Soraya Arnelas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Soraya

Soraya Arnelas (2009)
Background information
Birth name Soraya Arnelas Rubiales
Born 13 September 1982 (1982-09-13) (age 29)
Origin Valencia de Alcantara, Extremadura, Spain
Genres Pop, eurodance, disco
Years active 2005–present
Labels Santander Records (2005)
Vale Music / Universal (2005-2009)
Sony Music (2010-present)

Soraya Arnelas Rubiales (born 13 September 1982, Valencia de Alcantara, Cáceres, Spain), better known by her stage name Soraya, is a popular Spanish singer. Soraya represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia with the song La Noche Es Para Mí (The night is for me, literally, Night is made for me or Night is for me) finishing 23rd with 23 points.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Arnelas was born in Valencia de Alcantara, Cáceres, Spain on 13 September 1982. At the age of 11, she left for Madrid. She wanted to study drama but soon started working as a flight attendant for Iberworld,[1] where she travelled around the world. She speaks three languages and is a Real Madrid C.F. supporter.[citation needed]

[edit] 2005: Operación Triunfo and "Corazón De Fuego"

Soraya participated in the fourth series of the Spanish television series Operación Triunfo in 2005 where she came second overall. Her début album "Corazón De Fuego" was released on 5 December 2005 produced by Kike Santander. The album got Platinum status.

[edit] 2006: "Ochenta's"

On 21 November 2006, Soraya released her second album. It was her first English language album. The first single was a cover of Laura Branigan's Self Control. The remainder of the album was a mixture of 80s cover versions and new songs. The song reached Gold Status in the Promusicae Digital Songs charts and peaked at number 1 on the Spanish Cadena 100. The second single from Ochenta's was a cover of Spagna's "Call Me". 'Ochenta's' is one of the most successful albums of 2007 in Spain and achieved platinum after many weeks charting in the top ten albums chart.

[edit] 2007: "Dolce Vita"

Soraya released another album with more 80's hits. The lead single was "La Dolce Vita". The album includes 80's hits, in the likes of Kylie Minogue's "I Should Be So Lucky", Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", Eurythmics's "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This", Modern Talking's "You're My Heart, You're My Soul" and the lead single, "Dolce Vita", a cover from the Italian singer Ryan Paris. The album shot straight inside the Spanish Top 5 Albums Chart, peaking at #5, and getting Gold certification in the following weeks.

Soraya during an interview for 20 Minutes in 2009

The album was released in the United Kingdom via iTunes UK and 7digital.[2][3]

[edit] 2008: "Sin Miedo"

Sin Miedo was Soraya's fourth released album. Leaving the '80s covers behind, this album contains 12 original tracks; 9 in Spanish and 3 in English.[4] The album was produced by International DJ DJ Sammy[5] and includes a duo with Kate Ryan (the song Caminaré).[6] The first single of the album was Sin miedo (Without fear).

The album debuted on the Spanish Albums Chart at a low #21, becoming her worst position for a studio album. The album has spent 22 weeks on chart so far. However, the album saw a Top 40 reentry at #32 thanks to a brand new edition of Sin Miedo.

[edit] 2009: Eurovision and other television projects

By the end of 2008, she submitted one of the songs from her latest album, Sin Miedo. 1La Noche Es Para Mí becamea frontrunner in the Spanish preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Russia, being considered the early favourite to represent the country.[7] She was finally chosen to represent Spain on 28 February 2009.[8] Soraya's Eurovision team consisted of a Swedish songwriting team. She heavily promoted in Sweden in the months leading up to the contest. Being an automic finalist representing Spain, she performedin the 25th position on Final night. However, critics and televoters failed to vote for the song, and ending up in the twenty fourth place. Arnelas referred to the score as a punishment from Europe, for Radio Television Española's late airing of the second semi-final where Spanish televoters and jury members were to vote.

She also recorded songs with a 2009 Andorran Eurovision candidate Jack Lucien. Their first duet was called Anaesthetic,[9] but was on neither of their 2008 albums. However, 2009 brings news that they have recorded a duet for Lucien's approaching 2nd album.[10]

Previously to her Eurovision experience, she participated in the reality talent contest La Batalla de los Coros, the Spanish version of Clash of the Choirs.[11]

Controversy came in late June 2009, when her label, Vale Music, did not want to pay the video for her single "Caminaré". Soraya stated on her official facebook that she will make the video on her own, without the support of Vale Music".[12][13] However, as of September 2009, no news about the release of the video has been made. As well, the single release has been cancelled by her label.

After visiting more than 20 cities, Soraya ended her Sin Miedo Spanish Tour 2009 on September 13, 2009. In an interview, Soraya had stated that she did not want to branch out into North American continent and would prefer to stay in Europe. However, she will be heading to New York to study and to keep training professionally herself. Also, she toured and promoted her music around South America in October.[14]

[edit] 2010: Dreamer

After leaving her label Vale Music / Universal in late 2010, Soraya signed a record deal with Sony Music[15] and has been in the recording studio for the past six months recording new songs for her forthcoming fifth studio album. The first single to be released from the album is "Live Your Dreams", an electronic-dance pop song, produced by French DJ Antoine Clamaran. The video for the song was filmed in Paris on March and was released on June 2010.[16]

The single peaked at #8 on the French Club Chart,[17] while it peaked at #13 on the airplay chart and #47 in the download chart.[18] The CD-Single debuted and peaked at #11 in the French Singles Chart, staying a total of 7 weeks into the Top15. It also reached #20 at the Russian Airplay Chart. This is Soraya's first entry in both France and Russian charts. In Belgium it peaked at #51.[19] While in Poland the song reached #16 in the airplay chart. In Spain, the song was #18 in the airplay chart.

The album was released on September 28, 2010 in Spain, reaching number 1 on iTunes the same day it was released.[20] The album peaked at #8 on the Spanish Albums Chart. Dreamer has supposed the return of Soraya to the Top10, achieving more success than its predecessor so far. The promotion of the album is supported by a tour through some European countries.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Year Title Chart positions Certifications
SPA
2005 Corazón De Fuego
  • 1st Studio Album
  • Released: 5 December 2005
  • Label: Vale Music / Santander Records
13
2006 Ochenta's
  • 2nd Studio Album
  • Released: 21 November 2006
  • Label: Vale Music / Universal
5
  • SPA: Platinum [21]
2007 Dolce Vita
  • 3rd Studio Album
  • Released: 11 September 2007
  • Label: Vale Music / Universal
5
2008 Sin Miedo
  • 4th Studio Album
  • Released: 14 October 2008
  • Re-released: 5 May 2009
  • Label: Vale Music / Universal
21
_
2010 Dreamer
  • 5th Studio Album
  • Released: 28 September 2010
  • Re-released: 17 May 2011
  • Label: Sony Music
8
_

[edit] Singles

Year Single Chart Positions Album Certifications
SPA SPA Download SPA Airplay SWE FRA FRA Download FRA Club BEL RUS Airplay POL EUR
2005 "Mi Mundo Sin Ti" Corazón De Fuego
2006 "Corazón De Fuego"
"Self Control" 10 Ochenta's Spa: Gold
2007 "Call Me" 14
"La Dolce Vita" Dolce Vita
2008 "Words"
"Sin Miedo" 32 Sin Miedo
2009 "La Noche Es Para Mí" (ESC 2009) 9 25
2010 "Live Your Dreams" (feat. Antoine Clamaran) 41 [22] 18 [23] 11 [24] 47 [25] 8 [26] 51 [27] 20 [28] 16 [29] 40 [30] "Dreamer"
"Dreamer"
2011 "Stick Shift" (feat. Antoine Clamaran) 14 [31] 193 [32]
2011 "Feeling You" (feat. Antoine Clamaran) 47 [33] 46 [34]
  • Note: Prior to January 2009, Spain's Top 50 Singles Charts were based solely on physical commercial CD single sales only. In January 2009, the charting rules were changed to include digital single sales as well. Because Soraya's label did not release commercial CD singles of her past singles, her singles were not eligible for charting within the official Top 50 in Spain, even though they her singles received heavy airplay and rotation within Spain.

[edit] As featured performer

Year Single Chart Positions Album
SPA SPA Download SPA Airplay SWE FRA FRA Download FRA Club BEL RUS POL EUR
2006 "No Debería" (with Antonio Romero) Antonio Romero
"Fruto Prohibido" (with Santa Fe) Fruto Prohibido
2008 "Tonight We Ride/No Digas Que No" (with Kate Ryan) Free

[edit] References

  1. ^ Soraya Arnelas biography
  2. ^ Soraya Arnelas - Dolce Vita UK release
  3. ^ Soraya Dolce Vita at 7 Digital store
  4. ^ http://www.cronicalocal.info/noticia.asp?ref=224021
  5. ^ SORAYA VISITARA LA ACADEMIA EL 14 DE JULIO |
  6. ^ http://www.valemusic.com/noticia.php?id=1379
  7. ^ http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12726
  8. ^ http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13397
  9. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLA8whz6MRM
  10. ^ http://www.168ora.hu/cikk.php?cikk=24582
  11. ^ http://www.vertele.com/noticias/detail.php?id=21276
  12. ^ Valemusic will not pay Soraya's new videoclip
  13. ^ Soraya's label won't pay her new video
  14. ^ Soraya goes to NY & South America
  15. ^ Soraya Arnelas official twitter
  16. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDsDXp8TuMA&channel=clamaranantoine
  17. ^ French Club Chart
  18. ^ http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/pag-259838-Radio.html?cid=351709
  19. ^ [1]
  20. ^ Soraya Official Facebook
  21. ^ a b c http://www.myspace.com/sorayarnelas
  22. ^ http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=114441&st=20&start=20
  23. ^ http://www.promusicae.org/espanol.html Spanish Airplay Chart
  24. ^ http://www.chartsinfrance.net French Singles Chart
  25. ^ http://lescharts.com/weekchart.asp?cat=si&year=2010&date=20100731
  26. ^ http://www.chartsinfrance.net/charts/hit-des-clubs.php French Club Chart
  27. ^ http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Antoine+Clamaran+feat%2E+Soraya&titel=Live+Your+Dreams&cat=s
  28. ^ http://www.tophitru.com/airplay_week.shtml
  29. ^ http://zpav.pl/rankingi/listy/nielsen/index.php
  30. ^ http://www.billboard.com/charts/european-hot-100#/charts/european-hot-100?begin=31&order=position
  31. ^ http://www.chartsinfrance.net/charts/hit-des-clubs.php
  32. ^ http://www.tophitru.com/airplay_week.shtml
  33. ^ http://www.elportaldemusica.es/canciones.php
  34. ^ http://www.chartsinfrance.net/charts/hit-des-clubs.php,p3

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Rodolfo Chikilicuatre
with "Baila el Chiki-chiki"
Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest
2009
Succeeded by
Daniel Diges
with "Algo pequeñito"
Sh
Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
Print/export
Languages