'T-Shirt' is the first solo single released by Barbadian singer Shontelle from her album Shontelligence (2008). It is her second official single following the release of 2007's 'Roll It' which was released only in select European countries. A remix, featuring The-Dream, is included on her second album, No Gravity (2010). The single peaked at number thirty six on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, but peaked within the top ten of the charts in Belgium and the United Kingdom. In the latter country, 'T-Shirt' was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry.
'T-Shirt' | ||||
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Single by Shontelle | ||||
from the album Shontelligence | ||||
B-side | 'Blaze It Up' | |||
Released |
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Format | CD single, digital download | |||
Recorded | 2008 | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length |
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Label | SRC/Motown Records | |||
Songwriter(s) | Andrew Frampton, Wayne Wilkins, Savan Kotecha | |||
Shontelle singles chronology | ||||
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- 6Charts
Release and promotion[edit]
'T-Shirt' was sent to Mainstream Top 40 radio stations on July 15, 2008. Shontelle and her label gave artists a chance to release their own remixed version of the song, which was to be serviced to DJs with the winner promoted as a featured artist.
Speaking in February 2009 to noted British R&B writer Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul, Shontelle explained the significance to her of the song: 'I really like 'T-Shirt' a lot because, when you listen to the song, there's a lot of elements in there that will definitely appeal to girls. Like even the strongest women at some point can have that guy in their life who, if for some reason you can't be with him, is gonna have that effect on you where you're not gonna feel like going out, hanging out with your girlfriends, partying, or doing ANYTHING. And, if you do miss that person, the best thing to have of theirs is a T-shirt! Because it usually smells like them and you can put it on, curl up with it - and kinda pretend the person is THERE!'[2]
Critical reception[edit]
Nick Levine of Digital Spy gave the song 3/5 stars and said:
- 'T-Shirt', her debut single, is a cute midtempo R&B tune with lyrics about popping on your boyfriend's top when you're missing him. It sounds like it was produced by Stargate, the Norwegian hitmakers behind Rihanna's 'Take A Bow' and Chris Brown's 'With You', even though it actually wasn't. Original? Nah, not in the slightest. Likable? Absolutely - though Shontelle's vocals lack the distinctive bit of rough that helps her countrywoman to stand out from the crowd.[3]
Steve Perkins of BBC Chart Blog also gave the song 3/5 stars and said:
- There's something rather sweet and gentle about the track - Shontelle's vocals are soft and plaintive, which suit the mood of the song perfectly, and while the lyrics are a bit hackneyed, with the references to Jimmy Choos and the brand name product placement of a t-shirt brand which, quite unlike the t-shirt in the song, is ill-fitting and uncomfortable, there's something incredibly likeable about the whole thing. There's a universality to it, too - I think most of us have been in a situation like the one in the song where thoughts of a lover who's gone get in the way of your attempts to get on with your life.[4]
Music video[edit]
The official music video for 'T-Shirt' was directed by Mike Ruiz.
It features Shontelle in various scenes around her home mainly lying on a sofa in a T-shirt belonging to her partner who is away a lot. She wears it as a symbol of her missing him and chooses to stay at home painting, wearing his T-shirt rather than going for a night out with her friends. It shows her and her friends texting each other and her friends getting annoyed she is not going with them. The video ends with her boyfriend returning from his trip and Shontelle smiling.
An official remix video was made for the Bimbo Jones version.
Chart performance[edit]
In the United States, the song peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Mainstream Chart, according to Radio and Records magazine CHR/Top 40 National Airplay Chart. The song peaked at number thirty six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number fifteen on the Pop Songs chart.
![Impossible by shontelle sheet music Impossible by shontelle sheet music](https://images.shazam.com/artistart/a40208304_s800b1b5.jpg)
In Canada, it peaked at number forty one the Canadian Hot 100.
In the United Kingdom, 'T-Shirt' peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart in February 2009, as well as number one on the UK R&B Chart and number two on the UK Physical Chart. The song was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry.
In the Republic of Ireland, the song reached the top thirty on the Irish Singles Chart.
Formats and track listing[edit]
US Digital download
- 'T-Shirt' (radio edit) – 3.12
UK (CD and download track listing)
- 'T-Shirt' (UK radio edit) – 3.12
- 'T-Shirt' (Bimbo Jones vocal remix) – 5.39
- 'T-Shirt' (Crazy Cousinz vocal remix) – 5.35
- 'Blaze It Up' – 3.53
No Gravity
- 'T-Shirt' (Radio Killa Remix) (featuring The-Dream) – 3:53
Charts[edit]
Chart (2008) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[5] | 41 |
US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 36 |
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[7] | 15 |
Chart (2009) | Peak position |
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[8] | 7 |
Ireland (IRMA)[9] | 26 |
Slovakia (IFPI) | 21 |
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[10] | 9 |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[11] | 6 |
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[12] | 1 |
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[13] | 1 |
End-of-year charts[edit]
Chart (2009) | Position |
---|---|
UK Singles Chart[14] | 79 |
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[15] | 50 |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=30118373 UK Release
- ^http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/388/shontelle_randbs_the_next_big_thing/ Pete Lewis Interviews Shontelle - 'Blues & Soul' February 2009
- ^http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a144193/shontelle-t-shirt.html
- ^http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2009/02/shontelle_tshirt.shtml
- ^'Shontelle Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)'. Billboard.
- ^'Shontelle Chart History (Hot 100)'. Billboard.
- ^'Shontelle Chart History (Pop Songs)'. Billboard.
- ^'Ultratop.be – Shontelle – T-Shirt' (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 2010-08-07.
- ^'Chart Track: Week 12, 2009'. Irish Singles Chart.
- ^'Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100'. Official Charts Company.
- ^'Shontelle: Artist Chart History'. Official Charts Company.
- ^UK R&B Chart
- ^'Shontelle Chart History (Dance Club Songs)'. Billboard.
- ^'Charts Plus Year end 2009'(PDF). Charts Plus. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
- ^'billboard.biz'.
External links[edit]
- Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
NICOLE FROLOV MIKE SINGER Impossible Shontelle-Cover - Vichy Ratey
The Voice Kids 2014 Paul - Impossible - Shontelle Paul The Voice Kids 2014 Finale
Angelica Hale sings Impossible AMAZING AGAIN Americas Got Talent Champions Finals AGT
James Arthur sings Shontelles Impossible - The Final - The X Factor UK 2012
It's an unfortunate state of affairs when, as an artist, one of your best songs is better known for being performed by a winner from a TV talent show (and sold more in that form too). But unfortunately for Shontelle, that's the case.
You may remember that Shontelle's impeccable R&B earworm 'Impossible' was released by problematic 2012 X Factor winner James Arthur. Arthur's rendition of the track, a swooping power ballad, shifted over 1 million copies in the UK, outselling Shontelle's original by a mile.
When she emerged eight years ago, Shontelle was hailed as the female NeYo. The singer, who is from Barbados, grew up with Rihanna, who she counts as a friend (she refers to the ANTI singer as 'Rih' in interviews and said that she 'got a lot of tips from her') and, at one point, it seemed like she might actually be an R&B singer-songwriter to match the melodic sensibilities of Alicia Keys with the snappy production of Usher.
Shontelle's breakout hit, 'T Shirt', wasn't huge in America (it peaked just inside the Top 40), but did manage to climb the charts in the UK, landing at number six. Despite this, her debut album, Shontelligence, failed to do much commercially and it received middling reviews critically. This led to her label re-releasing the collection with a new song, 'Stuck With Each Other'. However, this also failed to perform commercially.
Unperturbed, Shontelle soldiered on with a follow-up record, No Gravity, in 2010, which included 'Impossible', her highest-charting song in the US. Speaking to J-14 about the song, Shontelle said, 'I knew that there was no song out there for heartbroken people. I just wanted to put a song out that gave people hope – things may not work out the way you want them to, but you can move past it and everything is gonna be okay.'
Despite the nice sentiments and the high charting single, No Gravity also met mixed reviews from critics, with some chastising the album for being bland, faceless and unremarkable. Similarly, the album charted at a disappointing 81 on the Billboard 200, dropping out of the chart just a week after its release. On the bright side, it's sold at least 100,000 copies more than Shontelligence in America.
While rumours of a re-release (again) began to circulate, during a show at The Canal Room, New York in 2011, Shontelle revealed to the audience that she had actually begun work on her third LP.
While both Shontelligence and No Gravity were released through Universal Motown, Shontelle revealed that she had parted ways with that label and was set to release her untitled third album through Universal Republic. In September 2011 a new song, 'Reflection', premiered on SoundCloud. The track was alleged to be the lead single from the new album, although things went quiet following the song's release.
During 2012, Shontelle released a line of shoes and boots with Cat Footwear. Speaking to the Global Grind about the collection, she said, 'I feel as though I have had to embrace and conquer the seemingly impossible and find my own independence. This collaboration is an expression of that desire and of all my hopes and dreams.' During the interview, she also spoke about her album, saying that fans could expect 'growth and evolution'.
Nevertheless, as 2012 progressed there appeared to be no sign of an album. That same year, she teamed up with Omer Bhatti, the Norwegian rapper known for his friendship with Michael Jackson, on rather unremarkable song 'See The Light'.
In 2013, Shontelle announced that she was actually ready to release new music. 'Put Me On Blast' was confirmed as the lead single from her enigmatic third album and, according to Ultimate Music, a music video was even shot.
Despite this, Shontelle only appeared as a feature artist on two tracks that year, the messy EDM track 'I'm In Love' with Kato and the budget 'Stop Sign' with Angelique Sabrina. Then, after some restructuring at Universal Music Group, Shontelle's label was shut down and she was moved to Republic Records.
In 2014, Shontelle gave an interview saying that things had progressed with the writing of her album, which meant that instead of being the lead single, 'Put Me On Blast' would act as a buzz track and a mission statement.
'We don't wanna do just this minute album, like here's another album,' she explained to NationNews Barbados. 'We want it to be like a whole movement, a whole project. ['Put Me On Blast'] is almost going to be like my theme song, my superhero song.' In the same interview, Shontelle stated that her new single was actually produced by DJ Khaled and that it was a 'club anthem'.
Later in 2014, Shontelle's name disappeared from Republic Records' roster. Uploading a new press shot to Facebook on May 4, 2014, the singer wrote 'Just warming up. #newmusic #comingsoon'. This would be Shontelle's last Facebook post for over a year.
In June 2015, The Source reported that Shontelle had signed a new deal with SMH Entertainment, and that the singer was working on a new album that was due for release that same year. At the time, Shontelle seemed pretty pumped about this new chapter.
'My decision to team up with SMH comes mainly from a combination of my trust in my team and strong recommendations coming from key players in my career to date and my own research,' she said
Mike Smith, the owner of SMH, echoed these sentiments. 'I am so excited to see her go to the next level with us,' he said. 'Shontelle is truly gifted. I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to be able to go in the studio with her and having the opportunity to work with her as a songwriter as well.'
In spite of this, nothing materialised, and on New Year's Eve, the singer wrote a candid and lengthy Instagram message about 2015. 'This has probably been the most difficult and challenging year for me as far as my music and personal life go,' she wrote. 'But there have also been some incredible blessings of moments and events which I have also enjoyed that pretty much make them all negligible.'
Continuing, she added: '2016 will be filled with more highs than lows and I have so much to share. We all have the power to write our own story and 2016 begins a new chapter.'
So where exactly is Shontelle now? Well, this summer she released a trance-y song, 'Just Breathe', with Burkina and Eddzaa. Nevertheless, it's unknown whether Shontelle is still signed to SMH or has plans to release her third album. Perhaps 2016 is the year that Shontelle's luck begins to change. It's not impossible…
Shontelle at the 15th Annual Arthur Ashe Kids Day on 28 August 2010 at Billie Jean King Stadium in Queens, New York | |
Background information | |
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Birth name | Shontelle Layne |
Born | 4 October 1985 (age 33) |
Origin | Saint James, Barbados |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | |
Years active | 2008–present |
Labels | |
Associated acts |
|
Website | shontellemusic.com |
Shontelle Layne (born 4 October 1985),[2] known professionally as Shontelle, is a Barbadian singer. She released her debut album Shontelligence in November 2008. Her second album, No Gravity, was released in September 2010. Her singles, 'T-Shirt', and 'Impossible', achieved international success. In 2016, Shontelle released 'Count On Me,' a duet single featuring Barbadian singer Toni Norville.
- 1Career
- 4Tours
Career[edit]
Shontelligence (2008–2009)[edit]
Shontelle began work on her debut studio album in early 2008, and completed the album in six months. The album's title was given to her by the album's engineer who used the word 'shontelligence' as a joke after Shontelle and her producers were playing a game that involved making up words from her name.[3] 'T-Shirt', Shontelle's debut single, was released in July 2008 and reached number thirty-six on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming a moderate hit. However, it peaked within the top ten of the charts in Belgium and the United Kingdom.[3]
Shontelle's debut album, Shontelligence, was released on 18 November 2008. The album reached number 115 on the US Billboard 200,[4] selling 6,200 records in its first week,[5] and reached number twenty-four on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[4] It was re-released on 10 March 2009, and has since sold 30,000 records in the US.[5]
The second single from the album, 'Stuck with Each Other', featuring Akon, was released in February 2009 in the US and May 2009 in the UK. The single failed to chart in the US, but reached number twenty-three in the United Kingdom. Shontelle toured as a supporting act for the UK leg of the New Kids on the Block World Tour in January 2009. Shontelle was also Beyoncé's opening act for her I Am... Tour from May to June 2009 during the British leg.[6]Shontelle Also began writing songs for many artists in Barbados including the 2007= crop over hit Roll It Gyal for the Queen Of Soca Alison Hinds and the 2018 crop over hit Winners for Shanta Prince.Shontelle was also the host of My Prom Style! and Universal Motown's 2009 Ultimate Prom fashion reality series. She performed at a high school prom in New York City in June 2009, but first she led three students in a competition to design the dress that singer Kat DeLuna, the headliner, wore at the Ultimate Prom concert.[7]Shontelle As of 2012, Shontelligence has sold 50,000 copies in the US.
No Gravity (2009–2010)[edit]
Shontelle's second album, No Gravity, was released in the US on 21 September 2010.[8] Shontelle stated that the album would be experimental and that she wanted to change her original sound for the record.[9] While the title 'No Gravity' symbolises a mantra, Shontelle states she has adapted to her life and to her career, to motivate herself to keep climbing higher and to have nothing hold her down or hold her back.[10] Shontelle collaborated with Bruno Mars, Tony Kanal and Darkchild among others for the record.[11] In the first week of release, No Gravity placed at number eighty-one on the Billboard 200, selling 7,000 copies.[12]Later that year Shontelle would co-write Rihanna's song 'Man Down' from her fifth studio album, Loud (2010).[13] The two had met whilst in the army cadets, where Shontelle was Rihanna's drill sergeant.[14]
The lead single from the album, 'Impossible', was released in February 2010 for digital download, but failed to garner success until May 2010, when it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100. It has since become her most successful single to date, reaching number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100.[15] The second single from the album, 'Perfect Nightmare', was released in August 2010. 'Say Hello to Goodbye' was sent to pop radio on 15 March 2011, as the third single.[16] Both failed to chart on the Hot 100, however both managed to chart on the Pop songs chart. No Gravity has sold an estimated 150,000 copies in the US as of 2012.
Move to Republic Records and upcoming third studio album (2011–present)[edit]
Shontelle played at GUMBO @ The Canal Room in New York City on 15 July 2011, where she revealed news about an upcoming single and third studio album. It was also revealed that she had departed from Universal Motown and had joined Universal Republic. The lead single from the upcoming album is called 'Reflection' and it premiered on SoundCloud in September 2011. Songs from the album were expected to be previewed at Shontelle's birthday bash. Amongst those confirmed to be working on the album were Rockwilder, Tony Kanal, and The Runners.[17] Following a restructure at Universal Music Group whereby Motown Records was separated from Universal Motown Republic Group and merged with The Island Def Jam Music Group. Subsequently left as a stand-alone label, Universal Republic was shut down and instead all artists were transferred to the newly revived Republic Records. Shontelle is now recording for Republic Records.[18]In December 2012, Shontelle confirmed that 'Put Me On Blast' would be the lead single from her upcoming third studio album, and that she has already filmed the music video for the single in Los Angeles, California. Her third album was scheduled for release in 2013, but, was not released, and no future dates have been announced.[19]
In November 4, 2017, she performed and was a guest judge in Miss Earth 2017 held in Manila.
Philanthropy[edit]
Shontelle is also known for her involvement in some charity work. She has lent her talent in raising funds for patients with Alzheimer's in the Together for Care concert,[20] girl's education for She's the First,[21] VH1 Save the Music Foundation,[22] and breast cancer research charities.[23]
Discography[edit]
- Studio albums
Meaning Of The Song Impossible By Shontelle
- Shontelligence (2008)
- No Gravity (2010)
- Singles
- 'Freaky' featuring Gyptian (2012)
- 'Count on Me' featuring Toni Norville (2016)
- Collaborations
- 'Perfect Day' by DJ Antoine (2013)
Tours[edit]
![Impossible Impossible](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wYPy7IBkOAY/maxresdefault.jpg)
- 2009: I Am... Tour (supporting act)
- 2010: To the Sky Tour by Kevin Rudolf (supporting act)
- 2010/11: Jason Derulo World Tour (supporting act)
Other performances[edit]
- On 2 December 2010, Shontelle co-headlined Electric 94.9's Acoustic Christmas along with 3OH!3 in Kingsport, TN.
- On 27 February 2011, Shontelle played a headlining gig at 90 Degrees Pub in Southampton.
- On 28 February 2011, Shontelle played a headlining gig at Glam Nightclub in Cardiff.
- On 15 May 2011, Shontelle played a co-headlining show at Star 102.1's Star Jam in Pigeon Forge, TN.
- On 3 July 2011, Shontelle performed in Altamonte Springs, Florida at Red, Hot and Boom.
- On 13 October 2015, Shontelle performed at the 100-year-anniversary celebration gala of Big Brothers Big Sisters (South Eastern Pennsylvania) at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.
References[edit]
- ^'Shontelle'. Republic Records. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^'Shontelle'. Discogs. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
- ^ abPete Lewis Interviews Shontelle 'Blues & Soul', February 2009
- ^ ab'Shontelligence - Shontelle'. Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
- ^ ab'HITS Daily Double: Upcoming Releases'. HITS Daily Double. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
- ^Shontelle going on UK tour with Beyonce Shonetelle Online.
- ^'Prom Ideas 2014 - Hair Makeup and Dress Inspiration for Prom - Seventeen'. Seventeen.
- ^'No Gravity: Shontelle: Music'. Amazon.com. 9 September 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
- ^'Shontelle plans new music direction'. Digital Spy.
- ^Stephen Clark - Design. 'Shontelle: Show & telle'.
- ^'Shontelle Talks New Album, Dream Collabo & Rihanna | This is RnB - Hot Music News, Latest R&B Videos, Hip Hop Charts'. This is RnB. 12 April 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^'Shontelle 'No Gravity' Debuts At…'. 29 September 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
- ^'Rihanna loves 'Man Down' (co-written by Shontelle)'. Shontelleonline.com. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
- ^'Talking Shop: Shontelle'. BBC News. BBC. 5 March 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
- ^'Impossible [Main] - Shontelle'. Billboard.com.
- ^'Shontelle - Say Hello to Goodbye Lyrics and Video'. musicloversgroup.com. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
- ^'Exclusive: Shontelle reveals new album details + New single 'Reflection''. Shontelleonline.com. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
- ^'Shontelle moves to Republic Records'. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^'Star Trident - Entertainment News, Interviews, and Fashion. - Shontelle Announces New Single 'Put Me On Blast''.
- ^'Actor aids fight against Alzheimer's'. .tbo.com. 3 December 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^'Rising Pop Stars Jam at Girls Who Rock Benefit Concert'. NBC New York. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^'Vangarde Girl Nelle with Fashion Guru Phillip Bloch'. Vangarde Girls. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^'Asher Roth, Melanie Fiona, Ray J, and Shontelle, along with Pitbull, 50 Cent, Nelly, Flo Rida and DJ Cassidy to Perform at the Third Annual Think Pink Rocks Concert on October 9 to Benefit Breast Cancer Research Charities'. Premier Guide Miami. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
Shontelle Impossible Main
External links[edit]
Mp3 Impossible By Shontelle
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shontelle. |
- Shontelle at AllMusic
- Shontelle on IMDb