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What's the new Leona Lewis single like?
Published Friday, Sep 4 2009, 22:00 BST | By Nick Levine | 46 comments
The piano-led verses are subdued and almost mournful, but the moment the chorus hits is - and this is a word that doesn't apply to many ballads - explosive. "So what if it hurts me? So what if I break down?" Leona sings. "So what if this world just throws me off the edge, my feet run out of ground?"
Her response? So the hell what! "I don't care about all the pain in front of me, I'm just trying to be happy," she sings on the final line of the chorus. The song's message is essentially Seize The Day, Take A Chance In Life, Don't Be Afraid Of Moving On and Leona delivers it beautifully. In fact, her vocal run from 2.39 to 2.44 could be the most incredible five seconds of singing we've heard all year.
So, as you'll have guessed by now, we're very impressed with 'Happy'. It's a really strong lead single that sounds like a number one, and a typically muscular production from Tedder, but above all it's a powerful and moving song. Next time some inconsiderate sod keeps stepping on your feet on the bus and doesn't apologise when you shoot him a look, this is what you'll play to cheer yourself up.
It premieres this Sunday at 4.30pm on Radio 1.
More: Leona Lewis, Music
Your Views
46 Comments
Your Responses
Tyler, Canada, on September 19th, 2009
*sigh*...I would love this song if I hadn't heard Bleeding Love, Halo, Already Gone, Apologize, Battlefield..... (you get the point) Enough of these power ballads, Leona! The people don't want Spirit, Part 2 (or Part 3 if you count the deluxe edition).
*sigh*...I would love this song if I hadn't heard Bleeding Love, Halo, Already Gone, Apologize, Battlefield..... (you get the point) Enough of these power ballads, Leona! The people don't want Spirit, Part 2 (or Part 3 if you count the deluxe edition).
D, Glasgow, on September 14th, 2009
Safe choice for Leona. Switch it up soon or we will get boooored. That goes for Ryan Tedder too.
Safe choice for Leona. Switch it up soon or we will get boooored. That goes for Ryan Tedder too.
Alyssia, on September 11th, 2009
EXCELLANT SONG!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN RELATE!!!!! I PUT THIS ON MY MYSPACE PAGE!!!DEEP N RAW!!!!!!
EXCELLANT SONG!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN RELATE!!!!! I PUT THIS ON MY MYSPACE PAGE!!!DEEP N RAW!!!!!!
Thom, Pompey, on September 9th, 2009
on first listen i thought it was a bit 'meh' but after a it just grows and grows. The verses are perfectly haunting whilst the chorus is perfectly explosive and fits well with the lyrics. Great song, hopefully another number 1 for Leona. I do hope the next single will be a club banger though, as I'm sure she will be equally as good at these... she doesn't want to get TOO typecast.
on first listen i thought it was a bit 'meh' but after a it just grows and grows. The verses are perfectly haunting whilst the chorus is perfectly explosive and fits well with the lyrics. Great song, hopefully another number 1 for Leona. I do hope the next single will be a club banger though, as I'm sure she will be equally as good at these... she doesn't want to get TOO typecast.
Paul, London, on September 9th, 2009
Really disappointed. Just Bleeding Love meets Halo part 35. I don't dislike it but it sounds quite stale. It will do really well but whether it deserves to is another question.
Really disappointed. Just Bleeding Love meets Halo part 35. I don't dislike it but it sounds quite stale. It will do really well but whether it deserves to is another question.
Burd, on September 8th, 2009
At last some praise for Ryan Tedder! Both he and Leona are fab and this deserbes to be a worldwide monster hit!
At last some praise for Ryan Tedder! Both he and Leona are fab and this deserbes to be a worldwide monster hit!
Jamie McCann, Glasgow, on September 8th, 2009
I think the song is amazing, can't stop listening to it.. ii love it i love it i love it! cant wait for the album and the release of the single to watch it go straight to #1 as usual :) xxxxxxxxx
I think the song is amazing, can't stop listening to it.. ii love it i love it i love it! cant wait for the album and the release of the single to watch it go straight to #1 as usual :) xxxxxxxxx
Steve, Leeds, on September 7th, 2009
This track shouldn't be compared to 'bleeding love' as they are clearly bothon different ends of the spectrum..'happy' gives a new fresh sound from leona... a clear evolution from spirit. The song is definitely a grower and isn't in my opinion any less a portrait of her talent than 'bleeding love' just an alteration of her usual style....cant wait for future tracks + album.
This track shouldn't be compared to 'bleeding love' as they are clearly bothon different ends of the spectrum..'happy' gives a new fresh sound from leona... a clear evolution from spirit. The song is definitely a grower and isn't in my opinion any less a portrait of her talent than 'bleeding love' just an alteration of her usual style....cant wait for future tracks + album.
Lychee, Colwyn Bay, on September 6th, 2009
Very impressive. Her vocals just get better and better. The thing about Leona is that she has the ability to connect, if the song is good. This is one of those songs.
Very impressive. Her vocals just get better and better. The thing about Leona is that she has the ability to connect, if the song is good. This is one of those songs.
Kev, London, on September 6th, 2009
totally what i expected from Leona. A dulcet, boring ballad. Complete snoozefest. Will it be huge? probably, does it deserve to be? not really.....
totally what i expected from Leona. A dulcet, boring ballad. Complete snoozefest. Will it be huge? probably, does it deserve to be? not really.....
Becca, Peterborough, on September 6th, 2009
Its really cool, if you judge it against Bleeding Love then I'd say no its probably nota s good but its certainly cool. Disappointed in Ryan Tedder though, he usually has great chorus's "battlefield" "halo" "already gone" but this is a bit of a let down chorus wise. Good luck to leona anyway. x
Its really cool, if you judge it against Bleeding Love then I'd say no its probably nota s good but its certainly cool. Disappointed in Ryan Tedder though, he usually has great chorus's "battlefield" "halo" "already gone" but this is a bit of a let down chorus wise. Good luck to leona anyway. x
EmilyBemilyB, on September 6th, 2009
mac....the leaked version is the proper version!! leonas record company sent a promo cd out to aload of reviewers to review eg pop justice,digital spy, the sun ect...!!....and obviously one of those reviewers leaked it on to the net!!
mac....the leaked version is the proper version!! leonas record company sent a promo cd out to aload of reviewers to review eg pop justice,digital spy, the sun ect...!!....and obviously one of those reviewers leaked it on to the net!!
EmilyBemilyB, on September 6th, 2009
Guys...you need to give this song a chance it's a pure grower =D And brian how can you say theres no progression from spirit....haha where have you been? all her leaked tracks are completely different to anything on spirit!....i think you should go listen to cant fight it on youtube a demo by neyo which is gonna be on "echo" her next album.And her voice is just gotten better & better!!.But i agree about the ryan tedder part she needs to get away from him on her next album!.I'm still unsure if this song is gonna be worldwide smash or a big flop! lets hope the video is drop dead gawj!!This song really does remind me of sinead o`connors nothing compares to you" =D And leona actually sounds like whitney on this track....nothing like MOORIAH
Guys...you need to give this song a chance it's a pure grower =D And brian how can you say theres no progression from spirit....haha where have you been? all her leaked tracks are completely different to anything on spirit!....i think you should go listen to cant fight it on youtube a demo by neyo which is gonna be on "echo" her next album.And her voice is just gotten better & better!!.But i agree about the ryan tedder part she needs to get away from him on her next album!.I'm still unsure if this song is gonna be worldwide smash or a big flop! lets hope the video is drop dead gawj!!This song really does remind me of sinead o`connors nothing compares to you" =D And leona actually sounds like whitney on this track....nothing like MOORIAH
Filipe, Brazil, on September 6th, 2009
I've heard the leaked version and I'm quite disappointed :( Ryan Tedder was pretty bland with his prouction and the song itself is not THAT good as I though it'd be =/
I've heard the leaked version and I'm quite disappointed :( Ryan Tedder was pretty bland with his prouction and the song itself is not THAT good as I though it'd be =/
Mac, Dublin, on September 6th, 2009
I've heard the leaked version, but it's a bit fuzzy. Sounds good though, can't wait to hear the proper version. Leona can do no wrong in my eyes, so of course I loves it.
I've heard the leaked version, but it's a bit fuzzy. Sounds good though, can't wait to hear the proper version. Leona can do no wrong in my eyes, so of course I loves it.
One&Only X, on September 6th, 2009
Just heard Perez's website and I love it. I'm so 'happy' just what I want expecting it to be like. Instant Number one smash. Even through it's no Bleeding Love. But who cares it's the best song I heard this year. Miles better than Alex's single (even through I love new tune). Just haunting ballad. So different and change from electro music coming out this year. From this song I have high expections for Echo.
Just heard Perez's website and I love it. I'm so 'happy' just what I want expecting it to be like. Instant Number one smash. Even through it's no Bleeding Love. But who cares it's the best song I heard this year. Miles better than Alex's single (even through I love new tune). Just haunting ballad. So different and change from electro music coming out this year. From this song I have high expections for Echo.
Brian, Ireland., on September 5th, 2009
i’m not liking it too much.. a lot of her songs are very formulaic and samey same. She doesn’t seem to have progressed at all from Spirit. This song is just so safe, it’s almost boring.. I like Leona but she can do better than this. There’s no denying that she can sing but I wish she’d switch it up a bit. Ryan Tedder is getting old quite quickly!
i’m not liking it too much.. a lot of her songs are very formulaic and samey same. She doesn’t seem to have progressed at all from Spirit. This song is just so safe, it’s almost boring.. I like Leona but she can do better than this. There’s no denying that she can sing but I wish she’d switch it up a bit. Ryan Tedder is getting old quite quickly!
Chris Hull, on September 5th, 2009
gotta say its a dissapointment from ALL THE HYPE tht ALL the music people here, popjustice, perez, ryan seacrest have given it, but it sur eis a grower
gotta say its a dissapointment from ALL THE HYPE tht ALL the music people here, popjustice, perez, ryan seacrest have given it, but it sur eis a grower
Alan, Cork, on September 5th, 2009
It sounds ok so far, but it's no Bleeding Love!
It sounds ok so far, but it's no Bleeding Love!
Average song fodder. She has an OK voice - not convinced she is any better than a UK Beyonce. Dont know if this will be enough to boost her career which seems to be faltering a bit.