The Song Diaries

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The Song Diaries
A painting of Ellis-Bextor's face from the side, framed by white, with her name and the album title handwritten around her face
Compilation album by
Released15 March 2019 (2019-03-15)
Recorded2017–2018
GenreDisco
Length73:18
Label
Producer
Sophie Ellis-Bextor chronology
Familia
(2016)
The Song Diaries
(2019)
Songs from the Kitchen Disco
(2020)
Singles from The Song Diaries
  1. "Love Is You"
    Released: 11 August 2018
  2. "A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed"
    Released: 8 March 2019

The Song Diaries is a compilation album by English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, released on 15 March 2019 by EBGB's. Made in collaboration with Ed Harcourt, the album consists primarily of orchestral versions of Ellis-Bextor's solo singles, including her collaboration with Italian DJ Spiller, "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)", and a song from her time as part of Theaudience, "A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed". It was called an "orchestral greatest hits" by Clash.[1] Ellis-Bextor toured the UK with a full orchestra and band in support of the album from June 2019.[2]

Background[edit]

Plans for and the beginning of recording for the album were first announced on PledgeMusic in December 2017.[3] Throughout the recording process, Sophie posted videos and snippets of the songs she was working on plus commentaries on the work in progress, both on PledgeMusic and her social media.

Concept[edit]

The Official Charts Company stated that due to the immediate availability of an artist's back catalogue in the streaming era, "the concept of a greatest hits has changed, with many artists opting to re-work their hits to give them a fresh spin", comparing it to Take That's 2018 greatest hits Odyssey.[4]

Track listing[edit]

All tracks produced by Ed Harcourt, except "Love Is You" produced by Richard "Biff Stannard and Ash Howes of Biffco.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Groovejet"3:20
2."Take Me Home"
  • Ellis-Bextor
  • Bob Esty
  • Michele Aller
4:23
3."Murder on the Dancefloor"
3:46
4."Move This Mountain"
4:47
5."Music Gets the Best of Me"
  • Ellis-Bextor
  • Alexander
  • Matt Rowe
3:28
6."Mixed Up World"
  • Ellis-Bextor
  • Alexander
  • Rowe
3:43
7."Catch You"3:58
8."Me and My Imagination"
3:47
9."Today the Sun's on Us"4:19
10."Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)"3:52
11."Bittersweet"
  • Ellis-Bextor
  • Wiltshire
  • Small
  • Stannard
  • Robinson
3:35
12."Not Giving Up on Love"3:14
13."Young Blood"
  • Ellis-Bextor
  • Harcourt
4:39
14."Love Is a Camera"
  • Ellis-Bextor
  • Harcourt
3:57
15."Wild Forever"
  • Ellis-Bextor
  • Harcourt
4:31
16."A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed"Billy Reeves4:04
17."Love Is You" (bonus track)
  • Montana Jr.
  • Walker
3:15
18."Take Me Home" (orchestral disco version) (bonus track)
  • Ellis-Bextor
  • Esty
  • Aller
3:14
19."Murder on the Dancefloor" (orchestral disco version) (bonus track)
  • Ellis-Bextor
  • Alexander
3:26
Total length:73:18

Charts[edit]

Chart (2019) Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[5] 43
Scottish Albums (OCC)[6] 10
UK Albums (OCC)[7] 14
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[8] 3
US Classical Albums (Billboard)[9] 22

References[edit]

  1. ^ Murray, Robin (7 December 2018). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor Launches New Album 'The Song Diaries'". Clash. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  2. ^ Bentley, David (24 September 2018). "Sophie Ellis Bextor announces 2019 tour with full orchestra and it's coming to Birmingham". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Sophie Ellis-Bextor: The Song Diaries on PledgeMusic". Retrieved 15 March 2019 – via PledgeMusic.
  4. ^ Copsey, Rob (29 January 2019). "Sophie Ellis-Bextor unveils orchestral disco version of Murder on the Dancefloor". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  5. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Digital Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  9. ^ "Sophie Ellis-Bextor Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 11 August 2019.