Leona Lewis

After proving her commercial potency on the three-time Grammy-nominated Spirit, which entered both the U.K. and U.S. album charts at No. 1, spawned the best-selling single of 2008 (“Bleeding Love”), and sold more than six million copies worldwide, ECHO gave Lewis the opportunity to take a few chances. “I knew that I had evolved as a singer, songwriter, and performer,” she says, “so it was important to me to take the songs on ECHO to the next level and show what else I could do.”

To that end, Lewis co-wrote nine songs on the album, collaborating with a host of A-list songwriters and producers, including re-teaming with One Republic frontman and “Bleeding Love” co-writer/producer Ryan Tedder on three tracks, including the first single “Happy.” She also worked with Swedish studio vet Max Martin and songwriter/producer Novel, as well as new collaborators Justin Timberlake, multi-platinum Bon Jovi/Kelly Clarkson producer John Shanks, and in-demand hitmakers Evan Bogart and Kevin Rudolf. Each helped Lewis deliver raw emotion through the melodies and lyrics and make full use of her “titanium-caliber voice” (as the New York Times has described it). Once again, Clive Davis and Simon Cowell joined forces to co-produce ECHO.

ECHO also finds the 24-year-old London native expanding her palette and exploring adventurous sonic territory. The dancefloor-friendly “Outta My Head” is sleek, stylish electro-pop, while the rock-driven “Love Letter” and “I Got You” show an edgier side of Lewis. Then there’s “Brave,” which soars with a Middle Eastern influence and pounding timpanis, and the sultry, synth-driven “Fly Here Now.”

“I really wanted a dramatic, almost cinematic quality to the songs,” says Lewis, a self-described “film nerd” who namechecks ’80s fantasy film The Labyrinth as her all-time favorite. “We would even put on movies in the studio to inspire us; it was a cool way of writing. I’m always thinking of scenes in my head.” Of course, ECHO features plenty of epic, lush ballads to satisfy Spirit fans, including the uplifting first single “Happy,” which Lewis says is “about overcoming obstacles and striving for happiness,” and People magazine called “passionate and soul-searching.”

It’s that passion and soulfulness that permeate ECHO, which Lewis can’t wait for the public to hear. “I’m actually more confident with this album than the last,” she says. “I’ve taken more control this time and I feel more at ease with everything. To me, it’s all about great songs. I hope they move people as much as they move me.”

Lewis was “discovered” in 2006 after auditioning for The X Factor, a British talent show executive-produced by American Idol’s Simon Cowell, who is also a judge. The then-22-year old — who attended performing arts academy The BRIT School, and famously worked as a Pizza Hut waitress to support her fledging music career — won the competition after endearing herself to fans week after week with her soaring voice, down-to-earth personality, and striking beauty. Certain he had a superstar on his hands, Cowell phoned legendary music executive and J Records founder Clive Davis, who teamed up with Cowell to sign Lewis to J Records/Syco Music, Cowell’s joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment in 2006.

The track-listing for ECHO is as follows:
“Happy”

“I Got You”

“Love Letter”

“Can’t Breathe”

“You Don’t Care”

“Outta My Head”

“Brave”

“My Hands”

“Alive”

“Don’t Let Me Down”

“Fly Here Now”

“Broken”

“Lost Then Found” (with One Republic)

After proving her commercial potency on the three-time Grammy-nominated Spirit, which entered both the U.K. and U.S. album charts at No. 1, spawned the best-selling single of 2008 (“Bleeding Love”), and sold more than six million copies worldwide, ECHO gave Lewis the opportunity to take a few chances. “I knew that I had evolved as a singer, songwriter, and performer,” she says, “so it was important to me to take the songs on ECHO to the next level and show what else I could do.”

To that end, Lewis co-wrote nine songs on the album, collaborating with a host of A-list songwriters and producers, including re-teaming with One Republic frontman and “Bleeding Love” co-writer/producer Ryan Tedder on three tracks, including the first single “Happy.” She also worked with Swedish studio vet Max Martin and songwriter/producer Novel, as well as new collaborators Justin Timberlake, multi-platinum Bon Jovi/Kelly Clarkson producer John Shanks, and in-demand hitmakers Evan Bogart and Kevin Rudolf. Each helped Lewis deliver raw emotion through the melodies and lyrics and make full use of her “titanium-caliber voice” (as the New York Times has described it). Once again, Clive Davis and Simon Cowell joined forces to co-produce ECHO.

ECHO also finds the 24-year-old London native expanding her palette and exploring adventurous sonic territory. The dancefloor-friendly “Outta My Head” is sleek, stylish electro-pop, while the rock-driven “Love Letter” and “I Got You” show an edgier side of Lewis. Then there’s “Brave,” which soars with a Middle Eastern influence and pounding timpanis, and the sultry, synth-driven “Fly Here Now.”

“I really wanted a dramatic, almost cinematic quality to the songs,” says Lewis, a self-described “film nerd” who namechecks ’80s fantasy film The Labyrinth as her all-time favorite. “We would even put on movies in the studio to inspire us; it was a cool way of writing. I’m always thinking of scenes in my head.” Of course, ECHO features plenty of epic, lush ballads to satisfy Spirit fans, including the uplifting first single “Happy,” which Lewis says is “about overcoming obstacles and striving for happiness,” and People magazine called “passionate and soul-searching.”

It’s that passion and soulfulness that permeate ECHO, which Lewis can’t wait for the public to hear. “I’m actually more confident with this album than the last,” she says. “I’ve taken more control this time and I feel more at ease with everything. To me, it’s all about great songs. I hope they move people as much as they move me.”

Lewis was “discovered” in 2006 after auditioning for The X Factor, a British talent show executive-produced by American Idol’s Simon Cowell, who is also a judge. The then-22-year old — who attended performing arts academy The BRIT School, and famously worked as a Pizza Hut waitress to support her fledging music career — won the competition after endearing herself to fans week after week with her soaring voice, down-to-earth personality, and striking beauty. Certain he had a superstar on his hands, Cowell phoned legendary music executive and J Records founder Clive Davis, who teamed up with Cowell to sign Lewis to J Records/Syco Music, Cowell’s joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment in 2006.

The track-listing for ECHO is as follows:

“Happy”

“I Got You”

“Love Letter”

“Can’t Breathe”

“You Don’t Care”

“Outta My Head”

“Brave”

“My Hands”

“Alive”

“Don’t Let Me Down”

“Fly Here Now”

“Broken”

“Lost Then Found” (with One Republic)

Leona Lewis Spirit Deluxe

This limited edition CD/DVD package features four new, never-before-released songs in the U.S., including Leona’s #1 UK chart breaking smash hit single, “Run,” originally recorded by Snow Patrol. Leona’s “Run” shattered UK chart records when it entered at #1, becoming the fastest selling digital single ever in a week. The deluxe edition will also include 7 music videos including four never-before-released music videos in the U.S. of “Bleeding Love,” “Forgive Me,” “Footprints in the Sand” and “Run,” which is currently YouTube’s most popular video globally (“Run” was watched 1.4 million times in its first 10 days live). Additionally, this deluxe version of Spirit also includes an expanded 16-page booklet featuring never-before-seen photos of Leona. (See below for complete track listing for CD and DVD).

Leona Lewis

Leona’s Spirit has been on a record-breaking streak ever since its release in the UK in November 2007, where it entered the British album chart at #1 and became the U.K.’s fastest-selling debut of all time. In the U.S., Spirit was released on April 8, 2008 (J Records/Syco Music), and debuted at #1 on the Billboard chart, marking the first time in music history that any album by a British female artist has entered Billboard’s Top 200 album chart at #1, as well as the first time any British artist, male or female, has claimed the top spot with a debut album.

The blockbuster smash single “Bleeding Love,” co-written by OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 the week of March 27th, making Lewis the first British female solo artist to top the Hot 100 in more than 21 years. The single spent 39 weeks on the chart, four of them at #1 (breaking yet another all-time record for a British female solo artist) and smashed the radio spin record with the most weekly plays ever in a one-week period at the Top 40 radio format with 10,665 spins. “Bleeding Love,” the biggest selling single of 2008 has been a Billboard Digital Song chart-topper and has sold more than 3 million tracks in the U.S., while the ringtone has been certified platinum with over 1.4 million sold, with a total of over 5 million digital and mobile track sales combined. Leona’s follow-up hit single “Better In Time” reached the #3 spot on the Top 40 chart and has sold 1.4 million digital and mobile tracks combined. Her third single, “I Will Be,” impacted Top 40 Radio this week as the #1 most added new release at the format.

2008 was truly remarkable for Leona Lewis. Since releasing her debut album Spirit, she literally hasn’t stopped. She’s been breaking world records, making chart history, traveling the globe, appearing on magazine covers and generally conquering the world. No one could have predicted the scale of the Hackney born UK singer’s unrivaled success. In a short space of time, Leona has established herself as an international superstar and household name.

To date, Spirit has sold 6 million copies around the world.

Chart and sales milestones achieved by Leona Lewis in 2008:

* Leona is the best selling new artist of 2008.
* Leona is the fifth best selling artist worldwide in 2008.
* “Bleeding Love” is the best selling single of 2008 and iTunes top selling single of 2008.
* Billboard Magazine names Leona Lewis the Top New Artist of the Year in 2008
* 3 Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year (”Bleeding Love”), Female Pop Vocal Performance (”Bleeding Love”), and Best Pop Vocal Album (Spirit).

SPIRIT –THE DELUXE EDITION CD AND DVD TRACK LISTING

CD

Bleeding Love

Better In Time

I Will Be

I’m You

Forgive Me

Misses Glass

Angel

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Yesterday

Whatever It Takes

Take A Bow

Footprints In The Sand

Here I Am

*Myself (Duet with Novel)

*Run

*Forgiveness

*Bleeding Love — Jason Nevins Rockin’ Radio Remix

*tracks never-before-released in the US

DVD

Bleeding Love – US edition

*Bleeding Love – UK edition

Better In Time

*Footprints In The Sand

*Forgive Me

*Run

I Will Be (Live)

*videos never-before-released in the US

It was announced today that Billboard Magazine names Leona Lewis the Top New Artist of the Year in 2008. This tremendous news follows last week’s announcement of her 3 Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year (”Bleeding Love”), Pop Vocal Performance (”Bleeding Love”), and Best Pop Album (Spirit). Also this week, Leona celebrates breaking another music business record with her new UK single “Run” (a cover of the Snow Patrol song), hitting #1 and becoming the fastest selling digital release ever. “Run” was also featured on a UK deluxe release of “Spirit” which debuted at #1 on the album chart upon its release November 17th. Last week, her debut single “Bleeding Love” was named iTunes best selling single of 2008.

2008 has been a truly remarkable year for Leona Lewis. Since releasing her debut album Spirit in November of last year she literally hasn’t stopped. She’s been breaking world records, making chart history, traveling the globe , appearing on magazine covers and generally conquering the world. No one could have predicted the scale of the Hackney born UK singer’s unrivalled success. In a short space of time Leona has established herself as an international superstar and household name. To date, Spirit has sold over 5 million copies around the world.

As a recap, to follow are other stats, chart and sales milestones achieved by Leona Lewis just this year:

Leona is the best selling new artist of 2008

Leona is the fifth best selling artist worldwide in 2008

Spirit is the 9th best selling album of 2008

“Bleeding Love” is the best selling single of 2008 and iTunes top selling single of the year.

MTV Networks I nternational have played “Bleeding Love” more than any other video this year, topping over 16,000 plays.

Leona Lewis and her debut album Spirit earned a total of 3 Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Bleeding Love,” the best selling single of 2008. Spirit also received a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album.

Lewis’ Spirit debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart in April, marking the first time in music history that any album by a British female artist has entered Billboard’s Top 200 album chart at #1, as well as the first time any British artist, male or female, has claimed the top spot with a debut album.

Leona on hearing the news said: ” I am so thrilled to have been nominated for 3 Grammy Awards! I am totally floored. Wow! I am so lucky to have worked on this album with so many great people and it’s such an honor to be recognized by the Recording Academy. It’s been an incredible year!”

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on the CBS network beginning at 8:00 pm (ET) on Sunday, February 8th.

British sensation Leona Lewis has become the fourth best-selling artist worldwide in 2008, thanks to the extraordinary success of her debut album, the R.I.A.A. platinum-certified Spirit, which has sold more than four and a half million copies worldwide. In addition, Spirit has sold more than 1.17 million copies in the U.S according to Nielsen SoundScan, making 23-year-old Lewis the seventh best-selling artist in the country so far in 2008.

Spirit, a mix of fresh pop and R&B, filled with songs with a contemporary edge, features an all-star roster of collaborators including Ryan Tedder ( “Apologize”), famed songwriter/producers Akon (Gwen Stefani, T-Pain), Ne-Yo (Rihanna, Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson), Dallas Austin (Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Pink), Stargate (Rihanna, Beyoncé, Ne-Yo), J.R. Rotem (Britney Spears, Sean Kingston), Max Martin (Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears), and Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald (Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne). For the first time, Clive Davis and Simon Cowell teamed up to sign Lewis to J Records/ SyCo Music (Cowell’s division of Sony BMG), and together produced Spirit.

Spirit has been on a record-breaking tear ever since its release in November 2007 in the U.K, where it entered the British album chart at No. 1 and became the U.K.’s fastest-selling debut of all time. In the U.S., Spirit debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart a week after its release by J Records/SyCo Music on April 8th, 2008, marking the first time in music history that any album by a British female artist has entered Billboard’s Top 200 album chart at No. 1, as well as the first time any British artist, male or female, has claimed the top spot with a debut album.

Beyond the incredible record breaking sales and radio stories, Leona has been embraced by the the media: Oprah Winfrey exclaimed: “Wow, Talk about a ‘Star Is Born! You’re the real deal, girl! ‘” Blender’s cover story stated “Mariah, Leona Lewis is Pop’s Next Megastar” and Vibe describes her as “a balladeer with grace, vivacity, and dignity… with a strong lithe tone that could peel paint…“

No doubt, much of Spirit’s success can be attributed to its blockbuster smash single “Bleeding Love,” co-written by OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 the week of March 27th, making Lewis the first British female solo artist to top the Hot 100 in more than 21 years. The single spent 35 weeks on the chart, four of them at No. 1 (breaking yet another all-time record for a British female solo artist) and smashed the radio spin record with the most weekly plays ever in a one-week period at the Top 40 radio format with 10,665 spins. “Bleeding Love,” the biggest selling single of the year has been a Billboard Digital Song chart-topper and has sold more than 3 million tracks in the U.S., while the ringtone has been certified platinum with over 1.4 million sold, with a total of nearly 5 million digital and mobile track sales combined.

Leona’s new massive hit single “Better In Time” is climbing up the charts and currently holds the #4 spot on the Top 40 chart, and has sold over 1 million digital and mobile tracks combined.