Monday, March 21, 2011

JORDIN SPARKS
TOP 3: BATTLEFIELD

"Battlefield" is a song performed by American recording artist Jordin Sparks, taken from her second studio album of the same name. The song was written by Wayne Wilkins, Ryan Tedder,Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters. It was released as the album's lead single in the United States on May 8, 2009. "Battlefield" is a mid-tempo pop and R&B ballad which talks about a tumultuous relationship where neither side wants to compromise.
The song received mixed to positive reviews, with critics complimenting its production and Sparks' vocals, as well as noting its similarities to Pat Benatar's "We Belong" and "Love Is a Battlefield". In the United States, "Battlefield" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her third top ten hit on the chart. It also reached the top ten in countries such as Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand. The song's accompanying music video directed by Philip Andelman features Sparks in different looks and sees her being flanked by missiles and smoke. The song was promoted by Sparks with live performances in televised shows, includingAmerican Idol and also on her first headlining tour in the United States.

Background and release

"What grabbed me at first actually was the fact it was so big. The melody starts off very soft but then it gets massive and kinda angsty. I've had lots of friends who've gone through 'Battlefield' situations in their relationships, so when I was singing the song I put myself in their position and tried to imagine what they were going through."
— Jordin Sparks, Digital Spy.[3]
In an interview with Digital Spy, Sparks said that while she was in the studio working on another song with producer Wayne Wilkins, he told her that "I have a song I wanna play you but I don't know if I should." The song turned out be "Battlefield" and Sparks said once she heard it her "jaw hit the floor." According to Sparks, after she heard the song, she didn't ask Wilkins straight away if she could have the song, stating "so I went to my A&R and said, 'This song's so phenomenal, you have to ask him if it's available'. About a week later I got a call saying I was going to record it."[3]
"Battlefield" was sent to U.S. Top 40/Mainstream radio on May 25, 2009.[4] Prior to this, it became the number one most requested song on New York's Z100 radio station.[5] It was released for digital downloads on May 8, 2009 in the United States,[6] United Kingdom,[7] France[8] and Germany.[9] A CD single featuring an additional remix of the song was made available in the United Kingdom,[10] Canada[11] and France[12] It was released as a maxi single in Germany on July 17, 2009.[13]

[edit]Composition

Jordin Sparks — "Battlefield"
A sample of the chorus of "Battlefield". The songs' metaphor was compared to Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield".
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
"Battlefield" is a mid-tempo pop[14] and R&B[15] ballad. According to the music sheet published at Musicnotes.com, it is set in common time in the key of G major with a tempo of 72 beats per minute.[16] Sparks's vocal range spans from A3 to A5.[16] The song also derives from the genre of soft rock.[17] Tom Howard of Yahoo! Music UKdescribed "Battlefield" as an "immense pop song" with a "distinctive twinkly piano line over electronic drum beats, ridiculous war metaphors to explain a tricky relationship [and a] chorus that explodes like a cluster bomb."[18] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine compared its production to Pat Benatar's 1980s power ballad, "We Belong" and found it as catchy as Beyoncé's "Halo" and Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love".[19] This was echoed by Jeremy Medina of The Music Mix who found the song's sound familiar to Bentar's.[20] Nate Chihen of The New York Times said Sparks wails "Why does love always feel like a battlefield?" with "remorse and rebuke", sounding "vexed but in control, and undaunted by the copyright interests of Pat Benatar, who preferred her battlefield metaphors in declarative form."[21]

[edit]Reception

"Battlefield" received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Bill Lamb of About.com awarded the song 4½ out of five stars and complimented Sparks' "exciting, declaiming vocals", stating "[she] is no minor talent, and she proves it here. From the first notes she is clearly in a vocal zone."[1] Nick Levine of Digital Spy said it "bear[s] a passing resemblance" to Beyoncé's "Halo", but found "Battlefield" "more bombastic, more overblown" and "plain better."[17] Michael Slezak of Entertainment Weekly called the song "gorgeous" and said "when Sparks hits that "Better go and get your armor" bridge, you can practically feel the wind whipping through your hair."[22] Editors from The Insider said it "prove[s] why she deserved the 2007 American Idol crown."[23] Ruth Harrison of Female First called the song "incredible" and said "from the build-up of the verses to the epic chorus that is just made to be sung in arena's all over the world; the greatness of this song can really not be summed up in words."[24]
In the United States, "Battlefield" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number thirty-two, on the week dated May 30, 2009.[25] After weeks of climbing the chart, the song reached a peak of number ten, giving Sparks her third top ten hit in the U.S.[26] To date, the song has sold 1,505,000 copies in the United States.[27] On the UK Singles Chart, "Battlefield" reached a peak of number eleven.[28] The song also peaked at number six on the UK R&B Singles Chart. In other countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand, "Battlefield" reached the top five.[2][29][30] It certified platinum in Australia[31] and gold in New Zealand.[32] In Canada, the song has currently sold 30,000 copies.[33]

[edit]Music video

The song's music video was directed by Philip Andelman and shot in California.[34] A thirty second preview of the video was released online on June 3, 2009.[35] The full length video premiered on MTV on June 8, 2009.[35] It begins with Sparks in a 1971 De Tomaso Pantera sports car wearing a black dress, as she sings the first verse. The scene is intercut with other scenes of her lying out in a field in a white dress. During the song's bridge, Sparks is seen getting flanked by missiles and smoke, as she warns her love interest to get his armor.[36]
Jocelyn Vena of MTV News wrote, "it seems like she's using the video as a way to step out of her shell a little — perhaps she's out to show the world that she isn't all that sweet and can start a war in a relationship with the best of them."[36] Maura from Idolator wrote the video was a "simple affair that allows her to get into maximum drama mode."[37]

[edit]Promotion and covers

On May 13, 2009, Sparks performed "Battlefield" on the American Idol top 3 results show. She was accompanied by Ryan Tedder who played the guitar during her performance.[38] The promotion of the song continued when Sparks performed on Good Morning America on July 20, 2009, and on the Live with Regis and Kelly and the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon shows, the following day.[5] On July 24, 2009, Sparks appeared on The Wendy Williams Show and talked about her life in New York, as well as performing "Battlefield".[5] The song was also added to her set list of opening both The Jonas Brothers' and Britney Spears' North American tours,[39][40] as well performing the song on her first headlining tour in the United States, the Battlefield Tour.[41]
"Battlefield" was covered by English alternative rock band, Fightstar in the Live Lounge on BBC Radio 1 on July 23, 2009.[42] Their performance of the song was included on a live DVD entitled, Unplugged at the Picturedrome.[43] On October 22, 2009, "Battlefield" was performed by American Idol season eight finalist, Anoop Desai during his post-Idol solo concert in Raleigh, North Carolina.[44] He also performed the song in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on November 8, 2009.[45] In May 2010, "Battlefield" was covered on the ABC television show One Life to Live during a musical episode known as "Starr X'd Lovers".[46] The song was also covered by X Factor Australia finalist, India-Rose Madderom in September 2010.[47]

[edit]Track listing



Digital download[6]
  1. "Battlefield" — 4:01
Canada, France, Germany & UK CD single[10]
  1. "Battlefield" — 4:01
  2. "Battlefield" (Bimbo Jones Radio Edit) — 4:08

German Maxi single[13]
  1. "Battlefield" - 4:01
  2. "Battlefield" (Bimbo Jones Club Mix)

[edit]Charts and certifications

[edit]Charts

Chart (2009)↓Peak
position↓
Australia (ARIA)[2]4
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[48]47
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[29]5
European Hot 100[26]23
Germany (Media Control AG)[49]40
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[50]34
Ireland (IRMA)[51]9
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[26]93
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[52]51
New Zealand (RIANZ)[30]3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[53]39
Switzerland (Media Control AG)[54]81
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[28]11
UK R&B (The Official Charts Company)6
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[26]10
U.S. Pop Songs[26]6

[edit]Year-end charts

Chart (2009)↓Position↓
Australian Singles Chart[55]45
Hungarian Singles Chart[56]165
New Zealand Singles Chart[57]33
UK Singles Chart[58]86
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[59]57

[edit]Certifications

CountryCertification
AustraliaPlatinum[31]
New ZealandGold[32]

[edit]Release history

CountryDateFormatLabel
France[8]May 8, 2009Digital downloadSony Music Entertainment
Germany[9]
United Kingdom[7]
United States[6]Jive Records
United States[4]May 25, 2009Airplay
United Kingdom[10]July 6, 2009CD singleSony Music Entertainment
Canada[11]July 7, 2009
France[12]
Germany[13]July 17, 2009Maxi single

[edit]References

  1. ^ a b Lamb, Bill. "Jordin Sparks - Battlefield". About.com. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  2. ^ a b c "Jordin Sparks - Battlefield". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  3. ^ a b "Music - Interview - Jordin Sparks". Digital Spy. 2009-05-29. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
  4. ^ a b "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News & More!". FMQB. Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  5. ^ a b c "Jordin Sparks' New Album 'Battlefield' in Stores July 21". PR Newswire. PR Newswire Association LLC. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  6. ^ a b c "Battlefield (Single): Jordin Sparks". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  7. ^ a b "Battlefield (Single): Jordin Sparks". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  8. ^ a b "Battlefield (Single): Jordin Sparks". Amazon.fr. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  9. ^ a b "Battlefield: Jordin Sparks". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  10. ^ a b c "Battlefield: Jordin Sparks: CD". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  11. ^ a b "Battlefield: Jordin Sparks". Amazon.ca. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  12. ^ a b "Battlefield: Jordin Sparks". Amazon.fr. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  13. ^ a b c "Battlefield / 2 Track Maxi: Jordin Sparks". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  14. ^ "New Music: Jordin Sparks - 'Battlefield'". Rap-Up. 2009-05-11. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  15. ^ "The new Jordin Sparks single is very good indeed". Popjustice. Popjustice Ltd.. 2009-04-23. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  16. ^ a b "Jordin Sparks: Batlefield". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
  17. ^ a b Levine, Nick (2009-05-14). "Let's discuss the new Jordin Sparks single". Digital Spy. Digital Spy Limited. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  18. ^ Howard, Tom (2009-08-05). "Jordin Sparks - Battlefield". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo! Inc. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  19. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (2009-07-16). "Jordin Sparks: Battlefield". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  20. ^ Medina, Jeremy (2009-05-14). "Jordin Sparks' love is a 'Battlefield'". The Music Mix. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  21. ^ Chihen, Nate (2009-07-19). "Critics' Choice". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  22. ^ Slezak, Michael (2009-07-15). "Battlefield | Music". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  23. ^ "Music Review: Jordin Sparks' 'Battlefield' is lost". The Insider. CBS Interactive Inc. 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  24. ^ Harrison, Ruth (2009-05-14). "Single Review: Jordin Sparks - Battlefield". Female First. First Active Media Ltd. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  25. ^ "Hot 100 - Week of May 30, 2009". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  26. ^ a b c d e "Battlefield - Jordin Sparks". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  27. ^ "'Idol' track sales: Adam Lambert, Daughtry, Carrie Underwood". USA Today. 2010-09-22. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  28. ^ a b "Chart Stats - Jordin Sparks - Battlefield". Chart Stats. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  29. ^ a b "Jordin Sparks Canadian Hot 100 Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  30. ^ a b "Jordin Sparks - Battlefield". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  31. ^ a b "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2009 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  32. ^ a b "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". RadioScope New Zealand. Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  33. ^ http://en-ca.nielsen.com/content/dam/nielsen/en_ca/documents/pdf/newsletters/billboard_canadian-update/Nielsen%20Music%20Canadian%20Update.pdf
  34. ^ "Video: Jordin Sparks - 'Battlefield'". Rap-Up. 2009-06-07. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  35. ^ a b Anitai, Tamar (2009-06-03). "Sneak Peek: New Jordin Sparks Video, 'Battlefield'". MTV Buzzworthy. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  36. ^ a b Vena, Jocelyn (2009-06-08). "Jordin Sparks Gets Glamorous, Shows Attitude In 'Battlefield' Video". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  37. ^ Maura (2009-06-08). "Jordin Sparks Is Out Standing In Her Battlefield". Idolator. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  38. ^ "Jordin Sparks set to Rock Out on 'American Idol'". The Insider. CBS Interactive Inc. 2009-05-11. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  39. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (2009-08-17). "Jordin Sparks Joins Britney Spears' Circus Tour". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  40. ^ "Miley Cyrus and Jordin Sparks Join Jonas Brothers Tour". In Entertainment. 2009-06-23. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  41. ^ "Jordin Sparks Sets 'Battlefield' Summer 2010 Tour Dates". Singersroom magazine. 2010-05-11. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  42. ^ "Fightstar Battlefield BBC Radio1 Live Lounge". YouTube. 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  43. ^ "Fightstar: Be Human: Bonus Track: Deluxe Edition: Includes Dvd: Ltd". HMV Group. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  44. ^ "Anoop Desai - Battlefield". YouTube. 2009-10-23. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  45. ^ "Anoop Desai - Battlefield". YouTube. 2009-11-08. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  46. ^ "One Life to Live tackles huge musical production with Starr X'd Lovers". Soap Central Live. 2010-05-11. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  47. ^ "The X Factor Australia - India-Rose Madderom - Live Show 1". YouTube. 2010-09-19. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  48. ^ "Jordin Sparks - Battlefield". austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  49. ^ "Chartverfolgung / Jordin Sparks / Single" (in German). musicline.de PhonoNet. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  50. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ – Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  51. ^ "Discography Jordin Sparks". irishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  52. ^ "Jordin Sparks - Battlefield". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  53. ^ "Jordin Sparks - Battlefield". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  54. ^ "Jordin Sparks - Battlefield". swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  55. ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2009". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
  56. ^ "Éves összesített listák - MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 (súlyozott)". Mahasz. Mahasz.
  57. ^ http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart_annual.asp
  58. ^ "Charts Plus Year end 2009" (PDF). Charts Plus. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
  59. ^ "Billboard Year-End Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-02-02.

[edit]External links
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