Pocketful of Sunshine (song)

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"Pocketful of Sunshine"
Single by Natasha Bedingfield
from the album Pocketful of Sunshine and Strip Me Away
Released January 2008 (U.S.)[1]
15 April 2011 (Germany)[2]
27 May 2011 (Italy)[3]
Format Digital download, CD single
Recorded 2006
Genre Dance-Pop, R&B
Length 3:23 (Album version)
3:02 (Radio edit)
Label Epic
Writer(s) Natasha Bedingfield, Danielle Brisebois, John Shanks
Producer John Shanks
Certification 2x Platinum (RIAA)
Platinum (CRIA)
Natasha Bedingfield singles chronology
"Love Like This"
(2007)		 "Pocketful of Sunshine"
(2008)		 "Bruised Water"
(2008)

"Pocketful of Sunshine" is a pop song performed by Natasha Bedingfield for her second North American album Pocketful of Sunshine. It was released as the album's second single in 2008.[4] The single was supposed to be released in the UK as Natasha's second single from the re-release of N.B. on 7 July 2008, however it was later cancelled for unknown reasons. Following the cancellation, Bedingfield's record label, Epic, began actively blocking the song in the UK. This included not making the song available for sale on digital music retailers, and blocking viewers in the UK from viewing the music video on social media websites, such as YouTube. This ban has since been lifted.

The song has been recorded in Simlish for the video game The Sims 2: FreeTime,[5] and was featured on the midseason finale of the MTV television show The Hills.[6] Bedingfield performed the song on the season finale of the Canadian television series Degrassi: The Next Generation.[7] The song is also in the soundtrack of the films The Ugly Truth and Easy A.

In the fall of 2008, "Pocketful of Sunshine" was used in the promotional campaign for the syndicated launch of the television series Lost.

"Pocketful of Sunshine" was also used in the background of several of ABC's "Start Fresh" commercials like Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy. The song is also featured on Audition Online. It is also prominently featured in the 2010 movie Easy A, the song played within a musical birthday card that the main character (Olive) receives from her grandmother.

The song is written in the key of A minor and set in 4/4 time. Bedingfield's vocals span from A3 to D5.

The song was released as the lead single for her third studio album, Strip Me Away, released on Europe on 2011 with Germany releasing it on May 13, 2011[8] and the song as single released on April 15, 2011.[8][9]

Contents

[edit] Reception

"Pocketful of Sunshine" was one of the most praised tracks on the album. A critic of Allmusic praised the song.[10] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone described "Pocketful of Sunshine" as "serviceable: long on catchy" and "professional-grade melodies and dance beats", but added "annoying only in spots".[11] Meanwhile, Bill Lamb of About.com review stated that the single is "good one" for "the promise of spring".[12] The song was also listed as one of the "top tracks" on the album of the same name, in the review, also, of About.com.[13] The song ends similarly to "Sleep Don't Weep" by Damien Rice. Natasha Bedingfield plays a singing bowl and Louise Fox whispers, whilst banging glasses: 'I've got something for you' in Irish.

[edit] Chart performance

"Pocketful of Sunshine" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States at number 65, even though it had not been commercially released as a single.[14] The song also debuted on the Hot Digital Songs and Hot Digital Tracks charts at number 24,[15][16] and at number 43 on the Pop 100 chart.[17] Since its release, it has climbed to number 5 on the Hot 100, giving Bedingfield her second top 10 hit on the chart, tying with "Unwritten" (which also peaked at number 5) from her first album. It has also reached number 7 on the Pop 100. The song has managed to climb to number 2 on the U.S. iTunes chart after Natasha performed it on American Idol on 1 May, and as such, has reached a peak of number 4 on the Hot Digital Songs chart. As of June 2011, the song has sold 3,000,000 downloads to date [18] and been certified 2x Platinum in the United States.[19]

The track was also successful on Billboard's Dance charts, where it reached number 1 on both the Hot Dance Club Play chart in May 2008 and Hot Dance Airplay charts the following June.

In Canada, the song debuted at number 43 on the Canadian Hot 100,[20] and has so far peaked at number three, becoming Natasha's third top ten single, and the second from Pocketful of Sunshine.

In the UK, in the lead up to the release in July, the song was given mixed reviews from fans and the media. Despite being successful in the United States, the song's release was eventually canceled. In 2011, the song was served as the first European single from her third studio album Strip Me Away.

[edit] Music video

In an interview with Alloy.com, Bedingfield said she will soon be filming a music video for "Pocketful of Sunshine". She also said that she was excited about the video because "people are...making their own versions of the video on YouTube and that kind of thing, which is really exciting, so I want to get done with my video as well".[21]
The music video was directed by Alan Ferguson. On Natasha's blog, she explains a little bit about the concept of the video, and how she wanted a video that showed the contrast that happens in life, like finding beauty in the middle of ugliness or strength at times of weakness.

Shot in downtown Los Angeles, the video opens with Bedingfield at a work building; scenes of a child drawing a picture while his parents are fighting and a teenager drawing graffiti in a parking lot are intercut through the video. After she drops off her work, Bedingfield grabs a parachute and jumps out the window. When she lands, she has on different clothes. Shortly after she lands, more people jump out with parachutes to join her. While Bedingfield sings, the crowd dances. Meanwhile, the police arrive to arrest the teenager, but he punches through the wall, escaping. Bedingfield is then sitting in a chair, when an eclipse occurs, hence the line "in the darkness there's light." When the eclipse passes, Bedingfield shoots red butterflies out of her hands, hence the line "there's only butterflies." Bedingfield performs a free concert for the crowd. Back at the work building, the employees watch Bedingfield's performance via the LG Voyager. The child walks out of the house he drew, when the camera shows Bedingfield meditating on a large lotus flower, while a group of belly dancers dance around her. As the child walks up to her, Bedingfield opens her eyes. The end of the video shows the lotus flower rising up, while Bedingfield sings the final lines, then looking at the child.

On 2 August 2008, "Pocketful of Sunshine" reached the #1 spot on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown. It returned to the #1 spot on 23 August 2008.

On 6 September 2008, "Pocketful of Sunshine" was retired to VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown 20/20 list.

[edit] Track listing

US digital single
  1. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (radio edit) – 3:02
Promotional CD
  1. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (radio edit) – 3:02
  2. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (album version) – 3:22
  3. "Love like This" (Jim Jonsin remix) – 4:14
Club promo mixes CD
  1. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (Johnny Vicious Club)
  2. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (StoneBridge Club)
  3. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (Johnny Vicious Radio)
  4. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (StoneBridge Radio)
  5. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (Johnny Vicious Warehouse Mix)
  6. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (Johnny Vicious Dub)
  7. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (StoneBridge Dub)
  8. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (radio edit)
German CD Single
  1. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (Album Version) – 3:22
  2. "Pocketful of Sunshine" (Johnny Vicious Club Remix) - 10:12

[edit] Charts

Chart (2008) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[22] 3
US Billboard Hot 100[23] 5
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[24] 3
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[25] 1
US Pop Songs (Billboard)[26] 5
Chart (2011) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 75)[27] 28
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[28] 20
Germany (Media Control AG)[29] 24
Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)[30] 88
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[31] 43

[edit] Personnel

The following people contributed to "Pocketful of Sunshine":[33]

[edit] Uses in media

  • In the United States, the escape-themed song's chorus portion was used in a 2008 TV commercial to promote Pechanga Resort and Casino[34] (in California). This makes "Pocketful of Sunshine" Bedingfield's second single to be used in a TV ad campaign.
  • The chorus was also heard in promotional spots for the television series In Plain Sight, which airs on the USA Network.
  • It was included in the 2008 Music from Degrassi: The Next Generation soundtrack.
  • The song was featured in the videogame The Sims 2: Free Time. A music video was also made using the game and portraying Bedingfield as a sim.
  • The song and music video were featured in the video game Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 3
  • The song was used in the 2009 film The Ugly Truth.
  • The song was played through the end credits of the 2008 film Igor.
  • The song was featured prominently in the 2010 film Easy A. After receiving a greeting card that played the song, the main character, Olive Penderghast, declares it to be "the worst song ever" before becoming addicted to it, going so far as to use it as her ringtone.
  • The animated series Planet Warriors has the song as Sun's transformation song

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ "CHR: Available For Airplay". FMQB.com. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  2. ^ http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004X1JQ5C
  3. ^ http://www.radiowebitalia.it/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=70901:natasha-bedingfield-pocketful-of-sunshine&Itemid=395
  4. ^ "Interview with Adam Bomb on Q100 Atlanta". YouTube. 12 December 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
  5. ^ "VideoBlog: Singing In Simlish". YouTube. 22 November 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
  6. ^ "Songs from Season 3 of the Hills episode 18?". Yahoo!. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
  7. ^ Warner, Tyrone. "Natasha Bedingfield talks 'Degrassi'". CTV. 5 December 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  8. ^ a b http://itunes.apple.com/de/preorder/strip-me-away/id432976290
  9. ^ http://www.amazon.de/dp/B004X1JQ5C
  10. ^ Mason, Stewart. "Pocketful of Sunshine". Allmusic. Macrovision Company. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1264452/review. Retrieved 2008-05-18. 
  11. ^ Hoard, Christian. "Pocketful of Sunshine Review.". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/18065996/review/18137481/pocketful_of_sunshine. Retrieved 2008-05-18. 
  12. ^ Lamb, Bill. "Pocketful of Sunshine Single Review". About.com. http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/natashapocketfu.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-18. 
  13. ^ Lamb, Bill. "Pocketful of SunshineAlbum Review". About.com. http://top40.about.com/od/albums/fr/natashabpocket.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-18. 
  14. ^ "Hot 100 (Chart Listing for the Week of Feb 09 2008)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  15. ^ "Hot Digital Songs (Chart Listing for the Week of Feb 09 2008)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  16. ^ "Hot Digital Tracks (Chart Listing for the Week of Feb 09 2008)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  17. ^ "Pop 100 (Chart Listing for the Week of Feb 09 2008)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  18. ^ http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74376/week-ending-june-12-2011-songs-the-odd-couples/;_ylt=AgMFtaAHsUmXDfTNmjNStDwPwiUv
  19. ^ http://riaa.org/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS
  20. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 (Chart Listing for the Week of Feb 09 2008)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  21. ^ "Interviews: Natasha Bedingfield". Alloy.com. Retrieved 21 March 2008.
  22. ^ "Natasha Bedingfield Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Natasha Bedingfield. Prometheus Global Media.
  23. ^ "Natasha Bedingfield Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Natasha Bedingfield. Prometheus Global Media.
  24. ^ "Natasha Bedingfield Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Contemporary Songs for Natasha Bedingfield. Prometheus Global Media.
  25. ^ "Natasha Bedingfield Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play for Natasha Bedingfield. Prometheus Global Media.
  26. ^ "Natasha Bedingfield Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Pop Songs for Natasha Bedingfield. Prometheus Global Media.
  27. ^ "Natasha Bedingfield – Pocketful of Sunshine – Austriancharts.at" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Hung Medien.
  28. ^ "Ultratop.be – Natasha Bedingfield – Pocketful of Sunshine" (in Dutch). Ultratip. ULTRATOP & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  29. ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche – musicline.de" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  30. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Natasha Bedingfield – Pocketful of Sunshine" (in Dutch). Mega Single Top 100. Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  31. ^ "Natasha Bedingfield – Pocketful of Sunshine – swisscharts.com". Swiss Singles Chart. Hung Medien.
  32. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/2008/charts/hot-100-2.shtml
  33. ^ Pocketful of Sunshine (CD liner notes). Sony BMG. January 2008.
  34. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6rRzCVTH5U

[edit] External links

Preceded by
"4 Minutes" by Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland		 Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single
31 May 2008		 Succeeded by
"Break the Ice" by Britney Spears
Billboard Hot Dance Airplay number-one single
13–20 June 2008		 Succeeded by
"Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis
Preceded by
"Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis		 Billboard Hot Dance Airplay number-one single
5 July 2008		 Succeeded by
"Give It 2 Me" by Madonna
Natasha Bedingfield
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