The Gift (Susan Boyle album)

Last updated

The Gift
Susan Boyle The Gift cover.jpg
Studio album by
Susan Boyle
Released8 November 2010
RecordedJuly–September 2010
London, England
Genre
Length35:13
Label
Producer Steve Mac [2]
Susan Boyle chronology
I Dreamed a Dream
(2009)		The Gift
(2010)		 Someone to Watch Over Me
(2011)
Singles from The Gift
  1. "Perfect Day"
    Released: 8 November 2010

The Gift is the second album and first Christmas album by Scottish singer Susan Boyle, which was released on 8 November 2010. [3] Boyle hinted that the album has a 1960s feel "because that was [her] era". [4] [5] Despite having a mixed critical reception, the album debuted at number one on both the British and American album charts and received a nomination at the 54th Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Contents

Background

It was produced by Steve Mac, who says, "Now Susan’s used to the studio and the recording process, this time round we might go even further down a traditional route of recording by getting a band together and rehearsing songs before we go into the studio to see what works, how she reacts with certain parts, and so we can change the arrangements that way. I think that’s going to work much better... With Susan it's very important she connects with the public and the public connect with her. She doesn’t want to sing anything that hasn’t happened to her or she can't relate to." [2]

Susan's Search competition

In a lead up to the release, Boyle offered her fans a chance to duet with her, with a competition titled Susan's Search. Applicants had to record a video of themselves singing "Silent Night" and upload it to her YouTube channel. [6] The winner was 33-year-old paramedic Amber Stassi of Brewerton, New York. [7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 62/100 [8]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
BBC Music (favourable) [10]
Metro International (mixed) [11]
Yahoo! Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]

The album has received generally lukewarm reviews from critics. [8] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic gave the album two and a half out of five stars, complimenting Boyle as the right person to make a holiday album, but referred to the music as "predictable". [9] Graham Rockingham of Metro International gave the album mixed reviews, criticising how the album can be a number 1 charter, but at the same time be well suited for traditional carols.

Commercial performance

In the UK, The Gift debuted at No. 1. However, it remained at the top spot for only one week and dropped out of the chart altogether after eleven weeks. [13] In comparison, Boyle's first album topped the UK chart for four weeks and remained on the chart for 39 weeks.

In the United States, The Gift debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart with first week sales of 318,000 copies. [14] In its second week, the album stayed at No. 1, and sold even more copies: 335,000. [15] In its third week, it dropped to No. 3 on the Billboard 200, selling 263,000 copies. [16] In its fourth week, The Gift returned to No. 1, selling 272,000 additional copies. [17] The album remained at No. 1 in its fifth week with sales of 243,000 copies. [18] By the end of 2010, sales of The Gift totalled 1,852,000 copies in the United States, and was the fifth best-selling album for the year. [19] [20] As of November 2014, the album has attained cumulative sales of 2,180,000 copies in the United States according to SoundScan. [21]

The album debuted at No. 3 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 13,000 copies in its first week. [22]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Original artistLength
1."Perfect Day" Lou Reed Lou Reed4:31
2."Hallelujah" Leonard Cohen Leonard Cohen3:53
3."Do You Hear What I Hear?" (featuring Amber Stassi) Noël Regney, Gloria Shayne Baker Harry Simeone Chorale 3:55
4."Don't Dream It's Over" Neil Finn Crowded House 3:47
5."The First Noel"Trad/Arranger Steve Mac, David Arch Christmas carol 2:59
6."O Holy Night" Adolphe Adam, John Sullivan Dwight / Arranger Steve Mac, David ArchChristmas carol4:05
7."Away in a Manger"Trad/Arranger Steve Mac, David ArchChristmas carol2:56
8."Make Me a Channel of Your Peace"Trad/Arranger Sebastian TempleChristian hymn4:24
9."Auld Lang Syne" Robert Burns, Trad/Arranger Steve Mac, David ArchFolk song2:45
10."O Come All Ye Faithful"Trad/Arranger Steve Mac, David ArchChristian hymn2:06
11."Vapor Trail" (Japanese bonus track) Yumi Arai Yumi Arai3:46

[23]

Release history

CountryRelease dateFormat(s)
United Kingdom8 November 2010CD, digital download
Canada9 November 2010
United States
Japan10 November 2010
Argentina10 November 2010

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [64] 3× Platinum210,000^
Belgium (BEA) [65] Platinum30,000*
Canada (Music Canada) [66] 2× Platinum160,000^
Hungary (MAHASZ) [67] Gold3,000^
Ireland (IRMA) [68] 2× Platinum30,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [69] 4× Platinum60,000^
Sweden (GLF) [70] Gold20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [71] 2× Platinum600,000^
United States (RIAA) [72] 3× Platinum2,180,000 [21]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Eminem Show</i> 2002 studio album by Eminem

The Eminem Show is the fourth studio album by the American rapper Eminem. After originally being scheduled for release on June 4, 2002, the album was released nine days earlier on May 26, 2002, through Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records due to pirating and bootlegging of it. The album saw Eminem take a substantially more predominant production role; most of it was self-produced, with his longtime collaborator Jeff Bass. It features guest appearances from Obie Trice, D12, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, Dina Rae and Eminem's daughter Hailie Jade Scott-Mathers.

<i>Feels like Home</i> (Norah Jones album) 2004 studio album by Norah Jones

Feels like Home is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Norah Jones, released on February 10, 2004, through Blue Note Records. It serves as the follow-up to Jones' 2002 breakthrough album, Come Away with Me.

<i>Come Away with Me</i> 2002 studio album by Norah Jones

Come Away with Me is the debut studio album by American recording artist Norah Jones, released on February 26, 2002, by Blue Note Records. Recording sessions took place at Sorcerer Sound Studio in New York City and Allaire Studios in Shokan, New York.

<i>Number Ones</i> (Michael Jackson album) 2003 greatest hits album by Michael Jackson

Number Ones is a greatest hits album by American singer Michael Jackson. It was released on November 18, 2003, by Epic Records. Number Ones was Jackson's first proper compilation album with Epic Records, after the release of the first disc of HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I in 1995. The album included Jackson's singles that reportedly reached number 1 in charts around the world, hence the album's name. Number Ones also features the last original single released during Jackson's lifetime, "One More Chance", released four days after the release of the album.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Tupac Shakur album) 1998 greatest hits album by 2Pac

Greatest Hits is a posthumous double-disc greatest hits album by American rapper 2Pac, released by Amaru Entertainment, Death Row Records, Interscope Records, and Jive Records on November 24, 1998.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Queen album) 1981 greatest hits album by Queen

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the British rock band Queen, released worldwide on 26 October 1981. The album consisted of Queen's biggest hits since their first chart appearance in 1974 with "Seven Seas of Rhye", up to their 1980 hit "Flash". There was no universal track listing or cover art for the album, and each territory's tracks were dependent on what singles had been released there and which were successful. In 1992, the US version of the album Classic Queen was released following the band's rekindled popularity in the nation.

<i>The Best of 1980–1990</i> 1998 greatest hits album by U2

The Best of 1980–1990 is the first greatest hits compilation by Irish rock band U2, released on 2 November 1998. It mostly contains the group's hit singles from the 1980s, but also mixes in some live staples, as well as a re-recording of the 1987 B-side "Sweetest Thing". In April 1999, a companion video was released. The album was followed by another compilation, The Best of 1990–2000, in 2002.

<i>The Essential Michael Jackson</i> 2005 greatest hits album by Michael Jackson

The Essential Michael Jackson is a greatest hits compilation album by American singer Michael Jackson. It was released on July 19, 2005, by Sony Music's catalog division Legacy Recordings as part of The Essential series. The two-disc compilation features thirty-eight hit songs by Michael Jackson, from his days at Motown Records with The Jackson 5 in the late 1960s and early 1970s to his 2001 hit "You Rock My World".

<i>Westlife</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Westlife

Westlife is the debut studio album by Irish boy band Westlife. The album was released on 1 November 1999 through RCA. The album spawned the five UK number-one hit singles "Swear It Again", "If I Let You Go", "Flying Without Wings", the double A-side "I Have a Dream"/"Seasons in the Sun", and "Fool Again".

<i>Mothership</i> (Led Zeppelin album) 2007 greatest hits album by Led Zeppelin

Mothership is a compilation album by English rock band Led Zeppelin, released by Atlantic Records and Rhino Entertainment on 12 November 2007 in the United Kingdom, and 13 November 2007 in the United States. It was released on the same day that Led Zeppelin's entire catalogue became available in digital stores, including the iTunes Store. The cover was designed by artist Shepard Fairey.

<i>Only by the Night</i> 2008 studio album by Kings of Leon

Only by the Night is the fourth studio album by American rock band Kings of Leon, released in September 2008 through RCA Records. Writing for the band's fourth album commenced just days after the release of their third, Because of the Times. The album was recorded by producers Jacquire King and Angelo Petraglia in April 2008 at Nashville's Blackbird Studio.

<i>And Winter Came...</i> 2008 studio album by Enya

And Winter Came... is the seventh studio album by Irish singer, songwriter, and musician Enya, released on 7 November 2008 by Warner Bros. Records internationally and by Reprise Records in the United States on 11 November 2008. After recording new Christmas songs for her fourth EP Sounds of the Season: The Enya Collection (2006), Enya started work on a Christmas album of traditional carols and original tracks, but the idea was changed to a collection of songs with a Christmas or winter theme as it better suited the style of the new material. It was recorded with her longtime collaborators, arranger and producer Nicky Ryan and his wife, lyricist Roma Ryan.

<i>I Dreamed a Dream</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Susan Boyle

I Dreamed a Dream is the debut studio album by Scottish singer Susan Boyle. It was released on 23 November 2009 by Syco Music in the United Kingdom, and by Columbia Records in the United States one day later. In the standard edition, 11 out of the 12 songs that appear on the album are cover songs, plus the original composition "Who I Was Born to Be". It quickly became the world's biggest selling album of 2009, according to IFPI. The album had sold around 10 million copies worldwide since its debut.

<i>Sigh No More</i> (Mumford & Sons album) 2009 studio album by Mumford & Sons

Sigh No More is the debut studio album by British folk rock band Mumford & Sons. It was released on 2 October 2009 in the UK, and on 16 February 2010 in the United States and Canada. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at No. 11 and peaked at No. 2 on 20 February 2011, in its 72nd week on the chart and following its Album of the Year win at the Brit Awards. In early 2011, the album peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Boyle discography</span>

The discography of Susan Boyle, a Scottish singer, contains seven studio albums and sixteen singles, thirteen as a solo artist, and three as a featured artist. Boyle achieved global attention after auditioning for Series 3 of Britain's Got Talent in 2009. After much attention, Boyle signed a record deal with British record producer Simon Cowell, releasing her worldwide multi-platinum selling début album I Dreamed a Dream. The album's first two singles, "Wild Horses" and "I Dreamed a Dream" were successful, both reaching the top forty of the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, Boyle's album charted at number one on the Billboard 200 album charts. The singles were a success in the United States, with "Wild Horses" making ninety-eight and "I Dreamed a Dream" making sixty-two.

<i>Come Around Sundown</i> 2010 studio album by Kings of Leon

Come Around Sundown is the fifth studio album by U.S. rock band Kings of Leon, released in Ireland, Australia and Germany on October 15, 2010, followed by releases in the United Kingdom on October 18 and North America on October 19. Lead single "Radioactive", along with its accompanying music video, premiered on September 8 on the band's official website.

<i>Romanza</i> 1997 compilation album by Andrea Bocelli

Romanza is the first compilation album by Italian tenor singer Andrea Bocelli, released internationally in 1997.

<i>Christmas</i> (Michael Bublé album) 2011 studio album by Michael Bublé

Christmas is the seventh studio album and first Christmas album released by Canadian singer Michael Bublé. The album was released on October 21, 2011, in Ireland, on October 24, 2011, in the United Kingdom, and on October 25, 2011, in the United States. On the week ending December 10, 2011, Christmas rose to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album sales chart, becoming Bublé's third chart-topper following 2007's Call Me Irresponsible and 2009's Crazy Love, and spent five weeks at No. 1.

<i>Someone to Watch Over Me</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Susan Boyle

Someone to Watch Over Me is the third album by Scottish singer Susan Boyle, released on 7 November 2011 in the United Kingdom and 1 November 2011 in the United States. The album has been described as a "diverse mix of music" which includes songs inspired by the stories of Boyle's fans who write letters to her.

<i>A Wonderful World</i> (Susan Boyle album) 2016 studio album by Susan Boyle

A Wonderful World is the seventh studio album by Scottish singer Susan Boyle. It was released on 4 November 2016 by Syco Music and Columbia Records.

References

  1. ↑ Christman, Ed (22 July 2010). "Susan Boyle Recording Christmas Album: Sources". Billboard.com . Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  2. 1 2 Bouwman, Kimbel. "Interview with Steve Mac, producer for Susan Boyle, JLS, Il Divo, The Saturdays". HitQuarters. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  3. ↑ "Susan Boyle: Gift (2010)". HMV Group . Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  4. ↑ "Q&A With Susan Part 3". Susan Boyle official website. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  5. ↑ Kaufman, Gil. "Susan Boyle's Debut Smashes U.S. Chart Records". MTV. Archived from the original on 4 December 2009.
  6. ↑ "Susan Boyle launches contest to find duet partner". Vancouver Sun. Reuters. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  7. ↑ "Susan's Search Winner Announced!". Susan Boyle official website. 13 August 2010. Archived from the original on 5 November 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  8. 1 2 "The Gift - Susan Boyle". Metacritic. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  9. 1 2 "allmusic ((( The Gift > Overview)))". Allmusic. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  10. ↑ "Music - Review of Susan Boyle - The Gift". BBC. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  11. ↑ "Metro - Susan Boyle makes for a pleasant enough Christmas album". Metronews.ca. Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  12. ↑ 2 hrs ago (20 April 2011). "Yahoo! UK & Ireland omg! - Celebrity Gossip | News | Photos | Videos". New.uk.music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 10 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ "Official Charts Company - Susan Boyle - The Gift". archive.is. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  14. ↑ "Susan Boyle Tops Billboard 200, 'Glee' Reigns on Digital Songs – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "Susan Boyle's 'Gift' Tops Rihanna, Kid Rock on Billboard 200 – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
  16. ↑ Grein, Paul (28 November 2010). "Week Ending Nov. 28, 2010: The King And Queen Of Hip-Hop". Yahoo Music. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
  17. ↑ Grein, Paul (8 December 2010). "Week Ending Dec. 5, 2010: The "Gift" That Keeps On Giving". Yahoo Music. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  18. ↑ Kaulfield, Keith (15 December 2010). "Boyle's 'Gift' Keeps Giving on Billboard 200, 'Tron' Hits Top 10". Billboard . Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  19. ↑ Kaulfield, Keith (5 January 2011). "Eminem's 'Recovery' Is 2010's Best-Selling Album; Katy Perry's 'California Gurls' Top Digital Song". Billboard. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  20. ↑ "Eminem's 'Recovery' Is 2010's Best-Selling Album; Katy Perry's 'California Gurls' Top Digital Song". Billboard. 14 September 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  21. 1 2 "The Gifts That Keep on Giving: Biggest Radio and Album Hits of the Holidays". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  22. ↑ John Williams, Qmi Agency (17 November 2010). "Bon Jovi boots Swift from No. 1 | Music | Entertainment". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  23. ↑ ""The Gift" by Susan Boyle". Susan Boyle official website. 21 September 2010. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  24. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Susan Boyle – The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  25. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Susan Boyle – The Gift" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  26. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Susan Boyle – The Gift" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  27. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Susan Boyle – The Gift" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  28. ↑ "Susan Boyle Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  29. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – Susan Boyle – The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  30. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Susan Boyle – The Gift" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  31. ↑ "European Albums – Week of November 27, 2010". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
  32. ↑ "Susan Boyle: The Gift" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  33. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Susan Boyle – The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  34. ↑ "Susan Boyle – The Gift". Ultratop . Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  35. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2010. 49. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  36. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Susan Boyle". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  37. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Susan Boyle – The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  38. ↑ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" . Retrieved 22 November 2010.
  39. ↑ "Mexico Top 100" (PDF). AMPROFON. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  40. ↑ "Charts.nz – Susan Boyle – The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  41. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Susan Boyle – The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  42. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  43. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Susan Boyle – The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  44. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Susan Boyle – The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  45. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Susan Boyle – The Gift". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  46. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  47. ↑ "Susan Boyle Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  48. ↑ "Susan Boyle Chart History (Holiday Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  49. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  50. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2010". Ultratop. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  51. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2010". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  52. ↑ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2010" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  53. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 2010". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  54. ↑ "Årslista Album – År 2010" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  55. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2010". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  56. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  57. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2011". Ultratop. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  58. ↑ "Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  59. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 2011". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  60. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  61. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  62. ↑ "2019 ARIA End of Decade Albums Chart". January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  63. ↑ "Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  64. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2010 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  65. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2010". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  66. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Susan Boyle – The Gift". Music Canada.
  67. ↑ "Adatbázis – Arany- és platinalemezek – 2010" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ.
  68. ↑ "The Irish Charts - 2010 Certification Awards - Multi Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association.
  69. ↑ "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". Radioscope. 17 July 2011. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011.
  70. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2011" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015.
  71. ↑ "British album certifications – Susan Boyle – The Gift". British Phonographic Industry.
  72. ↑ "American album certifications – Susan Boyle – The Gift". Recording Industry Association of America.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.