Joshua

Well, we all know that Natasha is beautiful, a great singer, very talented, and so on. But, I think it would be fair to say that N.B. was only a moderate success in Europe, and, if compared to her debut, a failure. (Worldwide sales of 250,000 and BPI Gold compared to worldwide sales of over 2.5 million, BPI 3x Platinum and RIAA Platinum). None of the singles made it to #1 in any country or on any significant chart, and Say It Again failed to chart altogether.:( I don't really think this is her fault, but more of the record companies, execs, and so on involved. And the release of an album different to the European one in the States (whilst understable given poor sales of N.B.) just reminds us of the usual; UK artists "stepping up the game" - remixing their songs, making new vids, changing their "look", for the US market...which begs the question, why should the Uk and European audience be served inferior stuff than the American market? So, here are my thoughts on her career, what would happen in my ideal world United Kingdom and Europe Release "Not Givin' Up" as the 4th and final single from N.B., around Jan/February. Even though she will probably be in States doing promo, it is a good song and should hopefully boost sales of N.B. If the radio stations give it a chance, and loyal fans do their buying, and downloading, and most importanly, requesting, it should chart top 20, at least, and probably higher in Europe. After that...big NO to re-release, it just has failure written all over it. So, I would advocate a "Best Of.." or "Pocketful of Sunshine (European Version)". With this tracklisting: 1. Put Your Arms Around Me 2. Pocketful of Sunshine 3. Happy 4. Love Like This 5. Piece of Your Heart 6. Freckles 7. I Wanna Have Your Babies (Snowflake Remix) 8. Soulmate (Bimbo Jones Remix) 9. Bruised Water (Natasha Bedingfield vs Chicane) 10. Say It Again (US version) 11. The One That Got Away (Wamdue Mix) 12. BONUS track: Unwritten (Hani Num Remix) Singles: - Love Like This (even though I'm personally not crazy over it, Sean Kingston has been making it big in Europe recently and I am sure just thanks to his presence it will get added attention from radio, and his own fans). - Pocketful of Sunshine - The One That Got Away (Wamdue Mix) - a wicked song that never got released as a single in Europe, sure-fire hit as it was in the States. - Bruised Water...not sure if it would be able to be included, due to copyright and so on. But, a great song, already a hit on Youtube and another sure-fit hit, both on regular charts and on the dancefloor B) - Either the best US track / a re-release of Say It Again (how could such a great song flop? Dang!) United States I am hopeful of Love Like This going top 5 and staying around the higher end of the charts at least until the start of 2008. I am glad it has done so well, I did fear for a while that it would flop and Natasha would get dropped by her label. :( As for Pocketful of Sunshine, its a far superior single, and I am sure it will do well..although I fear that the great exposure it got on the Hills was a bit too early, and that by the time it is finally released it won't be as "fresh". But, I am pretty sure that it will be a big hit, and I reckon we will soon see it charting prematurely in Singapore or Tokyo or similar charts. The tracklisting for the album though, was a bit disapointing. I guess it is confirmed by now though..but, I would definetely have included Smell the Roses and No More What Ifs. Smell the Roses could easily go on to become Natasha's next "Unwritten", whilst "No More (What Ifs)" would be sure to get attention from Hip-Hop and Urban stations and, therefore, fans who normally would never listen to her or who probably don't know even who she is. Eve is a great rapper, and her rap on No More is by no means sub-standard; definite hit material, methinks. I have heard that Say It Again is being mixed again for "Pocketful of Sunshine", I hope the new mix features Adam Levine more prominently. If so, I am confident of it charting well in the States too, and if re-released in a physical format in UK would chart. And I am sure that if the follow-up singles to Love Like This do just as well, Pocketful of Sunshine will easily go platinum over there So, what do you guys think? ^_^

1. Introduce Yourself Here: Hi, my name is Joshua, 17, British living in Brazil. Love music. 2. Favourite Single: At the time, These Words, but Pocketful of Sunshine is a good'un and current fave. 3. Least Favourite Single: At the time of release, neither Single or Unwritten were much to my liking, although they have grown on me now. 4. Favourite Album Track: Pff...so many! Wild Horses, Size Matters, No More (What Ifs), Pirate Bones... 5. Least Favourite Album Track: If You're Gonna, the lyrics are a bit embarassing, despite it being a good tune in itself. 6. Why You Love Natasha? Great singer and musician, with nice songs. PLus, my dad used to know her and her family and played with DNA Algorythm a few times, waaaaaay back in the 1990's. By the way, although not a single, Her cover of The Scientist is probably my favourite song of hers, whilst her cover of Ray of Light is probably my least favourite. ^_^