Only Human (Cheryl Cole song)

"Only Human"
Single by Cheryl
from the album Only Human
Released 22 March 2015
Format Digital download
Genre Electronic
Length 3:34
Label Polydor
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Schwartz
Cheryl singles chronology
  • "Only Human"
  • (2015)

"Only Human" is a song recorded by English recording artist Cheryl for her fourth studio album, Only Human (2014). It was released on 22 March 2015 through Polydor Records as the third single from the album. "Only Human" is a electronic ballad, written by Matt Schwartz, Jo Perry and Cass Lowe, whilst produced by Schwartz. Lyrically, it finds Cheryl singing about the inspiration to find a fook, forgive yourself for being human and live your best life in spite of everything. "Only Human" received positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its production and called it her best ballad to date.

"Only Human" was a commercial failure, having not charting on the UK Singles Chart after its official release as a single. The accompanying music video for "Only Human" was directed by Chris Sweeney and co-directed by Cheryl herself. It depicts the singer coltrolling the world opening her fingers to release energy, dust and glistening stars, and received positive reviews from critics. Cheryl performed the song on BBC's fundraising show Children in Need 2014 on 14 November 2014. It received attention from the media and public after she sang it live, after being known for miming songs during performances throughout her career.

Background

Following the release of Cole's third studio album, A Million Lights, in June 2012 and embarking on her debut solo headlining tour, Cole confirmed that a Girls Aloud's reunion would occur in November 2012.[1][2] The group released their second greatest hits compilation, Ten on 26 November 2012 and In 2013, the group embarked on Ten: The Hits Tour.[3] In March 2013, following the completion of the tour, Girls Aloud released a statement via their official Twitter to confirm that they were splitting permanently.[4][5]

On 27 July 2014, "Crazy Stupid Love", a song featuring rapper Tinie Tempah which served as the lead single from her fourth studio album Only Human, became Cheryl's fourth number one single on the UK Singles Chart, tying her with Geri Halliwell and Rita Ora as the third British female to achieve four solo number ones.[6] Months later, second single "I Don't Care" also debuted at number one. In doing so, Cheryl achieved her ninth number-one single (including those from Girls Aloud), and fifth as a solo artist, therefore becoming the British female artist with the most solo UK number ones, overtaking previous record sharers Halliwell, Ora and Cheryl herself.[7][8] "Only Human" was premiered on 7 October 2014.[9] In early February 2015, the singer revealed that "Only Human" would be released as the third single from the album on 22 March 2015.[10]

Composition

"Only Human" is a electronic ballad, written by Matt Schwartz, Jo Perry and Cass Lowe, whilst produced by Schwartz.[11] It is layered with Imogen Heap-like vocoders, giving the song a rather alien feel, the opposite of human.[12] Cheryl sings about the inspiration to find a fook, forgive yourself for being human and live your best life in spite of everything. She sings, "It's only love /Finally dust /Making up the two of us /And we all fall down /You’re only human".[13] According to MuuMuse, "things stay very Immi 'Hide and Seek' in the verses", until the song suddenly explodes into its chorus.[12] Pip Elwood from Entertainment Focus noted that whilst singing the lyrics, Cheryl "reminds you that like everyone else she’s just a person behind the make-up, the fame and the money and that’s something that is often forgotten when it comes to celebrities".[14] For Lewis Corner from Digital Spy website, the song has a "cosmic" production.[15]

Critical reception

"Only Human" received generally positive reviews from music critics. MuuMuse was positive, commenting that the song was "actually massive" and the first song from the era that did not sound like it might still be a demo.[12] Bradley Stern while writing for Idolator commented that the "encouraging" song marked a mature new direction for Cheryl, and though it was her "most gorgeous and assured ballad" to date.[11] Entertainmentwise's Shaun Kitchener was also positive, commenting that the "delicate title track provides an affecting vulnerability that nicely counterbalances the brash confidence found elsewhere".[16] Brendon Veevers noted that the album's title track showcased the singer's "pristine" vocals and her ability to switch from dance songs to a torch song with ease and confidence.[17] Deborah Weitzmann from Daily Mail noted that Cheryl proved why she has "the talent to make a top X Factor judge as she belts out the emotional tune".[13] Pip Elwood from Entertainment Focus was positive, noting that the track is one of the album's most emotive moments and one of the singer's most honest and passionate vocals on Only Human.[14] However, Edwin McFee from Hot Press was negative, saying that ballads from Only Human such as the title track were "mawkish and mediocre".[18]

Chart performance

On November 15, 2014, "Only Human" debuted at number 70 on the UK Singles Chart, lasting for only one week.[19] Upon the single's release, it charted at number 56 on the mid-week in March 2015, but did not make the week's official chart and became her first solo release to not chart on the UK Singles Chart, and is her worst-performing single since 2011's "The Flood".[20] When the song was released, the singer's husband, Jean-Barnard Fernandez-Versini, took to Instagram to express his frustration at the song not being played enough by radio stations.[20] In Scotland, "Only Human" also did not chart well, peaking at number 40 on its only week in the official charts.[21]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Only Human" was directed by Chris Sweeney and co-directed by Cheryl herself.[22] On 2 February 2014, Cheryl shared a sneak peek of the video, along with pictures which saw her with very long hair extensions and a tummy-baring top, along with another one featuring her sitting in the sand wearing a T By Alexander Wang beige silk bralet and a pink tutu.[23][13] The music video officially premiered on 4 February 2015. It depicts the singer coltrolling the world opening her fingers to release energy, dust and glistening stars. The video also flicks from day to night through Cheryl's powers, whilst flames begin to light up the night's sky.[24] It received generally positive reviews from critics. Deborah Weitzmann from Daily Mail complimented the singer's look and commented that "the changing backdrop to the video is attention-grabbing and beautiful to watch".[13] To date, the music video has been viewed just over a million times, becoming Cole's lowest viewed video on YouTube.

Live performance

Cheryl performed "Only Human" on BBC's fundraising show Children in Need 2014 on 14 November 2014, wearing a white one-shoulder gown with NOA Fine Jewellery, joined by a pianist and a trio of backing singers, whilst a video of kids benefiting from the charity played.[25] At the end of the performance, it received a "thunderous" applause from the studio audience.[26] The performance received positive reviews from critics, with Claire Rutter from Daily Mirror calling the performance "haunting".[27] The singer is often accused of miming on stage throughout her career, but critics noted that for the performance of "Only Human", she sang with live vocals. Hanna Flint for Daily Mail commented that Cheryl "silenced naysayers by showcasing her voice in a pared back rendition" of the song. However, the performance received mixed reactions from the public.[28]

Track listing

  1. "Only Human (Radio Mix)" – 3:25
  1. "Only Human" (Club Mix) – 5:19
  2. "Only Human" (Super Stylers Remix) – 6:20
  3. "Only Human" (iLL BLU Remix) – 5:34

Charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
scope="row" Scotland (Official Charts Company)[21] 40
scope="row" UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[19] 70

References

  1. ↑ "Cheryl Cole announces comeback single, new album 'A Million Lights'". Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  2. ↑ "Cheryl Cole confirms Girls Aloud Reunion will be in November 2012". Music Eyz.
  3. ↑ Savage, Mark (19 October 2012). "Girls Aloud reveal reunion plans". BBC News. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  4. ↑ Guadian Music (21 March 2013). "Girls Aloud split after final UK show". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  5. ↑ Lachno, James (21 March 2013). "Girls Aloud split up after last night of tour". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "BBC News - Cheryl Cole lands fourth solo chart topper". Bbc.co.uk. 2014-07-27. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
  7. ↑ Moss, Liv (5 November 2014). "Cheryl on track for fifth UK Number 1 with I Don't Care". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  8. ↑ "Cheryl scores record-breaking 5th Number 1 single with I Don't Care". Official Charts Company.
  9. ↑ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a601770/cheryl-unveils-brand-new-song-only-human.html#~p9H7kTBcrwkqpt
  10. ↑ http://www.reveal.co.uk/showbiz-celeb-gossip/news/a625898/cheryl-fernandez-versini-reveals-sneak-peek-of-only-human-music-video.html
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 http://www.idolator.com/7565518/cheryl-only-human-title-track-listen
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 http://www.muumuse.com/2014/10/only-human-cheryl-might-have-just-delivered-her-best-solo-ballad-to-date.html/
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2938918/Cheryl-Cole-lets-inner-princess-plunging-crop-coral-tutu-admires-universe-catchy-new-music-video-Human.html
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 http://www.entertainment-focus.com/music-review/cheryl-human-album-review/
  15. ↑ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/review/a608661/cheryl-only-human-album-review-her-most-focused-and-cohesive-lp.html
  16. ↑ http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/161666/1/REVIEW-Cheryl-Makes-Herself-Heard-On-New-Album-Only-Human
  17. ↑ http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-cheryl-only-human/
  18. ↑ http://www.hotpress.com/Cheryl/music/reviews/albums/Cheryl-Only-Human--Album-Review/12975689.html
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "18, 2014/ Archive Chart: October 18, 2014" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/disaster-cheryl-fernandez-versini-only-human-8945220
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Archive Chart: November 15, 2014". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  22. ↑ http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/cheryl-fernandez-versini-unveils-video-new-8576915
  23. ↑ http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/cheryl-fernandez-versini-naturally-sexy-sneak-5089205
  24. ↑ http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/cheryl-fernandez-versini-gets-ridiculously-seductive-5102232
  25. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2835409/Cheryl-Fernandez-Versini-angelic-white-BBC-Children-Need.html
  26. ↑ https://uk.celebrity.yahoo.com/gossip/omg/cheryl-fernandez-versini-hits-back-at--cheryl-cole-mime--critics-with-children-in-need-performance--225918466.html
  27. ↑ http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/cheryl-fernandez-versini-sings-stripped-back-4631597
  28. ↑ http://metro.co.uk/2014/11/15/children-in-need-2014-cheryl-cole-performs-live-and-people-arent-sure-what-to-make-of-it-4949139/
  29. ↑ "iTunes - Music -Only Human - Single by Cheryl". Apple iTunes (UK).
  30. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Only Human (The Remixes) by Cheryl". Apple iTunes (UK).