One More Sleep

"One More Sleep"
Single by Leona Lewis
from the album Christmas, with Love
Released 5 November 2013 (2013-11-05)
Format Digital download
Recorded 2013
Genre Christmas
Length 3:59
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Leona Lewis singles chronology
"Lovebird"
(2012)		 "One More Sleep"
(2013)		 "Fire Under My Feet"
(2015)
U.S. singles chronology
Hurt: The EP
(2011)		 "One More Sleep"
(2013)		 "Fire Under My Feet"
(2015)

"One More Sleep" is a song recorded by British singer Leona Lewis for her first Christmas album and fourth studio album, Christmas, with Love (2013). It was written by Lewis in collaboration with Richard "Biff" Stannard, Iain James, Jez Ashurst and Bradford Ellis, and produced by Richard "Biff" Stannard. It was released in the United States on 5 November, in Ireland the United Kingdom on 29 November and many parts of Europe on 2 December.

Background

Simon Cowell (pictured) came up with the idea for Lewis to record a Christmas album.[1]

In February 2013, a representative from Syco Music, Lewis' record label, announced that she was about to start writing and recording material "imminently" for her fourth studio album, and that it would be released in late 2013.[2] The news came after Lewis announced that she had parted ways from Modest! Management, the management team who had represented her since she won the third series of The X Factor in 2006.[2] Various media outlets speculated that this was due to the weak commercial performance of her third studio album, Glassheart, which was released in November 2012. It became her first album to not debut at number one or earn platinum certification in the United Kingdom.[2] It was also reported that the second single from the album, "Lovebird", had sold fewer than 600 copies, meaning it failed to attain one of 200 chart positions on the UK Singles Chart, was another contributing factor to her departure.[2][3]

In June 2013, speculation arose that Lewis' fourth album would in fact be a Christmas album, after British production duo MagicIT tweeted that they were in a studio recording Christmas songs with the singer.[4] The following month, Lewis confirmed that she was indeed in the process of recording a Christmas album.[1][5] She revealed that it was recorded on the recommendation of Syco boss Simon Cowell.[1][5] Speaking about the decision to record a Christmas album at this point in her career in July 2013, further explained how Cowell had come up with the idea: "Simon is still very much involved in my career and helps me out. He came up with the Christmas album idea, and we both kind of felt it was the right time to go ahead with it."[6]

Release

On 24 October 2013, Lewis unveiled "One More Sleep" as the album's lead single, and she released the single cover artwork a week later on 31 October.[7][8] The artwork is a head shot of Lewis holding a red bow over her eye.[8] The song was released as a digital download in the United States on 5 November through RCA Records,[9] Ireland, Italy and Switzerland through Sony Music Entertainment[10][11][12] and the United Kingdom through Syco Music on 29 November,[13] and multiple other European countries on 2 December, including France and Spain.[14][15] Lewis uploaded a Cahill remix of the song to her official SoundCloud account on 21 November 2013.[16]

Production and composition

"One More Sleep" was co-written by Lewis in collaboration with Richard "Biff" Stannard, Iain James, Jez Ashurst and Bradford Ellis. Stannard and Ash Howes produced the song, while they and Lewis carried out the vocal production. It was recorded by Biffco and mixed by Howes at Biffco Studios, Brighton, and Angel Studios, London. The song utilised a multitude of instrumentalists: Keys and programming were performed by Ashurst, Stannard and Howes; Celli by Nick Holland; drums by Freddy Sheed and bass by Knight Time Horns; trombone by Barnaby Dickinson and trumpet by Graeme Flowers; James Knight performed the saxophone; strings were led by Rolf Wilson, arranged and conducted by Cliff Masterson and booked by Roz Colls; Rolf Wilson, Simon Baggs, Steve Morris, Julian Leaper, Tom Piggot Smith, Richard George, Jonathan Hill, Laura Bruce White, Tim Grant, Reiad Chibah performed the violins; and violas by Greg Walmsley, Nerys Richards. Background vocals were sung by Katie Holmes, Kelli-Leigh Henry-Davila and Bianca Claxton, while Choir vocals were performed by Diva singers, who were arranged and conducted by Masterson.[17]

"One More Sleep" is a Motown inspired song which lasts for a duration of 3:59.[13][18] The hook consists of a Christmas countdown, whereby Lewis sings "Cause I got five more nights of sleeping on my own/ Four more days until you’re coming home/ Three more dreams of you and mistletoe/ Two more reasons why I love you so."[19] Lewis "trills" the lyrics "I've got five more nights of sleeping on my own/ Four more days until you're coming home" over the Motown inspired beat of xylophone phones and jingle bells. Waiting the return of her partner to come home on Christmas Day, Lewis adopts an "angelic tone" as she sings "Three more dreams of you and mistletoe/ Two more reasons why I love you so."[18] Popjustice praised the "5-4-3-2-1 device", calling it "excellent."[20]

Critical reception

"One More Sleep" garnered acclaim from music critics. Writing for Digital Spy, Lewis Corner wrote that "One More Sleep" is more "heart-warming" and "sweet" than a Christmas pudding, and that is likely to become an annual Christmas staple song. He awarded the song four out of a possible five stars.[18] Sam Lanksy of Idolator wrote that the song is "wonderfully old-fashioned", with "ooh-oohs" sung in the background and "twinkly" production. Lanksy continued to write that if "One More Sleep" fails to get listeners in the mood for Christmas, then "nothing" else would.[19] Popjustice wrote that "One More Sleep" is "so incredible" that listeners forget that it is one of "the most toxic phrases in the English language", and awarded the song nine out of a possible ten stars.[20] Michael Cragg, a writer for The Guardian, was complimentary of the song and wrote that it is worthy of ranking alongside Kelly Clarkson's Christmas song "Underneath the Tree" (Wrapped in Red) as 2013s "best song to get drunk to at a Christmas party."[21] He praised the decision for "legendary" producer Richard Stannard to produce the song, as well as the Spector influence.[21]

Chart performance

In the United Kingdom, Music Week writer Paul Williams released a midweek charts update on 5 December, stating that "One More Sleep" was at number 32 on the UK Singles Chart.[22] However, the song made its official debut at number 34 on 8 December.[23] In Williams' midweek charts update the following week on 13 December, he revealed that the song had experience a 286% sales increase, most likely because of Lewis' performance on The X Factor, and that it had jumped from number 34 to number three.[23][24] He further stated that should "One More Sleep" enter the UK Singles Chart on 15 December at number three, it would be her highest-charting single since the release of "Happy", which peaked at number two in 2009.[24] On 15 December, "One More Sleep" officially climbed 31 positions to number three on the UK Singles Chart; it was beaten to the number two position by Avicii's "Hey Brother", which sold 300 copies more.[25][26] The song finished at No.3 in the race for the 2013 Christmas Number One behind Sam Bailey's "Skyscraper" and Pharrell Williams's "Happy".

With "One More Sleep" peaking inside the top five at number three on the UK Singles Chart, Lewis set a new record for British female solo artist with the most top five singles in the history of the chart, bringing her total to eight. It follows "A Moment Like This" which peaked at number one in 2006 and was followed by the chart topping "Bleeding Love" in 2007. In 2008, the double A-side "Better in Time"/"Footprints in the Sand" peaked at number two, "Forgive Me" peaked at number five and "Run" peaked at number one. "Happy" peaked at number two in 2009, while "Collide" peaked at number four in 2011. As a result, Lewis overtook Olivia Newton-John's record of tally of seven top five singles. In joint third place are Petula Clark, Shirley Bassey, Cilla Black, Billie Piper, Geri Halliwell, Louise Redknapp, Cheryl Cole, Emeli Sandé, Jessie J and Ellie Goulding, who had all achieved six top five singles as of December 2013.[27]

"One More Sleep" debuted at number 36 on the UK Digital Chart on 8 December.[28] The following week, the climbed to number two.[29] For the week ending 7 December 2013, "One More Sleep" debuted at number 31 on the South Korea International Singles Charts, with first week sales of 4,266 copies.[30] On 8 December, the song debuted at number 45 on the Scottish Singles Chart and rose to number three the following week.[31] In the United States, the song debuted at number 16 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart on 9 December.[32] It rose one position to number 15 in its second week,[33] and to number 10 in its third week.[34] It peaked at number 23 on the US Holiday Digital Songs chart.[35] In Ireland, "One More Sleep" debuted at number 25.[36]

"One More Sleep" is ranked as the ninth most played Christmas song on radio in the UK in 2013.[37]

Music video

The official music video for "One More Sleep" was uploaded to Leona's official VEVO account on 30 November 2013. Lewis's boyfriend Dennis Jauch appears in the video. Lewis said the video "came from an idea we did a little while ago where a camera crew came into the studio and shot me and my friend just kinda messing around and just in the studio being me".[38] Michael Cragg from The Guardian wrote that it does not matter what happens in the music video, as he believes that no Christmas single has ever had a good video. However, he further wrote that lewis had "ripped off" Wham!'s music video for "Last Christmas".[21]

Live performances

Lewis embarked on a promotional tour across Europe prior to the album's release. On 9 November 2013, Lewis performed "One More Sleep" and "White Christmas" for the first time at the Regent Street Christmas lights switch-on event in London, England.[39] Other musical performers included Passenger and Eliza Doolittle.[40] On 22 November, Lewis gave a free concert in Zurich, Switzerland, at the NRJ Energy Stars for Free Festival in front of audience of 13,000 people.[41] The following evening, Lewis performed a short set at London's G-A-Y nightlcub.[42] In the United States, Lewis appeared on NBC's The Today Show on 4 December in New York City to talk about the album.[43] On the same day, she performed at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting event, where she performed "White Christmas", "One More Sleep" and "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday".[44][45] The following day on 5 December, Lewis made an appearance on Live! with Kelly and Michael.[46] Lewis performed "One More Sleep" live at the semi-finals of the tenth series of The X Factor on 8 December[47] and again on This Morning on 13 December.[48] Leona performed "I Wish It Could be Christmas Everyday" on The Jonathan Ross Show and "One More Sleep" at ITV's Daybreak. Lewis performed at The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Billboard Studio Sessions and on The Today Show on 25 December. Also in the US, Leona appeared in NBA Promo for ABC and ESPN.

Track listing

Single release version[13]
  1. "One More Sleep" – 3:59
Streaming – Dance Remix[16]
  1. "One More Sleep" (Cahill Remix) – 3:47
"One More Sleep" (Remixes) - EP[49]
  1. "One More Sleep" – 4:01
  2. "One More Sleep" (Instrumental) – 3:58
  3. "One More Sleep" (Cahill Club Mix) – 6:07
  4. "One More Sleep" (Cahill Radio Edit) – 3:47

Credits and personnel

Recording
Personnel

  • Songwriting – Leona Lewis, Richard Stannard, Iain James, Jez Ashurst, Bradford Ellis
  • Production – Richard "Biff" Stannard, Ash Howes
  • Vocal production – Richard Stannard, Ash Howes, Leona Lewis
  • Mixing – Richard Stannard
  • Recording – Biffco, Ash Howes
  • Keys and programming – Jez Ashurst, Richard Stannard, Ash Howes
  • Celli – Nick Holland
  • Drums – Freddy Sheed
  • Brass – Knight Time Horns
  • Trombone – Barnaby Dickinson
  • Trumpet – Graeme Flowers
  • Saxophone – James Knight
  • Strings – Led by Rolf Wilson, arranged and conducted by Cliff Masterson, booked by Roz Colls
  • Violins – Rolf Wilson, Simon Baggs, Steve Morris, Julian Leaper, Tom Piggot Smith, Richard George, Jonathan Hill, Laura Bruce White, Tim Grant, Reiad Chibah.
  • Violas – Greg Walmsley, Nerys Richards.
  • Background vocals – Katie Holmes, Kelli-Leigh Henry-Davila, Bianca Claxton
  • Choir vocals – Diva singers (arranged and conducted by Cliff Masterson)

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Christmas, with Love. (Syco, Sony, RCA).[17]

Charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
scope="row" Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[50] 83
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[51] 92
scope="row" Ireland (IRMA)[36] 19
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[31] 3
South Korea International Singles (Gaon)[30] 31
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[23] 3
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[34] 10
US Holiday Digital Songs (Billboard)[35] 23
Chart (2014) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[23] 80
Chart (2015) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[23] 83

Release history

Region Date Format Label
United States[9] 5 November 2013 Digital download RCA
Ireland[10] 29 November 2013 Sony
Italy[11]
Switzerland[12]
United Kingdom[13] Syco
France[14] 2 December 2013 Sony
Norway[52]
Spain[15]
Sweden[53]
Portugal[54]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lanksy, Sam (8 July 2013). "Leona Lewis Plans Motown-Inspired Christmas Album". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Rainbird, Ashleigh (15 February 2013). "Leona Lewis in 'amicable split' from her management company". Daily Mirror (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  3. ↑ Corner, Lewis (21 December 2012). "Leona Lewis Fails to Make Top 200 with New Single Lovebird". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  4. ↑ Corner, Lewis (21 June 2013). "Leona Lewis to release Christmas album?". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  5. 1 2 Corner, Lewis (4 July 2013). "Leona Lewis talks "Motown" Christmas album". Digital Spy (Hearst Corporation). Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  6. ↑ Lanksy, Sam (8 July 2013). "Leona Lewis Plans Motown-Inspired Christmas Album". idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
  7. ↑ Corner, Lewis (24 October 2013). "Leona Lewis new Christmas song 'One More Sleep' - listen". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  8. 1 2 Corner, Lewis (31 October 2013). "Leona Lewis unveils new single 'One More Sleep' artwork - picture". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  9. 1 2 "Leona Lewis - One More Sleep". Amazon (US). 5 November 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  10. 1 2 "Leona Lewis - One More Sleep - Single". iTunes, Apple (IE). 29 November 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  11. 1 2 "Leona Lewis - One More Sleep - Single" (in Italian). iTunes, Apple (IT). 29 November 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  12. 1 2 "Leona Lewis - One More Sleep - Single" (in Swiss German). iTunes, Apple (CH). 29 November 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Leona Lewis - One More Sleep". Amazon (UK). 29 November 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  14. 1 2 "Leona Lewis - One More Sleep - Single" (in French). iTunes, Apple (FR). 2 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  15. 1 2 "Leona Lewis - One More Sleep - Single" (in Spanish). iTunes, Apple (ES). 2 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  16. 1 2 Corner, Lewis (21 November 2013). "Leona Lewis new Christmas song 'One More Sleep' - listen". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  17. 1 2 Lewis, Leona (2013). Christmas, with Love (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Leona Lewis. London, England: Syco.
  18. 1 2 3 Corner, Lewis (28 November 2013). "Leona Lewis 'One More Sleep' single review: Sweeter than a Christmas pud". Digital Spy (Hearst Corporation). Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  19. 1 2 Lanksy, Sam (24 October 2013). "Leona Lewis Drops Amazing Christmas Single 'One More Sleep': Listen". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  20. 1 2 "Listen: Leona Lewis - 'One More Sleep'". Popjustice. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  21. 1 2 3 Cragg, Michael (3 December 2013). "Leona Lewis - One More Sleep: New Music". The Guardian (Guardian News and Media). Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  22. ↑ Williams, Paul (5 December 2013). "Midweek Charts: One Direction lead Sony domination". Music Week. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "Singles Search > One More Sleep". Officialcharts.com/. Official Charts Company.
  24. 1 2 Williams, Paul (13 December 2013). "Midweek Charts update: Robbie Swings ahead of One Direction". Music Week. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  25. ↑ "Lily Allen holds Avicii and Leona Lewis off Number 1". Official Charts Company. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  26. ↑ "2013 Top 40 Official Singles Chart UK Archive 21st December 2013". Official Charts Company. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  27. ↑ "Leona Lewis sets new Official Singles Chart record!". Official Charts Company. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  28. ↑ "2013 Top 40 UK Single Downloads Archive 14th December 2013". Official Charts Company. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  29. ↑ "2013 Top 40 UK Single Downloads Archive 21st December 2013". Official Charts Company. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  30. 1 2 "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: 2013.12.01 to 2013.12.07)". Gaon Chart. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  31. 1 2 "2013 Top 40 Scottish Singles Archive 21st December 2013". Official Charts Company. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  32. ↑ Trust, Gary (9 December 2013). "Chart Highlights: Rihanna Breaks Record For Most Pop Songs No. 1s". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  33. ↑ "Adult Contemporary - December 28, 2013". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 28 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  34. 1 2 "Adult Contemporary - January 4, 2014". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 4 January 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  35. 1 2 "Holiday Digital Songs - January 4, 2014". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 4 January 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  36. 1 2 "Chart Track: Week 51, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  37. ↑ http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2014120422279/lily-allen-leona-lewis-christmas-song/
  38. ↑ Duff, Seamus (19 November 2013). "Leona Lewis invites friends and boyfriend Dennis Jauch into One More Sleep music video". Metro. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  39. ↑ "Leona Lewis performance – Regent Street Switch on the christmas Lights". Dennis Jauch. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  40. ↑ Corner, Lewis (31 October 2013). "Leona Lewis, Passenger, Eliza Doolittle for London Christmas lights gig". Digital Spy (Hearst Corporation). Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  41. ↑ "Energy Stars For Free Hier jubeln 13 000 Fans". Blick (in Swiss German) (Ringier). 22 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  42. ↑ "X-tra support! Leona Lewis channels 70s disco vibe in glittering minidress as she and Hannah Barrett perform at G-A-Y". Mail Online (Daily Mail and General Trust). 1 December 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  43. ↑ "Watch Leona Lewis on The Today Show" (video). RCA Records. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  44. ↑ "Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis & Ariana Grande Kick Off Christmas At The Rockefeller Center". Idolator. Buzz Media. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  45. ↑ Corner, Lewis (5 December 2013). "Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis perform at Christmas At Rockefeller Center". Digital Spy (Hearst Corporation). Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  46. ↑ Strang, Faye (6 December 2013). "Leona Lewis wears flattering grey coat and leather-look trousers as she dashes between appearances in New York". Mail Online (Daily Mail and General Trust). Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  47. ↑ "ITV Press Centre: Episode 21 of 22". ITV. ITV plc. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  48. ↑ "She's been foiled: Leona Lewis performs new festive single in unflattering sequin dress on This Morning". Daily Mail (DMG Media). 13 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  49. ↑ "Leona Lewis - One More Sleep (Remixes) - EP". iTunes Store. Apple Inc.
  50. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Leona Lewis – One More Sleep" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  51. ↑ "Leona Lewis – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Leona Lewis. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  52. ↑ "Leona Lewis - One More Sleep - Single". iTunes, Apple (NO). 2 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  53. ↑ "Leona Lewis - One More Sleep - Single". iTunes, Apple (SK). 2 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  54. ↑ "Leona Lewis - One More Sleep - Single" (in Portuguese). iTunes, Apple (PT). 2 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
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