Michael Bublé (album)

Michael Bublé
Studio album by
Michael Bublé
ReleasedFebruary 11, 2003
RecordedOctober 2002 – January 2003
Studio
Genre
Length48:42
Label
Producer
Michael Bublé chronology
Dream
(2002) 		Michael Bublé
(2003) 		Totally Bublé
(2003)
Singles from Michael Bublé
  1. "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart"
    Released: February 4, 2003
  2. "Kissing a Fool"
    Released: May 8, 2003
  3. "Sway"
    Released: June 22, 2004
  4. "Spider-Man Theme"
    Released: July 26, 2004

Michael Bublé is the third studio album by Canadian singer Michael Bublé. It was released on 143 Records and Reprise Records. The album was released on February 11, 2003 and was Bublé's major label debut. It spawned four singles: "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart", "Kissing a Fool", "Sway" and "Spider-Man Theme".

Background

Bublé's career breakthrough came when he performed Kurt Weill's classic track "Mack the Knife" at the wedding of Brian Mulroney's daughter Caroline in September 2000. Mulroney introduced Bublé to David Foster, a multi-Grammy awarding producer and a Warner Bros. Records executive, who had previously worked with the likes of Josh Groban. Foster signed Bublé to his 143 record label, and he started recording the album in 2001, with David Foster as producer. The album features a range of standards from various eras including "Fever", "The Way You Look Tonight", "For Once in My Life", Van Morrison's "Moondance" and Lou Rawls' "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine". Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees performs with Bublé on his version of the group's classic track, "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart".

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

The album was released on February 11, 2003, to worldwide commercial success. The album peaked at No. 8 on the Canadian Albums Chart, as well as peaking at No. 1 in Australia and New Zealand, and achieving 2× platinum status, and No. 47 on the Billboard 200. The album also peaked at No. 6 in the United Kingdom, achieving platinum status.[2] The album was eventually certified 4× platinum in Canada during 2006, 2× Platinum in the United Kingdom during 2007, and 7× Platinum in Australia during 2007. Bublé also won the "Best New Talent" award at the Juno Awards of 2004, and the album itself was nominated for "Album of the Year", only losing out to Sam Roberts.

Singles

"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart", a cover of the original by the Bee Gees, was released as the album's lead single on February 4, 2003. The single was only released in the United States. It managed to reach the top thirty of the Billboard adult contemporary chart. No music video was released for the single.

"Kissing a Fool", a cover of the original by George Michael, was released as the album's second single on May 8, 2003, exclusively in the United States and Japan, also reaching the top thirty of the Billboard adult contemporary chart. No official music video was released for the single, despite strong radio airplay.

"Sway", originally performed by Dean Martin, was released as the album's third single on June 22, 2004. It also reached the top thirty of the adult contemporary chart, while a remix of the song by Junkie XL reached the top twenty in Australia in July 2004. "Moondance" was released alongside "Sway" in Australia.

"Spider-Man Theme" was released as the album's fourth and final single in certain territories, appearing on a special edition of the album released in Italy and other select areas of Europe. The single was most successful in Italy, peaking at No. 2 on the Italian Singles Chart. A re-recorded version was featured in the end credits to Spider-Man 2.

Track listing

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Fever"
3:51
2."Moondance"Van Morrison4:13
3."Kissing a Fool"George Michael4:34
4."For Once in My Life"
2:32
5."How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" (featuring Barry Gibb)
3:54
6."Summer Wind"
2:55
7."You'll Never Find Another Love like Mine"
4:04
8."Crazy Little Thing Called Love"Freddie Mercury3:09
9."Put Your Head on My Shoulder"Paul Anka4:26
10."Sway"
3:08
11."The Way You Look Tonight"
4:37
12."Come Fly with Me"
3:20
13."That's All"
3:59
Total length:48:42
All editions enhanced content
No.TitleLength
1."Behind-the-scenes footage" (video) 
Japanese edition[3]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Can't Help Falling in Love"George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore3:49
Total length:52:31
Australian deluxe special edition bonus CD[4]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sway" (Junkie XL Remix)Pablo Beltrán Ruiz, Norman Gimbel3:09
2."Sway" (Acoustic Mix)Pablo Beltrán Ruiz, Norman Gimbel3:08
3."Moondance" (Live Mix)Van Morrison3:55
Total length:10:12
Special fan edition / Christmas limited edition bonus EP: Let It Snow[5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne2:05
2."The Christmas Song"Mel Torme, Robert Wells4:15
3."Grown Up Christmas List"David Foster, Linda Thompson3:41
4."I'll Be Home for Christmas"Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram3:39
5."White Christmas"Irving Berlin3:59
Total length:17:39

Personnel

Musicians

  • Michael Bublé – vocals
  • Mike Melvoin – acoustic piano (1)
  • Jochem van der Sagg – programming (1)
  • Randy Waldman – acoustic piano (2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13), keyboards (10)
  • David Foster – acoustic piano (3, 5, 7, 11), bass (5), synth bass (8, 10), strings (10)
  • Neil Devor – synthesizer programming (3, 5, 7, 8, 10)
  • Felipe Elgueta – synthesizer programming (10)
  • Michael Thompson – guitars (1), electric guitar (9)
  • Dean Parks – guitars (2, 8), acoustic guitar (5, 9), electric guitar (5), percussion (10)
  • John Pisano – guitars (6, 13)
  • Heitor Pereira – guitars (7), acoustic guitar (11)
  • Brian Bromberg – bass (1–4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13)
  • Dave Tull – drums (1–4)
  • Vinnie Colaiuta – drums (3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11)
  • Joe LaBarbera – drums (9, 12)
  • Frank Capp – drums (6, 13)
  • Rafael Padilla – percussion (1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11)
  • Bob Sheppard – saxophone solo (6)
  • David Boruff – saxophones (12)
  • Gary Grant – trumpet solo (2)
  • Barry Gibb – backing vocals (5)
  • Sherree Ford – vocals (7)

Arrangements

  • David Foster – arrangements (1, 2, 3, 5, 7–11), string arrangements (1), horn arrangements (10)
  • Bill Holman – arrangements (1)
  • Chris Boardman – string arrangements (1)
  • John Clayton – arrangements (2)
  • Mike Melvoin – arrangements (3)
  • Don Costa – arrangements (4)
  • Johnny Mandel – arrangements (6, 13)
  • William Ross – string arrangements (7, 9, 11)
  • Michael Bublé – horn arrangements (8, 10)
  • Don Sebesky – horn arrangements (8)
  • Randy Waldman – arrangements (9), horn arrangements (10)
  • Billy May – orchestrations (12)
  • Sammy Nestico – re-orchestrations (12)

Production

  • David Foster – producer
  • Humberto Gatica – producer, engineer, mixing
  • Johnny Mandel – producer (6, 13)
  • Chris Brooke – assistant engineer
  • Neil Devor – assistant engineer (1–11, 13), additional Pro Tools engineer, engineer (12), production coordinator
  • Alejandro Rodriguez – assistant engineer (1–11, 13), engineer (12)
  • Dave Reitzas – guitar engineer (2, 5, 8, 9), engineer (12)
  • Nick Marshall – assistant guitar engineer (2, 5, 8, 9), assistant engineer (12)
  • Jon Merchant – vocal recording (Barry Gibb's vocals on 5)
  • Joe Wolmuth – Pro Tools mixing engineer
  • Kevin Guarnieri – additional Pro Tools engineer
  • Christian Robles – additional Pro Tools engineer
  • Vlado Meller – mastering
  • Greta Detrick – production assistant
  • Kathy Frangetis – production assistant
  • Mick Haggerty – art direction, design, package photography
  • Stephen Danelian – cover photography, package photography
  • Zak Jenkinson – grooming

Studios

  • Recorded and Mixed at Chartmaker Studios (Malibu, California).
  • Barry Gibb vocals recorded at Middle Ear Studios (Miami, Florida).
  • Orchestra recorded at Westlake Audio, Signet Sound Studios and Warner Bros. Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California); Paramount Recording Studios (Hollywood, California).
  • Mastered at Sony Music Studios (New York City, New York).

Charts

Sales and certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[30] 7× Platinum 490,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[31] 4× Platinum 400,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[32] Platinum 20,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[33] 4× Platinum 400,000*
Italy (FIMI)[34]
sales since 2009 		Gold 25,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[35] 2× Platinum 30,000^
Poland (ZPAV)[36] Platinum 40,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[37] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[38] 2× Platinum 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[39] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Allmusic review
  2. ^ "Michael Buble | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  3. ^ "Michael Bubble: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
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  5. ^ "Michael Bublé - Michael Bublé (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  6. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Michael Bublé – Michael Bublé". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  7. ^ "Ultratop.be – Michael Bublé – Michael Bublé" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  8. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Michael Bublé – Michael Bublé". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  9. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Bublé – Michael Bublé" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  10. ^ "Lescharts.com – Michael Bublé – Michael Bublé". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  11. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Bublé – Michael Bublé" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  12. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Michael Bublé". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  13. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Michael Bublé – Michael Bublé". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  14. ^ "Charts.nz – Michael Bublé – Michael Bublé". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  15. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  16. ^ "RIAS CHART FOR WEEK ENDING 25 July 2003". Archived from the original on August 11, 2003. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  17. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Michael Bublé – Michael Bublé". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  18. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Michael Bublé – Michael Bublé". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  19. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Michael Bublé – Michael Bublé". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  20. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  21. ^ "Michael Buble Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  22. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2003". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  23. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2003". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  24. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2003". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  25. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2004". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  26. ^ "The Official UK Albums Chart 2004" (PDF). Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  27. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2004". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  28. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2005". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  29. ^ "2009 ARIA End of Decade Albums Chart". ARIA. January 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  30. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  31. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Michael Buble – Michael Buble". Music Canada.
  32. ^ "Danish album certifications – Michael Buble – Michael Buble". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  33. ^ Andrea Laffranchi (November 30, 2005). "Bubké invita la Pausini". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  34. ^ "Italian album certifications – Michael Buble – Michael Buble" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  35. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Michael Buble – Michael Buble". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  36. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2012 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  37. ^ "Spanish album certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Select Álbumes under "Categoría", select 2004 under "Año". Select 35 under "Semana". Click on "BUSCAR LISTA".
  38. ^ "British album certifications – Michael Buble – Michael Buble". British Phonographic Industry.
  39. ^ "American album certifications – Michael Buble – Michael Buble". Recording Industry Association of America.