Tattoo (Jordin Sparks song)
| "Tattoo" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Tattoo" is a single by Jordin Sparks, winner of American Idol season 6, and her second single to date. The song serves as the first single from her debut album. The song was produced by Stargate, who have written songs for Ne-Yo, Beyoncé and Elliott Yamin. The song was co-written by Amanda Ghost, who co-wrote James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" and "Beautiful Liar" by Beyoncé and Shakira as well as Ian Dench. Although the official release date was August 27, 2007, the full song leaked on August 23, 2007, and it premiered on z100[1] and on AOL Music[2] the next day.
Song information
The song has a more rhythmic pop vibe similar to Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" and Rihanna's "Good Girl Gone Bad". The song is produced by hitmakers Stargate, known for their work with some premier UK, R&B and hip hop acts of the day. The production has a drum-based beat backed by a guitar-oriented melody similar to the two previous songs. The song showcases Jordin's mid-range vocals as well as her ability to ride the beat. The lyrics are about a relationship that is ending as the title refers to memories from the relationship that will be etched on her heart "just like a tattoo". The lyrics seem to target a younger audience.
According to Sparks, she loved the song the first time she heard it and immediately recorded it.[3] Even before the song's release, Jordin described it as being very "Beyoncé-ish".[4]
Sparks performed "Tattoo" as part of the 2007 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Responses
Ryan Seacrest, host of American Idol, called Sparks during his radio show, in which he said that he received a 100% positive response, and that it "will be a #1."[5] The song has received mixed reviews from pop and urban radio sites. With Chuck Taylor of Billboard Magazine referring to past American Idols trying to add "the hip factor" to their debut singles while Jordin starts with "a genuine showcase of her beautiful voice."[6] Ken Barnes of USA Today said it was a "kinda generic pop song" but added it both "tasteful" and "well-suited" for Sparks.[7] Michael Slezak of Entertainment Weekly mentions the song is "a shoulder shrug of a single" and too reminiscent of Beyonce's Irreplaceable but stated it has "a nice little pop melody."[8] Blender Magazine stated while the song might be "a blatant rip-off" of Irreplaceable, Jordin does her part "subtly belting when necessary but mostly holding back" while "the same emotional, winningly theatrical flourishes that truly put her over the top last season."[9] Popjustice felt the song was a "cross between Rihanna's "Umbrella" and JoJo's "Too Little Too Late."[10] Daniel Rolfe of About.com spoke of Jordin with delight saying "America’s favorite 17-year-old balladeer plays to her strengths, releasing a strong down tempo number while channeling early Mariah Carey."[11]
Music video
According to the fansite Jordin Online,a video for the song was shot over Labor Day weekend. The video was released on November 1, 2007, via Yahoo Music. In the video a guy that Jordin likes begins following her, as she leads him to a merry go round. She is shown by herself on the merry go round throughout the video. Once the guy is on the merry go round, it starts, and she is shown having a good time with him. The video also features both color and black and white close face shots of Jordin intercut into it. It features a cameo of Blake Lewis, the fellow runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol, who appears briefly with Jordin on the merry go round at the end.
Tracklist
- US Single
- "Tattoo" (Main) - 3:53
- "Tattoo" (Instrumental) - 3:52
- "Tattoo" (Acappella) - 3:37
Chart performance
In "Tattoo"'s first week of release it debuted at #88 on the Billboard Pop 100 Chart and at #48 on the Pop 100 Airplay Chart. In its fourth week on the charts it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #58. It has so far reached #11 on the Hot 100[12] and #8 on the Pop 100. "Tattoo" was released to iTunes on September 25, 2007. On its first day of release, it reached #44 on the iTunes Charts and #14 on the iTunes Pop Charts. "Tattoo" scored 34,000 digital downloads in its first week, and has to date sold 501,000 in total. "Tattoo" has reached #6 on iTunes Charts and #2 on the iTunes Pop Charts. Tattoo is currently at #8 on the Mediabase Top 40 Charts and at #7 based on audience impressions.
| Chart (2007)[13] | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[14] | 10 |
| U.S. Billboard Pop 100[15] | 8 |
| U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream[16] | 8 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks | 20 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs[17] | 7 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot RingMasters | 15 |
| Canadian Hot 100 | 25 |
| Portuguese Singles Chart | 35 |
| United World Chart | 28 |
References
- ^ Z100: Jordin Sparks
- ^ Song Premiere: Jordin Sparks, 'Tattoo'
- ^ "Jordin Sparks hopes to live up to 'Idol' title". MSNBC. 2007-08-23.
- ^ "'American Idol' singers get ready for performance". San Antonio Express-News. 2007-07-16.
- ^ http://ryan.kiisfm.com/cc-common/losangeles/podcast/onair.html
- ^ "Tattoo". Billboard Magazine. 2007-09-17.
- ^ "Some Positive Ink for Jordin's "Tattoo"". USA Today. 2007-10-14.
- ^ "Snsp Judgement: Jordin Sparks's "Tattoo"". Entertaiment Weekly. 2007-08-23.
- ^ "Jordin Saprks Rips Off Beyonce". Belnder Magazine. 2007-09-10.
- ^ "Jordin Saprks - "Tattoo"". Popjustice. 2007-08-23.
- ^ "Jordin Saprks - Tattoo". About.com. 2007-08-23.
- ^ "Chart Run for "Tattoo"". αCharts.us. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
- ^ All Billboard Charts
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]