Bleeding Love

I know I am a bit behind on the band wagon, but I want to say a few words about Leona Lewis’ smash hit “Bleeding Love”.

Leona Lewis is a rare breed. She has a remarkable talent and voice, and is one of those infrequent instances where a singing contest winner actually deserves the attention that she has received.

The debut single off of her first album, “Bleeding Love”, takes a risk. In today’s over-produced dance/hip-hop influenced charts, Leona Lewis bravely released a ballad. Just when you thought the ballad was dead, she manages to take it to the top of the U.K. charts, and gain major attention in the United States as well. No easy feat. Especially impressive considering it is a ballad.

Lewis’ record label and managers must of known that they had a hit on their hands however. Written by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, and Jesse McCartney, the original plans for the track was to have McCartney release it on his Departure album. Somewhere along the line it was decided that perhaps the song did not suit the direction Jesse McCartney was going in, or that the song was not best sung by a male, so the song was shopped around. Leona recorded and released it. The rest is history.

I have to admit that I am not a big fan of ballads. I can probably count the number I truly enjoy and do not skip over on my iPod on one hand. There is something highly addictive about this song, as I suspect anyone who has purchased the single digitally or the album on the basis of this one song as already surmised.

It is actually a solid track. It is well produced, and lyrics that do not actually bother the shit out of me, and Leona’s voice not only does the song justice, but takes it up a notch without being obnoxious along the lines of anything Celine Dion has released in the last decade.

All in all , a strong lead single for what will hopefully be a long, successful career for Leona Lewis.