Rebecca Ferguson (singer)
Encyclopedia
Rebecca Ferguson is an English singer-songwriter
born in Liverpool
, who became notable as the runner-up of the seventh series
of The X Factor
to Matt Cardle
in 2010. She released her debut single "Nothing Real but Love" on 20 November 2011. Her debut album, Heaven
, is due to be released on 5 December 2011.
, Liverpool
. She is a qualified legal secretary
, having studied at Hugh Baird College
, Bootle
. She had previously unsuccessfully auditioned for The X Factor and for P. Diddy's Starmaker
in New York.
in New York. She sang "A Change Is Gonna Come
" during her initial audition. At her bootcamp audition, she sang "Like a Star
" to which Cowell said "That is a recording voice!" and Nicole Scherzinger
said, "I told you first time I saw her, she is our generation’s songbird." She sang "Fireflies" at judges' houses and made it through to the live shows. For the first live show she sang "Teardrops" and in the second live show she sang "Feeling Good
". In the third live show she sang "Why Don't You Do Right?
" and in the fourth live show she sang "Wicked Game
". In the fifth live show, Rebecca received a standing ovation from Simon and Cheryl following her performance of "Make You Feel My Love". In the following episode, Rebecca received another standing ovation from Dannii and Cheryl after singing "Candle in the Wind
". In the final, she performed a duet with Christina Aguilera
, performing Aguilera's hit single "Beautiful
". Ferguson's winner's song was a cover of Duffy
's "Distant Dreamer", but she finished as the runner-up to Matt Cardle
, making her the first female runner-up on The X Factor. After the final, it was announced that Ferguson had been signed by Syco Music,.
. Her debut album has been confirmed and is due for release on 5 December 2011.
Ferguson released her debut single "Nothing's Real but Love
" on 20 November 2011. It was written by Ferguson and Eg White
. Ferguson's album will be released on 5 December. It includes new material, all co-written by herself. Speaking about her experiences recording her debut album, Ferguson explained: "I've loved writing and recording the album throughout this year so I'm really excited for everyone to hear it! I feel like I've learnt a lot about myself going through the writing process, putting my experiences on paper and into the tracks. It's a record I'm really proud of." "Nothing's Real but Love" premiered on Monday 17 October 2011 on BBC Radio 1Xtra and she performed it live on The X Factor on 20 November 2011. On 18 November 2011, Ferguson announced her first UK Tour spanning 14 dates from 20 February to 13 March 2012.
crisps Sunbites as of June 2011.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
born in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, who became notable as the runner-up of the seventh series
The X Factor (UK series 7)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a £1 million recording contract with the Syco Music record label. The seventh series started on ITV on 21 August 2010 and ended on 12 December 2010. The winner was Matt Cardle and...
of The 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 Matt Cardle
Matt Cardle
Matthew Sheridan "Matt" Cardle is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to fame after winning the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010. He received a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music by winning, and his debut number one single "When We Collide" was released immediately...
in 2010. She released her debut single "Nothing Real but Love" on 20 November 2011. Her debut album, Heaven
Heaven (Rebecca Ferguson album)
Heaven is the debut album by British singer-songwriter Rebecca Ferguson. The album will be released on 5 December 2011. The lead single from Heaven, "Nothing's Real but Love" was be released on 20 November...
, is due to be released on 5 December 2011.
Early life
Ferguson is a student and single mother from AnfieldAnfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
. She is a qualified legal secretary
Legal secretary
A legal secretary is a particular category of worker within the legal profession.In the practice of law in the United States, a legal secretary is person who works in the legal profession, typically assisting lawyers. Legal secretaries help by preparing and filing legal documents, such as appeals...
, having studied at Hugh Baird College
Hugh Baird College
Hugh Baird College is a further education College situated in Bootle, Merseyside, England. It is the largest provider of education and training in the area and enjoys a student population of roughly 6000. Since April 1993, the College has been an independent Further Education Corporation under the...
, Bootle
Bootle
Bootle is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England, and a 'Post town' in the L postcode area. Formally known as Bootle-cum-Linacre, the town is 4 miles to the north of Liverpool city centre, and has a total resident population of 77,640.Historically part of...
. She had previously unsuccessfully auditioned for The X Factor and for P. Diddy's Starmaker
P. Diddy's Starmaker
P. Diddy's Starmaker is an American interactive talent show that first aired on MTV in August 2009. It is currently presented by Kimberly Caldwell, with P...
in New York.
2010: The X Factor
Ferguson had previously unsuccessfully auditioned for The X Factor and for P. Diddy's StarmakerP. Diddy's Starmaker
P. Diddy's Starmaker is an American interactive talent show that first aired on MTV in August 2009. It is currently presented by Kimberly Caldwell, with P...
in New York. She sang "A Change Is Gonna Come
A Change Is Gonna Come (song)
"A Change Is Gonna Come" is a 1964 single by R&B singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, written and first recorded in 1963 and released under the RCA Victor label shortly after his death in late 1964. Though only a modest hit for Cooke in comparison with his previous singles, the song came to exemplify the...
" during her initial audition. At her bootcamp audition, she sang "Like a Star
Like a Star
"Like a Star" is a song by English soul singer–songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae from her self-titled debut album, Corinne Bailey Rae . Released in November 2005 as her debut single and re-released in October 2006, the song was nominated for the 2008 Grammy Award for Song of the Year...
" to which Cowell said "That is a recording voice!" and Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
said, "I told you first time I saw her, she is our generation’s songbird." She sang "Fireflies" at judges' houses and made it through to the live shows. For the first live show she sang "Teardrops" and in the second live show she sang "Feeling Good
Feeling Good
"Feeling Good" is a song written by English singer-songwriters Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd starring Cy Grant, who sang the original version of the song...
". In the third live show she sang "Why Don't You Do Right?
Why Don't You Do Right?
"Why Don't You Do Right?" is an American blues- and jazz-influenced pop song – now a standard – written in 1936 by Kansas Joe McCoy. It is a twelve-bar minor key blues form with a few chord substitutes, it is considered a classic "woman's blues" song....
" and in the fourth live show she sang "Wicked Game
Wicked Game
"Wicked Game" is a 1989 song by Chris Isaak from his third studio album Heart Shaped World. Despite being released as a single in 1989, it did not become a hit until it was later featured in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart...
". In the fifth live show, Rebecca received a standing ovation from Simon and Cheryl following her performance of "Make You Feel My Love". In the following episode, Rebecca received another standing ovation from Dannii and Cheryl after singing "Candle in the Wind
Candle in the Wind
"Candle in the Wind" is a song with music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in 1973, in honour of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier....
". In the final, she performed a duet with Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
, performing Aguilera's hit single "Beautiful
Beautiful (Christina Aguilera song)
"Beautiful" is a song written by Linda Perry and recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera for Aguilera's fourth studio album, Stripped...
". Ferguson's winner's song was a cover of Duffy
Duffy (singer)
Aimée Ann Duffy , known as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Her 2008 debut album Rockferry entered the UK Album Chart at number one. It was the best-selling album in the United Kingdom in 2008 with 1.68 million copies sold...
's "Distant Dreamer", but she finished as the runner-up to Matt Cardle
Matt Cardle
Matthew Sheridan "Matt" Cardle is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to fame after winning the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010. He received a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music by winning, and his debut number one single "When We Collide" was released immediately...
, making her the first female runner-up on The X Factor. After the final, it was announced that Ferguson had been signed by Syco Music,.
Performances on The X Factor
Below is a list of Ferguson's performances on The X Factor:| Week | Song choice | Theme | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | "A Change Is Gonna Come A Change Is Gonna Come (song) "A Change Is Gonna Come" is a 1964 single by R&B singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, written and first recorded in 1963 and released under the RCA Victor label shortly after his death in late 1964. Though only a modest hit for Cooke in comparison with his previous singles, the song came to exemplify the... " |
Free choice (no theme) | Through to bootcamp |
| Bootcamp | "Like a Star Like a Star "Like a Star" is a song by English soul singer–songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae from her self-titled debut album, Corinne Bailey Rae . Released in November 2005 as her debut single and re-released in October 2006, the song was nominated for the 2008 Grammy Award for Song of the Year... " |
Free choice (no theme) | Through to judges houses |
| Judges' houses | "Fireflies" | Free choice (no theme) | Through to live shows |
| Week 1 | "Teardrops" | Number-ones | Safe |
| Week 2 | "Feeling Good Feeling Good "Feeling Good" is a song written by English singer-songwriters Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd starring Cy Grant, who sang the original version of the song... " |
Musical heroes | Safe |
| Week 3 | "Why Don't You Do Right? Why Don't You Do Right? "Why Don't You Do Right?" is an American blues- and jazz-influenced pop song – now a standard – written in 1936 by Kansas Joe McCoy. It is a twelve-bar minor key blues form with a few chord substitutes, it is considered a classic "woman's blues" song.... " |
Guilty pleasures | Safe |
| Week 4 | "Wicked Game Wicked Game "Wicked Game" is a 1989 song by Chris Isaak from his third studio album Heart Shaped World. Despite being released as a single in 1989, it did not become a hit until it was later featured in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart... " |
Halloween Halloween Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day... |
Safe |
| Week 5 | "Make You Feel My Love" | American United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... anthems |
Safe |
| Week 6 | "Candle In The Wind Candle in the Wind "Candle in the Wind" is a song with music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in 1973, in honour of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier.... " |
Songs by Elton John Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor... |
Safe |
| Week 7 | "Yesterday Yesterday (song) "Yesterday" is a song originally recorded by The Beatles for their 1965 album Help!. The song first hit the United Kingdom top 10 three months after the release of Help!. The song remains popular today with more than 1,600 cover versions, one of the most covered songs in the history of recorded... " |
Songs by The Beatles The Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr... |
Safe |
| Week 8 | "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" is a song by rock band U2. It is the second track from their 1987 album The Joshua Tree and was released as the album's second single in May 1987... " |
Rock Rock music Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music... |
Safe |
| "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction " Satisfaction" is a song by the English rock band The Rolling Stones, released in 1965. It was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and produced by Andrew Loog Oldham. Richards's throwaway three-note guitar riff — intended to be replaced by horns — opens and drives the song... " |
|||
| Week 9 | "Show Me Love Show Me Love Show Me Love may refer to:* Show Me Love , English distribution title for the Swedish film Fucking Åmål* "Show Me Love" * "Show Me Love" , featured in the Swedish film of the same name* "Show Me Love" Show Me Love may refer to:* Show Me Love (film), English distribution title for the Swedish film... " |
Club classics | Safe |
| "Amazing Grace Amazing Grace "Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn with words written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton , published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God,... " |
"Get me to the final songs" | ||
| Week 10 | "Like A Star Like a Star "Like a Star" is a song by English soul singer–songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae from her self-titled debut album, Corinne Bailey Rae . Released in November 2005 as her debut single and re-released in October 2006, the song was nominated for the 2008 Grammy Award for Song of the Year... " |
Free choice (no theme) | Safe |
| "Beautiful Beautiful (Christina Aguilera song) "Beautiful" is a song written by Linda Perry and recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera for Aguilera's fourth studio album, Stripped... " (performed with Christina Aguilera Christina Aguilera Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994... ) |
Celebrity duet | ||
| "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) -Personnel:*Annie Lennox – vocals, keyboards, synthesisers, flute*David A. Stewart – guitar, keyboards, synthesisers, programming, backing vocals-Additional personnel:*Robert Crash - Guitar/ E-Drums/ Synth/ Robotic vocals... " |
Free choice (no theme) | Safe | |
| "Distant Dreamer" | Winner's song | Runner Up |
2011–present: Heaven
In January 2011, it was reported that Ferguson had signed a joint record deal between Syco and Epic RecordsEpic 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...
. Her debut album has been confirmed and is due for release on 5 December 2011.
Ferguson released her debut single "Nothing's Real but Love
Nothing's Real But Love
"Nothing's Real but Love" is the debut single by English singer Rebecca Ferguson, from her debut studio album Heaven. It was originally meant to be released in the UK on 27 November 2011, but was brought forward a week to 20 November in order to coincide with her first official performance of the...
" on 20 November 2011. It was written by Ferguson and Eg White
Eg White
Francis Anthony "Eg" White is a British musician, songwriter and producer. White is primarily known for his work with successful commercial pop acts such as Adele, Duffy, Will Young and James Morrison...
. Ferguson's album will be released on 5 December. It includes new material, all co-written by herself. Speaking about her experiences recording her debut album, Ferguson explained: "I've loved writing and recording the album throughout this year so I'm really excited for everyone to hear it! I feel like I've learnt a lot about myself going through the writing process, putting my experiences on paper and into the tracks. It's a record I'm really proud of." "Nothing's Real but Love" premiered on Monday 17 October 2011 on BBC Radio 1Xtra and she performed it live on The X Factor on 20 November 2011. On 18 November 2011, Ferguson announced her first UK Tour spanning 14 dates from 20 February to 13 March 2012.
Other endeavours
She became the new face of WalkersWalkers (snack foods)
Walkers is a British snack food manufacturer operating mainly in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and to a lesser extent on the European continent. They are best known for manufacturing crisps. They hold 47 per cent of the British crisp market...
crisps Sunbites as of June 2011.
Personal life
Ferguson is a single mother to two children, Lillie May and Karl. She dated teenage heartthrob Zayn Malik which caused controversy because of the six year age difference. The relationship ended after 4 months together. In November 2011 Ferguson stated in an interview with MTV UK: "Me and Zayn just grew apart. I wish him all the best."Albums
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
IRE Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
SCO Scottish Singles and Albums Chart The Scottish Singles Chart and Scottish Albums Chart are charts compiled by The Official Charts Company, based on physical and digital sales in the STV North, STV Central and ITV Border regions.... |
||
| Heaven Heaven (Rebecca Ferguson album) Heaven is the debut album by British singer-songwriter Rebecca Ferguson. The album will be released on 5 December 2011. The lead single from Heaven, "Nothing's Real but Love" was be released on 20 November... |
|
— | — | — |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 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 ... |
IRE 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... |
SCO | |||
| 2011 | "Nothing's Real But Love Nothing's Real But Love "Nothing's Real but Love" is the debut single by English singer Rebecca Ferguson, from her debut studio album Heaven. It was originally meant to be released in the UK on 27 November 2011, but was brought forward a week to 20 November in order to coincide with her first official performance of the... " |
10 | 23 | 10 | Heaven |
As featured artist
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 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 ... |
IRL 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... |
SCO |
|||
| 2010 | "Heroes" (as part of The X Factor finalists) | 1 | 1 | 1 | Non-album single |