What Are Words
| "What Are Words" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"What Are Words" is a hit song written by Rodney Jerkins, Andre Lindal and Lauren Christy, and performed by American singer Chris Medina. It was released on February 25, 2011, the day after his surprising elimination on the reality tv-show American Idol. The song is a tribute to his fiance who suffered a brain injury as the result of a car wreck and is about promises, commitment and keeping your word.
Composition and credits
The 62/124 BPM single is in the key of C. Jerkins & Lindal made several versions of the music in lower keys in case it was too high, but Chris decided to use the original key. In radio interviews they frequently discuss the high notes.
Lauren Christy said in an interview that It was the pretty, emotional, simple and catchy piano theme that was the spark.
The single was both written and a demo was recorded in the afternoon of January 31 at Jerkins studio in Hollywood with Chris Medina in mind.
Musical Arrangement by Rodney Jerkins & Andre Lindal.
All instruments by Rodney Jerkins & Andre Lindal.
Vocal Production by Rodney jerkins & LaShawn Daniels
Mixed by Rodney Jerkins and Orlando Vitto.
Music video
The music video was shot at Atlantis studios in Hollywood and was released days after the single. The video depicts Medina in the actual recording session alongside Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and LaShawn Daniels. Clips from Medina's American Idol audition and personal videos showing Medina and his fiance at their home together are also included.
Live performances
Medina performed the ballad on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on February 28, 2011 and on Good Morning America on March 4, 2011 as well as twice in Norway in June 2011. Once in front of approximately a hundred-thousand people at the free annual concert VG-Lista at Rådhusplassen, Oslo, being broadcasted on nationwide television. One day later he performed again at ULOBAs (a Norwegian organisation to help disabled people) television-broadcasted show "Stolthetsprisen", where the organisation awarded a prize to a disabled person for helping other people in the same situation to improve their way of living. Medina, as well as other artists performed at the show. Medina also performed the song during the President's Star Charity show in Singapore on 31 July 2011 to raise funds for the handicapped.
Humanitarianism
Following the terrorist attacks in Oslo, Norway where 77 were killed, Medina was contacted by the family of one of the victims where he learned that the victim's last favorite song was his song. They invited him back to Norway to sing at the funeral of Monica Iselin Didriksen who was killed at Utøya Island.
He decided to clear his schedule and without media coverage and with no personal gain of any kind, to travel back to Norway to sing What Are Words at her funeral.[1]
Chart performance
The song debuted at number 22 on the Billboard Heatseekers Songs chart,[2] and number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] It has since sold 61,000 copies in the States.[4]
The single reached number one on the Norwegian VG-lista chart on April 29, 2011 [5] and remained at the top for 11 straight weeks. It is certified 4X platinum in Norway.
The single also went to number one in Singapore on May 13, 2011, for a three-week run.[6]
The single went number one in Sweden on July 1, 2011 and remained for 8 straight weeks. It was awarded a 2X platinum certification in Sweden on September 20, 2011.
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Norway (VG-lista)[7] | 1 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[8] | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 83 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | 25 March 2011[10] | Digital download | 19 Recordings |
References
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- ^ http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article4196418.ece
- ^ Up for Discussion Jump to Forums. "Weekly Chart Notes: Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Medina – Chart Beat". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "Idol Reject Releases Single, Vote On Facebook". Myfoxny.com. February 25, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "Jennifer Lopez, Chris Medina see big download gains – Idol Chatter". USA Today. January 3, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "VG-lista". April 29, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
- ^ "987FM Top 20 Countdown". May 13, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
- ^ "Chris Medina – What Are Words". VG-lista.
- ^ "Chris Medina – What Are Words". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "Chris Medina Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "What Are Words - Single by Chris Medina - What Are Words - Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com.