Battlefield (song)

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"Battlefield"
Single by Jordin Sparks
from the album Battlefield
ReleasedMay 8, 2009 (2009-05-08)
Genre
Length4:01
LabelJive
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • The Runaways
Jordin Sparks singles chronology
"One Step at a Time"
(2008) 		"Battlefield"
(2009) 		"S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)"
(2009)

"Battlefield" is a song by the American singer Jordin Sparks, taken from her sophomore studio album of the same name. It was written by Louis Biancaniello, Ryan Tedder, Sam Watters and Wayne Wilkins, while production of the song was helmed by Tedder and The Runaways. "Battlefield" was released digitally in the United States on May 8, 2009, as the album's lead single. "Battlefield" is a mid-tempo ballad which draws from the genres of pop, R&B, pop rock and soft rock. The song's lyrics revolve around "a tumultuous relationship where neither side wants to compromise."[1] The song's lyrical theme received comparisons to Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield" (1983), and its production was compared to Benatar's "We Belong" (1984).

"Battlefield" was well received by most

Pop Songs chart. Outside of the US, it reached number three in New Zealand, number four in Australia and number five in Canada, reached the top ten in Ireland, and the top twenty in the United Kingdom. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Philip Andelman. It features Sparks on a field and flanked by flashing lights and smoke. To promote the song, Sparks performed on televised shows which included American Idol and Good Morning America. The song has been covered by English alternative rock band Fightstar which was performed on the television show One Life to Live
.

Background and release

"Battlefield" was written by

Chris Brown but the news broke that Brown had assaulted Rihanna, and Jive CEO Barry Weiss then decided to give "Battlefield" to Sparks.[3] During an interview with Digital Spy, Sparks revealed that while she was in the studio working on another song with Wilkins, he asked her if he could play her a demo of "Battlefield".[4] Sparks was pleased with the demo that was presented to her and asked her A&R if she could have the song.[4] She later received a phone call which confirmed that she was to record "Battlefield".[4]
Sparks further elaborated about the song:

What grabbed me at first actually was the fact it was so big. The melody starts off very soft but then it gets massive and kinda angsty. I've had lots of friends who've gone through 'Battlefield' situations in their relationships, so when I was singing the song I put myself in their position and tried to imagine what they were going through. I got so, so into it and I think you can tell.[4]

"Battlefield" was released digitally in the United States on May 8, 2009,[5] and was sent to US contemporary hit radios on May 25.[6] A digital EP with four remixes of the song was released in Australia, Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom on June 25.[7][8][9][10] A CD single of "Battlefield", featuring an additional remix, was released in the United Kingdom on July 6,[11] and Canada and France on July 7.[12][13] "Battlefield" was released as a maxi single in Germany on July 17.[14]

Composition

"Battlefield"
"Battlefield" is a mid-tempo ballad, featuring Sparks singing "about a tumultuous relationship where neither side wants to compromise".[1]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Battlefield" is a mid-tempo

beats per minute. It is composed in the key of G major with Sparks' vocal range spanning from the note of A3 to D5.[21] The song's lyrics revolve around "a tumultuous relationship where neither side wants to compromise", as stated by Jocelyn Vena of MTV News.[1] Nick Levine of Digital Spy noted that "Battlefield" is based on the "love is war" metaphor.[17] During the chorus, Sparks sings: "I never meant to start a war / You know, I never wanna hurt you / Don't even know what we're fighting for / Why does love always feel like a battlefield, a battlefield, a battlefield."[1] Its bridge features the line: "I guess you'd better go and get your armor".[22]

Critical reception

Bill Lamb of

The Belfast Telegraph described it as a "radio-friendly song",[27] while Ryan Brockington of New York Post called the song "simply pure pop magic".[28]

Michael Slezak of Entertainment Weekly described "Battlefield" as "gorgeous", writing, "when Sparks hits that 'Better go and get your armor' bridge, you can practically feel the wind whipping through your hair."[29] Johnny Dee of Virgin Media wrote that it was one of the song's "you cannot help but reach for any available nearby hairbrush and sing along to", despite calling the bridge a "clunking pedestrian pace and corny advice".[30] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine stated that "Battlefield" is as catchy as "Halo" and Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" (2007), and noted that the song's production was similar to Pat Benatar's "We Belong" (1984).[31] This was echoed by Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian, who wrote that "there's an inner Pat Benatar struggling to get out."[32] Nate Chinen of The New York Times stated that on "Battlefield", Sparks' "sounds vexed but in control, and undaunted by the copyright interests of Pat Benatar, who preferred her battlefield metaphors in declarative form", referring to Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield" (1983).[33] Joanna Hunkin of The New Zealand Herald noted that the song's lyrics were similar to Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield", and criticized Sparks for plagiarism and not crediting Benatar as an inspiration.[34]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Battlefield" entered the

Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ), denoting sales of 7,500 copies.[41] In Australia, "Battlefield" debuted at number 34 on the ARIA Singles Chart on June 22, 2009, and peaked at number four on July 27, 2009.[42] The song was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of 70,000 copies.[43] It also charted on the ARIA Urban Singles Chart, where it reached number one.[44]

In the United Kingdom, "Battlefield" debuted at number 21 on June 20, 2009,

Single Top 100 chart at number 81.[48] The following week, it ascended to its peak position at number 51.[48] In Switzerland, "Battlefield" debuted and peaked at number 81 on August 2, 2009.[49] On the Swedish Singles Chart, it debuted at number 54 on August 21, 2009.[50] The following week, the song peaked at number 39 and spent three weeks on the chart.[50] In Austria, "Battlefield" reached number 47.[51]

Music video

The

Idolator wrote that the video "is a simple affair that allows her to get into maximum drama mode."[55]

Live performances and cover versions

On May 13, 2009, Sparks performed "Battlefield" on the

set-list of her Battlefield Tour (2010).[62]

On July 23, 2009, "Battlefield" was covered by English

The X Factor (Australia).[66]

Track listing and formats

Credits and personnel

Source:[2]

Charts and certifications

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States[5] May 8, 2009 Digital download Jive Records
Australia[93] May 12, 2009
Sony Music Entertainment
New Zealand[94]
United States[6] May 25, 2009 Contemporary hit radio Jive Records
Australia[7] June 25, 2009 Digital EP Sony Music Entertainment
Germany[9]
New Zealand[8]
United Kingdom[10]
United Kingdom[11] July 6, 2009 CD single
Canada[12] July 7, 2009
France[13]
Germany[14] July 17, 2009 Maxi single

References

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External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Battlefield_(song)&oldid=1192462290"