The Song Diaries is a compilation album by English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released on 15 March 2019 by EBGB's. Made in collaboration with Ed Harcourt, the album consists primarily of orchestral versions of Ellis-Bextor's solo singles, including her collaboration with Italian DJ Spiller, "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)", and a song from her time as part of Theaudience, "A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed". It was called an "orchestral greatest hits" by Clash.[1] Ellis-Bextor toured the UK with a full orchestra and band in support of the album from June 2019.[2]
| The Song Diaries | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | 15 March 2019 | |||
| Recorded | 2017–2018 | |||
| Genre | Disco | |||
| Length | 73:18 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer | ||||
| Sophie Ellis-Bextor chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Song Diaries | ||||
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Background
editPlans for and the beginning of recording for the album were first announced on PledgeMusic in December 2017.[3] Throughout the recording process, Sophie posted videos and snippets of the songs she was working on plus commentaries on the work in progress, both on PledgeMusic and her social media.
Concept
editThe Official Charts Company stated that due to the immediate availability of an artist's back catalogue in the streaming era, "the concept of a greatest hits has changed, with many artists opting to re-work their hits to give them a fresh spin", comparing it to Take That's 2018 greatest hits Odyssey.[4]
Track listing
editAll tracks produced by Ed Harcourt, except "Love Is You" produced by Richard "Biff Stannard and Ash Howes of Biffco.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Groovejet" | 3:20 | |
| 2. | "Take Me Home" |
| 4:23 |
| 3. | "Murder on the Dancefloor" |
| 3:46 |
| 4. | "Move This Mountain" |
| 4:47 |
| 5. | "Music Gets the Best of Me" |
| 3:28 |
| 6. | "Mixed Up World" |
| 3:43 |
| 7. | "Catch You" |
| 3:58 |
| 8. | "Me and My Imagination" |
| 3:47 |
| 9. | "Today the Sun's on Us" |
| 4:19 |
| 10. | "Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)" |
| 3:52 |
| 11. | "Bittersweet" |
| 3:35 |
| 12. | "Not Giving Up on Love" | 3:14 | |
| 13. | "Young Blood" |
| 4:39 |
| 14. | "Love Is a Camera" |
| 3:57 |
| 15. | "Wild Forever" |
| 4:31 |
| 16. | "A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed" | Billy Reeves | 4:04 |
| 17. | "Love Is You" (bonus track) |
| 3:15 |
| 18. | "Take Me Home" (orchestral disco version) (bonus track) |
| 3:14 |
| 19. | "Murder on the Dancefloor" (orchestral disco version) (bonus track) |
| 3:26 |
| Total length: | 73:18 | ||
Charts
edit| Chart (2019) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[5] | 43 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[6] | 10 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[7] | 14 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[8] | 3 |
| US Classical Albums (Billboard)[9] | 22 |
References
edit- ^ Murray, Robin (7 December 2018). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor Launches New Album 'The Song Diaries'". Clash. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ Bentley, David (24 September 2018). "Sophie Ellis Bextor announces 2019 tour with full orchestra and it's coming to Birmingham". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Sophie Ellis-Bextor: The Song Diaries on PledgeMusic". Retrieved 15 March 2019 – via PledgeMusic.
- ^ Copsey, Rob (29 January 2019). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor unveils orchestral disco version of Murder on the Dancefloor". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ "Sophie Ellis-Bextor Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
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