Stronger (Sugababes song)

Last updated

"Stronger"
Angelwithnofaces.JPG
Single by Sugababes
from the album Angels with Dirty Faces
A-side "Angels with Dirty Faces"
B-side "Groove Is Going On"
Released11 November 2002 (2002-11-11)
Genre
Length4:02
Label Island
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Jony Rockstar
Sugababes singles chronology
"Round Round"
(2002)
"Stronger" / "Angels with Dirty Faces"
(2002)
"Shape"
(2003)
Music video
"Stronger" on YouTube

"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.

Contents

"Stronger" reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and entered the top 10 on the singles charts in the Netherlands and Norway. It peaked within the top 40 in Australia, New Zealand and several European countries. Alison Murray directed the song's music video, which was filmed at a swimming pool in London and portrays each group member as a different persona. The single was performed by the Sugababes at the Edinburgh 50,000 – The Final Push concert in July 2005, and was included in the set lists for their tours in support of Three , Overloaded: The Singles Collection and Change . Lee Mead covered the ballad for his Lee Mead studio album.

Background and release

Soon after the release of the group's first album, One Touch (2000), and its singles "New Year", "Run for Cover" and "Soul Sound", the Sugababes were dropped by their record label London Records, and Siobhán Donaghy left the group amid reports of in-fighting with Keisha Buchanan and Mutya Buena. [1] The former Atomic Kitten member Heidi Range was announced as Donaghy's replacement, and the Sugababes subsequently signed to Island Records. [1] "Stronger" was written by Buchanan, Buena and Range, in collaboration with Jony Rockstar, Marius de Vries and Felix Howard, for the group's second studio album Angels with Dirty Faces . [2] The song was conceptualised during the period in Range's life when she had not yet joined the group and was separated from her family and friends. [3] Range related her experience to the writing process of "Stronger", a technique which she suggested was essential for songwriting. [4] The song was produced and mixed by Rockstar. [2] Tom Elmhirst also mixed the song, recorded the group's vocals and programmed it. [2] Range has named "Stronger" as her favourite song from the group's career, [5] and considers it personal to her. [6] "Stronger" was released as the album's third single as part of a double A-side with the album's title track in CD, cassette and 12-inch single formats on 11 November 2002. [7] [8] To promote its release, the Sugababes played the track to the Birmingham Mail in October 2002 as part of an interview, [9] and visited 95.8 Capital FM in November 2002. [10]

Composition and lyrics

"Stronger" is a downtempo pop and R&B ballad, [11] with elements of hip hop. [12] "Stronger" was composed in the key of A minor in common time, at a relatively slow-paced 74 beats per minute. [13] The song features an orchestral musical arrangement; [14] its instrumentation is provided by a bass guitar, violin, viola, cello, double bass, drums and keyboards. [2] The song features a slow and dark melody, [15] and is reminiscent of the Sugababes' 2001 One Touch single "Run for Cover". [16] According to NME 's Alex Needham, "Stronger" has a similar musical style to the American R&B group En Vogue. [17] Graeme Virtue of The Sunday Herald compared the ballad to the music of English group Massive Attack, writing: "The orchestral sweep of 'Stronger' aims for Massive Attack-style emotional sweep". [14] "Stronger" is a self-empowerment ballad that contains an "I-will-survive" testimony; [18] the chorus is opened with the line, "I'm all alone, and finally, I'm getting stronger". [19]

Reception

Critical response

Critical response to "Stronger" was generally positive. Andy Strickland of Yahoo! Music described it as having "splashes of pure Massive Attack". [20] Stuart McCaighy of This Is Fake DIY wrote that it "sounds ace", [21] while Birmingham Post writer Andrew Cowen described the track as "defiant". [22] Dean Piper from Daily Mirror considered it the Sugababes' best release and applauded the group's vocals on the song. [23] Hot Press writer Phil Udell characterised "Stronger" as "an elegant ballad way beyond their tender years". [24] Akin Ojumu of The Guardian was complimentary about the track's R&B elements, writing: "When they get it right on tracks such as 'Stronger' and 'Supernatural' the Sugababes are cool". [25] Fiona Shepherd of The Scotsman praised the song's composition, calling it "tastefully restrained". [26] However, Barry Nicholson from NME named it the weaker track on the double A-side and stated that it "leers at you for a bit, then staggers off to puke up that last Bacardi Breezer". [27] Marianne Gunn from The Herald called the track's strings "inferior" and wrote that it contains "the same cheesy sentiment" as American singer Britney Spears' song of the same name. [28]

Commercial performance

"Stronger" debuted at number seven on the UK Singles Chart in the issue dated 23 November 2002 as part of its double A-side release with the album's title track. [29] It became the third consecutive single from Angels with Dirty Faces to reach the top 10 in the UK. [30] The single eventually spent thirteen weeks on the chart. [30] The double A-side has sold 125,000 copies in the United Kingdom, placing it twelfth on the Sugababes' list of highest-selling singles. [31] The double A-side debuted and peaked at number 34 on the Australian Singles Chart on 9 March 2003 and spent nine weeks on the chart. [32] [33] It performed better on the New Zealand Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 24 and remained on the chart for eighteen weeks. [34] "Stronger" charted individually in other countries. The song performed most notably on the Dutch Top 40 chart, where it peaked at number five, [35] spent six weeks in the top 10, [35] and was placed 29th on its list of best-performing singles in 2003. [36] "Stronger" reached number six on the Norwegian VG-lista chart and spent fourteen weeks in the top 20. [37] The single peaked at number 11 on the Danish Singles Chart, [38] and number 13 on the Irish Singles Chart. [39] "Stronger" debuted at number 43 on the Ultratop chart in Belgium (Flanders) and later peaked at number 20. [40] It peaked at number 23 on the Swedish and Swiss singles charts [41] [42] and reached the top 40 on the German and Hungarian charts. [43] [44]

Music video

The music video for "Stronger" was filmed at a swimming pool in London. London Thames Sunset panorama - Feb 2008.jpg
The music video for "Stronger" was filmed at a swimming pool in London.

The accompanying music video for "Stronger" was directed by Alison Murray. [45] It was filmed in September 2002 in London. [46] Range played a stripper in the video, [47] while Buena portrayed a gangster's moll and Buchanan was a heartbroken woman at a support group. [4] Range described being semi-naked in front of the camera as "weird, and very invasive". [4] The video opens with a scene of Buena in a car driving through the streets in London, where she is sitting in the back seat next to a man talking on the phone. She builds up the courage to leave the man after the car stops at a red light. She gets out and walks away, leaving the man behind yelling at her. [48]

The following scenes show Buchanan, Range and Buena at Park Road outdoor swimming pool in Crouch End; Buchanan is sitting on a chair, Range is standing in front of a fence, and Buena is sitting on the pool's stairs. [48] Five women are later shown dancing simultaneously by the pool. [48] The video cuts to Buchanan sitting in the middle of a support group in a room in a university, with a blackboard behind her reading "Heartbroken Anonymous". [48] She later leaves the room, and the video then shows the Sugababes sitting on a bench near the pool. [48] Range is shown on the stage in a nightclub disco as a stripper. Like Buena, she acts up the courage and leaves her profession. [48] Meanwhile, all three Sugababes appear under the running water of a shower tap, and are shown dancing with the group of women from the previous scenes. [48] The final scenes of the video show three children swimming underwater in the pool, resembling the members of the Sugababes. [48]

Live performances and other appearances

The Sugababes performed "Stronger" on 27 August 2002 during an Up Close gig for the launch of Angels with Dirty Faces, organised by Scottish Radio Holdings and the Royal Bank of Scotland. [49] They performed the single on 5 October 2002 at the University of Leeds. [7] [50] The trio played "Stronger", along with many of their other songs, at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange on 18 August 2004. [51] The song was performed by the band at the Edinburgh 50,000 – The Final Push concert in July 2005, which was part of the Live 8 concert series to persuade G8 leaders to increase the assistance of poverty in Africa. [52] The performance received mixed reviews from critics, who considered it weak. [52] "Stronger" was included in the set list for the group's 2004 tour in support of their album Three. [19] In October 2006, the Sugababes performed it as part of an acoustic set with "Shape" at the 100 Club on Oxford Street, to promote the release of their greatest hits album, Overloaded: The Singles Collection . [53]

"Stronger" appeared in the set list for the group's Overloaded tour, [54] in which the performances were accompanied by footage of their Comic Relief trip to Africa. [55] The band performed the song in December 2007 in Glasgow, Scotland, as part of an acoustic gig. [56] The single also appeared on the set list for their 2008 Change Tour, in support of their fifth studio album Change. [57] The Journal's Kat Keogh wrote that their performance at the Newcastle City Hall "displayed a confident shift from moody pop princesses to sassy Supremes-style harmony". [57] The group performed "Stronger" on 27 June 2009 at the Cannock Chase Forrest as part of a 75-minute show, [58] and on 10 July 2009 at County Durham's Riverside Ground along with many of their other singles. [59] The fourth line-up of the Sugababes, consisting of Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen, performed the song at the London Superclub in March 2010 as part of a gig.[ citation needed ]

The English musical theatre actor Lee Mead covered "Stronger" on his album, Lee Mead. Alex Fletcher of Digital Spy characterised the cover as "the only tune on the record with the sort of story-telling lyrics that are fitting for Mead's dramatic style", [60] while Michael Quinn from the BBC described it as "more sweetly plaintive" than the Sugababes' version. [61] "Stronger" was used in an anti-bullying advertisement that depicts a fifteen-year-old girl with her mouthed stitched up. The advertisement was banned from appearing on television, although it was permitted by the Cinema Advertising Association to appear in cinemas across Britain from 19 January 2010. [62] The music video for "Stronger" became the subject of media attention in June 2011 after a member of Scotland's SlutWalk movement posted it on the group's website, claiming that it was in encouragement for victims of rape. [63]

Track listings and formats

Personnel

Credits are taken from the liner notes of Overloaded: The Singles Collection. [2]

Charts

Related Research Articles

<i>Three</i> (Sugababes album) 2003 studio album by Sugababes

Three is the third studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released by Island Records on 27 October 2003. It generated four singles that charted in various parts of the world; the first, "Hole in the Head", became the group's third UK number one single. The three members of the Sugababes each recorded a "solo" song on the album—"Whatever Makes You Happy", "Sometimes" and "Maya". Three debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Push the Button (Sugababes song)</span> 2005 single by Sugababes

"Push the Button" is a song recorded by English girl group the Sugababes for their fourth studio album Taller in More Ways (2005). Composed by Dallas Austin and the Sugababes, it was inspired by an infatuation that group member Keisha Buchanan developed with another artist. Musically, the song is an electropop and R&B song with various computer effects. It was released as the lead single from Taller in More Ways on 23 September 2005, by Island Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ugly (Sugababes song)</span> 2005 single by Sugababes

"Ugly" is a song by British girl group Sugababes from their fourth studio album, Taller in More Ways (2005). Written and produced by Dallas Austin, inspiration for the song was conceptualised in the midst of reading negative comments about members of the band. The song released on 5 December 2005 in the United Kingdom as the second single from the album. "Ugly" is a midtempo pop rock and R&B ballad that contains lyrics about personality and body-image issues. It received comparisons to "Unpretty" by girl group TLC and "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera. "Ugly" is the band's final single released under the second line up of Sugababes, after original member Mutya Buena departed the group on 21 December 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caught in a Moment</span> 2004 single by Sugababes

"Caught in a Moment" is a song by English girl group Sugababes from their third studio album Three (2003). It was released in the United Kingdom on 23 August 2004 as the album's fourth and final single. The song was written by the group's members in collaboration with Karen Poole, Marius De Vries and its producer Jony Rockstar. "Caught in a Moment" is a downtempo pop, soul and R&B ballad backed by an orchestral musical arrangement, and contains emotive lyrics that explore concepts of melancholy and hopefulness. The track received mixed reviews from critics who were ambivalent towards its balladry.

<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">Too Lost in You</span> 2003 single by Sugababes

"Too Lost in You" is a song by English girl group Sugababes from their third studio album, Three (2003). It was written by American songwriter Diane Warren as an English rendition of the song "Quand j'ai peur de tout" by French singer Patricia Kaas. The song was produced by the Australian musician Rob Dougan in collaboration with Andy Bradfield, and recorded at the Realsongs studio in Hollywood. "Too Lost in You" is prominently featured in the soundtrack to the 2003 film Love Actually, and was chosen for the film specifically by its director Richard Curtis. It is a pop rock and R&B ballad composed of an orchestral music arrangement and dark harmonies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hole in the Head</span> 2003 single by Sugababes

"Hole in the Head" is a song performed by British girl group Sugababes, released on 13 October 2003 as the lead single from their third studio album, Three. It was written by Brian Higgins, Miranda Cooper, Tim Powell, Nick Coler, Niara Scarlett, Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Heidi Range, and co-produced by Higgins and Jeremy Wheatley. The song was met with acclaim from critics and was a commercial success, entering at the top of the UK Singles Chart. Outside the United Kingdom, the single peaked within the top ten of the charts in ten other countries. It became their only single to chart in the United States, peaking at number ninety-six on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shape (song)</span> 2003 single by Sugababes

"Shape" is a song by English girl group Sugababes, released as the fourth and final single from their second studio album, Angels with Dirty Faces (2002). It was composed by Sting, Dominic Miller, and Craig Dodds, who produced the song. The midtempo pop and R&B ballad incorporates a sample of Sting's 1993 recording "Shape of My Heart", whose vocals are featured in the chorus. It received mixed reviews from critics, who were ambivalent towards the sample of "Shape of My Heart".

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

The discography of the British girl group Sugababes consists of eight studio albums, four compilation album, four extended plays, thirty one singles, two video albums, eight promotional singles and six assorted members. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 and, at various times, featured three vocalists from Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah, and Jade Ewen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Round Round</span> 2002 single by Sugababes

"Round Round" is a song performed by British girl group Sugababes. It was written by group members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Heidi Range, as well as Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Tim Powell, Nick Coler, and Lisa Cowling. It samples the song "Tango Forte" by German production team Dublex Inc., so the songwriters of that track are credited as well. Produced by Kevin Bacon and Jonathan Quarmby, the song was released as the second single from the group's second studio album, Angels with Dirty Faces (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soul Sound</span> 2001 single by Sugababes

"Soul Sound" is a song by British girl group Sugababes from their debut studio album One Touch (2000). It was written by Charlotte Gordon Cumming during a trip to Kenya, Africa, where she was inspired to compose it based on her experiences there. Produced by Ron Tom, "Soul Sound" is a pop song featuring guitar and bass instrumentation. It was released in the United Kingdom on 16 July 2001 as the album's fourth and final single. Critics praised the song for the group's demeanour although some regarded it as inferior in comparison to the album's other tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overload (Sugababes song)</span> 2000 single by Sugababes

"Overload" is the debut single of British girl group Sugababes. It was released on 11 September 2000 through London Records as the lead single from the group's debut studio album, One Touch (2000). At the time, the group consisted of Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. It was co-produced and co-written by British songwriters and producers Paul Simm, Felix Howard, Jony Rockstar and Cameron McVey. The general theme of the song involves a teenage girl's crush towards a boy and her finding the situation difficult to manage.

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

"Follow Me Home" is a song by British girl group the Sugababes, released as the fourth single from their fourth studio album, Taller in More Ways (2005). The pop and R&B ballad was written by band members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Heidi Range, with Jony Rockstar, Karen Poole and Jeremy Shaw. The producer, Rockstar, developed the idea of a close person as its inspiration. Buena wrote a verse about her daughter, while Buchanan wrote a verse based on her close friend. The song was released as the album's fourth single on 5 June 2006 and contains vocals from Amelle Berrabah in replacement of Buena's, who left the band in December 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Year (song)</span> 2000 single by Sugababes

"New Year" is a song by British girl group the Sugababes, released as the second single from their debut studio album One Touch (2000). The song was written by group members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan in collaboration with Cameron McVey, Jony Lipsey, Felix Howard and Matt Rowe, and produced by McVey, Lipsey and Paul Simm. "New Year" is a pop and R&B ballad with influences of soul and alternative rock. It features acoustic instrumentation, and the lyrics describe the experience of breaking up on Christmas Day.

<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">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">Overrated</span> 2003 single by Siobhán Donaghy

"Overrated" is a song by English singer Siobhán Donaghy, released as the lead single from her debut studio album Revolution in Me (2003). It was released two years after her controversial departure from girl group the Sugababes. "Overrated" was written by Donaghy, Cameron McVey and Paul Simm, and produced by McVey. It is a guitar-led pop song about the experiences of disappointment and misery. The song received favourable reviews from critics, who praised Donaghy's vocals and McVey's production. The single became her biggest hit to date, reaching the top twenty in the United Kingdom, and achieving chart success in Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

<i>Change</i> (Sugababes album) 2007 studio album by the Sugababes

Change is the fifth studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released through Island Records on 1 October 2007. It was their first album to feature complete vocals by Amelle Berrabah, who joined the group following founding member Mutya Buena's departure in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Change (Sugababes song)</span> 2007 single by Sugababes

"Change" is a song by English girl group Sugababes from their fifth studio album, Change (2007). It was written by the Sugababes, Niara Scarlett and its producers, the Danish production duo Deekay. The song was released as the album's second international and third overall single on 10 December 2007 with an accompanying B-side titled "I Can't Take It No More". "Change" is a midtempo pop ballad composed of anthemic harmonies, guitars, keys and sweeping effects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's like a Star</span> 2008 single by Taio Cruz

"She's like a Star" is a song written, produced and performed by British singer and songwriter Taio Cruz. It was released on 18 August 2008 as the fifth single from his debut studio album Departure (2008). An R&B ballad, the lyrics of "She's like a Star" are about the theme of parenthood, an idea which inspired Cruz to compose the song. The song was remixed to feature vocals from English girl group Sugababes and American rapper K.R., and American rapper Busta Rhymes. It received generally mixed reviews from critics, who were ambivalent towards the composition. Upon release, it peaked at number twenty on the UK Singles Chart. The song's music video features Hollyoaks actress Roxanne McKee as Cruz's love interest. Cruz performed the song with the Sugababes at the 2008 MOBO Awards ceremony, and at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2011.

References

  1. 1 2 "Colourful past of pop's Sugababes". BBC News . 21 December 2005. Archived from the original on 26 December 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Overloaded: The Singles Collection (album). Sugababes. Universal Island Records. 2006. pp. 13–14. 1712650.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. "Babes party night away". Liverpool Echo . Trinity Mirror. 1 April 2003. Retrieved 13 January 2013.[ permanent dead link ](subscription required)
    - Quigley, Maeve (25 August 2002). "Kerry Katona was like a mother to me when I sang.. maybe that's why I'm a Suga-babe now". Sunday Mirror . Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 12 January 2013.[ permanent dead link ](subscription required)
  4. 1 2 3 Callan, Jessica; Kerins, Suzanne (30 September 2002). "Heidi's a flash singer". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2013.(subscription required)
  5. Chapple, Mike (18 June 2004). "Stronger than all the rest". Liverpool Echo. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 30 June 2004. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  6. Price, Simon (17 November 2002). "Sugababes Scala London". The Independent . Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.(subscription required)
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Sugababes new double A-side single is in shops now". sugababes.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2003. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  8. "Babes grow up". icBirmingham. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  9. "Kittens purring at Motor Show". Birmingham Evening Mail . Trinity Mirror. 25 October 2002. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2013.(subscription required)
  10. Callan, Jessica; Kerins, Suzanne (9 November 2002). "Sugababes". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2013.(subscription required)
  11. Macaskill, Julie (14 November 2002). "Singles reviews". Daily Record . Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 12 January 2013.[ permanent dead link ](subscription required)
  12. Plagenhoef, Scott (1 September 2003). "Sugababes – Angels with Dirty Faces". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  13. "Digital Sheet Music – Sugababes – Stronger". Musicnotes.com. EMI Music Publishing. 2002. SC0012494.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  14. 1 2 Virtue, Graeme (25 August 2002). "Cold comfort". Sunday Herald . Newsquest. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2013.(subscription required)
  15. "Reviews". Liverpool Echo. Trinity Mirror. 8 November 2002. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2013.(subscription required)
  16. "Reviews: Singles / Albums". Sunday Mirror. Trinity Mirror. 10 November 2002. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2013.(subscription required)
  17. Needham, Alex (30 August 2002). "Sugababes : Angels With Dirty Faces". NME . IPC Media. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  18. Power, Ed (29 March 2007). "Peerless pop sweetens up a lacklustre performance". Irish Independent . Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
    - Lynskey, Dorian (15 December 2006). "Sugababes, Overloaded: The Singles Collection". The Guardian . Guardian News & Media. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  19. 1 2 West, Naomi (23 March 2004). "The heat is on, but the girls play it cool". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  20. "Sugababes – Angels With Dirty Faces". Yahoo! Music . Yahoo! UK & Ireland. 29 August 2002. Archived from the original on 17 April 2004. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  21. McCaighy, Stuart (13 November 2006). "Sugababes – Overloaded: The Singles Collection". This Is Fake DIY . Archived from the original on 13 August 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  22. Cowen, Andrew (17 August 2002). "CD Reviews". Birmingham Post . Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 12 January 2013.(subscription required)
  23. Piper, Dean (11 November 2002). "Dean on the charts". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2013.(subscription required)
  24. Udell, Phil (29 August 2002). "Angels With Dirty Faces". Hot Press . Niall Stokes. Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  25. Ojumu, Akin (25 August 2002). "Suga and spice but all at a price". The Guardian . Guardian News & Media. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  26. Shepherd, Fiona (24 October 2003). "CD Of The Week: Sugababes: Three". The Scotsman . Johnston Publishing. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2013.(subscription required)
  27. Nicholson, Barry (12 November 2012). "Sugababes : Stronger/Angels With Dirty Faces". NME. IPC Media. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  28. Gunn, Marianne (24 August 2002). "Sugababes – Angels With Dirty Faces (Island)". The Herald . Newsquest. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2013.(subscription required)
  29. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  30. 1 2 "Sugababes". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  31. "Sugababes Official Top 20 Best Selling Singles". MTV UK . MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  32. 1 2 "Sugababes – Stronger / Angels with Dirty Faces". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  33. "The ARIA Report – Week Commencing: 5th May 2003 – Issue No: 689" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. 5 May 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 May 2003. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  34. 1 2 "Sugababes – Stronger / Angels with Dirty Faces". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  35. 1 2 3 "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 3, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  36. "De Nederlandse Top 100" (PDF). Dutch Top 40 Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  37. 1 2 "Sugababes – Stronger". VG-lista. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  38. 1 2 "Sugababes – Stronger". Tracklisten. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  39. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Stronger". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  40. 1 2 "Sugababes – Stronger" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  41. 1 2 "Sugababes – Stronger". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  42. 1 2 "Sugababes – Stronger". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  43. 1 2 "Sugababes – Stronger" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  44. 1 2 "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  45. Overloaded: The Singles Collection (DVD liner notes). Island Records. November 2006.
  46. "Westlife are Unbreakable". Birmingham Evening Mail. Trinity Mirror. 27 September 2002. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2013.(subscription required)
  47. "Heidi Range — Scouse Delight". FHM . Bauer Media Group. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  48. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sugababes (2002). Stronger (DVD). London, England: Island Records.
  49. Dunning, Paul (1 September 2002). "Up close with the Babes". Sunday Mail . Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2013.(subscription required)
  50. "Live at Leeds" (PDF). University of Leeds . Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  51. Rae, Carolyn (27 August 2006). "Radiohead captivated fans and Sugababes proved they have both style and substance". Sunday Mail. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2013.(subscription required)
  52. 1 2 "A roaring success to remember". The Scotsman. Johnston Publishing. 7 July 2005. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  53. Clarke, Betty (6 October 2006). "Sugababes, 100 Club, London". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  54. Rawson-Jones, Ben (18 April 2007). "The Sugababes @ Wembley Arena, April 13". Digital Spy . Hearst Magazines. Archived from the original on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  55. Udell, Phil (10 April 2007). "Sugababes live at The Point, Dublin". Hot Press . Niall Stokes. Archived from the original on 12 January 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
    - "Sugababes announce Greatest Hits tour". NME. IPC Media. 8 November 2006. Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  56. Ellis, Maureen (13 December 2007). "Babes give a festive treat". Evening Times . Newsquest. Archived from the original on 16 December 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  57. 1 2 Keogh, Kat (26 March 2008). "Review: Sugababes, Newcastle City Hall". The Journal . Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 12 March 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  58. Caffrey, Adrian (29 June 2009). "Review: Sugababes, at Cannock Chase Forest". Birmingham Post . Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 4 July 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  59. Barr, Gordon (11 July 2009). "Sugababes thrill Durham Riverside crowd". Chronicle Live. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 23 April 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  60. Fletcher, Alex (22 November 2007). "Lee Mead: 'Lee Mead'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  61. Quinn, Michael (23 November 2007). "Lee Mead – Lee Mead – Review". BBC Music . BBC. Archived from the original on 12 February 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  62. Sweney, Mark (14 January 2010). "Anti-bullying ad to air in cinemas after TV ban". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. Archived from the original on 17 January 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  63. Allan, Vicky (18 June 2011). "Slutwalk group split by bullying accusations". Sunday Herald. Newsquest. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  64. "Sugababes – Stronger / Angels with Dirty Faces (2002, CD)". Discogs .
  65. "Sugababes – Stronger / Angels with Dirty Faces (2002, Cardboard Sleeve, CD)". Discogs .
  66. "Sugababes – Stronger (2002, CD)". Discogs .
  67. "Sugababes – Stronger" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  68. "Sugababes – Stronger" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  69. "Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden 14/2003" (in Czech). IFPI ČR. Archived from the original on 6 April 2003. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  70. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 21, no. 2–3. 11 January 2003. p. 20. Retrieved 4 May 2020.See last week position.
  71. "Sugababes – Stronger" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  72. "Polish Airplay Charts – Lista krajowa 15/2003". PiF PaF Production. Archived from the original on 13 September 2003. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  73. 1 2 "Topul anului 2003" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 22 January 2005. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  74. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  75. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . p. 2. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  76. "Most Broadcast of 2002 — Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music Week . 18 January 2003. p. 31. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  77. "De Nederlandse Top 100" (PDF). Dutch Top 40 Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  78. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2003". Dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 19 September 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2013.