No, that is not a picture of my favorite DWTS female pro Edyta to your left. Fakeout! Thanks largely to an appearance last week on Oprah, British singer and a winner of televised talent show The X Factor Leona Lewis (pictured) is the first female U.K. singer to top the U.S. Billboard charts in more than 20 years, since Kim Wilde’s cover of The Supermes’ "You Keep Me Hangin’ On" hit it big in 1987. My initial reaction to watching the video last night for Leona’s single "Bleeding Love" was just an overwhelming gush of "Ewwww, Times Square." But it turns out there are two versions of the video. It’s maddening when they do that, huh? Let’s quickly summarize the major themes of each (which YouTube does not want us to embed).
- rage associated with the discovery of another woman’s stray unmentionables
- writhing, dangerously close to a radiator
- sliding-down-walls move that (like everything else) Tyra thinks she invented
- upside-down closeup on a bed
- camera pans multiple levels of the same building, à la Massive Attack’s "Protection"
- angsty foreplay
- fire
- bathing while fully clothed
- it’s raining indoors!
- Times Square
- Greyhound bus
- taxi rides
- jaywalking
- elevator
- cheesy-lookin’ love interest
- angst
- more throw pillows than the secret love chamber in Ugly Betty
Which do you prefer? I do love colorful pillows and transportation, but this is pretty much a no-brainer for me.
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I like the UK version better. It’s more a video with a theme that fits the song, while the US version is a mix of the theme of the song and the theme of ‘Look I’m coming to America.’ In my opinion they wasted money by shooting a 2nd version
Thanks to Oprah? Really Annie…. The reason why Leona Lewis is so huge is because her single Bleeding Love is phenominal, and she has one of the best voices to come, not just from the UK, but anywhere in a LONG TIME since Whitney and Mariah. Give the girl props, but yes I agree the UK video version IS SOOO MUCH BETTER.
please do your research properly. she’s not the first ever winner of the x-factor. She’s really not that talented either. She has average pipes and zero song-writing and musical ability
Leona Lewis and her bloody boring song make me long for the days of Kim Wilde topping the charts.
And Corran, you’re wrong—the ONLY reason she’s made it here is because of Oprah putting her on the show and Simon Cowell fawning all over her. She’s just another run of the mill singer. No writing ability whatsoever.
Annie – - she’s not the first UK singer to top the Hot 100 since Kim Wilde. She’s the first FEMALE UK singer to do so. James Blunt (shudder) hit #1 on the singles chart recently.
You had me at “writhing, dangerously close to a radiator”
THe UK version is much better than the US version. The new video is boring and doesn’t have much of a story line (love lost… then lost again?). The UK video features different women in their own situations – much better than the wasted US version.
I love the UK version way better its just so much more DRAMATIC. . .and well written. . .I cant wait to buy her album!!!! April 8th is almsot here. . .
UK Version: HANDS DOWN! Best Shot: the woman who sets the fire in her apartment! Brilliant!
As for whether it’s Oprah or Simon or her talent, folks, it’s is a combination of the three. Ms. Lewis won one of Brit’s biggest talent competitions, Oprah’s exposure sent her to the moon, and Clive Davis, as well as Simon, think she’s hot. But really, her vocal skills are phenomenal (check out her performance on the Brit Awards where she hits a few notes Mariah hasnt’ been able to pop since 1992). Also, check out the previews of her songs from “Spirit” on iTunes: so-so songs, but great singing. So, stop your bickering over who is responsible for what. They are all a part of the whole.
Gotta agree; it’s all about the UK version. The US vid is actually kinda boring, although Leona looks great in it. She’s a phenomenal talent, one of the best to come out of any reality show and on par with AI queens Kelly and Carrie.
UK video is so much better than the US video. Why do they have to make it PG for Americans?
Nice enough song but not overly impressed with her. Can you say one hit wonder?
PS I do agree that her sudden success is due to Oprah. Never heard of her until Oprah. Look at what Oprah has done for James Blunt and Robin Thicke – as soon as they appeared on her show, they shot to the top as well. Ms Winfrey has the golden touch.
Okay,I’ve seen the angstier UK version than the cleaned-up Yankee version. Considering the summaries of BOTH,I’d go for the British!
Sounds like a great song that she didn’t write.
she is really brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!