Joe McElderry – ‘Someone Wake Me Up’
So, third time around, a final big push for the big time; after a spirited but slightly shaky start. Is there a victory in the offing?
What we’ve got here is the product of a popular franchise, a household name with a couple of fairly solid successes under the old belt, but it’s not entirely clear whether the public are happy to offer their support indefinitely, of if they would rather wander off to something else, and leave everything to vanish in a puff of snooze.
But enough about the Chronicles of Narnia films, let’s talk about Joe McElderry.
(Here’s the video. It is MUCH Narnier than the first two.)
Now, the first and most obvious thing to point out is that this is essentially ‘Just The Way You Are’ by Bruno Mars. The words are different, it’s got moodier production, it goes all boomy in the chorus – think Snow Patrol or somesuch – and Joe does not have Bruno’s honeyed croon, but these are superficial differences.
When you find yourself singing one song over the top of another, and it fits…*shrugs* whaddyagonnado?
What’s weird is that this isn’t even the official Chronicles of Narnia song. It’s not featured in the end credits either. That’s ‘There’s A Place For Us’, which is sung by Carrie Underwood in the States (and Joe has also done a version, possibly for the UK release).
‘Someone Wake Me Up’ is referred to as the B-side, but it’s the one with the actual video – featuring footage from the film – and the promotional push. Which means, uh, I’m not sure…It just seems like a bit of a cross-branding desperation mess from both sides, truth be told.
Also, if I spent most of my working life on a televised search for major singing talent and I was pretty confident about my abilities in that regard, I would want to ask some serious questions about the actual appeal of a star whose singles have to come out when the show is on the air, or be tied in with a major film release, in order to be successful.
Let Joe put something out in March, when everyone has forgotten about the X Factor (or we’re knee deep in Cher Lloyd songs), and THEN we’ll see what’s what, eh?
Download: Out now
www.joe-music.com
BBC Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
PS: I’ve seen several people try to claim that this is Joe’s second single. No, that was ‘Ambition’. His X Factor winner’s single still counts. It has to, or Steve Brookstein is effectively a no-hit wonder.
Music Is My King Sized Bed says: “I really like Joe McElderry. I like his voice. I like his range.”
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