| "Impossible" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Shontelle | ||||
| from the album No Gravity | ||||
| Released | February 9, 2010 (see release history) |
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| Format | Digital download | |||
| Recorded | Chalice Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California) The Vault (Stockholm, Sweden) |
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| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 3:46 | |||
| Label | SRC, Motown | |||
| Writer(s) | Arnthor Birgisson, Ina Wroldsen | |||
| Producer | Arnthor Birgisson | |||
| Shontelle singles chronology | ||||
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"Impossible" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Shontelle. It is the lead single from her second studio album, No Gravity. The song was written by Arnthor Birgisson and Ina Wroldsen, and produced in Sweden by Birgisson.[1] It was released digitally on February 9, 2010. "Impossible" peaked at number thirteen in the US on the Billboard Hot 100, number thirty-three on the Canadian Hot 100, and number five on the Danish Singles Chart, making it her highest-charting song on all three charts.
Contents |
"Impossible" is a midtempo contemporary R&B ballad[2] written by Arnthor Birgisson and Ina Wrolden, in the musical key of A♭ major with a time signature in common time and a tempo of 92 beats per minute. The melody is to be played in a moderate tone and tempo. The song's backing track consists of a simple chord progression of A♭—E♭—D♭—Fm7.[3] It was conceived after Shontelle stated that she felt that radio was currently missing a "heartbreak ballad". In an interview with J-14 magazine she said "I knew that there was no song out there for heartbroken people. I just wanted to put a song out that gave people hope - things may not work out the way you want them to, but you can move past it and everything is gonna be okay... [I want to help listeners] draw the strength to carry on past a break up where you're the one in the embarrassing position."[4] Shontelle uses a vocal range from E♭3 to D♭5 in the song.[3] Billboard's Michael Menachem described her vocal precision as similar to that of Beyoncé's in "Irreplacable".[5] Meanwhile the production, helmed by Birgisson, was compared to Norwegian production team, StarGate[6] who are, coincidentally, the team responsible for producing "Irreplaceable".[7]
Michael Menachem of Billboard loved the song. He said "Shontelle shines on 'Impossible', giving one of the year's standout female vocal performances and recalling the poignancy and technical precision of Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable". The 24-year-old's vulnerable delivery demands attention ... releasing the pain of a broken heart... Nothing is impossible when a vocal sounds as effortless and anthemic as this."[5] Ryan Love of Digital Spy gave the song five out of five stars, writing: "Arnthor Birgisson's StarGate-style production is appealingly restrained, Ina Wroldsen's lyrics are blunt and utterly relatable, and Shontelle gives her strongest vocal performance yet without ever overdoing it. The result? A treat for everyone except the peeps at Greenpeace, who might not approve of a song that requires at least two Kleenex mansize every time you play it."[6] Financial website MarketWatch branded the song a "passionate ballad" and Shontelle's vocals "soulful".[8] Carmen Castro of The Canadian Press said "Shontelle hits the right notes on "Impossible," the album's only standout track."[9] A reviewer from Entertainment Focus said "'Impossible' showcases undeniably strong vocals from the 24-year-old. ... It's easily a contender for breakup song of 2010 and Shontelle sings with such passion that you can't help but hold back the tears. Things are about to turn around for Shontelle. 'Impossible' is the strongest release we've had from the young singer yet and it's a sign of bigger things to come."[10] Meanwhile Bill Lamb of about.com said "Shontelle delivers a strong, emotional R&B ballad. This smooth soul sound provides a valuable counterpart to the dominant uptempo dance music on current pop radio."[2]
"Impossible" made its US Pop Songs chart debut at number forty, two months after the song was first released.[11] The following week it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, at number eighty-eight.[12] It continued to rise up both charts, before eventually peaking at number nine on the US Pop Songs chart, number eleven on the Hot Digital Songs chart and number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100. Consequently, it is Shontelle's most successful single in the United States.[13] On August 27, 2010, "Impossible" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for selling one million copies.[14]
"Impossible" equalled its US success in the United Kingdom, peaking at number three on the UK R&B Singles Chart[15] and number nine on the UK Singles Chart.[16] It became Shontelle's second top-ten hit and her best chart peak since her 2009 debut single "T-Shirt" which reached number six.[17] It was also the only newly released track to reach the top-twenty that week,[18] selling 22,292 copies according to Music Week.[19] Additionally it achieved some success in Europe too, reaching number five in Denmark,[20] fifteen on the Slovakia Airplay chart[21] and number twenty in Norway.[22] It also peaked in Canada at number thirty-three.[13] It was certified gold by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Denmark, for selling 15,000 copies.[23]
The official video was directed by David Lynch.[24] It premiered on April 14, 2010 and according to 92.3 Now FM's Ed Easton, the video is "a great visualization of her struggles, professionally and personally."[25] In the video, singer Steph Jones plays Shontelle's love interest. The video opens with Shontelle entering an apartment at 12:14 p.m. The video is a reflection of the past. During the first chorus, Shontelle is talking to her boyfriend and they start caressing. In the second chorus, Shontelle and her boyfriend are arguing while Shontelle is also shown writing a song and scribbling off words. Later, her boyfriend is having a beer at a party. He is celebrating his platinum success. Afterwards, Shontelle receives a letter from a recording studio. Later, she is putting away glasses and bottles. At the end, a reflection is shown in black and white. The final scene is kissing her boyfriend on the head, and then goes back to the present, where Shontelle is getting into a taxi.
Shontelle performed the song at the NewNowNext Awards televised on digital cable television channel Logo.[8] The event marked her first live performance on television.[8]
"Impossible" was recorded at Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California and The Vault in Stockholm, Sweden.[28]
Weekly charts
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Yearly charts
Certifications
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| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| United States[44] | February 2, 2010 | Top 40/Mainstream |
| May 18, 2010 | Rhythmic/Crossover |
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada[45] | February 9, 2010 | Digital download | Universal Music |
| Denmark[46] | |||
| Ireland[47] | |||
| United States[48] | SRC Records | ||
| Belgium[49] | February 15, 2010 | Universal Music | |
| Netherlands[50] | |||
| Norway[51] | |||
| Sweden[52] | |||
| Switzerland[53] | |||
| United Kingdom[26][27] | September 9, 2010 | Digital download | Island Records |
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