I See You (Theme from Avatar)
"I See You (Theme from Avatar)" | |
---|---|
Avatar | |
Released | 3 December 2009 |
Recorded | 2009 |
Genre | Pop |
Length | 4:20 |
Label | Atlantic |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) | Simon Franglen |
"I See You (Theme from Avatar)" (also referred to as "I See You") is the official theme song recorded by British singer
Background
"I See You" was written by James Horner and Kuk Harrell and produced by Simon Franglen as the official theme song to James Cameron's 2009 film, Avatar.[1][2] It is the second time that Horner and Franglen have collaborated on a theme song for a film directed by Cameron, the first being "My Heart Will Go On", performed by Celine Dion and used for his 1997 film Titanic.[1] In an interview with Rick Edwards for 4Music called Under the Skin of Leona Lewis, Lewis explained how she became involved with Avatar and recording the theme tune.[3] The singer said that she had known about the project for some period of time as she is very interested in film in general, and that she was approached by Cameron to record Avatar's official theme song.[3] She continued to say that she was very excited about seeing the film, even before her involvement with the film came to be.[3] Cameron invited Lewis to listen to what they had in mind for the song, and upon hearing it, she "immediately wanted to be on board."[3] One of the reasons Lewis gave as to why she accepted the proposal was that a lot of her second studio album, Echo (2009), was inspired by various films, and she thought it would be a great opportunity to appear on a soundtrack.[3]
She described being personally shown how the film was being made by Cameron as one of the highlights of being involved with the film.[3] "I See You" plays during the closing credits of the film.[1] Cameron had intended to have "I See You" released as single, as he thought it was capable of matching the success of Dion's "My Heart Will Go On", however Lewis expressed her reluctancy in the choice as she had only released the lead single from Echo, "Happy", the month before.[citation needed]
Composition and critical reception
"I See You" is a
Accolades
Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | Golden Globe Award
|
Best Original Song | Nominated[8] |
2011
|
Grammy Award
|
Best Song Written for Visual Media | Nominated[9] |
Promotion
The music video for "I See You" was directed by Jake Nava and premiered on Myspace on 15 December 2009.[6][10] Nava stated that it was important to him to create a world for Lewis to perform in for the video, which he described as "sexy and modern" but also complementary to the film.[6] He continued to say that it need to be "futuristic" but retain the naturalness of what is featured in Avatar.[6] The inspiration for the ultra-violet forest and the light piercing through the canopies of the trees in the video came from the film itself, which were re-created in a controlled studio environment.[6] Nava went to visit Cameron in his studio to choose clips from the film which would be included intercut with Lewis in the video.[6]
Lewis performed "I See You" for the first time on the
Track listing
- Avatar: Music from the Motion Picture[4]
- "I See You (Theme from Avatar)" [Album only] – 4:20
- The Labyrinth Tour: Live from the O2[13]
- "I See You" (Live from the O2) – 2:41
- Remixes
- "I See You" (Cosmic Gate Club Mix) – 7:36
Credits and personnel
- Lead vocals - Leona Lewis
- Songwriting – James Horner, Kuk Harrell
- Production – Simon Franglen
- Mixing – Dave Pensado
Credits adapted from The Guardian.[1]
Charts
In Ireland, "I See You" debuted at number 47 for the week of 15 January 2010.[16] Two weeks later on 28 January 2010, the song re-entered the chart at number 48.[17] In the United States, the song peaked at number 24 on the US Adult Contemporary chart.[18]
Chart (2010) | Peak position |
---|---|
Ireland (IRMA) | 47 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[18] | 24 |
References
- ^ a b c d e Child, Ben (9 December 2009). "Avatar: a first listen to Leona Lewis's theme tune". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ^ a b c Linder, Brian (15 December 2009). "Avatar Soundtrack Review". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on 6 January 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
- ^ 4 Music. Archivedfrom the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
- ^ a b "'Avatar (Music from the Motion Picture)' – James Horner". iTunes Store (Great Britain). Apple. 7 December 2012. Archived from the original on 10 July 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
- ^ Peer International Music Publishing. 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Avatar: Leona Lewis and Director Jake Nava on the Music Video Set". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
- ^ Hoberman, J (15 December 2009). "Avatar's Sticker Shock (and Awe): There are some things that even money can't buy". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
- ^ "Best Original Song – Motion Picture". Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Archived from the original on 8 May 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
- ^ "2011 Grammy Nominees Full List". PopSugar. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
- Idolator. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
- ^ "Leona Lewis on So You Think You Can Dance Tonight". Sony Music Entertainment Ltd. 16 December 2009. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ^ "Leona Lewis Performs on the Today Show". Sony Music Entertainment Ltd. 14 January 2010. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ^ a b c d "'The Labyrinth Tour – Live from the O2' – Leona Lewis". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. 14 December 2010. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
- ^ "Review: World class Leona Lewis at Sheffield Arena". The Star. Northern & Shell. 29 May 2010. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ^ "Leona Lewis sings 'I See You' and 'Bleeding Love' at CCTV New Year's Gala video" (video). NME. Retrieved 1 February 2013.[permanent dead link]
- Chart-Track. Irish Recorded Music Association. 14 January 2010. Archived from the originalon 6 March 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
- ^ "Top 50 Singles, Week Ending 28 January 2010". Chart-Track. Irish Recorded Music Association. 28 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
- ^ a b "Leona Lewis – Chart History Billboard – Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
External links
- Music video on YouTube