"Single" is the debut single by British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield. Written by Steve Kipner, Andrew Frampton, Wayne Wilkins, and Bedingfield and produced by the former three, the song is lyrically about being single and not needing a partner. The song was released through Phonogenic on 3 May 2004 as the lead single from her debut studio album Unwritten (2004) and later on 24 April 2006 as the third single from the album in the US.
It received a positive reception from music critics. The song became hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart and also entering the top ten in Ireland, Scotland, and the Tipparade chart in the Netherlands. Due to the success of the title track in the United States, "Single" became a minor success, only reaching number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Commercial performance
"Single" entered the UK Singles Chart on 10 May 2004 at number 3, remaining on the chart for ten weeks.[1] The track also reached the top ten in Ireland, where it reached number 7.[2] The single was also successful in other European countries. It reached number 16 in Norway and number 17 in Sweden.[2] In North America, "Single" performed moderately well. The song debuted at number 72 on the BillboardHot 100 on 24 June 2006 and reached a peak position at number 57, remaining on the chart for six weeks.[2] It did well on pop-oriented charts, reaching number 38 on the Pop 100 and number 26 on the Top 40 Mainstream.[3]
Music video
The music video features four sequences. In one, Bedingfield stops at a photo booth to take her picture.
The music video for "Single" was directed by Jake Nava and premiered on 26 March 2004 in the United Kingdom.[4] The video features four sequences. It begins with Bedingfield waking up and getting ready to go out. She is then shown walking down the street past various shops, stopping at a photo booth to take photographs with a guy she had met on the street. Dressed in jeans and a silver jacket, she is next shown performing a choreographed dance with three female dancers in a tunnel. The final sequence of the video features Bedingfield at a party sitting outside on a patio, singing to herself. As the video concludes, she is shown staring at the camera as her image gradually fades.
In North America, a slightly different music video was released. The North American version featured extended photo booth and party scenes. The guy who Bedingfield meets at the photo booth is featured more prominently in the video, with Bedingfield singing the song to him. The music video, as well as behind-the-scenes footage, was released commercially on the song's CD single.
