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Who You Are (Jessie J song)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Skri9ine4our (talk | contribs) at 09:07, 24 November 2011 ("It's an ALTERNATIVE cover!! Look at the SOURCE!....Jessie released it officially..also it's new..of course it's not used anywhere!"). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Who You Are"
Song


"Who You Are" is a song by English R&B and soul recording artist Jessie J taken as the fifth single from her debut studio album of the same name. The song was written by Cornish, Toby Gad and Shelly Peiken, while the production was handled by Gad. The single is due for release on November 13, 2011, with a physical copy being released on November 21.[2]

According to Cornish, she wrote the song after a three month lonely trip. The song received positive reviews from music critics who complimented Cornish's vocals in the song. The song peaked on several chart including number 86 on the Australian Singles Chart, number 28 on UK Singles Chart and number 85 on the Canadian Hot 100.

Background

"The other day I had a girl message me saying 'I was ready to take my life and then I heard "Who You Are"'. That pressure is beautiful but scary at the same time. I want to be a positive role model for young people. I always say that I'm half-artist, half-therapist. I'm very much someone that lives to be happy. It's not just about the parties and I know so-and-so – I'm not that girl. So I looked in the mirror and started to cry and said 'who am I?' Music is my therapy."[3]

"Who You Are'" was written by Cornish, Toby Gad and Shelly Peiken, while the production was handled by Gad.[4] Cornish was inspired to name her first album, Who You Are after the song by the same name. She also revealed that she is proudest of the song.[3] Cornish wrote the song at the end of a lonely three-month trip to Los Angeles when she was 20, having been shunted from studio to studio with various producers.[3] Cornish explained the song's meaning during an intimate show at The Sofitel's Stone Rose on 2 November 2010: She revealed, "I kind of lost myself. It's very personal. It's about being true to yourself. Don't lose yourself in any situation you're put in, and do the dew."[5] She explained to The Sun why she chose this as her title track: "This song saved my life musically. The day before I wrote this song I was ready to give up music. It's amazing how three-and-a-half minutes of melody and lyrics can change your life and I'm so happy that not only has it saved my life but it's saving other people's. That's why my debut album is called Who You Are."[5] According to The Independent, "Who You Are" is the song that draws the most messages from fans, on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.[3] The song was released as a promotional single in Belgium.[6]

Reception

Critical response

Mike Diver from BBC Music wrote that the song returns Cornish "to an acoustic accompaniment, and makes for a fine closer – it's her Hometown Glory, without the raw emotion but touching nonetheless."[7] Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian wrote that the song is a "self-empowerment dirge" and compared its theme with Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" (2011).[8]

Chart performance

"Who You Are" was released first as a promotional single and peaked at number 86 on the Australian Singles Chart,[9] number 40 on UK Singles Chart[10] and number 85 on the Canadian Hot 100.[11]

Music video

The official music video was released on Jessie J's official YouTube and Vevo channels on 29 September 2011.[12]. The clip was inspired by the one for Sinéad O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U."[5]

Synopsis

Jessie J in the music video for 'Who You Are'.

The video features Jessie in front of the camera as if it was her mirror in a bedroom. She is wearing a grey top with a black sports bra underneath. An en suite is visible in the background. Various angles of her singing are used throughout, e.g on the bath in the en suite, on the floor, on the bed, etc. A mirror can be seen above left of the bed. Jewellery at the end of the bed, and on a bed-side locker, amongst other places are shown.[12]

As Jessie begins to sing the final bridge, water begins to drip in front of her face. As the water intensifies, she wipes a drop from under her eye, as if she was crying. The entire room begins to be rained on, and wind begins to blow. Jessie is completely soaking wet. Lights on the wall, and the lamp on her locker begin to spark, and turn off. The wind moves the jewellery off the bed and locker, taking the lamp with it. The mirror on the wall shakes. The video ends as the rain dies down, while Jessie remains looking in her mirror.[12]

Track listing

  • Digital download[6]
  1. "Who You Are" – 3:50
  • CD single / Digital single[13]
  1. "Who You Are" - 3:50
  2. "Who You Are" (Exemen Remix)
  3. "Who You Are" (Seamus Haji Remix Radio Edit)
  4. "Who You Are" (Live Acoustic Version)

Credits and personnel

Credits for "Who You Are" are taken from Allmusic,[14] and album's liner notes.[4]

  • Jessica Cornish - writing, vocals
  • Toby Gad - writing, producing
  • Shelly Peiken - writing

Charts

Chart (2011) Peak
Position
Australia (ARIA)[9] 86
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] 85
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[15] 37
UK Singles (OCC)[16] 28

References

  1. ^ http://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/who-you-are-remixes-ep/id474354022
  2. ^ Jessie J to release 'Who You Are' as fifth single Digital Spy
  3. ^ a b c d "Jessie J - The girl from Essex who plans to take the pop world by storm". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  4. ^ a b (Media notes). {{cite AV media notes}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Format= ignored (|format= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Type= ignored (|type= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b c "Who You Are by Jessie J - Songfacts". Songfacts. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Who You Are - Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  7. ^ Diver, Mike (24 February 2011). "Jessie J Who You Are Review". Virgin Media. Retrieved 20 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (24 February 2011). "Jessie J: Who You Are – review". Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 12 March 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ a b "ARIA Charts > ARIA Report > 9 May 2011" (pdf) (Press release). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  10. ^ "UK Charts > Jessie J". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Canadian Hot 100 > Week of April 30, 2011 (Biggest Jump)". Billboard Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-08-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ a b c "Jessie J — Who You Are". Youtube. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  13. ^ http://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/who-you-are-remixes-ep/id474354022
  14. ^ "Who You Are". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  15. ^ "Jessie J – Who You Are". Singles Top 100.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
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