Skip to content

Spotlight in Stereo – Motivational Special!

January 26, 2024

It’s the middle of January and the vibes are low. You’ve taken the decorations down, enforced sobriety has lost its novelty, and you already feel like you’ve been working for eleven months straight. But don’t despair – here in the Spotlight office we’ve been cranking up the stereo and endorphins with these big hits that’ll get you through to Feb. It’s all daffodils from here. 

Calvin Harris – Giant

Celebrating its fifth anniversary this month, this is a motivational monster of a tune. A collaboration with UK singer-songwriter Rag’n’Bone Man, his deep, soulful tones anchor Calvin’s euphoric synths while the lyrics bolster with confidence and self-belief. 

While he might be singing about the empowerment which comes from feeling loved, writing the track helped Rag’n’Bone Man to reflect on his relationship with his parents. Speaking on BBC Radio 2, he said, “They look after you and do everything for you when you’re a kid, and when you get to a certain age, I think it’s a beautiful thing to be able to go: ‘I’ve got you now, I can look after you.”

The song’s message clearly connected with plenty of people going through similar emotions – it was the most played song in the UK in 2019! If you’re feeling low, there’s no better track to lift you up. 

Natasha Bedingfield – Unwritten

The title track from her 2004 debut album, Natasha Bedingfield originally wrote this song as a birthday present for her younger brother. “Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten,” she sings, reminding us to take each day as it comes and be open to all of life’s possibilities. 

Despite being released nearly twenty years ago, this track feels as vital as ever. Over the years it’s experienced many resurgences; in 2006 it became the theme song for reality series The Hills. The same year, Unwritten was the most played song on US radio and earnt Natasha a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. 

In 2001 the track went viral on TikTok, peaking when Natasha herself joined the trend, while at the end of last year it was used as a key plot-hook in the romcom Anyone But You. Unwritten’s legacy just goes to further prove its sentiment – you never know what’s going to happen next so just release your inhibitions and feel the January rain on your skin!

Usher – Yeah!

He may not have meant it as a motivational anthem, but Usher’s 2004 hit is all about throwing caution to the wind and saying yes to the opportunities life presents. Celebrating its twentieth anniversary this month, this club pop-banger was one of the biggest tracks of its time and still slaps today. 

Taken from Usher’s fourth album Confessions, the song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for twelve consecutive weeks, only to be dethroned by Usher himself with follow-up single Burn. It’s been certified platinum around the world and won Usher a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

It took a team of collaborators saying yes to put together this explosive and enduring RnB hit of adrenaline, including Lil Jon and Ludacris who both feature. So whether it’s cheating on your partner with a hot girl in a club, an exciting career move or remembering to shower, take Usher’s advice and just say Yeah!

WHAM! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

If there were ever a month for sleeping in, it’s January. If it’s not freezing cold then it’s probably raining, but we should all take a cue from WHAM!’s summertime vibes and get the heck out of bed. 

Taken from their 1984 album Make It Big, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go was the duo’s first UK and US number one and has been certified platinum in both countries, twice so in the UK! The single’s music video also became a cultural moment, featuring the iconic Choose Life t-shirts by British designer Katharine Hamnett. 

Last year, WHAM! celebrated their first ever Christmas number one with their festive hit Last Christmas, thirty-nine years after the single’s release. It might have taken a few decades and a lot of hard work, but they didn’t do it all sitting about in pyjamas. So don’t hang around like a yo-yo, hit play on this endorphin rush for instant motivation! 

Kelly Clarkson – Stronger

Every cloud has a silver lining and if you’re having a terrible day, just remember the words of Kelly Clarkson’s 2011 hit Stronger. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” she commands in the hit single’s driving chorus, as empowering as it is mildly threatening. The title track of her fifth studio album, it became her third single to top US charts, taking the number one for three non-consecutive weeks and proving that strength and adversity go hand in hand. 

With its pop-rock production, soaring vocal and inspirational message, the track has become an adaptable anthem for many. Talking to The Associated Press, Clarkson said, “I’ve heard everything from ‘I got out of an abusive relationship’ to ‘I’m surviving cancer’… and I think everyone in the world needs that type of song – something that makes you feel empowered.”

If you’re struggling to get through the month, take a note from Kelly’s songbook and by February you’ll be tougher than The Rock.

Rag’n’Bone Man – Tracks for Tatts

Rag’n’Bone Man – Tracks for Tatts

Musically, he’s best known for his deep, rich baritone and earth-shaking singles, but when you think of Rag’n’Bone Man you’re also quite likely to conjure images of some serious ink. With some tattoos as epic as his hits, we’re turning our spotlight on Rags’ art, both body and soul, matching some of his biggest tracks with his biggest tatts! 

Read more
George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’ hits 1 Billion Streams on Spotify!

George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’ hits 1 Billion Streams on Spotify!

George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’ has just joined the Spotify #BillionsClub!

Read more
Natasha Bedingfield – ‘Unwritten’ 20th Anniversary Vinyl

Natasha Bedingfield – ‘Unwritten’ 20th Anniversary Vinyl

Release your inhibitions! Available on vinyl for the very first time, celebrate 20 years of Natasha Bedingfield’s debut album – ‘Unwritten’.

Read more
Under the Spotlight – Celebrating Our Incredible Female Artists! 

Under the Spotlight – Celebrating Our Incredible Female Artists! 

This month we’ve already celebrated International Women’s Day, so for the rest of March we’re turning our attention to the incredible female artists we have the honour of working with all year long!

Read more
WHAM! Re-Release Their Iconic Albums ‘Fantastic’ and ‘Make It Big’

WHAM! Re-Release Their Iconic Albums ‘Fantastic’ and ‘Make It Big’

We’re delighted to announce that WHAM!’s ‘Fantastic’ and ‘Make It Big’ albums will be released on vinyl for the first time in over 30 years! Pressed on both limited edition colour and black vinyl. Available everywhere on 22nd March. Pre-order now

Read more
Spotlight in Stereo – Valentine’s Day Duel!

Spotlight in Stereo – Valentine’s Day Duel!

It’s the most romantic day of the year if you’re happily in love. If you’re not, then it’s quite possibly the most tedious, lonely and depressing one on the calendar. Ever the diplomats, here in the Spotlight Office we want to include all our colleagues in the celebrations and commiserations, so we created two Valentine’s playlists; one for Everybody In Love and another for those who are Single.  

Read more
5 Usher Songs to know before the Super Bowl

5 Usher Songs to know before the Super Bowl

This year, the Super Bowl halftime show is in the hands of Usher. With a career that spans over thirty years, an extensive catalogue of hits and an ocean of collaborators to pull from, there’s no telling what his show will have in store. But to help, here are a few Usher tracks you need to know before Sunday night. 

Read more
The Legacy of Natasha Bedingfield’s ‘Unwritten’

The Legacy of Natasha Bedingfield’s ‘Unwritten’

The legacy of Natasha Bedingfield’s much-loved breakthrough hit is still a work in progress. Released nearly 20 years ago, it was the title track from her debut album, the theme song for seminal reality TV show The Hills and now, a key plot hook in new rom-com Anyone But You.

Read more
Spotlight in Stereo – Motivational Special!

Spotlight in Stereo – Motivational Special!

It’s the middle of January and the vibes are low. But don’t despair – here in the Spotlight office we’ve been cranking up the stereo and endorphins with these big hits that’ll get you through to Feb. It’s all daffodils from here. 

Read more
Artist Spotlight – Calvin Harris

Artist Spotlight – Calvin Harris

Today, January 17th, is Calvin’s birthday (and this year it’s a big one). So to celebrate the DJ, producer, songwriter, heartthrob and all round talent that is Calvin Harris, we’re shining our Artist Spotlight on some of his finest works! 

Read more