Footprints in the Sand (Leona Lewis song) explained

Footprints in the Sand
Cover:Better in Time & Footprints in the Sand.jpg
Alt:A brunette woman is standing in front of a beach. She is wearing a greenish dress and she grabs her neck with her left hand. Next to her image, the words "Leona Lewis" are written in black capital letters, and "better In time & (and) footprints In the sand" in dark brown italics. Below the image the phrase "The Official Single Of Sports Relief 2008" is written in black capital letters and next to it, the Sports Relief logo is visible.
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Leona Lewis
Album:Spirit
A-Side:Better in Time
B-Side:You Bring Me Down
Recorded:2007
Studio:Rokstone (London, England)
Genre:
Length:4:09
Label:
Producer:Steve Mac
Prev Title:Bleeding Love
Prev Year:2007
Better in Time
Title2:Footprints in the Sand
Next Title:Forgive Me
Next Year:2008

"Footprints in the Sand" is a song recorded by British singer Leona Lewis for her debut studio album Spirit (2007). It was written by Simon Cowell, David Kreuger, Per Magnusson, Richard Page, and produced by Steve Mac. The song was digitally released as Lewis's third single on 9 March 2008 in the United Kingdom. Sony BMG and Syco Music launched it as a double A-side with "Better in Time", and "You Bring Me Down" as the B-side.

It is a R&B and pop song composed with a tempo of sixty beats per minute. It was written in a period of one day at Page's home in Malibu, California, with Cowell giving the idea to base it on the Christian poem "Footprints". The single's music video was filmed by British director Sophie Muller in Johannesburg, South Africa. The video describes social problems within the city, but ends with a message of hope. "Footprints in the Sand" became the official theme of the 2008 version of biennial charity programme Sport Relief, by BBC.

The song received positive reviews from music critics, some of them noting its gospel sounds and Lewis's vocals being compared to American R&B singer Mariah Carey. "Footprints in the Sand" charted as a separate single in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the European Hot 100 Singles, whilst the double A-side appeared in Germany and Switzerland, and was certified gold in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), in 2008. In the same year, Lewis performed the song for the first time in the UK live on the television programme Dancing on Ice. In 2009, the song was covered by Lucie Jones, a contestant of The X Factor, and by Julia Star from Swiss programme Die grössten Schweizer Talente.

Production and composition

"Footprints in the Sand" was written by Simon Cowell, David Kreuger, Per Magnusson and Richard Page, whilst the production was helmed by Steve Mac. It was recorded in 2007 at Rokstone Studios in London, England.[1] Cowell originally came up with the idea to base a song around the Christian poem "Footprints",[2] and suggested it to Kreuger and Magnusson.[3] They had a scheduled session in Page's home in Malibu, California and finished the song the next day.[3] Cowell secured a songwriting credit for coming up with the idea. In an interview with HitQuarters, Magnusson said they had thought the song would be a good idea for Irish boy band Westlife, but it was offered to British singer Leona Lewis instead.[3] When Cowell mentioned the song concept to Lewis, she agreed that it could be "really quite interesting".[4] Regarding the song, Lewis commented: "Originally it was a poem; it's very inspirational so we put it into a song. I think it is very moving, with a very emotional lyric and I really love to sing this song";[5] and added that the poem "[is] about standing by someone and being there for people who need your help."[6]

"Footprints in the Sand" was included on Lewis's debut studio album Spirit, which was released in 2007 by Syco and J Records. The song has a duration of 4:09 and was composed using common time in the key of A major with a larghetto tempo of sixty beats per minute; Lewis's vocals spanned from the low note of E3 to the high note of G5. The song follows the sequence of A5–A5/B–Fm7–E in the verses and A–B–Bm–Fm–G–D in the chorus as its chord progression. It incorporates four instruments: keyboard instruments (a piano, an organ and synthesizers), guitar, bass and drums, and includes a choir performance made by The Tuff Session Singers. It incorporates elements of R&B and pop musical genres,[7] [8] and, according to music critics, contains a gospel production performed by a choir and features "crashing drums".[9] [10] [11]

Release and promotion

On 29 January 2008, Lewis announced on her website that "Footprints in the Sand", along with "Better in Time", would be released as a double A-side. The single was launched with the song "You Bring Me Down" as the B-side, and was released in the United Kingdom as a digital download on 9 March 2008, and a physical release on the following day, with proceeds going to the charity.[12] [13] The song was remixed for the single release ("Single Mix"),[8] which, unlike the original version, begins with Lewis's voice only, and music starts after she performs the first verse[14] —the album version of "Footprints in the Sand" starts with a piano tune before she starts to sing the lyrics—, and lasts at 3:58.

"Footprints in the Sand" became the official song of the charity Sport Relief, a biennial charity organised by Comic Relief and BBC Sport, for their 2008 broadcast.[15] In her performance, Lewis sang the song to the Sports Relief event. Also, there were musicians that played violas, violins, and a piano, and The Tuff Session Singers performed the chorus. Whilst she sang, images of "sadness and desperation" were shown to the public. But, as the Tuff Session Singers began, the third chorus, those images became pictures of "happiness".[16] As part of promotion, Lewis performed the song live on the British television programme Dancing on Ice on 9 March 2008;[17] her song accompanied Torvill and Dean's ice dance routine. In 2013, Lewis added the song to the setlist of her Glassheart Tour.[18]

Music video

The accompanying music video was filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa,[6] [19] and was directed by British director Sophie Muller back-to-back with the video for "Better in Time".[6] [20] It premiered on Lewis official website and BBC Radio 1's website on 27 February 2008.[21] The video begins with the message "Working to change lives across the world, in support of Sport Relief". Then, it intercuts a performance of Lewis in front of a wall and greyscale scenes: an image of a child walking on a landfill site, a funeral, a child lying in the street, and a kid sat in a traffic island. As the first chorus begins, the video continues showing scenes of poverty and AIDS issues in the country. Whilst the second verse goes, pictures of malnourished people appears. As the second chorus and the bridge elapse people crying still coming on the scene. But whereas The Tuff Session Singers start to sing the third chorus, the video begins to show images of kids playing association football and cricket. The video ends with children and people smiling as Lewis sings the outro of the song. It was released on the US iTunes Store on 3 February 2009.[22]

Reception

Critical response

Upon the release of Spirit, "Footprints in the Sand" received generally positive reviews by music critics, with some of them comparing Lewis's performance to other singers such as Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera.[23] In his review of the album, Chris Elwell-Sutton of the Evening Standard commented that the song would be perfect as a "theme to a Disney movie".[24] Whilst reviewing Spirit, Chad Grischow of IGN Music described "Footprints in the Sand", along with "Here I Am", as a "sleeper ballad".[25] Lyndsey Winship, a reviewer from BBC Music, noted that the song "is a piano warbler that brings Leona's voice to the forefront".[26]

A reviewer for South African news site iafrica.com described the song as a "show-stopping [...] lush Mariah-style ballad [...] that utilises Lewis'[s] full vocal range and sounds uncannily like Carey at her best.[27] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it "drippy", and added that with "Footprints" Lewis would receive comparisons to Carey.[28] Digital Spy's reviewers gave similar opinions about "Footprints in the Sand". Nick Levine in his review of the album called the song an "histrionic finale" of Spirit, and added that it "seems hellbent on revisiting Mariah Carey's schlock-pop masterwork 'Anytime You Need a Friend'".[29] After it was released as a single Alex Fletcher claimed it has "the sort of ludicrous outro even Mariah Carey might consider over-the-top" and that its lyrics "will have your granny in tears".[23]

Chart performance

"Footprints in the Sand" charted in Europe, reaching position seventy-three on the European Hot 100 Singles. In November 2007, the song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number sixty-five, staying on the chart for another week. On 15 March 2008, the single re-entered it at number sixty-three. "Footprints in the Sand" claimed its peak position next week at number twenty-five, staying on the chart for eleven weeks. On the Irish Singles Chart the song debuted and peaked at number fifty; whilst on the Swiss Singles Chart, it debuted on 15 November 2009 at thirty-five, and it stayed there three weeks.

The double A-side "Better in Time" and "Footprints in the Sand" debuted at number seventy-four on the UK Singles Chart on 1 March 2008.[30] After selling 40,476 copies it peaked at number two on 22 March 2008, the same week "Footprints in the Sand" debuted in the top forty. It was Lewis's third single to reach the top five in the UK.[31] It was certified as gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on 16 January 2009. The single debuted on the German Singles Chart on 16 June 2008 at number five, and reached its peak position, at number two, on 28 July 2008.[32] It also peaked on the European Hot 100 at number eight.

Track listings and formats

CD single (Syco), CD single (RCA) and Swiss CD single[33]
  1. "Better in Time" (Single Mix) – 3:55
  2. "Footprints in the Sand" (Single Mix) – 3:58
German premium single[34]
  1. "Better in Time" (Single Mix) – 3:55
  2. "Footprints in the Sand" (Single Mix) – 3:58
  3. "Bleeding Love" (Moto Blanco Remix Radio Edit) – 3:40
  4. "Better in Time" (Video) – 3:58
Sony single;[35] Swiss maxi single[36]
  1. "Better in Time" (Single Mix) – 3:55
  2. "Footprints in the Sand" (Single Mix) – 3:58
  3. "Bleeding Love" (Moto Blanco Remix Radio Edit) – 3:40
UK Sport Relief CD single[37]
  1. "Better in Time" – 3:55
  2. "Footprints in the Sand" – 4:09
  3. "You Bring Me Down" – 3:54

Credits and personnel

"Footprints in the Sand"[38]

"You Bring Me Down"[39]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2007–2009)Peak
position
European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[40] 73
European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[41]
8
Germany (Official German Charts)[42]
2
Ireland (IRMA)[43] 50
scope="row"
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[44] 35
UK Singles (OCC)[45] 25

Year-end charts

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label(s)
United Kingdom10 March 2008Syco
Australia19 April 2008CDSony BMG
Germany9 May 2008Digital downloadAriola
Switzerland16 May 2008Maxi CDSony BMG
23 May 2008CD
Germany30 May 2008Ariola
Australia5 July 2008Sony BMG

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Song list: Footprints in the Sand. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. 21 October 2007. 9 November 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071109082244/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. live.
  2. Web site: Critics' Choice New CDs. The New York Times. 7 April 2008. Nate. Chinen. 2 May 2011. 29 June 2012. https://archive.today/20120629194445/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/07/arts/music/07choi.html?_r=3. live.
  3. Web site: Per Magnusson, producer and songwriter for Leona Lewis, Il Divo, Britney Spears, Westlife. HitQuarters. 31 August 2009. 4 November 2009. 12 February 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100212171506/http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview%2Fopar%2Fintrview_Per_Magnusson_Interview02.html. live.
  4. News: Leona Lewis - the X Factor star with more staying power. The Times. Times Newspapers Ltd. Pete. Paphides. 8 March 2008. 8 March 2008. London. 17 May 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080517101322/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3483994.ece. live.
  5. News: Leona to perform on ice show. Associated Newspapers Limited. Metro. 25 April 2011. 11 January 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100111024143/http://www.metro.co.uk/showbiz/108054-leona-to-perform-on-ice-show. live.
  6. News: Lewis makes footprints in States. BBC News. BBC. Liam. Allen. 15 February 2008. 17 February 2008. 18 February 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080218235959/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7245446.stm. live.
  7. Web site: Footprints in the Sand – Leona Lewis Digital Sheet Music . Musicnotes Inc. MN0063217.
  8. Web site: Better in Time/Footprints in the Sand. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. 25 April 2011. 7 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110407092103/http://www.allmusic.com/album/better-in-time-footprints-in-the-sand-r1340982. live.
  9. Web site: Leona Lewis: Spirit. 2 November 2007. 3 May 2011. The Sunday Times. News International. Victoria. Segal. 17 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110517062438/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article2786184.ece. live.
  10. Web site: Footprints In The Sand - Leona Lewis . 12 May 2011 . Pandora Radio. Pandora Media, Inc . 24 February 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100224060458/http://www.pandora.com/music/song/leona+lewis/footprints+in+sand . live .
  11. Web site: 'Footprints In The Sand': The Story Behind The 'American Idol' Audition. MTV News. MTV (Viacom). 4 February 2010. 12 May 2011. Gil. Kaufman. 7 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107045801/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1631242/footprints-sand-story-behind-american-idol-audition.jhtml. dead.
  12. News: Sign up for the Sport Relief Mile . BBC News. BBC . 19 January 2008 . 15 January 2008 . 18 January 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080118192430/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tv_and_radio/sport_relief/7187853.stm . live .
  13. News: Leona reveals new single details. Nick. Levine. Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi (UK) Ltd. 30 January 2008. 30 January 2008. 24 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121024173554/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a88342/leona-reveals-new-single-details.html. live.
  14. Web site: Better in Time/Footprints in the Sand (Single, Import) . Amazon . 22 April 2011 . 15 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200515014546/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013FXV5W . live .
  15. Web site: 'Better in Time' / 'Footprints in the Sand' out today! . 25 April 2011 . Leona Lewis Official Website. Sony Music Entertainment . 10 March 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111002161505/http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/gb/news/detail/better_in_time_footprints_in_the_sand_out_today/ . 2 October 2011 .
  16. Sports Relief 2008 . Sport Relief . Sport Relief . . . 10 March 2008.
  17. Web site: Dancing on Ice performance. 6 March 2008. 26 April 2011. Leona Lewis Official Website. Sony Music Entertainment. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120317130024/http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/gb/news/detail/dancing_on_ice_performance/. 17 March 2012.
  18. Web site: Corner. Lewis. Leona Lewis begins 'Glassheart' tour in Germany - pictures. Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. 17 April 2013. 9 May 2013. 27 April 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130427082633/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a473838/leona-lewis-begins-glassheart-tour-in-germany-pictures.html. live.
  19. News: Leona Lewis can't afford to buy her own house, says dad. Sunday Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Louise. Ford. 2 March 2008. 2 March 2008.
  20. Web site: Grammy Party!. Leona Lewis Official Website. Sony Music Entertainment. 11 February 2008. 11 February 2008. Leona. Lewis. dead. https://archive.today/20120805004144/http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/blog/detail/grammy_party/. 5 August 2012.
  21. News: 'Footprints in the Sand' exclusive video!. Leona Lewis Official Website. Sony Music Entertainment. 27 February 2008. 27 February 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120317130014/http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/gb/news/detail/footprints_in_the_sand_exclusive_video/. 17 March 2012.
  22. Web site: Footprints In the Sand – Leona Lewis. 3 February 2009 . 31 January 2012. The iTunes Store (United States). Apple Inc. 10 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140710052839/https://itunes.apple.com/us/music-video/footprints-in-the-sand/id303682923. live.
  23. Web site: Leona Lewis: 'Better In Time' / 'Footprints In The Sand'. 10 March 2008. 9 September 2008. Alex. Fletcher. Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi (UK) Ltd. 11 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110611070705/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a90538/leona-lewis-better-in-time--footprints-in-the-sand.html. live.
  24. News: CDs of the week. Evening Standard London Limited. Evening Standard. Chris. Elwell-Sutton. 5 November 2011. 29 January 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091125185556/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/article-23419301-cds-of-the-week.do. 25 November 2009.
  25. Web site: Leona Lewis - Spirit. UK Songstress worthy of the hype on sparkling debut. Chris. Grischow. 23 April 2008. 2 May 2011. IGN Music. IGN Entertainment, Inc. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081216151724/http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/868/868556p1.html. 16 December 2008.
  26. Web site: Spirit is just the sound of a generic diva. Lyndsey. Winship. BBC Music. BBC. 2 November 2007. 30 April 2011. 12 February 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110212160131/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/2hn8. live.
  27. News: Leona Lewis Spirit. iafrica.com. Primedia Online. Justine. Geffen. 8 March 2008. 19 February 2011. 14 July 2012. https://archive.today/20120714013611/http://entertainment.iafrica.com/music/latest/932773.htm. live.
  28. Web site: Leona Lewis Spirit. Sal. Cinquemani. 1 April 2008. 2 May 2011. Slant Magazine. 7 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111107012217/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/leona-lewis-spirit/1325. live.
  29. Web site: Leona Lewis: 'Spirit'. 12 November 2007. 2 May 2011. Nick. Levine. Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi (UK) Ltd. 22 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110922071440/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/albumreviews/a79709/leona-lewis-spirit.html. live.
  30. Web site: The Official Charts Company – Leona Lewis – Better In Time / Footprints in the Sand . . 24 April 2011 . 11 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150911035734/http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/i%20decided/ . live .
  31. Web site: Official Charts Company - Leona Lewis . 24 April 2011 . . 23 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150223003611/https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/ . live .
  32. Web site: Better in Time/Premium - Leona Lewis . . 3 February 2011 . de . https://archive.today/20130105212703/http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/Lewis,Leona/Better+In+Time%A5Premium/single . 5 January 2013 . dead .
  33. Web site: Better in Time – 2track . CeDe . 22 April 2011 . de . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726180659/http://www.cede.ch/de/music-cd/frames/right.cfm?aobj=704336 . 26 July 2011 . dead .
  34. Web site: Better in Time/Premium (Single, Maxi) . Amazon Germany . 22 April 2011 . de . 15 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200515014547/https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0018JD5YA . live .
  35. Web site: Better in Time [Sony Single]|publisher=Allmusic. Rovi Corporation]. 25 April 2011. 7 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110407093008/http://www.allmusic.com/album/better-in-time-sony-single-r1392469. live.
  36. Web site: Better in Time . CeDe . 22 April 2011 . de . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726180725/http://www.cede.ch/de/music-cd/frames/right.cfm?aobj=705839 . 26 July 2011 . dead .
  37. Web site: Better in Time: Official Sport Relief Single 2008 (Single). Amazon UK . 22 April 2011. 15 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200515014545/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0013FXV5W. live.
  38. Spirit . Spirit (Leona Lewis album) . Leona Lewis . 2007 . Compact Disc . Sony BMG, J Records, Syco. . 8 86970 25542 4 . Los Angeles, California.
  39. Better In Time / Footprints In The Sand. Leona Lewis . 2008 . Leona . Lewis . Leona Lewis . Compact Disc . Sony BMG, Syco. . 88697 27200 2. Back cover . Miami, Florida.
  40. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=leona lewis|chart=European Hot 100}} Leona Lewis Album & Song Chart History]. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 24 April 2011.
  41. Hits of the World – Eurocharts. Billboard. 120. 13. 59. 29 March 2008. 2 August 2020. 17 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200917230118/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2008/BB-2008-03-29.pdf. live.
  42. Web site: Better in Time/Premium - Leona Lewis . https://archive.today/20130105212703/http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/Lewis,Leona/Better+In+Time%A5Premium/single . dead . 5 January 2013 . Musicline.de. Media Control Charts . 1 September 2010 . de .
  43. Web site: Discography Leona Lewis. Irish Recorded Music Association. Hung Medien. 24 April 2011. 24 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121024221015/http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Leona+Lewis. live.
  44. Web site: Leona Lewis - Footprints In The Sand (Song). Hung Medien. 24 April 2011. 25 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120225134523/http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Leona+Lewis&titel=Footprints+In+The+Sand&cat=s. live.
  45. Web site: 2008 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive . . 19 September 2011 . 2 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160102214301/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20080316/7501/ . live .
  46. Web site: 2008. 30 August 2010. The Official Charts Company. 27 March 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090327100010/http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2008.pdf. live.

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