Beat Again
Encyclopedia
"Beat Again" is the first single by English band JLS, taken from their self-titled debut album
.
and Steve Mac
. The song was originally titled 'No Beat' and supposedly took only two hours to write. Mac himself had originally presented the song to Nick Raphael, JLS's A&R at Epic Records, as a potential single. Raphael had originally been looking for a ballad in the vein of Boys II Men's "End of the Road
" and had in fact already asked Mac for another "Flying Without Wings
". However, according to co-writer Wayne Hector
, Raphael's response upon hearing the new song was, “This is the single. I can feel it. It’s fantastic.” Raphael had supposedly originally intended "Everybody In Love
" to be the lead single but changed his mind at the last minute.
noted that JLS "have at least broken with X Factor
convention on their debut single". The review also drew positive comparisons to work by American R&B artist Ne-Yo
. However, the reviewer went on to say the single is "cheesier than a Jennifer Aniston rom-com". Another review, giving the single three stars out of five, said "Beat Again" "seems to lack originality". It was included on the Popjustice
song of the day. The Daily Record
wrote that the single had "the R&B electro sass of Justin Timberlake
or Rihanna
[and] will surprise many". The song made its chart debut on the Billboard
Euro Digital Tracks chart at number 13, and on the Euro Digital Songs at number 19. The song debuted on the Irish Singles Chart
at number four. The song was especially successful on the UK Singles Chart
, scoring a number-one, selling 106,299 copies, meaning the single was at the time the second fastest-selling single of 2009, behind Dizzee Rascal
's "Bonkers
".. The song was released in the USA in July, but failed to chart or garner commercial interest. The song won Best British Single at the MOBO Awards 2009
& 2010 BRIT Awards
making them the first
act from X Factor
to win a Brit Award.
JLS (album)
JLS is the debut album from English boy band JLS. The album was released in the UK on 9 November 2009 by Epic Records. It was preceded by the lead single, "Beat Again" on 13 July 2009. The album debuted at number-one in the UK and Ireland. It has been certified four times platinum in the UK, where...
.
Background
The song is unusual for being a debut single from reality show contestant that is not a cover version. The song instead was written especially for the group by Wayne HectorWayne Hector
Wayne Hector is an English songwriter.Wayne Hector has had over 30 number ones around the globe under his belt and numerous movie soundtrack credits, Wayne Hector is one of the UK’s most successful songwriters....
and Steve Mac
Steve Mac
Steve Mac , is a songwriter, record producer and owner of Rokstone Studios in London.He has produced more than 22 number one singles in the UK and had several multi-million selling albums worldwide...
. The song was originally titled 'No Beat' and supposedly took only two hours to write. Mac himself had originally presented the song to Nick Raphael, JLS's A&R at Epic Records, as a potential single. Raphael had originally been looking for a ballad in the vein of Boys II Men's "End of the Road
End of the Road
"End of the Road" is a 1992 Grammy Award-winning, number-one song recorded in May 1992 by Boyz II Men for the Motown label. Written and produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Antonio "L.A." Reid and Daryl Simmons. It is Boyz II Men's most successful single and replaced Diana Ross and Lionel...
" and had in fact already asked Mac for another "Flying Without Wings
Flying Without Wings
"Flying Without Wings" is a song released by Irish boyband Westlife from their self-titled debut album.-Background:The song became an instant hit in the United Kingdom and many parts of the world. The song became the group's third UK number 1 single, spending 13 weeks on charts. It is also one of...
". However, according to co-writer Wayne Hector
Wayne Hector
Wayne Hector is an English songwriter.Wayne Hector has had over 30 number ones around the globe under his belt and numerous movie soundtrack credits, Wayne Hector is one of the UK’s most successful songwriters....
, Raphael's response upon hearing the new song was, “This is the single. I can feel it. It’s fantastic.” Raphael had supposedly originally intended "Everybody In Love
Everybody in Love
"Everybody in Love" is the second single by English boyband JLS from their self-titled debut album. The song was released as a digital download on 1 November 2009, followed by a physical release on 2 November 2009...
" to be the lead single but changed his mind at the last minute.
Reception
To date, "Beat Again" has garnered mixed to positive reviews. Giving the single three stars, Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
noted that JLS "have at least broken with X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
convention on their debut single". The review also drew positive comparisons to work by American R&B artist Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
. However, the reviewer went on to say the single is "cheesier than a Jennifer Aniston rom-com". Another review, giving the single three stars out of five, said "Beat Again" "seems to lack originality". It was included on the Popjustice
Popjustice
Popjustice is a music website founded in 2000 and is the work of UK freelance music journalist Peter Robinson, who has worked for NME, The Guardian, Attitude and many others....
song of the day. The Daily Record
Daily Record (Scotland)
The Daily Record is a Scottish tabloid newspaper based in Glasgow. It had been the best-selling daily paper in Scotland for many years with a paid circulation in August 2011 of 307,794 . It is now outsold by its arch-rival the Scottish Sun which in September 2010 had a circulation of 339,586 in...
wrote that the single had "the R&B electro sass of Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
or Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
[and] will surprise many". The song made its chart debut on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Euro Digital Tracks chart at number 13, and on the Euro Digital Songs at number 19. The song debuted on the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
at number four. The song was especially successful on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, scoring a number-one, selling 106,299 copies, meaning the single was at the time the second fastest-selling single of 2009, behind Dizzee Rascal
Dizzee Rascal
Dylan Kwabena Mills , better known by his stage name Dizzee Rascal, is a Ghanaian British rapper, songwriter and record producer. His music is a blend of garage, hip hop, grime, ragga, pop and electronic music, with eclectic samples and more exotic styles...
's "Bonkers
Bonkers (song)
"Bonkers" is a song by British rapper Dizzee Rascal and American producer Armand Van Helden. It is the first single released from Rascal's fourth album, Tongue n' Cheek. Rascal released the track under his own record label, Dirtee Stank Recordings on 17 May 2009 in the United Kingdom; where it...
".. The song was released in the USA in July, but failed to chart or garner commercial interest. The song won Best British Single at the MOBO Awards 2009
MOBO Awards 2009
The 2009 MOBO Awards took place on 30 September 2009 at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow, Scotland. This was the first time the awards took place outside London. A tribute performance was dedicated to Michael Jackson, who was honoured with the MOBO Lifetime Achievement...
& 2010 BRIT Awards
2010 BRIT Awards
The 2010 BRIT Awards took place on Tuesday 16 February 2010. It was the 30th edition of the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The awards ceremony was held at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London. The ceremony was broadcast live on ITV1, hosted by Peter Kay with Fearne...
making them the first
First
First or 1st is the ordinal form of the number one.First or 1st may also refer to:* First , minor summit below the Schwarzhorn in the Bernese Alps in Switzerland* First , mountain in Bernese Alps in Switzerland...
act from X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
to win a Brit Award.
Music video
The music video was shot in May 2009 and released June 4, 2009 on to music channels. It shows various scenes of JLS dancing to the song in front of various coloured lights. The dance choreography involves moves revolving around heartbeats, alluding to the title "Beat Again".Charts
The song was certified Gold (400,000) in the UK on January 5, 2010.| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|
End of year charts
| End of year chart (2009) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 16 |
| End of year chart (2010) | Position |
| Romanian Top 100 Romanian Top 100 The Romanian Top 100 is the national airplay-based singles chart of Romania. It is weekly and it started running in 1996. It is recognized as an official chart by the European division of Billboard, Music & Media.... |
71 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | July 12, 2009 | Digital download | Sony Music Sony Music Entertainment Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation.... /Epic Epic Records Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A... |
| United Kingdom | |||
| July 13, 2009 | CD single | ||
| United States | July 14, 2009 | Epic | |
| Australia | July 31, 2009 | Sony Music/Epic |