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Footprints in the Sand (Leona Lewis song)

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"Footprints in the Sand"
Song
A-side"Better in Time"

"Footprints in the Sand" is a pop ballad written by Richard Page, Per Magnusson, David Kreuger[1] and Simon Cowell[2] and produced by Steve Mac[2] for Leona Lewis's debut album, Spirit. It is to be released in March 2008 as Lewis's third single, as a double A-side with "Better in Time".[3]

The song is the official song of charity Sport Relief for 2008.[4] The single will be released in the United Kingdom as a digital download on 9 March 2008, with a physical release on the following day, with proceeds going to the charity.[5][6][7] The song has been remixed for the single release.[8]

Background

"Footprints in the Sand" is an adaptation of the Christian poem "Footprints".[9] Cowell came up with the idea to base a song around the poem, and Lewis agreed that it could be "really quite interesting".[10] Cowell has a songwriting credit for coming up with the idea.[10] Lewis describes the song as "very moving, with a very emotional lyric".[9] The song is about "standing by someone and being there for people who need your help."[11]

Promotion

To promote the single, Lewis will perform both sides of the single on Dancing on Ice on 9 March 2008, with a special ice dance routine performed by Torvill and Dean.[12]

Music video

File:FootprintsInTheSand.jpg
Lewis in the music video for "Footprints In The Sand".

The music video for "Footprints in the Sand" was directed in London by acclaimed British director Sophie Muller back-to-back with the video for "Better in Time".[13] The video is cut with footage of Lewis's visit to Johannesburg, South Africa for Sport Relief,[11][14][15] and it premiered on her official website and BBC Radio 1's website on 27 February 2008.[4]

Critical reception

In its review of the album, the Evening Standard described the song as a "string-fuelled, gospel-tinged power ballad that would make a good theme to a Disney movie."[16] thelondonpaper's review did not like the song, going so far as to describe it as "[g]aseous bowel rot".[17] More complimentary was iafrica's reviewer, describing it as a "show-stopping [...] lush Mariah-style ballad [...] that utilises Lewis'[s] full vocal range and sounds uncannily like Carey at her best.[18] Channel 4 said it was "a lot like [Lewis's first single] "A Moment like This" and a lot like Christmas."[19] The reviewer for the Manchester Evening News said that the song "pushes Leona as a vocalist and fits the charity bill".[20]

Chart performance

In November 2007, following the release of the album, "Footprints in the Sand" charted in the UK Singles Chart at number sixty-five on download sales.[21] On 24 February 2008, the single debuted at number 74 on the UK Singles Chart three weeks before its physical release.[22]

Track listing

CD single

  1. "Better in Time" (single mix) (Jonathan Rotem, Andrea Martin) – 3:55
  2. "Footprints in the Sand" (sinlge mix) (Richard Page, Per Magnusson, David Kreuger, Simon Cowell) – 3:58
  3. "You Bring Me Down"[23] (Salaam Remi, Taj Jackson, Leona Lewis)

Release history

Region Date Label Format
Republic of Ireland 7 March 2008 Syco Music CD single, digital download
United Kingdom 9 March 2008 Syco Digital download
10 March 2008 Syco CD single

Charts

Chart (2007) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[21] 65
Chart (2008) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[22] † 74

† "Better in Time"/"Footprints in the Sand"

See also

References

  1. ^ "Footprints in the Sand". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
  2. ^ a b Spirit (Media notes). Sony BMG. 2007. {{cite AV media notes}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |bandname= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |publisherid= ignored (help)
  3. ^ "New single announcement!". LeonaLewis. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
  4. ^ a b "Sport Relief in Africa". LeonaLewisMusic.co.uk. 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2008-02-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Sign up for the Sport Relief Mile". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
  6. ^ "Stars out in force for Sport Relief". What's On TV. 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2008-01-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ "Leona reveals new single details". Digital Spy. 2008-01-30. Retrieved 2008-01-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "New single announcement", Leona Lewis mailing list (2008-02-01). Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  9. ^ a b "Leona to release Sport Relief song". Virgin Media. 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2008-02-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ a b Paphides, Pete (2008-03-08). "Leona Lewis - the X Factor star with more staying power". Retrieved 2008-03-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |pulisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ a b Allen, Liam (2008-02-15). "Lewis makes footprints in States". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-02-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Leona Lewis' blades of glory". The Sun. 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2008-02-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Grammy Party!". LeonaLewis. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
  14. ^ "'Better In Time' video". 2008-02-14. Retrieved 2008-02-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Ford, Louise (2008-03-02). "Leona Lewis can't afford to buy her own house, says dad". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 2008-03-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ Elwell-Sutton, Chris (2007-11-05). "CDs of the week". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2008-01-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ Mackenzie, Malcolm (2007-11-12). "Whine and spirit". thelondonpaper. Retrieved 2008-03-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Geffen, Justine. "LEONA LEWIS Spirit". iafrica.com. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
  19. ^ "Leona Lewis Spirit new album review". Channel 4 Music. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
  20. ^ Walters, Sarah (2008-03-06). "Leona Lewis - Better In Time/Footprints In The Sand (BMG)". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2008-03-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ a b "Leona Lewis - Footprints In The Sand". aCharts.us. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  22. ^ a b "Leona Lewis - Better In Time / Footprints In The Sand". aCharts.com. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  23. ^ "Better in Time: Official Sport Relief Single 2008 [Single]". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
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