Destination Jam: Michael Bublé's five joyous tracks that'll get you swaying on the crooner's 45th birthday
Michael Bublé began his career nearly two decades ago when, with the help of multi-Grammy Award-winning producer and record executive David Foster and the blessing of musician and songwriter Paul Anka, he released his self-titled debut album in 2003. In addition to including covers of classics such as 'Fever' and 'The Way You Look Tonight', the album also featured Bublé's rendition of 'How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?' with Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees on backing vocals. Bublé was instantly catapulted to fame, despite singing in a genre that wasn't necessarily popular at the time, and he found himself on track to becoming one of the most beloved jazz/pop singers of the modern era.
In celebration of the chart-topping, award-winning singer's 45th birthday, here are five Bublé songs to get you grooving and swaying.
'Everything'
Released in 2007 as the lead single from his third major-label studio album 'Call Me Irresponsible', 'Everything' was written by Bublé for his then-girlfriend and actress Emily Blunt. The song speaks of living in "crazy times" yet knowing that the person you're with is what makes living through the hell worthwhile. Despite his claim to fame being his covers of jazz classics, 'Everything' saw Bublé segue into a more pop sound with a hint of rock layered in. To match instrumentation, Bublé also tailored his vocal style to be smoother. The music video for the track featured the singer performing and holding an open audition for entertainers which allowed for U2's Bono and actress Whoopi Goldberg to make cameos as hopeful candidates.
'Home'
'Everything' earned comparisons to an earlier song from Bublé titled 'Home'. The song was released in 2005 and featured on the singer's second major-label studio album, 'It's Time'. Much like 'Everything', 'Home' allowed Bublé to break from his usual style and explore a different genre, but where 'Everything' allowed the singer to sing about cherishing a love so strong it counters the daily grind, 'Home' focuses on a man missing his lover and wishing to be back home, by her side. The ballad earned positive reviews from critics as well as listeners and went on to be featured in the film 'The Wedding Date'.
'Home' was also an interesting full-circle for Bublé because it featured an artiste famous for his covers releasing an original song that would go on to be covered by artistes such as Westlife and Blake Shelton.
'Sway'
As positively received as his originals are, however, where Bublé shines best is in his covers of the classics. 'Sway' was originally a bolero-mambo titled 'Quién será', written by Mexican composer Luis Demetrio. It was recorded by songwriter Pablo Beltrán Ruiz in 1953, while Pedro Infante, for whom the song was originally written, recorded his version in 1954. The song was built on the idea of a man wondering if he would ever love again. Norman Gimbel would later rework the song to be a little less melancholic, focusing more on a dance between a man and a woman wherein he finds himself moved by the way she "sways" when they dance together. The first version of 'Sway' to really strike gold was recorded by singer Dean Martin with the Dick Stabile orchestra in 1954.
Bublé released his rendition of 'Sway' as the third single off his debut album in 2004. The song would go on to become his highest-charting single at the time.
'Haven't Met You Yet'
Off Bublé's sixth album 'Crazy Love', this track remains one of his most popular with many calling it one of the most romantic songs to have ever been recorded. The song revolves around the hopeful notion of finding true love, with Bublé dedicating the track to his then-fiancée and now wife, Luisana Lopilato, who also plays his love interest in the music video. The song performed well on the charts, reaching number one in the US and becoming the first song in history to debut at number one on Billboard Canada's Adult Contemporary chart. It would also go on to be Bublé's highest charting single on the Billboard charts, peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The track was noted for being upbeat, with Digital Spy's Nick Levine stating the lyrics were so "shamelessly romantic Barry Manilow could sing them". 'Haven't Met You Yet' is a cheesy track, but it's one that continues to bring a smile to listeners' faces long after it came out.
'Feeling Good'
Bublé has had quite the career. But till date, his rendition of 'Feeling Good' remains one of his best. Originally written by English composers Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the musical 'The Roar of the Greasepaint', the song was first performed on stage by Cy Grant in 1964 and then by Gilbert Price in 1965. It wasn't until later in 1965 that the song was finally recorded for the first time by none other than Nina Simone for her album 'I Put a Spell on You'. Despite it being covered numerous times since then, very few versions have been able to live up to Simone's, owing largely to her lending a tone of powerful social commentary to it.
Of all the versions released, however, Bublé's has earned significant praise. Released in 2005 as part of his album 'It's Time', the song was also featured as the opening track for the singer's live album 'Caught in the Act' and has since been featured in several television commercials and broadcasts. It remains one of Bublé's most popular singles.
Destination Jam is a daily list of songs that will keep you entertained and grooving up top in lieu of feeling drained and losing the plot. Look out for a fresh selection of great tunes from MEAWW to refresh your mood every day!