Raining Diamonds
Encyclopedia
"Raining Diamonds" is a song by Australian recording artist Ricki-Lee
. It was released for digital download
on 18 October 2011 and serves as her debut release with EMI
. The song was written by Ricki-Lee, Billy Mann and Dave "Boy Blue" Shaw. Ricki-Lee explained that the song is "all about knowing your value and not settling for less than what you believe you are worth." "Raining Diamonds" has so far peaked at number 19 on the ARIA Singles Chart
.
" and "Hear No, See No, Speak No
", but both were notably unsuccessful compared to her previous singles. Ricki-Lee subsequently told her record label Shock Records
to cancel the album's release due to the lack of commercial success of the two singles. She told News.com.au: "They got a lukewarm reaction to the singles they chose to put out, so it made sense not to release the album. I said I'd prefer the album not to go out than to go out and fail."
In 2010, Ricki-Lee joined the Nova FM
Sydney breakfast radio team with Merrick Watts
and Scott Dooley
. After her contract with Nova FM ended in 2011, Ricki-Lee wanted to work on new music and began contacting songwriters and producers she had worked with before, in addition to contacting new songwriters such as Billy Mann. Mann had previously heard Ricki-Lee's single "Can't Touch It
" and invited her to New York
to work with him. However, when Ricki-Lee arrived, she ended up firstly working with his producing partner Dave "BoyBlue" Shaw in the studio. Mann later arrived to hear what they had recorded, and then decided to spend the rest of the week working with Ricki-Lee. She told Auspop:
In May 2011, Ricki-Lee ended her contract with Shock Records. She explained that the song was originally planned to be released through the label, however, "Shock [Records] fell into financial trouble, so I asked for a release from my contract." Ricki-Lee then signed with EMI
. When speaking of "Raining Diamonds", she said that it is "all about knowing your value and not settling for less than what you believe you are worth." As stated by Cameron Adams of Herald Sun
, "the song details Ricki-Lee's path to self-discovery and self-worth, following a public divorce and now a two year relationship with personal trainer Rich Harrison."
and sent to Australian contemporary hit radio
on 18 October 2011. A week later, it became the most added song to Australian radio. On 24 October 2011, "Raining Diamonds" debuted at number 62 on the ARIA Singles Chart
. It has so far peaked at number 19.
Ricki-Lee performed the song live on The X Factor (Australia) on 8 November 2011. She also performed "Raining Diamonds" the following day on Sunrise
.
was released exclusively on the Take 40 Australia website on 24 November 2011, featuring a highly futuristic set and Ricki-Lee in several metallic leotards. Ricki-Lee revealed in an interview with Herald Sun that the video will include a "semi-naked man slave". The completed video will premiere on 2 December 2011.
Ricki-Lee Coulter
Ricki-Lee Coulter is an Australian recording artist and television and radio presenter. In 2004, Coulter was placed seventh place on the second season of Australian Idol...
. It was released for digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on 18 October 2011 and serves as her debut release with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
. The song was written by Ricki-Lee, Billy Mann and Dave "Boy Blue" Shaw. Ricki-Lee explained that the song is "all about knowing your value and not settling for less than what you believe you are worth." "Raining Diamonds" has so far peaked at number 19 on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
.
Background
In 2009, Ricki-Lee was planning to release her third studio album, Hear No, See No, Speak No. It was preceded by the release of two singles: "Don't Miss YouDon't Miss You (Ricki-Lee song)
"Don't Miss You" is a song performed by Australian singer-songwriter, Ricki-Lee Coulter. Co-written by Coulter, Nikki Gregoff and Paul Weinber the song serves as the lead single from her unreleased third studio album, Hear No, See No, Speak No...
" and "Hear No, See No, Speak No
Hear No, See No, Speak No (song)
"Hear No, See No, Speak No" is a song performed by Australia singer-songwriter, Ricki-Lee Coulter. Co-written by Coulter, David Gamson and Marc Nelkin, it was released as a digital download on 23 October 2009 and serves as the second single released from the singer's unreleased third studio album...
", but both were notably unsuccessful compared to her previous singles. Ricki-Lee subsequently told her record label Shock Records
Shock Records
Shock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
to cancel the album's release due to the lack of commercial success of the two singles. She told News.com.au: "They got a lukewarm reaction to the singles they chose to put out, so it made sense not to release the album. I said I'd prefer the album not to go out than to go out and fail."
In 2010, Ricki-Lee joined the Nova FM
Nova 96.9
Nova 96.9 is a commercial radio station operating in Sydney, Australia, owned by the DMG Radio Network.-History:One of the driving forces behind the creation of Nova was the growing demographic of youth who were embracing the commercialised anti-pop movement fronted by such artists as Daft Punk...
Sydney breakfast radio team with Merrick Watts
Merrick Watts
Merrick Watts is a Australian comedian, radio host and television presenter. He is best known for performing stand-up comedy and radio works as part of the comedy duo Merrick and Rosso with Tim Ross....
and Scott Dooley
Scott Dooley
Scott "Dools" Dooley is an Australian comedian and radio announcer best known for his tenure with state-owned national youth network, Triple J...
. After her contract with Nova FM ended in 2011, Ricki-Lee wanted to work on new music and began contacting songwriters and producers she had worked with before, in addition to contacting new songwriters such as Billy Mann. Mann had previously heard Ricki-Lee's single "Can't Touch It
Can't Touch It
"Can't Touch It" is a song performed by Australian singer-songwriter, Ricki-Lee Coulter. It was released on 4 August 2007 and serves as the lead single from her second album, Brand New Day....
" and invited her to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to work with him. However, when Ricki-Lee arrived, she ended up firstly working with his producing partner Dave "BoyBlue" Shaw in the studio. Mann later arrived to hear what they had recorded, and then decided to spend the rest of the week working with Ricki-Lee. She told Auspop:
The next morning I got there, he said that he couldn't stop thinking about me overnight. He said, 'I couldn't stop thinking about that voice. And I've figured it out. Your song is going to be called Raining Diamonds. Then he picked up his guitar and started strumming the chords and said 'and the first line is going to be ... I declare war on love' and just sang. ... He had written the first line and then I came up with 'Finally I ran out of pages and I declare war on love'. That was the process of writing.
In May 2011, Ricki-Lee ended her contract with Shock Records. She explained that the song was originally planned to be released through the label, however, "Shock [Records] fell into financial trouble, so I asked for a release from my contract." Ricki-Lee then signed with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
. When speaking of "Raining Diamonds", she said that it is "all about knowing your value and not settling for less than what you believe you are worth." As stated by Cameron Adams of Herald Sun
Herald Sun
The Herald Sun is a morning tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia. It is published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Limited, itself a subsidiary of News Corporation. It is available for purchase throughout Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital...
, "the song details Ricki-Lee's path to self-discovery and self-worth, following a public divorce and now a two year relationship with personal trainer Rich Harrison."
Release and promotion
"Raining Diamonds" was released digitallyMusic download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
and sent to Australian contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
on 18 October 2011. A week later, it became the most added song to Australian radio. On 24 October 2011, "Raining Diamonds" debuted at number 62 on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
. It has so far peaked at number 19.
Ricki-Lee performed the song live on The X Factor (Australia) on 8 November 2011. She also performed "Raining Diamonds" the following day on Sunrise
Sunrise (TV program)
Sunrise is an Australian breakfast television program, broadcast on the Seven Network. On weekdays the programme follows Seven Early News, and runs from 6am through to 9am.-History:...
.
Music video
A behind-the-scenes look of the music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was released exclusively on the Take 40 Australia website on 24 November 2011, featuring a highly futuristic set and Ricki-Lee in several metallic leotards. Ricki-Lee revealed in an interview with Herald Sun that the video will include a "semi-naked man slave". The completed video will premiere on 2 December 2011.
Chart performance
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
19 |