jordin sparks - Faith

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**OFFICIAL SONG** Jordin SPARKS - '' S.O.S '' ( Let The Music Play ) [ HQ ] With Lyrics !!

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Jordin Sparks singing No Air

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Battlefield - Jordin Sparks and Jonas Brothers 8 22 09

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No Air (Ft Chris Brown) - Jordin Sparks Subtitulado Español

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Jordin Sparks "God Loves Ugly" Acapella

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JORDIN SPARKS' WRITING JOY

Jordin Sparks loves writing her own songs.

Jordin Sparks loved the chance to pen more of her own lyrics on new album 'Battlefield'.

The singer has contributed more lyrics on her latest record 'Battlefield' and says she relished the opportunity to indulge in the "therapeutic" creative process.

She said: "I had so much fun doing it. Writing is really therapeutic, I am finding out. I've always loved to write. Ever since I was in the fourth grade I've written poetry and I've loved words and language arts. Everybody else in my family thinks I'm crazy, but it was my favourite thing to do.

"It wasn't until I was a little bit older that I realised you put music to words and switch things around a little bit and you have a song. And I didn't have very much time to write on the first album. I wrote on three songs on that album and then I just hit the ground running, recording at the beginning of this year. It was so fun."

Despite not doing as much writing on her debut album, 'Sparks', the singer - who shot to fame after winning US TV talent show 'American Idol' - insists she still loves the record.

She added: "Being on 'American Idol,' you win and then you go on the tour. And it's a little low-key and the fans who voted for you want your music ... and you're trying to record and keep your voice safe on tour. But I'm really proud of the first album."

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Sparks Wins the Battle

Second albums should be used for maturation and that is exactly what American Idol season six Winner, Jordin Sparks, does.

The young artist did not become stagnant after her A.I. fame nor did she bask in the acclaim that she garnered for her first album. She went back into the studio and created this album that can be called nothing less than a work of art.

The singer possesses strong vocals which helped her clinch her victory on the show and she uses them now to tell a tale of how relationships can be as brutal as a battlefield. The tracks can be broken down into three parts; the forming of a battle-where things are starting to change, the battle itself, and the aftermath-which does not always end in sadness.

Songs like “Emergency (911)” and “Don’t Let it Go to your Head” chronicle the beginning of the end where you find yourself begging for some form of attention. “Battlefield”, “It Takes More”, “No Parade”, “Let It Rain”, and “Was I the Only One” take a look at how brutal it can be when letting go of a relationship. The end result of that struggle can be seen through the tracks “Walking in Snow”, “Faith” and “The Cure.”

Filled with emotional lyrics and strong beats, this album is sure to become a favorite for anyone going through rough times when it comes to love.

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Sanjaya Makakar and Jordin Sparks get it down on paper, Scott MacIntyre and Adam Lambert next?

Here’s what Sanjaya Malakar posted on his MySpace while he was in the process of writing his book:

“I’m REALLY excited about my new book. It will be published by Simon and Schuster and will be available by the end of the year. It’s a difficult story only because I am reliving my life and the experiences I had on American Idol, and I’m trying to get as much info in there for everyone as possible, without making it sound like a text book. I’m having fun with it though. I’m working with a very talented writer name Alan Goldsher. He’s bringing the writer out in me. How about that, former english teachers of mine.”

Dancing to the Music in My Head: Memoirs of the People’s Idol by Sanjaya Malakar and Alan Golsher (Pocket, 2009) wasn’t released until early 2009. Writing a 256 page book is not that easy of an undertaking, even with the help of a seasoned writer like Goldsher. One of the most popular contestants ever to appear on American Idol, former sixth-season top ten finalist Sanjaya wanted to give his fans an all-access pass to the popular television show and open up about how becoming an Idol star changed his life forever.

Sanjaya’s “Fanjayas” have to remember that he was just seventeen, a high school student from Federal Way, Washington, when he went to Hollywood with his beloved sister Shyamali, became the most highly anticipated performer of season six, then found himself on the chopping block. Sanjaya didn’t win, but he didn’t need to as he had already taken America by storm. His book recounts the sixth-season audition process he went through; a week-by-week analysis of his time on American Idol; a recollection of pointers and inspiration he received from musical mentors Diana Ross and Jennifer Lopez; a sweetly wondered take on why the “Crying Girl” Ashley Ferl went into emotional hyper-drive whenever he was onstage singing; and why an “anti-fan” embarked on a sixteen day hunger strike to convince people to vote him off the show. Sanjaya now lives in New York City.

One Step at a Time by Jordin Sparks (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009) is a 96 page book that will be released on October 1, 2009. Written for a teenaged to young adult female audience, it will be the perfect gift book for young ladies about to take that giant step from the security of home to the excitement of the college campus. Jordan’s inspirational message combines a foreword, a short but powerful recollection of Jordin’s time on American Idol and other reflections on life, her song lyrics, and a collection of full-color snapshots that blend in with the text to create a vibrant and lively book that all American Idol fans will enjoy again and again.

Jordin Sparks (Robbie Readers) by Tamra Orr (Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2008) is a 32 page book written for younger readers, the 9-12 year-old range group. Tamra Orr has authored almost 150 non-fiction books for kids and young adults. She tells the story of how Jordin was already singing at the age of eighteen months. As a teenager, Jordin was doing live theater, singing mostly show tunes, while winning almost every singing contest she entered. By the time Jordin tried out for American Idol she was much more experienced singing in front of live audiences than most of the other hopefuls. The book takes readers from her first tryout and leads them to her eventual showdown with Blake Lewis for the title of American Idol 2007. Readers get to find out exactly what Jordin was thinking as she and Blake waited to see who would walk away with the crown. A determined young lady with dreams of stardom and an unending supply of talent and determination is what young readers will find in this book.

Scott MacIntyre, interviewed while on the American Idols Live! Tour 2009, said he has been approached about writing a book. He said it would be an inspirational book about dealing with his visual impairment and other challenges in his life, challenges he gets little time to talk about in interviews. The season eight contestant feels that a book would really let him say what he wants to get across to his fans in an un-cut way. He said he’s received thousands of e-mails from fans telling him how the little bit of his story they heard of from the show has made an impact on their lives. A book would only enhance that bond, but he also wants it to be a fun account of his journal through Idol, the type of story that a true autobiography could relate.

But the real question on the minds of many American Idol fans these days is when they’re going to hear more from Adam Lambert. Adam, who wowed American Idol fans with the eclectic array of songs her performed came out of the closet in June of 2009 and told the world he was dating a man named Drake LaBry. It was a class act from the Glamster, and fans want to hear more. The American Idol runner up for season eight currently has no plans for a book, but he does have the “Adam Lambert Virtual Book Club” at: http://hubpages.com/tag/lambert+virtual+book+club/hot.

Log on and tell him how much Idol fans want to know more about the hottest runner-up ever on American Idol. It’s a natural progression of the fame and fortune that await him, he might as well get on with it.

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The Farr Side: Sparks ready for battle with new release

Where there’s Sparks, there’s bound to be fire.

Jordin Sparks, the “American Idol” Season 6 winner turned-fiery-pop songstress, is back, and this time she’s ready to do battle.

Sparks’ latest set, “Battlefield,” is in stores now.

Like other high profile Idols, Sparks has a lot riding on the release. Both Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood followed their debuts with even bigger sophomore sets. I believe this will also ring true for Sparks.

Sparks’ first album went platinum with a boost from massive hit singles “Tattoo,” “One Step At A Time” and the perfectly matched duet with Jive Records labelmate Chris Brown on “No Air.”
That album had enough fuel to ignite the start of what I’m sure will be an amazing career.

“Battlefield” is the perfect next step. It explodes with potential singles while also showing a more mature vibe and growth as an artist. Sparks co-wrote four of the album’s 12 songs and also enlisted the production efforts of industry heavyweights Dr. Luke, T-Pain and Harvey Mason Jr. to help facilitate the album’s sound.

I was excited to hear the new music, since I’ve been a fan from the start. I remember watching her on “AI” and being blown away by her vocal abilities.

This record has a slightly edgier variance, which works to her advantage. Pop music with a rock flair is “in.” Cases in point: Clarkson, Pink and Rihanna.

“Battlefield,” the lead-off single, is already ablaze on the Hot 100. It gives Sparks the rough edges to compete against other contemporaries. You’d better listen to her and get yourself some armor. I think the girl means business.

Speaking of the Rihanna influence, “S.O.S. (Let The Music Play)” (not a cover of the Rihanna song, either) sounds like a song Rihanna would do. It’s an excellent upbeat dance number energized by Shannon’s ’80s dance floor epic “Let The Music Play.” It’s by far the best track and easily the next single.

“No Parade,” “Don’t Let It Go To Your Head,” “Watch You Go,” and “Let It Rain” continue to please the eardrums, but then something magical happens. The beautiful voice that made you fall in love with her on “AI” returns on the ballads “Faith” and “The Cure.”

“Faith” is a perfect inspirational anthem. Sparks’ incredible vocals wrap around the song’s lyrics as if she’s singing them just for you. Maybe she is!

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New Music Tuesday: Jordin Sparks 'Battlefield' lacks Sparks of imagination

Every winning American Idol has their niche.

There's Kelly Clarkson (rock-pop), Ruben Studdard (mellow soul), Carrie Underwood (power-country), Fantasia (deep-fried R&B), Taylor Hicks (classic rock), David Cook (hand-me-down grunge) and Kris Allen (jazzy folk-rock) ...

Wait ... didn't I leave one out?

Oh, yeah: Jordin Sparks, winner of season 6, the youngest champ in the show's history (just 17 at the time), a gal who boasts a winning smile, a gleeful presence and the will to sing songs that sound like ... exactly what?

The question received no definitive answer on Sparks' self-titled, 2007 debut, which may explain why it ended up the second-worst-selling opening bid by an "Idol" champ in history. (It was saved from that ultimate place of shame only by Hicks' moldy bow.)

Now Sparks returns for her second attempt, "Battlefield," and while she has changed some key elements from her debut, we're still left scratching our heads over her ultimate style.

There's not a hint of rock, R&B, hip hop or any distinct genre in the mix. Nor are there any traces of them in the production or in Sparks' voice.

For material, the album's producers rounded up the usual radio-friendly song doctors — Ryan Tedder, Toby Gad and the vet of this crew, Billy Steinberg. But it doesn't sound like they penned the songs with Sparks in mind. They reek of off-the-rack pop, the kinds of pieces tailored to no one in particular, singable by all.

It's telling that the catchiest song they offered her comes from history, rather than from their own pens. "S.O.S." uses the nifty old Shannon hit "Let the Music Play" as more than just a sample. It's the song's central hook.

As her time on "Idol" made clear, Sparks owns muscular enough lungs to give even iffy songs some oomph. But her vocals have been so worked over, and multiplied, by the album's production that you lose any sense of her as an individual. It sounds like she's singing in a crowd.

The most striking difference between Sparks' first and second CDs has to do with pace. While ballads turned her debut into one long slog, this time there's more energy in the beat. If only the songs had equal motion.

Things don't quiet down until the last few songs, which, tellingly, are the ones she helped write. Unfortunately, even the process of personalizing the lyrics and paring away some of the music's noise can't lend the individual touch the songs cry out for.

Even if it had, there would still be a problem with Sparks' timbre. It's not just her lack of fidelity to a given genre that makes her seem vague, it's the lack of character in her voice.

Sparks' charismatic presence on the show masked that problem. But with two CDs out, it seems she has drifted into a woeful category: Singers we'd sooner watch than hear.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2009/07/21/2009-07-21_new_music_tuesday_jordin_sparks_battlefield_.html#ixzz0Msvcj6J6


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Jordin Sparks - Battlefield Review

There are a lot of minutes between 5 and 50.... how much Jordin Sparks is too much? The answer surprised me.

The best thing about hardly ever listening to the radio is that no song, no matter how popular, gets so over-exposed that I can’t stand it. I can still enjoy even the most sugary pop confections because I haven’t heard them repeatedly for six months. A perfect example is “No Air,” Jordin Sparks’ hit duet with a pre-career suicide Chris Brown from her 2007 debut, which I appreciated throughout its reign of terror. Based in large part on “No Air,” I was looking forward to listening to Battlefield. As I quickly learned, however, there is a large difference between listening to a 5 minute Jordin Sparks single and a 50-plus minute Sparks’ album.


1. Walking on Snow
2. Battlefield
3. Don’t Let It Go To Your Head
4. S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)
5. It Takes More
6. Watch You Go
7. No Parade
8. Let It Rain
9. Emergency (911)
10. Was I The Only One
11. Faith
12. The Cure
13. Papercut (Bonus track)
14. Postcard (Bonus track)


Each time I listened to Battlefield, the experience was the same. I found myself thoroughly impressed with the first few songs which, although not without their faults, are amazingly catchy without being irritating. “Walking on Snow,” written and produced by Lucas Secon, who experienced pop semi-fame of his own with the 1994 song “Lucas with the Lid Off,” features driving percussion and guitars as Sparks lets some dude know her words can never hurt her.

The album’s first half is packed with infectious ear candy. The first single “Battlefield” written by OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder is a standard tale of “love is war,” but features a rousing chorus vaguely reminiscent of T.I.’s “Live Your Life.” T-Pain and Dr. John provide stellar writing and production on “Watch You Go,” blending electronic flourishes and strings with Carribean-influenced percussion that harkens back to ‘80s gems like Michael Jackson’s “Liberian Girl” and Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long.” On “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head,” Sparks transforms a former pop-punk kiss-off which was the lead single to Fefe Dobson’s never-released sophomore album. The sneering original is recast as a ballad as Sparks adds vulnerability before eventually returning to the album’s triumphant “I will survive” theme.

At this point during each listen to Battlefield, Sparks had me hooked. I contemplated the flaming comments that would greet my 9.0 review. I wondered if this meant I was now obligated to spend my days listening to teen pop. Hey, didn’t Demi Lovato put out a new album recently? Is Jonas Brothers: The 3d Concert Experience still playing at the local IMAX? But then a funny thing happened, each and everytime… the second half of the album started.

Maybe its that the saccharine lyrics like “I wish I was the Tin Man so I didn’t have a heart to break” (“Papercut”) slipped me into a diabetic coma. Maybe the album is just frontloaded. Maybe its that Sparks receives co-writing credits on 5 of the last 7 songs. Whatever the reason, I found the latter parts of the album nearly intolerable.

The worst offender is “Emergency (911),” a song where Sparks whines about getting blown off by her boyfriend that is so intolerably annoying I never managed to get more than halfway through. The song underscores a strange aspect of Sparks’ career, considering that she is all of 20-years old. During her American Idol championship run, Sparks tended toward precocious ballads and earned sometimes scathing critiques when she tried her hand at younger material. She later received some press attention at the 2008 MTV Music Video Awards with her humorless response to Russell Brand’s jabs at the Jonas Brothers’ “promise rings”.


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Album of the Week: Jordin Sparks - Battlefield

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Jordin Sparks - Battlefield ***

Hopes are high for the 2007 American Idol's follow-up to her self-titled debut, and she doesn't disappoint with Battlefield. As well as sticking to radio-friendly songs such as the title track (produced and co-written by One Republic's Ryan Tedder), Don't Let It Go To Your Head and Let It Rain, the 19-year-old also tries to break away from the conventional pop fare with Emergency (911) and SOS (Let The Music Play), which are more Rihanna-esque or Kylie-influenced. Jordin's strong voice carries the tracks well, especially on ballads like the Leona Lewis-esque Walking On Snow and Faith.

Paul Steel - Moon Rock ***

BRIGHTON boy Paul Steel's new album is a bright collection of sugary sweet power-pop. But the lyrics lend it a more interesting dimension, with the opening track In A Coma about being trapped in your own body while Moon Rock describes travelling to the moon. Steel's falsetto voice adds to the squeaky clean images that his cheeky pop melodies invoke. It is however, an inventive catchy debut with a happy Sixties California vibe reminiscent of the Beach Boys, an album for the summer.

Bill Frisell - Disfarmer ****

VETERAN avant-jazz guitarist Bill Frisell prepared this set as a celebration of the work of Depression-era Arkansas photographer Mike Disfarmer. With a band consisting of stand-up bass, steel guitar and fiddle, for the most part Frisell plays it pretty straight. The best tracks, such as Little Girl, have a ragged, haunting edge to them, coming over like a genteel, dinner party-friendly version of The Dirty Three. He also throws in covers of Hank Williams's Lovesick Blues and Elvis's That's All Right Mama.

Riceboy Sleeps - Riceboy Sleeps ****

RICEBOY Sleeps sees Jon Thor Birgisson team up with his partner Alex Somers. The two have worked together previously on visual art projects, but this is their debut album. Hypnotic opener Happiness sets the tone: a few minutes of rising synth chords which morph into a gentle, rustic main section. Riceboy Sleeps is all about mood and delicatelycrafted, slowly-shifting textures. Very soundtrack, very Eno.


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Jordin Sparks Downplays Racy Lyrics In Fefe Dobson Cover

Jordin Sparks is not a girl, but not yet a woman, and on her just-released Battlefield album the 19-year-old is eager to prove that she's matured since becoming the youngest "American Idol" winner in 2007.

One track, a cover of Fefe Dobson's "Don't Let It Go to Your Head," even has the pop star cooing stanzas like "So what if I want to kiss/ From your toes up to your lips/ It don't mean that you've had me yet/ You're gonna be good, I bet."

But Jordin assures her fans that the song isn't as risqué as it seems. "There are some things that could be taken the wrong way," Sparks told MTV News, "but the way I sing them, it doesn't mean that!"

In other words, Jordin's growing up, but not too fast. As she sheepishly put it while raising her purity-ring-wearing hand, "I'm 19! Hi!"

Turns out Jordin's connection to the song goes way back. As an eighth-grader in Arizona, Jordin immediately fell in love with Dobson's song and image. "It was so cool because she looked like me! And I was like, 'Whoa! That's so awesome!' " Sparks gushed.

Fefe's music even followed Jordin as she joined the retail workforce. "I remember working at my job ... folding jeans and hearing that song play every day, like, five times a day. And I was like, 'This song is so awesome!' And that was three years ago! I bought the single and everything!"

So when album producers began pitching tracks to Sparks, the American Idol was pretty freaked out that her personal idol had offered up her song as a potential album cut. "I was like, 'Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? I can sing this song, really? You sure she's not gonna be mad?' It was just really cool to be able to do it."


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Jordin Sparks Is Not Singing About Giving Head On Her New Record (Because She’s Only 19)

Jordin Sparks’ new record Battlefield contains a cover of the Canadian singer Fefe Dobson’s “Don’t Let It Go To Your Head,” a song that Sparks fell for while toiling in the mall-store salt-mines. But what are these lyrics? “Just cause I think of you in bed / Don’t let it go to your head”? “So what if I want to kiss / From your toes up to your lips”? In bed? Full-body kissing? Could the youngest American Idol winner be singing about—gasp!—sex? No way, she says! Thanks to the miracles of lyrical interpretation, her purity ring is still intact (and so, presumably, is that other thing)!

But Jordin assures her fans that the song isn’t as risqué as it seems. “There are some things that could be taken the wrong way,” Sparks told MTV News, “but the way I sing them, it doesn’t mean that!”

In other words, Jordin’s growing up, but not too fast. As she sheepishly put it while raising her purity-ring-wearing hand, “I’m 19! Hi!”



Oh, it’s like she never left the Idol stage! Although that schtick is going to get a lot less cute when she gets out of her teens. Anyway, here’s Dobson’s video for the song:

Could you imagine the controversy that would have happened if Sparks had picked another song by her heroine—you know, the one called “Get You Off”? OK, so the lyrics are about getting a lover off one’s back, but the fact that its glammy stomp goes so well with footage from the fake-edgy British soap Skins is telling.


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Jordin Sparks to Release Sophomore Record "Battlefield" -- Sneak Peek Review

Jordin Sparks, season 6 winner of American Idol, is getting ready to release her second album on July 21st. Battlefield will be the young singers breakout album, full of new sounds and a much more mature approach to her recording. Teaming up with hit songwriters such as Ryan Tedder (Leona
Jordin Sparks to Release Sophomore Record "Battlefield" -- Sneak Peek Review
Lewis, OneRepublic frontman), Dr. Luke (Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Katy Perry), and T-Pain, Sparks is hoping for a powerful second disc as previous winner Kelly Clarkson had done with Breakaway, etching out a sound that's most fitted.

Having recorded 30 songs, 12 will make it to the final standard listing while iTunes will include "Vertigo," a more rock R&B driven song. Two more will be featured on the deluxe edition of the album.

Opening with "Walking on Snow," a tame electric guitar starts before a heavy drum programming kicks in with a slow building vocal line. A mid-tempo groove is layered with atmospheric reverbed vocals of losing a love, but she's perfectly fine. In her mind it was all a waste of time and all the words thrown at her just bounce off.

The second track, and lead single, "Battlefield" is a slamming R&B track, filled with Ryan Tedder's signature blend of pop and R&B drum programming and FX sounds. "My world's nothing when you're gone/ I'm out here without a shield" she begins of telling a story of war and battles of love. There's no reason to fight and love to her always feels like it's a battlefield so they'll need some armor to protect themselves.

Jordin Sparks specializes on R&B ballads backed by heavy beats and simple lyrics such as the song "No Parade" where she sings "Nothing in the sky said run for cover/ Just another reason never thought it'd end this way/ There was no parade/ No lights flashing/ No song to sing along the way."

Battlefield even takes a hit at a rock vibe in the song "Let It Rain." "Every little tear I was scared to cry/ Everything I feared but I kept inside/ I don't wanna hold it back one more day/ I'll wash it away," Sparks wails over a synth electric guitar.

Aside the pop R&B and rock, Sparks incorporates a dance element into her album as well in songs like "S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)" where she's ready to party. The song really sends the message that it's more about getting a life together so her friends (or her) don't lose their love
Jordin Sparks to Release Sophomore Record "Battlefield" -- Sneak Peek Review
interest. Also used much more on this record is the Autotune feature, giving her several instances of a robotic-like voice.

Sparks recorded 30 songs for Battlefield, 12 of which she wrote. However, in a hardpressed industry, she will only see two of those songs featured on the standard album, "Faith" and "The Cure," the latter being a pledge to be there for someone. Backed by a sweet falsetto toned vocal line, she's asking to be the medicine that's needed to cure the broken heart.

The album Battlefield will hit stores July 21st in two editions, a standard and a deluxe that includes a DVD with behind the scenes footage of Sparks making the video for "Battlefield," the video itself and the photoshoot for her album artwork.

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Jordin Sparks: 'Battlefield'

Two years of life experience since her self-titled debut album and a more relaxed studio schedule this time around have served Glendale's Jordin Sparks well on her second CD.

While her first effort showed her starting to move to a more mature sound than she displayed in winning the sixth season of "American Idol," Sparks has added power, edge and soul to her delivery on "Battlefield."

Part of it is no doubt due to Sparks' ability to stretch out and try multiple studio takes on songs for this new CD, as opposed to the rushed recording of her debut.

The "Idol" machine requires swift recording of a winner's debut, with a shrewd eye toward cashing in on that newfound stardom.

This time out, Sparks also had more time to spend on songwriting, earning four co-writing credits. She succeeds on three of those four songs.

As her 20th birthday approaches in December, Sparks is touching upon more mature subject matter in such songs as the synthesizer-heavy R&B workout "Watch You Go."

"I'm seeing daylight, and I'm still alone in my bed," she sings in the song, which turns out to be an ode to codependency.

Her solid cover of Fefe Dobson's "Don't Let It Go to Your Head" finds the singer wanting to "kiss from your toes up to your lips."

It's quite a contrast to the message of the pop-tinged "One Step at a Time" in 2007.

Underlying those lyrics is a voice that has become fuller as well as more capable of emotional shadings.

Sparks takes command of the power-ballad title track, which has been released as the CD's debut single, with soulful vocals that alternate between bittersweet resignation and aggressive indignation.

She mixes rich vocals and gentle falsetto on another power ballad, "No Parade," and she sells the vulnerability at the heart of the midtempo rocker "Let It Rain."

Sparks goes into finger-snapping Norah Jones mode on one of the songs she co-wrote, the heartwarming "Faith," pushing her fragile vocals ever higher over piano and strings.

She follows a similar vocal tack on another ballad with a co-writing credit, "The Cure."

That song contains one of the better phrases coming off Sparks' pen: "So consider this a moment that's defining who you are / And I can fix what's broken, and here's how I'll start."

She also shows a nice touch with lyrics on "Faith," singing, "You don't have to be so hard on yourself / I know the world can be a brutal place / Please don't let it steal your smile away."

In other spots, the material shows there is still room for growth.

While "Watch You Go" is dramatic and hummable, its chorus contains the cliché "I hate to see you leave, but I love to watch you go."

And as she and her producers did two years ago, Sparks insists on taking a few pages out of the Britney Spears dance-club book on the CD's weakest tracks, "Emergency (911)" and "S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)."

Sparks is a much stronger singer than Spears could ever hope to be.

She should keep exploring where her maturing voice can take her and leave the disposable dance tracks to Spears.

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Sparks' sophomore CD reveals new range, depth

Jordin Sparks

(19 Recordings)

Two years of life experience since her self-titled debut album and a more relaxed studio schedule this time around have served Glendale's Jordin Sparks well on her second CD.

Although her first effort showed Sparks starting to move to a more mature sound than she displayed in winning the sixth season of "American Idol," Sparks has added power, edge and soul to her delivery on "Battlefield."

Part of it is no doubt due to Sparks' ability to stretch out and try multiple studio takes on songs for this new CD, as opposed to the rushed recording of her debut.

The "Idol" machine requires swift recording of a winner's debut, with a shrewd eye toward cashing in on that newfound stardom.

This time out, Sparks also had more time to spend on songwriting, earning four co-writing credits. Three of those four songs succeed.

As her 20th birthday approaches in December, Sparks is touching upon more mature subject matter in such songs as the synthesizer-heavy R&B workout "Watch You Go."

"I'm seeing daylight, and I'm still alone in my bed," she sings in the song, which turns out to be an ode to codependency.

Her solid cover of Fefe Dobson's "Don't Let It Go to Your Head" finds the singer wanting to "kiss from your toes up to your lips." It's quite a contrast to the message of the pop-tinged "One Step at a Time" in 2007.

Underlying those lyrics is a voice that has become fuller as well as more capable of emotional shadings.

Sparks takes command of the power-ballad title track, which has been released as the CD's debut single, with soulful vocals that alternate between bittersweet resignation and aggressive indignation.

She mixes rich vocals and gentle falsetto on another power ballad, "No Parade," and she sells the vulnerability at the heart of the midtempo rocker "Let It Rain."

Sparks goes into finger-snapping Norah Jones mode on one of the songs she co-wrote, the heartwarming "Faith," pushing her fragile vocals ever higher over piano and strings.

She follows a similar vocal tack on another ballad with a co-writing credit, "The Cure."

That song contains one of the better phrases coming from Sparks' pen: "So consider this a moment that's defining who you are / And I can fix what's broken, and here's how I'll start."

She also shows a nice touch with lyrics on "Faith," singing, "You don't have to be so hard on yourself / I know the world can be a brutal place / Please don't let it steal your smile away."

In other spots, the material shows there is still room for growth.

Although "Watch You Go" is dramatic and hummable, its chorus contains the cliche "I hate to see you leave, but I love to watch you go."

And as she and her producers did two years ago, Sparks insists on taking a few pages out of the Britney Spears dance-club book on the CD's weakest tracks, "Emergency (911)" and "S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)."

Sparks is a much stronger singer than Spears could ever hope to be. She should keep exploring where her maturing voice can take her and leave the disposable dance tracks to Spears.

- Larry Rodgers

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Postcard Lyrics

It's pouring outside, and my roof is leaking
I just let the raindrops bleed out the ink from my notebook sheets, and
Today's a Thursday, and then it's three days late
I marked on the calendar, and circled today's date
This is the last straw, this isn't life here
I'm packing my dreams up, and leaving my nightmares

And they save the west til you feel the sunset
And there you'll become a star
So I traded my skinny jeans for dreams and limousines
And I'm gone

[CHORUS:]
I'll send you a postcard, saying I'm alright (alright)
On the back, that I'm in love with life
I'll send you a postcard, and sign my name in the stars
My radio's turned up, a full tank in my car
And I promise we'll be together
I'll never say never, I'll always remember goodbye
'Cause I gotta go
I'll send you a postcard

Smashing on the gas, 95 on the highway
Got about a thousand more miles to go, I might make it by Friday
The road's never ending, I never slow pace, and
The choice is now all mine, for my destination
They ask why I'm rushing, my dreams are waiting
So fasten your seatbelt, 'cause I'm gonna make it

And they save the west til you feel the sunset
And there you'll become a star
So I traded my skinny jeans for dreams and limousines
And I'm gone

[CHORUS:]
I'll send you a postcard, saying I'm alright (alright)
On the back, that I'm in love with life
I'll send you a postcard, and sign my name in the stars
My radio's turned up, a full tank in my car
And I promise we'll be together
I'll never say never, I'll always remember goodbye
'Cause I gotta go
I'll send you a postcard
I'll send you a postcard

To whom it may concern, whoever this gets to
There's no looking back, I took off my rearview
Got my hopes on the passenger side
There's only room for two
And I'll..

[CHORUS:]
I'll send you a postcard, saying I'm alright (alright)
On the back, that I'm in love with life
I'll send you a postcard, and sign my name in the stars
My radio's turned up, a full tank in my car
And I promise we'll be together
I'll never say never, I'll always remember goodbye
'Cause I gotta go
I'll send you a postcard

Source

Paper Cut Lyrics

I'm okay, i'm okay
Don't keep asking me, i might disintegrate
what you want? i moved on
everything is going well at least thats what i tell myself
i wish i was the tin man so i wouldn't have a heart to break
i'm okay
i'll survive
i only think about you half of the time
all these tears, all those drops in the ocean baby
you barely even cross my mind, no no
and it doesn't hurt that much
it was only a paper cut
it's only a paper cut, paper cut, yeah
i forget, that it's there
you keep callin and callin you don't care
how it burns, how it stings
just cause you cant see it bleed, doesnt mean it dont go deep
i wish i was the tin man so i wouldnt have a heart to break
i'm okay, i'll survive
i only think about you half of the time
all these tears, all those drops in the ocean baby
you barely even cross my mind
i'll be just fine, no it doesnt hurt that much, it was only a paper cut
its only a paper cut, paper cut
the more i give, the less i get, sometimes i wish that we never met
coz i was fine, til you broke through
but dont worry baby, i'll get over you
by tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day, or the next day
i'm okay, i'll be fine
i only think about you half the time
yeah yeah, yeah yeah
i'm okay, i'll survive
i only think about you half of the time
all those tears, were just drops, in the ocean baby
you never even crossed my mind
boy you wish it hurt that much
it was only a paper cut
it's only a paper cut, paper cut yeah
it's only a paper cut, paper cut, yeah
i'm okay, i'm okay

Source

One Step At A Time lyrics

Hurry up and wait
So close, but so far away
Everything that you've always dreamed of
Close enough for you to taste
But you just can't touch

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

[Chorus:]
We live and we learn to take
One step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly
Or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's
Supposed to happen that we
Find the reasons why
On step at a time

You believe and you doubt
You're confused, you got it all figured out
Everything that you wished for
Could be yours, should be yours, would be yours
If they only knew

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet
Wonder when and where and how you're gonna make it
You know you can if you get the chance
In your face as the door keeps slamming
Now you're feeling more and more frustrated
And you're getting all kind of impatient waiting

[Chorus:]
We live and we learn to take
One step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly
Or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's
Supposed to happen that we
Find the reasons why
On step at a time

When you can't wait any longer
But there's no end in sight
It's the faith that makes you stronger
The only way you get there
Is one step at a time

[Chorus:]
Take one step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly
Or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's
Supposed to happen that we
Find the reasons why
On step at a time

[Chorus:]
One step at a time
There's no need to rush
It's like learning to fly
Or falling in love
It's gonna happen and it's
Supposed to happen that we
Find the reasons why
On step at a time

Source

Tattoo lyrics

Oooh ooh oooh
No matter what you say about love
I keep coming back for more
Keep my hand in the fire
Sooner or later I get what I'm asking for

No matter what you say about life
I learn every time I bleed
The truth is a stranger
Soul is in danger I gotta let my spirit be free
To admit that I'm wrong and then change my mind
Sorry but I have to move on and leave you behind

I can't waste time so give it a moment
I realized nothings broken
No need to worry about everything I've done
Live every second like it was my last one
Don't look back got a new direction
I loved you once needed protection
You're still a part of everything I do
You're on my heart just like a tattoo
Just like a tattoo
I'll always have you (I'll always have you)

Sick of playing all of these games
It's not about taking sides
When I looked in the mirror didn't deliver
It hurt enough to think that I could stop
Admit that I'm wrong and then change my mind
Sorry but I've gotta be strong and leave you behind

I can't waste time so give it a moment
I realize nothings broken
No need to worry about everything I've done
Live every second like it was my last one
Don't look back got a new direction
I loved you once needed protection
You're still a part of everything I do
You're on my heart just like a tattoo
Just like a tattoo
I'll always have you (I'll always have you)

If I live every moment
Won't change any moment
Still a part of me in you
I will never regret you
Still the memory of you
Marks everything I do, oh

I can't waste time so give it a moment
I realize nothings broken (yeah)
No need to worry about everything I've done
Live every second like it was my last one
Don't look back got a new direction (don't look back)
I loved you once needed protection (no, no)
You're still a part of everything I do
You're on my heart just like a tattoo

I can't waste time so give it a moment (I can't waste time)
I realized nothings broken
No need to worry about everything I've done (no need to worry)
Live every second like it was my last one
Don't look back got a new direction (don't you ever look back)
I loved you once needed protection
You're still a part of everything I do
You're on my heart just like a tattoo

I
Just like a tattoo
I'll always have you

Source

Vertigo Lyrics

I'm so high from this love
I don't wanna look down
The room starts to sway
Everytime you're around
Like the teacups at Disney
You're making me dizzy
You give me vertigo

When I jump on the table
I spin like a dreidle
Hold on to me baby
You feel so unstable
If I tried to drive
I'd get a DUI
You give me vertigo

Source

The Cure Lyrics

Hush little baby, don't you cry
Yeah I know she hurt you, but it ain't the end of your light
'Cause I'm right here waiting, with open arms
I know you might feel shattered, but love should never bring you harm
So consider this a moment that's defining who you are
And I can fix what's broken, and here's how I'll start

[CHORUS:]
Just come with your heart, and leave the rest to me
And I promise I will be, and I'll be your cure
Show me where it hurts, and I know that I can be the medicine you need
Baby I'll be your cure, your cure
Yeah, yeah, yeah

I can see she left you with your heart wide open
But I can be your shelter when the wind starts blowing
So don't be afraid of what's in front of you
'Cause I know I'm strong enough to carry us through
So consider this a moment that's defining who you are
And I can fix what's broken, and here's how I'll start

[CHORUS:]
Just come with your heart, and leave the rest to me
And I promise I will be, and I'll be your cure
Show me where it hurts, and I know that I can be the medicine you need
And I'll be your cure (I'll be the cure)
And I'll be your cure (I'll be the cure)

I'll be your healer, in my shining armor
Just let me protect you, that's what I'm here for
My love is a healer, if you let me near you
Reach out and touch me, just let me restore

[CHORUS:]
Just come with your heart, and leave the rest to me
And I promise I will be, and I'll be the cure
Show me where it hurts, and I know that I can be the medicine you need
And I'll be your cure

[CHORUS:]
Just come with your heart, and leave the rest to me
And I promise I will be, and I'll be your cure
Show me where it hurts, and I know that I can be the medicine you need
Baby, I'll be your cure (I'll be the cure)
I'll be your cure, yeah, yeah (I'll be the cure)

My love is strong enough (I'll be the cure)
Whenever you call, yeah (I'll be the cure)
I am the cure

Source

Faith Lyrics

Hey there sad eyes
What's on your mind
Don't look so down
Give it sometime
you don't have to be
so hard on yourself
i know the world can be a brutal place
please don't let it steal your smile away

(chorus)
cause when the sky's the darkest
you can see the stars
and when you fall the hardest
you find how strong you are
close your eyes
rest awhile
its been a long long day
so come on baby baby
have a little faith

let those tears fall
you gave it your all
it's all you can do
i'll be here for you
and there goes your pride
cruhed on the ground
sometimes it takes a wall to tumble down
for you to see who's gonna stick around

(chorus)
cause when the sky's the darkest
you can see the stars
and when you fall the hardest
you find how strong you are
close your eyes
rest awhile
its been a long long day
so come on baby baby
have a little faith

sometimes it gets worse before it gets better (yeah)
and it takes so much to be brave
sometimes it feels it'll forever
but when all the lights begin to fade

(chorus)
and when the sky's the darkest
you can see the stars
and when you fall the hardest
you find how strong you are
close your eyes
rest awhile
its been a long long day
so come on baby baby
come on baby baby
and have a little faith
have a little faith
oohh oh oohh
have a little faith
have a little faith

Source

Was I The Only One Lyrics

When you told me that I was a star in your sky
Baby, I believe every word
And you seem so sincere
It was perfectly clear
'Cause forever was all that I heard

And every little kiss from your tender lips
Couldn't have been a lie
I feel heart over head without a safety net
I don't understand this goodbye

[CHORUS:]
Was I the only one who fell in love?
There never really was the two of us
Maybe my all just wasn't good enough
Was I the only one, only one in love?

As I walk down the hall
See the place on the wall where the picture of us used to be
I fight back those tears, 'cause I still feel you here
How could you walk out so easily?

And I don't understand how I can feel this pain and still be alive
And all these broken dreams, and all these memories
Are killing me inside

[CHORUS:]
Was I the only one who fell in love?
There never really was the two of us
Maybe my all just wasn't good enough
Was I the only one, only one?

Tell me what I'm supposed to do with all this love
Baby, it was supposed to be the two of us
Help me, 'cause I still don't wanna believe
I was the only one, I was the only one

[CHORUS:]
I was the only one who fell in love
There never really was the two of us
Maybe my all just wasn't good enough
I was the only one, only one

[CHORUS:]
I was the only one who fell in love
There never really was the two of us
Maybe my all just wasn't good enough
Was I the only one, the only one in love?

When you told me that I was a star in your sky
Baby, I believed every word

Source

Emergency (911) Lyrics

You know my ringtone (why don't you answer the phone)
If you don't get here (I'm dancing alone)
Get in the fast lane 'cause someone will ask me
If you don't
I hear the music (I'm ready to go)
You better get here ('cause I'm dancing alone)
You better get driving and turn on the siren
Cause you're in the danger zone

You know it's friday
Why don't you call me
You got my number
Hey I'm still waiting
Why don't you call me
Aren't you my boyfriend?
You were supposed to be here
Like an hour ago

I bought this dress for you
I got my legs so smooth
I got my manny paddy went and hot my hair done too
All dressed up and nowhere to go-oh

It's an emergency
I need you here with me
It's a 911 (911)
It's an emergency
Can't you see?
It's a 911 (911)
Dying of dance deprivation
Emotional starvation, I need resuscitation
Gettin' impatient
It's an emergency (emergency)
911 (911)

You know I told you
You can't be late now
Watching my watch tick
There goes my attitude, I'm almost over you
You were supposed to be here like an hour ago
That's what you always do, give me some lame excuse
Like you were workin', sleepin', come on baby try the truth
All dressed up and nowhere to go-oh

It's an emergency
I need you here with me
It's a 911 (911)
It's an emergency
Can't you see?
It's a 911 (911)
Dying of dance deprivation
Emotional starvation, I need resuscitation
Gettin' impatient
It's an emergency (emergency)
911 (911)

You know my ringtone (why don't you answer the phone)
If you don't get here (I'm dancing alone)
Get in the fast lane 'cause someone will ask me
If you don't
I hear the music (I'm ready to go)
You better get here ('cause I'm dancing alone)
You better get driving and turn on the siren
Cause you're in the danger zone

It's an emergency
I need you here with me
It's a 911 (911)
It's an emergency
Can't you see?
It's a 911 (911)
Dying of dance deprivation
Emotional starvation, I need resuscitation
Gettin' impatient
It's an emergency (emergency)
911 (911)

Source