2009" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  38. "Jordin Sparks – Tattoo" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  39. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200852 into search.
  40. "Jordin Sparks - Tattoo". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  41. "Jordin Sparks Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  42. "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2008". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  43. "Canadian Hot 100 Year-End 2008". Billboard . Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  44. "2008 UK Singles Chart" (PDF). UK Chart Plus. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  45. "Billboard Hot 100 Year-End 2008". Billboard . Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  46. "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  47. "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  48. "Pop Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  49. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2008 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  50. "Canadian single certifications – Jordin Sparks – Tattoo". Music Canada.
  51. "Canadian ringtone certifications – Jordin Sparks – Tattoo". Music Canada . Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  52. "British single certifications – Jordin Sparks – Tattoo". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  53. "American single certifications – Jordin Sparks – Tattoo". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 25, 2010.
  54. "Tattoo/Basic" . Retrieved March 27, 2023 via Amazon.
  55. "Tattoo / Maxi Premium" . Retrieved March 27, 2023 via Amazon.