Footprints in the Sand (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Footprints in the Sand


Artist = Leona Lewis
Album = Spirit
A-side = "Better in Time"
B-side = "You Bring me Down"
Released = Start date|2008|03|7|df=yes (see release history)
Format = CD single, digital download
Recorded = Rokstone Studios, London, England, 2007
Genre = Piano pop
Length = 3:58 (Single Mix)
4:08 (Album Version)
Label = Sony BMG, Syco
Writer = Richard Page, Per Magnusson, David Kreuger, Simon Cowell
Producer = Steve Mac
Certification =
Last single = "Bleeding Love"
(2007)
This single = "Better in Time"/"Footprints in the Sand"
(2008)
Next single = "Just Stand Up!"
(2008)
Misc = Extra track listing
Album = Spirit
Type = studio
prev_track = "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
prev_no = 12
this_track = "Footprints in the Sand"
track_no = 13
next_track = "A Moment Like This"
next_no = 14

"Footprints in the Sand" is a song written by Richard Page, Per Magnusson, David Kreugercite web|url=http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=361961077&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=30&start=1|title=Footprints in the Sand|publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|accessdate=2007-10-g21] and Simon Cowellcite album-notes|title= Spirit|bandname = Leona Lewis|year = 2007 |format = CD album|publisher = Sony BMG|publisherid= 88697185262] and produced by Steve Mac for Leona Lewis's debut album, "Spirit". It was released in March 2008 as Lewis's third UK single, as a double A-side with "Better in Time".cite web|url=http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/index.php/news/entry/new_single_announcement/|title=New single announcement!|publisher=LeonaLewis|accessdate=2008-01-29]

ong information

The song is the official song of charity Sport Relief for 2008.cite news|url=http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/index.php/news/entry/sport_relief_in_africa/|title=Sport Relief in Africa
publisher=LeonaLewisMusic.co.uk|date=2008-02-27|accessdate=2008-02-27] The single was 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.cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sport_relief/7187853.stm|title=Sign up for the Sport Relief Mile|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2008-01-19] [cite news|url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/news/2593|title=Stars out in force for Sport Relief|publisher="What's On TV"|date=2008-01-15|accessdate=2008-01-19] [cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a88342/leona-reveals-new-single-details.html|title=Leona reveals new single details|publisher=Digital Spy|date=2008-01-30|accessdate=2008-01-30] The song has been remixed for the single release. ["New single announcement", "Leona Lewis mailing list" (2008-02-01). Retrieved on 2008-02-01.]

"Footprints in the Sand" is an adaptation of the Christian poem "Footprints".cite news|url=http://musicnews.virginmedia.com/news/?news_id=52026|title=Leona to release Sport Relief song|publisher=Virgin Media|date=2008-01-31|accessdate=2008-02-01] Cowell came up with the idea to base a song around the poem, and Lewis agreed that it could be "really quite interesting".cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3483994.ece|title=Leona Lewis - the X Factor star with more staying power|pulisher="The Times"|first=Pete|last=Paphides|date=2008-03-08|accessdate=2008-03-08] Cowell has a songwriting credit for coming up with the idea. Lewis describes the song as "very moving, with a very emotional lyric". The song is about "standing by someone and being there for people who need your help."cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7245446.stm|title=Lewis makes footprints in States |publisher=BBC News|first=Liam|last=Allen|date=2008-02-15|accessdate=2008-02-17]

To promote the single, Lewis performed the song live on "Dancing on Ice" on 9 March 2008, with a special ice dance routine performed by Torvill and Dean. [cite news|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article859358.ece|title=Leona Lewis' blades of glory|work=The Sun|date=2008-02-29|accessdate=2008-02-29]

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." [cite news|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/article-23419301-details/CDs+of+the+week/article.do|title= CDs of the week|publisher="Evening Standard"|first=Chris|last=Elwell-Sutton|date=2007-11-05|accessdate=2008-01-29] Iafrica's reviewer described the song as a "show-stopping [...] lush [Mariah Carey|Mariah [Carey] -style ballad [...] that utilises Lewis' [s] full vocal range and sounds uncannily like Carey at her best. [Cite news|url=http://entertainment.iafrica.com/music/latest/932773.htm|title=LEONA LEWIS Spirit|publisher=iafrica.com|first=Justine|last=Geffen|accessdate=2008-03-08] Digital Spy's review claimed that the song has "the sort of ludicrous outro even Mariah Carey might consider over-the-top" and that the lyrics "will have your granny in tears". [Cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a90538/leona-lewis-better-in-time-footprints-in-the-sand.html|title=Leona Lewis: 'Better In Time' / 'Footprints In The Sand'|publisher=Digital Spy|first=Alex|last=Fletcher|accessdate=2008-03-09] Channel 4 said it was "a lot like [Lewis's first single] "A Moment Like This" and a lot like Christmas." [cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/music/features/L/leona-lewis-spirit-new-album-review.html|title=Leona Lewis Spirit new album review|publisher=Channel 4 Music|accessdate=2008-03-08] The reviewer for the "Manchester Evening News" said that the song "pushes [Lewis] as a vocalist and fits the charity bill". [cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/music/single_reviews/s/1039732_leona_lewis__better_in_timefootprints_in_the_sand_bmg|title=Leona Lewis - Better In Time/Footprints In The Sand (BMG)|publisher="Manchester Evening News"|first=Sarah|last=Walters|date=2008-03-06|accessdate=2008-03-09]

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.cite web|url=http://acharts.us/song/29800|title=Leona Lewis - Footprints In The Sand|publisher=aCharts.us|accessdate=2007-11-19] On 24 February 2008, the single debuted at number 74 on the UK Singles Chart three weeks before its physical release.cite web|url=http://acharts.us/song/33877|title=Leona Lewis - Better In Time / Footprints In The Sand|publisher=aCharts.com|accessdate=2008-02-24] On 9 March 2008, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 63.

When the physical single was released, the double A-side single jumped twenty-one places to #2 in the UK Singles Chart. It sold 40,476 copies and was held off the top spot by the massive hit single "Mercy" by Duffy. [cite paper | author=Digital Spy| title=Duffy holds Leona off number one spot|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a91697/duffy-holds-leona-off-number-one-spot.html|date=2008-03-16|accessdate=2008-03-16] The double a-side eventually sold 182,075 units.

Music video

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". [cite web|url=http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/index.php/blog/entry/grammy_party/|title=Grammy Party!|publisher=LeonaLewis|accessdate=2008-02-11] The video is cut with footage of Lewis's visit to Johannesburg, South Africa for Sport Relief, [cite web|url=http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/index.php/blog/better_in_time_video/|title=‘Better In Time’ video|date=2008-02-14|accessdate=2008-02-15] [cite news|url=http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/sunday/2008/03/02/my-5m-leona-can-t-afford-to-be-a-home-owna-98487-20337352/|title=Leona Lewis can't afford to buy her own house, says dad|publisher="Sunday Mirror"|first=Louise|last=Ford|date=2008-03-02|accessdate=2008-03-02] and it premiered on her official website and BBC Radio 1's website on 27 February 2008.

A special edition of the video, featuring footage of Lewis in South Africa, was shown on BBC One on 9 March 2008.

Track listing

CD single

#"Better in Time" (Single Mix) (Jonathan Rotem, Andrea Martin) – 3:55
#"Footprints in the Sand" (Single Mix) (Richard Page, Per Magnusson, David Kreuger, Simon Cowell) – 3:58
#"You Bring Me Down" (Salaam Remi, Taj Jackson, Leona Lewis) - 3:53

Release history

ee also

*List of double A-side singles

Cover versions

The song was covered by Operacion Triunfo Series 6 finalist Noelia. She sang the song live on May 13 2008 when the gala show took place. She was told by the judges that she did the song justice and performed it very well indeed. She was saved from nomination. Operacion Triunfo is the spanish equivalent of Fame Academy. [http://www.Operaciontriunfo.com]

External links

[http://faithweb2.tripod.com/id1.html Music inspired by the Footprints poem]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d08X2lN669k&feature=user Official Sport Relief Video] on Youtube

References