Change Your Life (Little Mix song)

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"Change Your Life" is a song recorded by British girl group Little Mix for their debut studio album, DNA (2012). It was written by Richard "Biff" Stannard, Tim Powell, Ash Howes and Little Mix, while its production was handled by Stannard and Powell. "Change Your Life" was written while the group were on The X Factor Tour and it was the first song composed for the album. It was written based on the group's experience on The X Factor and their fans. Syco serviced the song, the third single from DNA, to radio stations in the United Kingdom on 5 January 2013. It was released for digital download on 15 February 2013. The song has themes of girl power, perseverance and self-empowerment.

A mid-tempo pop power ballad, "Change Your Life" exhibits the influence of soul and urban contemporary music. Instrumentation includes tumbling R&B piano lines and a pulsating, driving backbeat. The contemporary sound provided by its instrumentation has similarities to several songs produced by Coldplay and Ryan Tedder. "Change Your Life" attracted mixed to positive reviews from critics, most of whom considered it a highlight on DNA, commending the group's harmonies and the song's inspirational lyrics. Some reviewers, however, felt that it was weak and poor alternative to the album's lead single, "Wings" (2012).

"Change Your Life" reached number 12 in Ireland and the United Kingdom, becoming Little Mix's fourth consecutive top 20 hit in both countries. It also became their second top ten hit in Australia, peaking at number 8. "Change Your Life" was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The accompanying music video was released on 31 January 2013. Filmed backstage at the group's DNA Tour and on their tour bus, it shows the group bonding with each other. Met with mixed reviews, critics likened it to Spice Girls' 1997 music video, "Mama". Little Mix have performed "Change Your Life" on television shows Dancing on Ice, The Graham Norton Show and This Morning and during their DNA Tour (2013).

Video Change Your Life (Little Mix song)

Background

After winning the eighth series of The X Factor, Little Mix worked with Richard "Biff" Stannard, Tim Powell and Ash Howes on their debut single, "Cannonball", which went on to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart in December 2011. The group then embarked on The X Factor Tour in January 2012, while on tour the group met up with Stannard, Powell and Howes to develop songs for their debut album, DNA. The first song they developed was "Change Your Life" based on the group's experience on The X Factor and their fans. It was recorded at the Biffco Studios in Brighton, England. In a January 2012 interview with the Daily Mirror, Perrie Edwards was quoted as saying, "We're going a bit urban, old school with a bit of pop. We wanna bring back old school harmonies. And Jesy beat-boxes and Leigh-Anne raps, so we're trying out different things". It was written as a song with an uplifting message. Jade Thirlwall told Robert Copsey of Digital Spy that the group loved the message of the song and that they were looking forward to releasing it. Serban Ghenea mixed the track at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Tom Coyne was responsible for the song's mastering.

Little Mix premiered "Change Your Life" before the release of DNA, performing it live for the first time on Children in Need 2012 on 16 November 2012. The group were set to appear on Google+ on 12 December 2012, but due to technical problems, they had to cancel it. To keep their fans happy, the artwork and release of "Change Your Life" as the third single from DNA was revealed instead. Little Mix's management posted the information on the group's Facebook, writing, "Sad news Mixers! The girls can't do the Hangout today because of technical problems...BUT they have a little surprise for you instead...the new 'Change Your Life' cover AND they'll be doing a Twitter Q&A at 6pm! Not such sad news after all! Mixers HQ x". Syco solicited the single to radio stations in the United Kingdom on 5 January 2013. A digital EP was then released in Ireland and the United Kingdom on 15 February 2013. The EP features remixed versions of "Change Your Life" by Bimbo Jones and Sonny J, as well as an edited single mix of the song.

Maps Change Your Life (Little Mix song)

Composition

"Change Your Life" is a mid-tempo pop power ballad with a length of three minutes and 21 seconds. Having elements of soul and urban contemporary music, its Instrumentation includes tumbling R&B piano lines and a pulsating, driving backbeat. The song begins with an emotionally frayed spoken-word introduction by Leigh-Anne Pinnock, "She captures her reflection then she throws the mirror to the floor/ Her image is distorted, screaming 'Is it worth it anymore?" 4Music said that the spoken-word introduction is reminiscent of All Saints' 1997 single, "Never Ever". The chorus, "Change, change your life, take it all/We gonna stick together, know we get through it all", is pledged by the group in harmony over a spiralling piano lines, cascading keyboard lines and rousing, chugging strings. According to the digital sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Little Mix's vocal range in the song span from the note of A₃ to E₅. Written in the key of A major, the track is set in common time at a moderate tempo of 80 beats per minute.

Lyrically, the song is motivational, inspirational and a reaffirmation of sisterhood. It has themes of girl power, perseverance and self-empowerment. Similar to the lead single of DNA, "Wings" (2012), its lyrical content regards standing up to criticism and remaining strong in the face of adversity. However, unlike "Wings," it shows a greater vulnerability and sympathy for those dealing with self-confidence issues. According to Digital Spy's Lewis Corner, "Change Your Life" reinvigorates the girl power boom of the late 90's. Dann Stubbs of NME likened the song's piano instrumental to those of British band Coldplay. PopDust's Andrew Unterberger opined that the production on "Change Your Life" is reminiscent to that of Ryan Tedder's work.

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Critical reception

Digital Spy's Lewis Corner awarded "Change Your Life" four out of five stars, commending Little Mix's "pitch-perfect" harmonies and Richard Stannard's ability to create a pop anthem. Dan Stubbs of NME complimented the song's lyrics and deemed the chorus "monumental". Christopher Hooton of Metro called the track "catchy and anthemic". Jon Hornbuckle from So So Gay felt that "Change Your Life" was an obvious single choice and that its anthemic chorus is the definition of girl power in 2013. Adrian Thrills of the Daily Mail positively reviewed the song, "The vocals are unexpectedly potent, with the harmony singing of Perrie, Jesy, Leigh-Anne and Jade blending impressively on the big ballad 'Change Your Life'". Entertainment Wise's Amy Gravelle said that the track succeeds in surpassing generic pop ballads, adding, "Which is surprising, for a band that have gone through the same mental trials and tribulations of other X Factor contestants who have failed at the first album hurdle".

Vicky Newman from Shields Gazette called "Change Your Life" a brilliant song, reasoning: "Leigh-Anne's urban roots match perfectly with Jesy's soulful voice, and the harmonies from Jade and Perrie transform it into a hit". Nicky Diaz from The Miami Hurricane said that the song lets the group's vocals and harmonies shine, calling it a stand-out track on DNA. A reporter from 4Music described the song as "very dramatic, very serious, lovely stuff". The reporter concluded, "The power-ballad song and empowering message don't disappoint". "Change Your Life" was listed as one of two highlights from DNA by John Meagher of the Irish Independent. A writer from Redbrick deemed the song "inspiring", opining that the song is one of the album's "truly amazing moments". PopDust's Andrew Unterbeger awarded "Change Your Life" three out of five stars, describing the group's vocal performance as the song's best attribute. Fiona Shepherd of The Scotsman gave the song a negative review, "'Change Your Life' reprises the message of 'Wings' to lesser returns". Kate Lucey from Sugar deemed the song one of the album's weaker tracks. Lucey wrote, "'Change Your Life' and 'Always Be Together' would most likely feature on the end credits of a film by the Olsen Twins that went straight to DVD, why these two have been put so early on in the album we'll never know.

Little Mix - Change Your Life Lyrics - YouTube

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Chart performance

"Change Your Life" debuted at number 116 on the UK Singles Chart on 1 December 2012, due to strong digital downloads following the release of DNA. It re-entered the chart on 2 February 2013 at number 36, selling a total of 9,019 digital copies that week. The song climbed to number 31 the following week before receiving a 140% sales increase following Little Mix's performance of it on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show, climbing 19 places to its peak of number 12 the week after. "Change Your Life" marks Little Mix's fourth consecutive top 20 hit in the United Kingdom. "Change Your Life" debuted at number 13 on the Irish Singles Chart on 7 February 2013, marking the chart's highest debut for that week. It climbed to its peak of number 12 the following week, before dropping to number 17 the week after. The song spent a total of ten weeks on the chart. In Scotland, "Change Your Life" debuted at number 28 on the Scottish Singles Chart of 2 February 2013. On 23 February 2013, the song peaked at number eight, becoming Little Mix's fourth consecutive top ten single in the country.

In Slovakia, "Change Your Life" debuted and peaked at number 60 on the Slovakian Airplay Chart issued in the eighth week of 2013. It remained on the chart for four non-consecutive weeks. "Change Your Life" debuted at number 43 on the Australian Singles Chart of 24 March 2013. After weeks of gaining new peaks, the song peaked at number eight on 21 April 2013, becoming Little Mix's second top ten hit in the country. It has since spent a total of 12 weeks on the chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for sales of 70,000 copies. "Change Your Life" debuted and peaked at number 35 on the New Zealand Singles Chart dated 8 April 2013, marking the group's second most successful single there to-date. The song debuted and peaked at number 21 on the South Korea Gaon International Chart on 27 April 2013, selling 5,094 copies that week. It is Little Mix's highest-charting single in South Korea to-date and has since spent four weeks on the chart and sold a total of 14,586 copies in the country. "Change Your Life" debuted and peaked on the French Singles Chart at number 132 on 4 May 2013, marking the group's second most successful single there to-date.

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Music video

Background

On 13 December 2012, the group posted a lyric video of "Change Your Life" on their Vevo account. It was originally speculated that the music video would have visuals reflecting the theme of self-belief and overcoming self-doubt. On 15 January 2013, Jade Thirlwall told Robert Copsey of Digital Spy that the music video will showcase Little Mix's individual personalities, "We always want our videos to be the best we can do," Thirlwall explained. She also revealed that the video will be more mellow and real than the group's previous music videos. "We're just chilling and portraying the song and performing it how it should be; there are no fireworks or backflips, it's just us delivering a great song," Thirlwall added. Little Mix wanted to showcase who they are with the video by centering it more around themselves than in previous music videos. The official music video for "Change Your Life" was set to be released on 18 January 2013, but it premiered on Vevo on 31 January instead. It was filmed in two days. Scenes from the video were filmed at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre in Rhyl when the group were performing a show there as part of their DNA Tour at the end of January in 2013. A spokesman for the theatre said, "We are very proud to be featured as part of Little Mix's 'Change Your Life' video and feel it's a huge achievement for the Rhyl Pavilion". The video features cameos from Jade Thirlwall's mother, Norma Thirlwall, and Perrie Edwards' mother, Debbie Dufty. Norma Thirlwall said, "After a while, everyone forgot the cameras were there, so it looks really natural". Following a product placement deal brokered by Starcom MediaVest's content division, Liquid Thread, the video also sees the Samsung Galaxy features exclusivity in its technology category. Andrew Wynd, head of media, corporate marketing for Samsung Electronics, opined, "It has been fantastic to be able to seamlessly showcase some of [the Samsung Galaxy's] functionality in the Little Mix video." Rupert Britton, content strategy director for Liquid Thread also commented on the deal:

We are thrilled with the brand integration in the new Little Mix video 'Change Your Life'. It's about aspiring to change your life for the better, and Samsung and the Galaxy camera fit very naturally with this ethos.

Synopsis

The music video for "Change Your Life" shows the backstage environment of the group's first solo tour, the DNA Tour. A reporter from the Daily Mail wrote that the video sees Little Mix "embracing their usually casual but edgy style". Jade Thirlwall is pictured wearing a banana-print top and Perrie Edwards matches her purple hair with a soft blue dress. Other looks include Jesy Nelson sporting a camouflage jacket and Leigh-Anne Pinnock wearing an oversized football shirt. Christopher Hooton of Metro described the group's look in the video as "new seapunk-meets-90s-star". Hooton also mentioned that the music video features the band "goofing around". The group is first pictured sitting around backstage while waiting to have their hair and make-up done. In another scene, Little Mix are filmed on their tour bus. This scene features Jade Thirlwall scribbling in a notebook as the other group members play around, laugh and take pictures of each other sleeping using the Samsung Galaxy. The group then look at the pictures they took together. In a different scene, Perrie Edwards is seen cuddling a puppy. Little Mix are also pictured singing "Change Your Life" to each other in a studio and preparing to go on stage at their Rhyl Pavilion tour date. Other scenes features the group in a dance rehearsal, using funny facial expressions and bonding with their mothers backstage. During the dance rehearsal, the group is seen practising dance moves to their DNA Tour setlist with their tour choreographer and backing dancers. In other scenes, the group is seen playing with their own Little Mix dolls and Thirlwall, sporting blue hair, is wheeled away in a cardboard box. Before going onstage, Leigh-Anne Pinnock is seen smiling as a make-up artist applies her final touches while Thirlwall is pictured applying her own make-up. The group then centre themselves as they show each other support by hugging one another before heading to the stage. After the show, the foursome is seen showing their solidarity by embracing one another again.

Reception

Alicia Adejobi from Entertainment Wise wrote that the music video proves that "girl power is well and truly back". Adejobi went on to highlight the scene where the group bonds with their mothers, deeming it the video's most touching segment and particularly reminiscent of the Spice Girls' music video for "Mama" (1997). Kate Lucey of Sugar gave the video a mixed review, "It's a little bit of a let down after the amazingness that was the 'DNA' video, but we'll let it slide, they've been busy." However, Lucey, complimented Jesy Nelson's sass and Perrie Edwards' style in the music video. 4Music opined, "We are slightly frustrated by the simple backstage tour-style video." A reporter from the Daily Mail positively reviewed the music video, "Even though [Little Mix] have had personal setbacks, the band seems as solid as ever [in the video]". The reporter deemed the video as their most personal yet, and praised the group's softer and fun-loving sides in it. The Daily Mail reporter went on to say that the video proves how close the group are and that it manifests that Little Mix are stronger than ever.

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Live performances

Little Mix performed "Change Your Life" for the first time on the BBC's Children in Need telethon on 16 November 2012. Lizzie Cox of Sugar wrote that the performance was mind-blowing. Following Perrie Edwards having her tonsils removed in December 2012 and Jade Thirlwall losing her voice, the group managed to perform the song live on Dancing on Ice on 20 January 2013. Despite their throat problems, Little Mix "whacked out a belter of a performance", according to Kate Lucey of Sugar who labelled the performance "flawless". 4Music positively reviewed the performance, "The girls looked and sounded amazing". The performance also received praise from the group's fans on Twitter. On 31 January 2013, Little Mix appeared on The Graham Norton Show for an interview and a performance of "Change Your Life". Carl Smith from Sugar praised the group's cute look during the performance and Jade Thirlwall's Minnie Mouse-inspired head-piece. On 14 February 2013, Little Mix did an interview and performed the single on ITV's This Morning.

"Change Your Life" is performed as part of the encore during Little Mix's setlist for their 2013 DNA Tour. Before the performance, the group change into their final costume for the setlist. After the performance, Little Mix then thank the crowd for coming, make shoutouts to the audience and thank their band. Shields Gazette who were at the tour's date at the Newcastle City Hall, wrote that the crowd chanted the group's name until they re-appeared for the performance of the song. A writer for newspaper praised the performance, "It was an all-round stunning performance from a band, who are destined to be huge [all over the world]." Lewis Corner of Digital Spy who was at the tour's date at the Hammersmith Apollo, opined, "The girls seemed genuinely humbled by the [crowd's] rapturous response." Corner added, "It's lucky Little Mix seem to enjoy touring so much, because they've got the whole world to travel yet." A journalist for the Express & Star who attended the tour's date at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton deemed the "Change Your Life" performance "powerful". The journalist also mentioned that the crowd were in riotous voice during the performance and further opined, "Little Mix may have been born out of a TV talent show but they are growing into a class act."