Leona Lewis "Happy" Unplugged at FFH Hit FM

The first time I heard "Happy", I knew it was a special song. I was moved by the emotion and the message of the song. And let's face it, Leona Lewis is an amazing vocalist. What makes "Happy" special for me is the darkness and sadness, along with the determination and optimism. Although the song is called "Happy", it is about someone who is not happy, but longs to find happiness and understanding. 

Leona Lewis is an amazing vocalist and has performed this song beautifully on many occasions. I came across this haunting performance on a German radio station. I tend not to like acoustic/unplugged versions of ballads, as they seem to lose the intensity and the powerful moment in the song or are very similar to the album cut. But not in this version; Leona captures the essence of the song and the lyrics.
 
I've heard this song at least a few hundred times in the last few months, but it was only on the second viewing of this video that I really heard the second verse. It is tragically beautiful. The song now has new meaning and a new role in my life.

"Holding on tightly
Just cant let it go
Just trying to play my role
Slowly disappear, oh.
All these days I feel like they’re the same
Just different faces, different names
Get me outta here
I can’t stand by your side, oh no
Watch this life pass me by, pass me by"

Leona Lewis - Echo

November is a huge month for music, especially in the UK. It is when all the major artists release their new albums, and one of the most anticipated albums this year was Echo, Leona Lewis' sophomore album. It was released in the UK on Monday and in the US on Tuesdays. There are several differences between the UK and US version, and I prefer the UK version as it has the amazing "Stop Crying Your Heart Out".

After a few listens, I like the album. I'm not sure if it is as good as her first album, but it is a great album. The lead single "Happy" is one of the best pop songs of the year, although it failed to reach the number 1 spot in the UK charts which was a disappointment. "I Got You" is another track on the album that has potential as a single - it's very well crafted and a good love song. "Brave" is another track I like, the chorus is great and epic. Leona's singing really shines on this track. "Naked" is a great song - it starts slow and builds. This song also has great potential as a single. The lyrics and message of the song are great. Aside from "Happy" and "Stop Crying Your Heart Out", my favorite track is a duet with OneRepublic called "Lost Then Found". Leona and Ryan Tedder sound amazing together. The song is another epic ballad, and is just beautiful. I can picture each artists singing the song alone and it being good, but as a duet, it is amazing and believable. It should be the next single.

Leona Lewis and OneRepublic - "Lost Then Found":

Leona Lewis has been busy promoting the single "Happy" and performed it on this week's episode of Dancing With The Stars:

Echo is now in stores, be sure to pick up a copy.

Leona Lewis - "Happy" on Paul O' Grady Show

Leona Lewis is amazing. She is by far one of my favorite female vocalists. I have heard her new album Echo and it is amazing. It has many great songs, especially the ballads. I don't think anyone out there can sing a ballad like Leona can. She is promoting her single "Happy" in the UK, and it looks like it will reach the top spot on the charts. I sincerely hope it does as "Happy" is an amazing track. Here she is on the Paul O' Grady show:

I think this is one of the best performances I have seen. She looks STUNNING. I think she is beautiful, but she looks amazing here. I love that there are no gimmicks, no pyrotechnics or dancers, just Leona, her voice and the emotions. I also love the eye make-up - it draws attention to her eyes and intensifies the emotion of the song. And her outfit - she is beautiful.

Leona Lewis - "Happy" on X-Factor 2009

Leona Lewis returned to the X-Factor stage to sing her smash hit, "Happy".

As per usual, Leona's performance was amazing. She looked elegant and sang it brilliantly, especially the big high note in the middle. It crazy that she actually hits that note live and is not just a one time studio note. She is very talented and a great performer. I really love the black dress and the eye make-up. It really highlights the darkness of the song. Well done!

Leona Lewis Meets Oasis' "Stop Crying Your Heart Out"

Leona Lewis' sophomore album, Echo, won't be released until November 17th, but it has already leaked on the Internet. And I've had a listen to most of the songs, and am very impressed. I was really impressed by her rendition of "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" which is a classic Oasis ballad.

I am a big fan of Oasis, and the song. I'm also a huge fan of Leona, but will admit to being a bit unsure of this choice for a cover. But it is amazing. The cover is epic in the same way as her cover of "Run" by Snow Patrol. Leona can take a great song and make it beautiful and amazing. The original is beautiful, but Leona's vocals make it a beautiful heartfelt track, and I really like it. I've actually been listening to it non stop for a few days now and it is still magical and haunting.



And the original by Oasis:

Leona Lewis - "I Got You"

Another track from Leona Lewis' sophomore album "Echo" has leaked. The track is called "I Got You" and it is a pop power ballad. It's mid-tempo as it builds as the song progresses. The bridge is great, but it doesn't quite rise to the level I expect from a Leona track. I do really like the chorus, but for the whole, it's not bad, but it's not amazing. It does grow on you, but it is not an instant hit. I won't skip it on the album, but I won't necessarily be looking for it. I don't know if it is strong enough for a single, although after some listens, it may be a hit. But that is my opinion, what do you think?

"I Got You":

Leona Lewis - Happy

Leona Lewis is set to conquer the music world with her sophomore album, Echo, on the 16th/17th of November. Her album is one of the most anticipated albums of the year and the expectations are really high. But from the few songs I've heard, she is going to deliver.

A few weeks ago, I posted the lead single "Happy", and here is the music video:

I really love the song and really like the video. Although the song is called "Happy", it's actually not a very happy song, and the video reflects that. Leona Lewis is beautiful and is very humble and classy, which comes across in the video. She looks so elegant and classy and I really like that. The video looks like a home video, which adds to the sentiment of the song. The video takes a dramatic and emotional turn around the 2:40 mark, and it is genius and works with the nature and theme of the song.  The song and video start off as most ballads do, but this one has a twist and I enjoy it.

Leona always gets it right in my opinion, what do you all think?

Leona Lewis - Stone Hearts

Leona Lewis' new album, Echo, is set to be released in over a month and expectations are high. While there is no official track list just yet, several songs have leaked onto the Internet, and this album is going to be huge. I think it will surpass "Spirit" in both the music and sales.

Her first single is "Happy" and it's an epic ballad. Another track that leaked is called "Illusion" and is a great upbeat RnB/pop ballad. The third song is called "Stone Heart" is a simple ballad. I'm not over the moon about it, it's really slow, but doesn't quite build like "Happy" does. It does pick up and gain momentum, but it's too late in the song and not impressive. It's a great tune and Leona sounds amazing, but there's nothing special about it.

Check it out for yourself:

Leona Lewis - Illusion

Two years after releasing "Spirit", Leona will be releasing her new album "Echo" in November (16th for the UK, 17th for the US).

So far, only a few songs have been confirmed to appear on the album, including the lead single, Happy, although several songs have been leaked to the internet. One of the songs is called "Illusion" and is as good, if not better than "Happy".

I remember hearing "Illusion" a few months ago and was instantly hooked. I really love the way the song starts slow and builds. Leona's vocals are insane, she is very talented. This what every current songstress should be singing (Take note Mariah). The song is super catchy and I hope it is released as a future single.



I cannot wait until Echo is released, but until then, these two tracks will have to suffice.

What do you think of "Illusion" and will you be buying "Echo" in Novemeber?

Leona Lewis - Happy

Leona Lewis is back, and if the first single from her sophomore album is any indication of what to expect, the album ECHO will be massive. The single, "Happy", is simply Epic. Her vocals are impressive, and the production is grand. Leona has the vocal capacity to match the song's intensity, making the vocal gymnastics sound effortless. My only critique is that the song sounds like a Christmas Ballad - somewhat untimely for a September release.

Although an upbeat dance anthem may have been a great song to release as a first single (a la "Bleeding Love" from her debut album "Spirit") Leona proves that she has the vocals to compete with any Diva and doesn't need a club/dance anthem to kick off an album. With every listen, the song grows on me and I cannot wait for the release of Echo - November 16 (UK) or November 17 (US).



Here's a video of Leona on America's Got Talent Finale, performing "Happy" after a video montage highlighting Leona's accomplishments as well as her journey from a shy reality show contestant to an International Platinum selling Mega Superstar.