T-Shirt (song)
Encyclopedia
"T-Shirt" is the first solo single released by Barbadian
singer Shontelle
from her album Shontelligence
. It is her second official single following the release of 2007's "Roll It" which was released only in select European countries. A remix, featuring The-Dream
, is included on her second album No Gravity
.
Speaking in February 2009 to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul, Shontelle explained the significance to her of the song: "I really like 'T-Shirt' a lot because, when you listen to the song, there's a lot of elements in there that will definitely appeal to girls. Like even the strongest women at some point can have that guy in their life who, if for some reason you can't be with him, is gonna have that effect on you where you're not gonna feel like going out, hanging out with your girlfriends, partying, or doing ANYTHING. And, if you do miss that person, the best thing to have of theirs is a T-shirt! Because it usually smells like them and you can put it on, curl up with it - and kinda pretend the person is THERE!"
gave the song 3/5 stars and said:
Steve Perkins of BBC
Chart Blog also gave the song 3/5 stars and said:
It features Shontelle in various scenes around her home mainly lying on a sofa in a T-shirt
belonging to her partner who is away a lot. She wears it as a symbol of her missing him and chooses to stay at home painting, wearing his T-shirt rather than going for a night out with her friends. It shows her and her friends texting each other and her friends getting annoyed she is not going with them. The video ends with her boyfriend returning from his trip and Shontelle smiling.
An official remix video was made for the Bimbo Jones version.
chart and #21 on the Pop 100
. It also entered the Canadian Hot 100 chart at #80 and later rose to #41. In the United Kingdom it peaked at #6 as well as #1 on the UK R&B Chart and #2 on the UK physical chart. The song also reached the Top 30 in Ireland.
UK (CD and Download tracklisting)
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
singer Shontelle
Shontelle
Shontelle Layne , known professionally as Shontelle, is a Barbadian singer, and songwriter. She released her debut album Shontelligence in November 2008. Her sophomore album, No Gravity, was released in September 2010...
from her album Shontelligence
Shontelligence
The album has received generally mixed reviews from music critics.Ben Ratliffe of The New York Times gave the album a mixed review stating that:Alex Macpherson of The Guardian gave the album a mixed 3/5 stars stated that:...
. It is her second official single following the release of 2007's "Roll It" which was released only in select European countries. A remix, featuring The-Dream
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
, is included on her second album No Gravity
No Gravity (Shontelle album)
No Gravity is the second studio album by Barbadian recording artist Shontelle, released on September 21, 2010 by SRC Records. Initially scheduled for an August 2010 release the album has been in production since August 2009 and was pushed back by one month to include additional recording sessions...
.
Release and promotion
T-Shirt was sent to Mainstream Top 40 radio stations on July 15, 2008. Shontelle and her label gave artists a chance to release their own remixed version of the song, which was to be serviced to DJs with the winner promoted as a featured artist.Speaking in February 2009 to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul, Shontelle explained the significance to her of the song: "I really like 'T-Shirt' a lot because, when you listen to the song, there's a lot of elements in there that will definitely appeal to girls. Like even the strongest women at some point can have that guy in their life who, if for some reason you can't be with him, is gonna have that effect on you where you're not gonna feel like going out, hanging out with your girlfriends, partying, or doing ANYTHING. And, if you do miss that person, the best thing to have of theirs is a T-shirt! Because it usually smells like them and you can put it on, curl up with it - and kinda pretend the person is THERE!"
Critical reception
Nick Levine of Digital SpyDigital 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....
gave the song 3/5 stars and said:
- 'T-Shirt', her debut single, is a cute midtempo R&B tune with lyrics about popping on your boyfriend's top when you're missing him. It sounds like it was produced by Stargate, the Norwegian hitmakers behind Rihanna's 'Take A Bow' and Chris Brown's 'With You', even though it actually wasn't. Original? Nah, not in the slightest. Likable? Absolutely - though Shontelle's vocals lack the distinctive bit of rough that helps her countrywoman to stand out from the crowd.
Steve Perkins of BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Chart Blog also gave the song 3/5 stars and said:
- There's something rather sweet and gentle about the track - Shontelle's vocals are soft and plaintive, which suit the mood of the song perfectly, and while the lyrics are a bit hackneyed, with the references to Jimmy Choos and the brand name product placement of a t-shirt brand which, quite unlike the t-shirt in the song, is ill-fitting and uncomfortable, there's something incredibly likeable about the whole thing. There's a universality to it, too - I think most of us have been in a situation like the one in the song where thoughts of a lover who's gone get in the way of your attempts to get on with your life.
Music video
The official music video for "T-Shirt" was directed by Mike Ruiz.It features Shontelle in various scenes around her home mainly lying on a sofa in a T-shirt
T-shirt
A T-shirt is a style of shirt. A T-shirt is buttonless and collarless, with short sleeves and frequently a round neck line....
belonging to her partner who is away a lot. She wears it as a symbol of her missing him and chooses to stay at home painting, wearing his T-shirt rather than going for a night out with her friends. It shows her and her friends texting each other and her friends getting annoyed she is not going with them. The video ends with her boyfriend returning from his trip and Shontelle smiling.
An official remix video was made for the Bimbo Jones version.
Chart performance
The song peaked at #15 on the Mainstream chart, according to Radio and Records magazine CHR/Top 40 National Airplay Chart. The song reached #36 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart and #21 on the Pop 100
Pop 100
The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009...
. It also entered the Canadian Hot 100 chart at #80 and later rose to #41. In the United Kingdom it peaked at #6 as well as #1 on the UK R&B Chart and #2 on the UK physical chart. The song also reached the Top 30 in Ireland.
Formats and track listing
US Digital Download- "T-Shirt" (Radio Edit)- 3.12
UK (CD and Download tracklisting)
- "T-Shirt" (UK Radio Edit) - 3.12
- "T-Shirt" (Bimbo Jones Vocal Remix) - 5.39
- "T-Shirt" (Crazy Cousinz Vocal Remix) - 5.35
- "Blaze It Up" - 3.53
Charts
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
| UK Urban Chart (Official Charts Company) | 1 |
| Slovakia (IFPI) | 21 |
End-of-year charts
| Chart (2009) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK 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 ... |
79 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 50 |