Here I Am (Natalie Gauci song)

Infobox Single
Name = Here I Am


Artist = Natalie Gauci
from Album = The Winner's Journey
Released = November 26, 2007 (Digital)
November 28, 2007 (CD)
Format = CD, digital download
Recorded = Kings Cross Studio, Sydney, 2007
Genre = Pop
Length = 3:50
Label = Sony BMG
Writer = Lindy Robbins
Tom Leonard
Certification = Gold (ARIA)"Here I Am" is the debut single for 2007 "Australian Idol" winner Natalie Gauci, written by Lindy Robbins and Tom Leonard.Adamson, Kate. " [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22775368-5001026,00.html Idol single a dud] ", "The Sunday Telegraph", November 18, 2007. Retrieved on November 18, 2007.] This single was performed by the final two contestants - Gauci and Matt Corby - during the penultimate episode of "Australian Idol 2007".

After Gauci won the competition on November 25 2007, the song was available online through BigPond Music, a major sponsor of "Australian Idol". The single was released as a CD single on November 28 2007.

Background

Natalie Gauci was at first confused when she heard the demo, as it only contained male vocals. She realised that the writers of the song also wrote songs for The Backstreet Boys, and decided to make an overhaul of the song to record her own version. "Now the song sounds like I wrote it, I reckon," she says. "I feel very proud."Ninemsn staff. " [http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=326088 Idol finalists pan winner's single] ", Ninemsn, November 18, 2007. Retrieved on November 18, 2007.]

Reception

Before the "Australian Idol" grand final, it was reported that both Gauci and "Idol" runner up Matt Corby had originally panned the winner's single and were unimpressed after hearing the demo of the song.

Matt Corby was most uncomfortable with the song, who says that the pop song is "cheesy". "This competition has made me look like I'm into pop, but I'm not," he says. He stated that the song was not the direction he was going to take, and wants to take a creative control for his music, as blues and roots was his most passionate music style.Sams, Christine. " [http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/entertainment/here-i-am--but-its-not-me/2007/11/17/1195321584360.html Here I am - but it's not me] ", "The Sun-Herald", November 18, 2007. Retrieved on November 18, 2007.] "It's so far away from what I would release or write, but I have to cop it on the chin - it's part of the competition," he states. [" [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22768276-28957,00.html Melbourne's Natalie Gauci ready for Australian Idol final] ", "Herald Sun", November 16, 2007. Retrieved on November 18, 2007.]

Top 3 finalist Carl Riseley had also performed a version of "Here I Am" with a swing style. He commented that his version sounded "bloody horrible". [Braithwaite, Alyssa. " [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22751561-5012974,00.html "Australian Idol's" Carl Riseley 'relieved'] ", "Herald Sun", November 13, 2007. Retrieved on November 18, 2007.]

"Here I Am" was the first "Australian Idol" winner's single to not debut in the #1 position on the Australian Singles Chart. "Here I Am" sold only 7,463 copies in its first week, lower than all previous "Australian Idol" winners' singles.cite web|url=http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=3552|author=Paul Cashmere|title=Australia Has Spoken, Idol Sales A Disaster|publisher=Undercover|accessdate=2007-12-03|date=3 December 2007] The single was certified Gold for shipments of 35,000 in its second week on the chart.

Track listing

;CD single
# "Here I Am" (Lindy Robbins, Tom Leonard) – 3:50
# "All in My Mind" (Natalie Gauci, James Kempster) – 3:46

Charts

See also

*List of Australian Idol commercial releases

References