Uncharted (song) explained

Uncharted
Cover:Unchartedsarabareillescoverart.png
Type:single
Artist:Sara Bareilles
Album:Kaleidoscope Heart
Released:January 13, 2011
Recorded:2009–2010
Length:3:35
Label:Epic
Producer:Neal Avron
Prev Title:King of Anything
Prev Year:2010
Next Title:Gonna Get Over You
Next Year:2011

"Uncharted" is a song written and recorded by the American singer Sara Bareilles. The song was produced by Neal Avron. It was the second single of her album Kaleidoscope Heart.

Background and history

Bareilles told Billboard magazine that she "...was really worried about stepping into the unknown and I didn't know what to expect the second time around... and that afternoon, I sat down and wrote 'Uncharted'."[1] The album title, 'Kaleidoscope Heart', comes from the lyric of 'Uncharted', "Jump start my kaleidoscope heart, love to watch the colors fade... They may not make sense but they sure as hell made me".[2] Bareilles stated the song to be the starting point of the new record, and this particular lyric saw the end to her writer's block.

Critical reception

Jim Farber of New York Daily News wrote that: "Uncharted, matches jaunty piano figures to a spritz of strings."[3] Megan Vick wrote for Billboard that: "With "Uncharted," Bareilles puts a syncopated two-step beat to a heartbreak anthem as she belts out about being unable to deal with a failed relationship."[4]

Music video

On 9 November 2010, official behind-the-scenes photographs were posted to Sara's official site, showing director Laurent Brie, director of previous single 'King of Anything', filming the video. The pictures showed Sara in various outfits, including a Geisha girl costume. However, nothing more was stated about the concept of this video, and it was believed to be scrapped for a new version.[5]

A music video was released on March 1, 2011 featuring artists including Adam Levine and Jesse Carmichael of Maroon 5, Josh Groban, Pharrell Williams, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, Ben Folds, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, Laura Jansen, Ingrid Michaelson, Vanessa Carlton, Tegan and Sara, Cary Brothers, Greg Laswell, Adam Gardner and Ryan Miller from Guster, and Keenan Cahill.[6] [7]

The video was produced by musician Travis Schneider, with the concept coming from Sara's guitar player and long-time friend, singer/songwriter Javier Dunn.

In a blog entry on her official site, Bareilles described the reason behind the concept;

"This video is about my journey as an artist who looks up to the people around them. This is about being a fan of people who take chances, who are fearless, who have integrity, and go off into the world saying yes to what's around them. It's filled with some of the people in my life who do that . They have impacted my world and are not only incredible artists, but great friends as well. They all worked this giant favor into their very busy lives and helped me out more than I can say."[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Uncharted by Sara Bareilles. Songfacts. 2011-03-02.
  2. Web site: Uncharted Territory. 2010-08-26. 2011-03-06.
  3. News: Farber. Jim. Sara Bareilles' 'Kaleidoscope Heart' review: 'Love Song' singer opens others' veins, not her own. 31 October 2011. Daily News (New York). 30 August 2011. 6 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100906093246/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2010/08/31/2010-08-31_sara_bareilles_kaleidoscope_heart_review_love_song_singer_opens_others_veins_not.html. dead.
  4. News: Vick. Megan. Sara Bareilles, "Kaleidoscope Heart". 4 October 2011. Billboard. September 17, 2010.
  5. Web site: Making of Uncharted, New The Official Sara Bareilles Site . www.sarabmusic.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101112004612/http://www.sarabmusic.com/us/official-photos/1472 . 2010-11-12.
  6. Web site: Sara Bareilles Taps Pharrell, Sugarland, Josh Groban for 'Uncharted' Video. Billboard.com. 2011-03-01. 2011-03-02.
  7. Web site: Sara Bareilles Reaches 'Uncharted' Territory With Video Guest Stars. music.aol.com. 2011-03-02. 2011-03-03. 2011-03-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20110308125134/http://music.aol.com/blog/2011/03/02/sara-bareilles-reaches-uncharted-territory-with-video-guest-st/. dead.
  8. "Uncharted Video Release". Sarabmusic.com. 2011-03-01. Archived 2011-03-06 at Wayback Machine.