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Pink (singer)

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Pink

Alecia Beth Moore (born on September 8, 1979), known professionally as Pink (often stylized as P!nk), is an American singer-songwriter who gained prominence in 2000.

Pink released her first record, the R&B based Can't Take Me Home, in 2000 via LaFace Records. Her pop rock-based second studio album, M!ssundaztood, was released in 2001 and is her biggest seller to date, producing three top ten hits in the U.S. 2003's Try This, her third album, failed to match the success of M!ssundaztood. After taking a break, Pink released her fourth studio album, I'm Not Dead, in 2006; has been a huge success outside of the US, going Gold/Platinum in more than 16 countries outside the US and selling more than 2 million albums in Europe, and 420,000 albums in Australia, alone.

She is known for her unorthodox clothing fashion and soulful sound.

Biography

Childhood and discovery

Alecia Beth Moore was born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania to Vietnam veteran James Moore and nurse Judy Kugel. She is of Jewish ancestry on her mother's side, and is Irish, German and Lithuanian on her father's.[1][2] Moore has identified herself as Jewish.[3] She grew up in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where she attended Central Bucks West High School. Her father played guitar and sang songs for her, and from an early age she aspired to be a rock star. While in high school, Moore joined her first "official" band, Middle Ground, but the band never took off. According to Moore, her biggest influences are Janis Joplin, Steven Tyler, Bad Religion, Mary J. Blige, Bob Marley, Billy Joel, Indigo Girls, Don McLean, 2Pac, and The Notorious B.I.G..[4]

Moore developed her voice early on in her life. An asthmatic, she learned to breathe from her lower abdomen instead of her chest on doctor's advice, and started singing lessons to learn this technique.[5] She began performing in Philadelphia clubs when she was fourteen years old. At age sixteen, she joined an R&B Atlanta-based trio called Choice, which included Chrissy Conway of the Christian girl group ZOEgirl. The group signed with LaFace Records and contributed "Key to My Heart" to the soundtrack of the 1996 film Kazaam. Choice eventually disbanded after recording an unreleased album; Moore remained at LaFace as a solo act under the stage name Pink. Daryl Simmons took her to recordings where she sang backing vocals for artists such as Diana Ross, 98 Degrees, Kenny Lattimore and Tevin Campbell. Pink's debut single, the dance track "Gonna Make Ya Move (Don't Stop)", was released in the UK in 1998 by Activ Records and appeared on the UK top 200.

Music career

2000–2001: Can't Take Me Home era

File:CantTakeMeHomeCover.jpg
On the cover of her debut LP, Can't Take Me Home (2000)

Pink's debut album, Can't Take Me Home, was co-produced by Babyface and released in April 2000. A substantial success, it went double platinum in the U.S., selling four million copies. She has said that she did not like the music she made at this time or her image, which included bright pink hair.

In 2001 she collaborated with pop singer Christina Aguilera, rapper Lil' Kim and R&B/pop singer Mýa on a cover of Labelle's 1975 single "Lady Marmalade" recorded for the soundtrack of the film Moulin Rouge!. Produced by hip-hop producers Rockwilder and Missy Elliott, the song topped the charts in countries including the U.S., the UK and Australia and won a Grammy Award (Alecia's first) for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals". The video won the MTV Video Music Award for "Video of the Year".[6]

2001–2002: M!ssundaztood era

Tired of being marketed as another cookie-cutter pop act and eager to become a more serious songwriter and musician, Pink took her sound in a new direction and sought more creative control during the recording of her second album. She recruited former 4 Non Blondes vocalist Linda Perry, and together they wrote most of the tracks on M!ssundaztood, which was released via Arista Records in November 2001. Perry co-produced the album with Dallas Austin and Scott Storch. According to VH1 Driven, Antonio "LA" Reid of LaFace Records wasn't initially content with the new music Pink was making. Template:Sample box start variation 2 Template:Multi-listen start Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen end Template:Sample box end

Its lead single, "Get the Party Started" (written and produced by Perry), went top five in the U.S. and many other countries. The album's other singles — "Don't Let Me Get Me", the Dallas Austin-produced "Just like a Pill", and "Family Portrait" — were also radio and chart successes, with "Just like a Pill" becoming Pink's first solo UK number-one hit. The singles were substantial hits on Adult Top 40 radio and the United World Chart, and "Family Portrait" became a theme song for many children whose parents were divorced (according to MTV Diary). In 2002, after opening for 'N Sync on their American tour, Alecia started a headlining American and European tour, the Party Tour. The 2002 Faith Hill album Cry features a song co-written by Pink and Perry called "If You're Gonna Fly".

M!ssundaztood reached the top ten in the U.S. and the top five in the UK, and it was certified gold or platinum status in more than twenty countries,[7] with worldwide sales of 12 million.[8] It was the second-best-selling album in the UK during 2002, and Pink was the best-selling female artist globally. As of 2007, it is the best-selling album of her career. At the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, "Get the Party Started" won in the categories of "Best Female Video" and "Best Dance Video". M!ssundaztood and "Get the Party Started" earned nominations at the 2003 Grammy Awards for "Best Pop Vocal Album" and "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance", respectively.

2003–2004: Try This era

In mid-2003 Pink contributed the song "Feel Good Time" to the soundtrack of the film Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, in which she had a cameo appearance as a motorcross race ramp owner/promoter. "Feel Good Time" was co-written by singer Beck, produced by electronic music artist William Orbit and based on the song "Fresh Garbage" by 60s band Spirit. It became Pink's first single to miss the top forty on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, although it was a hit in Europe and Australia.

Template:Sample box start variation 2 Template:Multi-listen start Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen end Template:Sample box end "Feel Good Time" was included on non-U.S. editions of Pink's third album, Try This, which was released in November 2003. Eight of the thirteen tracks were co-written with Tim Armstrong of punk band Rancid, and Linda Perry was featured on the album as a writer and musician. Though Try This reached the top ten on album charts in the U.S., Canada, UK and Australia, sales were considerably lower than those of M!ssundaztood; it sold 720,000 copies in the U.S. (receiving a platinum certification), and 3 million worldwide. The singles "Trouble" and "God Is a DJ" did not reach the U.S. top forty but went top ten in other countries, and "Last to Know" was released as a single outside North America. "Trouble" earned Pink her second Grammy Award (for "Best Female Rock Vocal Performance") at the 2004 Grammy Awards, and "Feel Good Time" was nominated in the category of "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals". Pink toured extensively through Europe, where the album was better received, on the Try This Tour.

2006–present: I'm Not Dead era

Pink took a break to write the songs for her fourth album, I'm Not Dead. Pink worked with producers Max Martin, billymann, Christopher Rojas, Butch Walker, Lukasz Gottwald and Josh Abraham on the album. It was released in April 2006 through LaFace Records and reached the top ten in the U.S., the top five in the UK and number one in Australia and Germany. It was a substantial success throughout the world, however, initial sales were low in the U.S. until the success of the single "U + Ur Hand" in early 2007. I'm Not Dead is Pink's second biggest seller worldwide.

Template:Sample box start variation 2 Template:Multi-listen start Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen end Template:Sample box end Lead single "Stupid Girls" gave Pink her biggest U.S. hit since 2002 and earned a Grammy Award nomination for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance". Its controversial video, in which she parodies celebrities such as Lindsey Lohan and Paris Hilton,[9] won the MTV Video Music Award for "Best Pop Video". Subsequent singles "Who Knew" and "U + Ur Hand" were substantial hits in Australia and Europe, but "Who Knew" didn't reach the top forty in America; "U + Ur Hand", however, became the album's biggest hit in the U.S. The non-U.S. singles were "Nobody Knows", a minor hit in the UK and Australia; "Dear Mr. President", an open letter to American President George W. Bush and a number-one single in Belgium;[10] and "Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)", a download-only UK top forty single, and top twenty Australian single.

Pink performing in October 2006 on the I'm Not Dead Tour.

Pink has toured around the world during 2006 and 2007 on her I'm Not Dead Tour, for which ticket sales in Australia were particularly high.[citation needed] A special tour edition of the album was released only in Australia in March 2007. Her concert on December 4 2006 in Wembley Arena on the UK leg of the tour was hosted by London club G-A-Y, and it holds the record as the UK's biggest indoor gay and lesbian event.[citation needed] In 2007 she opened for Justin Timberlake on the American leg of his FutureSex/LoveShow Tour.

In 2006 Pink was chosen to sing the theme song for NBC Sunday Night Football, "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night", which is a take on "I Hate Myself for Lovin' You" by Joan Jett. She contributed a cover of Rufus's "Tell Me Something Good" to the soundtrack of the film Happy Feet, and lent her name to PlayStation to promote the PSP, a special pink edition of which was released.[11] Pink recorded a song with Annie Lennox for Lennox's fourth solo studio album, which is scheduled for release in 2007.[12] "Outside of You", a song co-written by Pink, Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida, was recorded by dance-pop singer Hilary Duff and released on her 2007 album Dignity.

Acting career

Pink appeared as herself in the films Ski to the Max (2000) and Rollerball (2002). After her cameo performance in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Pink looked for another film script and settled on the horror film Catacombs, which was shot in early 2006 and co-stars Shannyn Sossamon. "It's pretty intense", Pink said. "It's not only a sort of slasher type, scary movie; it's also psychological and shows how mean and cruel siblings can be to one another. I liked that part of it."[13] Pink was once on the short list of people to play Janis Joplin in an upcoming biopic titled The Gospel According to Janis Joplin, but she chose not to, saying it would be disrespectful to Joplin because the film makers didn't want to say she died of a heroin overdose.

Personal life

Pink dyes her hair frequently, but she is a natural blond. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show she revealed that there are real diamonds attached to her teeth. According to her, her dog's name is "Fucquerre", which she revealed in a live broadcast for MuchMusic in 2003, forcing broadcasters to censor the name in subsequent showings. She later said on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross that her father adopted this dog and changed its name to Fred, saying "He's a much happier dog." Elvis, one of Pink's other dogs, drowned in Pink's backyard pool in January 2007.[14]

Pink married motocross racer Carey Hart in Costa Rica on January 7, 2006. She proposed to him by holding up a sign for him to see during one of his races.[15] Before she began her relationship with Hart, she was rumored to have dated Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee.

Pink kissed actress Kristanna Loken at the 2003 World Music Awards in Monte Carlo and said she had a girlfriend at age thirteen.[16] Pink doesn't identify as gay, but she says most of her friends are gay and that she's "had her moments."[16] She has worked with the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign.

Pink is also a prominent campaigner for PETA, contributing her voice towards causes such as KFC's alleged poor treatment of chicken before slaughter. She sent a letter to Prince William, criticizing the Royal Family's guards' usage of bearskin for their headwear. In November 2006 Pink mentioned in the News of the World that she is disgusted with fellow singer Beyoncé for wearing animal fur. Pink has most recently taken on the Australian wool industry over its practice of mulesing, lending her face and fame to the PETA. In January 2007 Pink conceded that she had been misled by PETA over the issue and that she had not done enough research of her own before lending her name to the campaign.[17]


Discography

Main article: Pink discography

Albums

  1. Can't Take Me Home (April 4 2000)
    worldwide sales: 4.0 million [citation needed]
  2. M!ssundaztood (November 20 2001)
    worldwide sales: 12.0 million [citation needed]
  3. Try This (November 11 2003)
    worldwide sales: 3.0 million [citation needed]
  4. I'm Not Dead (April 4 2006)
    worldwide sales: 4.6 million [citation needed]

Singles

The following singles reached number one in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Czech Republic, Belgium and/or on the United World Chart. Their peak positions are shown. For a full singles discography, see Pink discography.
Year Single Peak positions[18][19][20][21][22]
WORLD U.S. UK AUS GER CZ BEL
2000 "Most Girls" 16 4 5 1 — — —
2001 "Lady Marmalade" 1 1 1 1 1 1 — 2
"Get The Party Started" 1 4 2 1 2 — 5
2002 "Don't Let Me Get Me" 9 8 6 8 1 — 5
"Just like a Pill" 3 8 1 — 2 — 5
2006/2007 "Stupid Girls" 1 13 4 4 5 — 16
"Who Knew" 8 95 5 2 12 1 3
"U + Ur Hand" 15 9 10 5 4 1 2
"Dear Mr. President" — — — — 8 — 1

Tours

Headlining

As supporting act

1 Support with Janet Jackson was cancelled due to the 9/11 attacks.

Awards and nominations

Main article: Pink awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Source: Grammy official site

Year Category Recording Result
Grammy Awards
2002 Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals "Lady Marmalade" (with Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim and Mýa) Won
2003 Best Female Pop Vocal Performance "Get the Party Started" Nominated
Best Pop Vocal Album M!ssundaztood Nominated
2004 Best Female Rock Vocal Performance "Trouble" Won
Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals "Feel Good Time" Nominated
2007 Best Female Pop Vocal Performance "Stupid Girls" Nominated

Best Female Artist

|"U+UR Hand" |Won

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.sundayherald.com/54759
  2. ^ http://www.christinamultimedia.com/newssource/index.php?date=2004-03&articleID=4250
  3. ^ http://www.interfaithfamily.com/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=ekLSK5MLIrG&b=297399&ct=3490137.
  4. ^ http://www.myspace.com/pinkspage
  5. ^ Interview in the Dutch program Jensen in March 2006
  6. ^ "MTV Celebrates the Best in Music Video" (September 6, 2001)
  7. ^ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2002_Dec_19/ai_95622526
  8. ^ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2003_Sept_22/ai_108002015
  9. ^ Gardner, Elysa. "Pink's video pokes fun at 'Stupid Girls'". USA Today. February 14 2006.
  10. ^ Ultratop.be
  11. ^ Official mini-site for the Pink PSP
  12. ^ Undercover.com
  13. ^ http://www.starsareblind.com/category/pink/
  14. ^ Message about the death of Elvis
  15. ^ "Pink Reportedly Marries Motocross Racer". Retrieved January 8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ a b Pink Snogs Girl, Denies Lesbianism MTV.co.uk
  17. ^ http://www.theage.com.au/news/people/pink-sheepish-over-boycott-call/2007/01/17/1168709799015.html Theage.com
  18. ^ P!nk: Billboard Singles
  19. ^ UK Top 40 Hit Database
  20. ^ Australian Singles Chart
  21. ^ United World Chart
  22. ^ Czech Singles
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