New York, NY (Top40 Charts) "Sparrow" is the much-anticipated new single from Emeli Sandé. More than a household name and with one of the most recognizable voices in pop, soul and R&B, she's the singer-songwriter who knows the unsteady time we're in and is back with a single to uplift and inspire.
In this time of low self-esteem and shaken identity, "Sparrow" gives courage and hope. It's a deeply rousing call to action, an anthem of strength with a drumbeat and a gospel choir that complements the urgency and greatness of Sandé's message.
It was in writing the song that Sandé was able to sit by herself; no producers, no collaborators, and bring to life a striking first line that had been in her mind for years, "I got wind beneath my wings, I think this time I'm gonna make it to morning" begins "Sparrow", a slow-building, sparse piano melody that grows into a melodious, powerful anthem with a soaring vocal. The process, and the freedom that came with it Sandé says, was spiritual. She felt it spark within her.
With over 340 million video views, 19 million singles sold including 3 number one UK singles and over 6 million albums, Emeli has dominated the music industry and captured the hearts. Her debut album, Our Version of Events, released in 2012, was the biggest selling album of that year and the second biggest of 2013. It broke the chart record for the most consecutive weeks inside the Top 10, breaking the 50-year record previously held by The Beatles. The Aberdonian has won numerous accolades including 4 x Brit Awards (Critics Choice, Best Album and Female Solo twice, most recently in 2017 for her second album, Long Live the Angels) and in 2018 was awarded an MBE for services to Music.
Having initially made her mark as a songwriter in the UK urban scene via acts such as Wiley, Wretch 32, and Chipmunk, the multi-instrumentalist's solo success saw her become a highly sought-after writer for an array of international acts. Sandé wrote and co-wrote tracks for everyone from Alicia Keys,
Rihanna (alongside her friend, the producer Naughty Boy) and Katy Perry. She's also performed at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the London Olympics and at the White House for President Barack Obama.
"Sparrow" is a song to bring hope in all its forms, a song to lift us out of the darkness, and let us soar, "It's hard to find poetry in the world anymore, I miss the romance and I just want to breathe some love into humanity".
"With the heart of a sparrow, tell me what arrow could ever bring you down?"
