Finish Line (song)
Encyclopedia
"Finish Line" is a song recorded by British-Iranian artist Yasmin
. Self-written, produced by Labrinth
and co-produced by Marc Williams and featuring a sample from the Stevie Wonder
recording "As
", the song was released on 8 May 2011 as Yasmin's second single from her upcoming debut album. It will be released on November 22,2011 in The US, Some Stations have already started playing the track.
in January 2010. The two struggled for eight hours before beginning work on the song. Yasmin originally wrote and composed the whole song acoustically before Labrinth begun production work on it. Yasmin has revealed that it took about thirty minutes for her to write the song. The song was co-produced by Labrinth's manager, Marc Williams. The song resulted in Yasmin becoming Level Entertainment's first signed artist after she played "Finish Line" to the label's co-director and BBC Radio 1 Xtra presenter, Twin B.
In mid February of 2011, a snippet of the final studio version of "Finish Line" was released onto the internet after Yasmin performed the song live at various gigs. The official radio edit for the song was then uploaded on 14 March 2011. On 20 April, "Finish Line" was A-listed on BBC Radio 1
. Remixes of "Finish Line" by Freemasons
, Mike Delinquent and Shy FX
were also released. In an interview with SoulCulture, Yasmin explained how the Freemasons Remix came about as well as her opinion of the remix:
said that "Finish Line" proves many wrong who say that pop music
is all the same. Gaynor complimented the song's good tune and sharp production. He went on to describe the drum sound on the track as "ace" and also highlighted: "'Finish Line' is not auto-tune
y, and not full of those bright David Guetta
house sounds
that people complain about and so it's something of a bit of fresh air." Robert Copsey from Digital Spy
praised how "Finish Line", unlike most break-up songs, is able to dress up a break-up as a cool and sophisticated pop track, "a feat too great for even the most established of artists." Copsey went on to described the song's synths as "heart warming" and Yasmin's vocals as "radio-friendly". Cameron Rawson from Sound Of The Day was impressed by Yasmin's "soft tone" and "vibrant voice" on the song. Rawson felt Labrinth's hard work paid off in the "sweet production" on the record. He also highlighted: "If this is the sort of quality Yasmin is releasing now, in a few years time she will be huge - mark my words." Nyasha Edwards of Urban Development felt that "Finish Line" shows a more softer, mildly sentimental side to Yasmin than her previous single, "On My Own
", did.
; marking Yasmin's highest charting single to date. The single also debuted at number-one on the UK Indie Chart
, knocking "Unorthodox
" by Wretch 32
from the summit. On its second week charting, the single fell 7 places to number 20; falling a further 10 places to number 30 on 29 May. "Finish Line" spent only a single week at the summit of the independent chart, with Adele
returning to the top spot on 22 May with "Someone Like You
".
's 'The Biz Sessions'. She also performed "On My Own" and a cover of Ellie Goulding
's "Starry Eyed" (2010). "Finish Line" was also performed by Yasmin when she was the supporting act for British artists Example
's 2010 tour, and Eliza Doolittle's 2011 tour of the United Kingdom.
Yasmin (musician)
Yasmin Zarine Shahmir , who performs under the mononym Yasmin, is a British DJ and singer-songwriter. She is signed to record label Levels Entertainment, an imprint of Ministry of Sound and began her singing career in October 2010 when she appeared on rapper Devlin's single "Runaway"...
. Self-written, produced by Labrinth
Labrinth
Timothy McKenzie , better known by his stage name Labrinth, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. McKenzie is signed to Simon Cowell's record label Syco, becoming the first non-talent show signing in six years...
and co-produced by Marc Williams and featuring a sample from the Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
recording "As
As (song)
"As" is a song written and performed by Stevie Wonder from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. It reached #36 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Black Singles chart.-Covers:...
", the song was released on 8 May 2011 as Yasmin's second single from her upcoming debut album. It will be released on November 22,2011 in The US, Some Stations have already started playing the track.
Background
"Finish Line" came about after Yasmin was in studio with her friend, LabrinthLabrinth
Timothy McKenzie , better known by his stage name Labrinth, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. McKenzie is signed to Simon Cowell's record label Syco, becoming the first non-talent show signing in six years...
in January 2010. The two struggled for eight hours before beginning work on the song. Yasmin originally wrote and composed the whole song acoustically before Labrinth begun production work on it. Yasmin has revealed that it took about thirty minutes for her to write the song. The song was co-produced by Labrinth's manager, Marc Williams. The song resulted in Yasmin becoming Level Entertainment's first signed artist after she played "Finish Line" to the label's co-director and BBC Radio 1 Xtra presenter, Twin B.
In mid February of 2011, a snippet of the final studio version of "Finish Line" was released onto the internet after Yasmin performed the song live at various gigs. The official radio edit for the song was then uploaded on 14 March 2011. On 20 April, "Finish Line" was A-listed on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
. Remixes of "Finish Line" by Freemasons
Freemasons (band)
Freemasons are an English dance band from Brighton, East Sussex, England. The act consists of producers Russell Small and James Wiltshire .-2005-2007: Early Career:Their name is taken from the Brighton pub, Freemasons Tavern, Hove, which they frequently...
, Mike Delinquent and Shy FX
Shy FX
Shy FX is the pseudonym of Andre Williams, an English DJ and Producer from London. He specializes in Drum and Bass and Jungle music.-Biography:...
were also released. In an interview with SoulCulture, Yasmin explained how the Freemasons Remix came about as well as her opinion of the remix:
I suggested the Freemasons when discussing remix ideas with the label and luckily for me the guys loved the song and went right ahead making an incredible floorfiller-esque remix, [...], the guys told me they were so inspired by the track they wanted to do an alternative afterhours chilled out version which I was more than happy for them to do considering the calibre of the uptempo mix. When I finally heard this Afterhours Mix, I was blown away, it's even more magical than I expected. This remix has some of the most beautiful and evoking production I've heard in a long time, reminds me so much of Massive AttackMassive AttackMassive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
and Portishead, they just really nailed it.
Critical reception
"Finish Line" has been positively reviewed by music critics. Ciarán Gaynor of State.ieState (magazine)
State.ie is an Irish website and formerly a monthly music magazine, which launched in March 2008 and folded in January 2009 having published a total of nine issues...
said that "Finish Line" proves many wrong who say that pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
is all the same. Gaynor complimented the song's good tune and sharp production. He went on to describe the drum sound on the track as "ace" and also highlighted: "'Finish Line' is not auto-tune
Auto-Tune
Auto-Tune is a proprietary audio processor created by Antares Audio Technologies. Auto-Tune uses a phase vocoder to correct pitch in vocal and instrumental performances. It is used to disguise off-key inaccuracies and mistakes, and has allowed singers to perform apparently perfectly tuned vocal...
y, and not full of those bright David Guetta
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
house sounds
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
that people complain about and so it's something of a bit of fresh air." Robert Copsey from Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
praised how "Finish Line", unlike most break-up songs, is able to dress up a break-up as a cool and sophisticated pop track, "a feat too great for even the most established of artists." Copsey went on to described the song's synths as "heart warming" and Yasmin's vocals as "radio-friendly". Cameron Rawson from Sound Of The Day was impressed by Yasmin's "soft tone" and "vibrant voice" on the song. Rawson felt Labrinth's hard work paid off in the "sweet production" on the record. He also highlighted: "If this is the sort of quality Yasmin is releasing now, in a few years time she will be huge - mark my words." Nyasha Edwards of Urban Development felt that "Finish Line" shows a more softer, mildly sentimental side to Yasmin than her previous single, "On My Own
On My Own (Yasmin song)
"On My Own" is the first official single by DJ and singer-songwriter Yasmin. The single was released on 30 January 2011 for digital download.Yasmin did an acoustic performance for The Biz Sessions at The Sun...
", did.
Chart performance
"Finish Line" first charted on 15 May 2011, when it debuted at number 13 on the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
; marking Yasmin's highest charting single to date. The single also debuted at number-one on the UK Indie Chart
UK Indie Chart
The UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered...
, knocking "Unorthodox
Unorthodox (song)
"Unorthodox" is a single from Tottenham-born rapper Wretch 32 that appears on his début album and features vocals from British recording artist Example. The single was released in the United Kingdom as a digital download on 17 April 2011 with a 12" vinyl released the following day...
" by Wretch 32
Wretch 32
Jermaine Scott , better known by his stage name Wretch 32 , is a Black British rapper and former Grime MC from Tottenham, London where he grew up the son of a local reggae DJ in the Tiverton Estate. He was a member of the grime collective "Combination Chain Gang", before forming The Movement with...
from the summit. On its second week charting, the single fell 7 places to number 20; falling a further 10 places to number 30 on 29 May. "Finish Line" spent only a single week at the summit of the independent chart, with Adele
Adele (singer)
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins , known professionally as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter. She was the first recipient of the Brit Awards Critics' Choice and was named the number-one predicted breakthrough act of 2008 in an annual BBC poll of music critics, Sound of 2008...
returning to the top spot on 22 May with "Someone Like You
Someone Like You (Adele song)
"Someone Like You" is a song by English singer-songwriter Adele. Written by Adele and Dan Wilson for her second studio album 21, the song was inspired by a broken relationship of hers, and lyrically it speaks of Adele coming to terms with it...
".
Live performances
Yasmin performed "Finish Line" in January 2011 in an acoustic session for The SunThe Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
's 'The Biz Sessions'. She also performed "On My Own" and a cover of Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding
Elena Jane "Ellie" Goulding is an English singer-songwriter. In 2010 she became only the second artist to both top the BBC's annual Sound of... poll, and win the Critics' Choice Award at the BRIT Awards in the same year, following Adele's win of both in 2008...
's "Starry Eyed" (2010). "Finish Line" was also performed by Yasmin when she was the supporting act for British artists Example
Example (rapper)
Elliot John Gleave , better known by his stage name Example, is an English singer and rapper signed to Data Records. His name arose due to his initials being E.G., which is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase "exempli gratia", which means, "for example".Example's third album Playing In The Shadows...
's 2010 tour, and Eliza Doolittle's 2011 tour of the United Kingdom.
Track listing
-
- Digital download
- "Finish Line" (Radio Edit) – 3:59
- "Finish Line" (FreemasonsFreemasons (band)Freemasons are an English dance band from Brighton, East Sussex, England. The act consists of producers Russell Small and James Wiltshire .-2005-2007: Early Career:Their name is taken from the Brighton pub, Freemasons Tavern, Hove, which they frequently...
Pegasus Club Mix) – 9:23 - "Finish Line" (Mike Delinquent Project Remix) – 4:29
- "Finish Line" (ShyShy FXShy FX is the pseudonym of Andre Williams, an English DJ and Producer from London. He specializes in Drum and Bass and Jungle music.-Biography:...
's Smoking Rabbit Mix) – 4:48 - "Finish Line" (Freemasons Pegasus After Hours Mix) – 6:01
- "Finish Line" (Acoustic Mix) – 4:02
-
- 12" (I)
- "Finish Line" (Freemasons Pegasus Club Mix) – 9:23
- "Finish Line" (Freemasons Pegasus Dub) – 8:46
-
- 12" (II)
- "Finish Line" (Mike Delinquent Project Remix) – 4:29
- "Finish Line" (Shy's Smoking Rabbit Mix) – 4:48
-
- Finish Line (Freemason's Pegasus Radio Edit) - Single
- "Finish Line" (Freemason's Pegasus Radio Edit) - 3:25
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 8 May 2011 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Ministry of Sound Ministry of Sound Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and... |
| 9 May 2011 | 12" 12-inch single The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality... |
||
| United States | November 22 2011 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Ministry of Sound Ministry of Sound Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and... |