Released 10 February 2012 Genre R&B
soul
gospel Label Virgin | Format Digital download Length 3:16 | |
Writer(s) Emeli Sandé
Hugo Chegwin
Harry Craze
Anup Paul | ||
"Next to Me" is a song by Scottish recording artist Emeli Sandé. The single was first released in Ireland on 10 February 2012 as the third single from her debut studio album, Our Version of Events (2012). "Next to Me" was written by Sandé and co-written by Hugo Chegwin, Harry Craze and A. K. Paul. The recording was also produced by Craze and Chegwin.
Contents
On the week ending 23 February 2012, the track debuted at number one on the Irish Singles Chart, also topping the Scottish Singles Chart and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart. "Next to Me" was also the first single from the album in the US, released on 17 April 2012, and it became her first to reach the top 40 in the US Billboard Hot 100, charting at number 25. It was the 14th best-selling single of 2012 in the UK.
Critical reception
Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating: "You won't find him trying to chase the devil/ For money, fame, for power, out of grief [sic]," Sandé insists of her morally righteous right-hand man over head-nodding beats and gospel-choir harmonies. Whether this mysterious entity is a lover, her faith or the music itself is never clarified, but one thing is for certain; if it inspires Sandé to write music of this standard, then her claims of perfection are rightly justified.
Music video
A music video to accompany the release of "Next to Me" was first released onto YouTube on 18 January 2012 at a total length of 3:31.
In popular culture
"Next to Me" was used the Chilean commercial Top+Shoes in Almacenes Paris, and was featured in the soundtrack of Chilean soap opera Soltera otra vez (2nd season). The song was performed by Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) and her mother, Shelby Corcoran (Idina Menzel), in the 2013 Glee episode "Sweet Dreams". It was also used in video games Zumba Fitness: World Party and Dance Central Spotlight.