Utopía
Encyclopedia
Utopía is the second studio album
by Spanish-born Mexican recording artist Belinda. It was released on October 3, 2006 by EMI Televisa Music
in Mexico
and Latin America
. The album was later released on September 17, 2007 to Europe and the United States
. Recording sessions for the album took place during March to August 2006 at several recording studios, and production was handled primarily by Greg Wells
, Greg Kurstin
, Mitch Allan
, Jimmy Harry
and Lester Mendez
.
Upon its release, Utopía received generally positive reviews from most music critics which noted a more mature sound and earned Belinda a Latin Grammy nominations for Best Female Pop Album and Song of the Year. It was re-released as Utopía² on September 25, 2007.
, her debut. Inspiration was garnered from books including Thomas Moore
's own Utopia
. Belinda appeared on Disney's Channel's The Cheetah Girls 2
and contribuded to the TV movie soundtrack, which let to her label EMI wanting a re-release in English; she spend one week in Los Angeles recording Utopía 2, a CD/DVD released to Europe and North America by EMI International on September 25, 2007. Belinda made appearances on "Bailando por un Sueño", "Bailando por la Boda de Tus Sueños" and Buscando Timbiriche la nueva banda in order to promote the record.
" was nominated for Song of the Year. At the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America
2008, which were held in Mexico City, she also won two awards: Best Solo Artist and Video of the Year for her hit single Bella Traición
. She won Best Female Pop Artist on the 20th edition of Premios Lo Nuestro beating fellow singers Julieta Venegas
, Paulina Rubio
and Yuridia.
released different EP
's, Utopía 2 EP, remixes of "Ni Freud Ni Tu Mamá", "Bella Traición", "Luz Sin Gravedad", and the English versions. The EPs were released between 2006 and 2007.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Spanish-born Mexican recording artist Belinda. It was released on October 3, 2006 by EMI Televisa Music
EMI Televisa Music
EMI Televisa Music is a record label established in 2005 as a partnership between EMI and Televisa. It focuses on Latin American music.- Artists signed to this label :*A.B...
in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
. The album was later released on September 17, 2007 to Europe and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Recording sessions for the album took place during March to August 2006 at several recording studios, and production was handled primarily by Greg Wells
Greg Wells
Greg Wells is a multiple Grammy nominated musician, record producer and songwriter based in Los Angeles. Wells has produced and written hits with Adele, Weezer, Pink, Theophilus London, Deftones, Katy Perry, Rufus Wainwright, The All American Rejects, OneRepublic, Mika, Aerosmith, Burt Bacharach,...
, Greg Kurstin
Greg Kurstin
Gregory Allen "Greg" Kurstin is an award-winning American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In 2009 Kurstin received a Grammy Award nomination for Producer of the Year. That same year he won three Ivor Novello awards for his work with Lily Allen, including Songwriters of the Year for "The Fear"...
, Mitch Allan
Mitch Allan
Mitch Allan, is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of punk rock band SR-71, and the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of power pop project Satellite.-Biography:...
, Jimmy Harry
Jimmy Harry
Jimmy Harry is a writer/producer/multi-instrumentalist who has worked with artists from all over the world, hitting the top 10 in many different countries. Jimmy began his songwriting career by penning the global hit for RuPaul, Supermodel. Jimmy is also responsible for writing the early Kylie...
and Lester Mendez
Lester Mendez
Lester Mendez is an American record producer and songwriter. His production/writing credits include a multitude of successful hits including Shakira's "Underneath Your Clothes" and "La Tortura", Jessica Simpson's "A Public Affair", and Nelly Furtado's "Te Busqué".Mendez worked with Carlos Santana...
.
Upon its release, Utopía received generally positive reviews from most music critics which noted a more mature sound and earned Belinda a Latin Grammy nominations for Best Female Pop Album and Song of the Year. It was re-released as Utopía² on September 25, 2007.
Background
Utopía marks Belinda's first album with EMI after leaving Sony BMG for creative differences in the Spring of 2006. Belinda is credited as executive producer for the record and recorded the album between March and July 2006 in Miami, Los Angeles, and New York City. The record contains darker tones and is described as a more mature album for its lyrics and ballads, in contrast to BelindaBelinda (Belinda album)
Belinda is the self-titled debut studio album by Spanish-born Mexican recording artist Belinda. It was released in Mexico by Sony BMG and internationally by RCA Records on August 5, 2003. The album had huge commercial success, reaching number one in the Mexican charts, and spawning three number one...
, her debut. Inspiration was garnered from books including Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore was an Irish poet, singer, songwriter, and entertainer, now best remembered for the lyrics of The Minstrel Boy and The Last Rose of Summer. He was responsible, with John Murray, for burning Lord Byron's memoirs after his death...
's own Utopia
Utopia
Utopia is an ideal community or society possessing a perfect socio-politico-legal system. The word was imported from Greek by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean. The term has been used to describe both intentional communities that attempt...
. Belinda appeared on Disney's Channel's The Cheetah Girls 2
The Cheetah Girls 2
The Cheetah Girls 2 is the 2006 sequel to the Disney Channel Original Movie, The Cheetah Girls. Its premiere received the highest ratings of all Disney Channel Movies at its time, a total of over 8.1 million viewers, beating the premiere ratings of High School Musical , and beating previous highest...
and contribuded to the TV movie soundtrack, which let to her label EMI wanting a re-release in English; she spend one week in Los Angeles recording Utopía 2, a CD/DVD released to Europe and North America by EMI International on September 25, 2007. Belinda made appearances on "Bailando por un Sueño", "Bailando por la Boda de Tus Sueños" and Buscando Timbiriche la nueva banda in order to promote the record.
Editions
- Utopía² is the special edition of this album. The material was released on September 25, 2007 in U.S., Latin America and Europe in several versions. New music Spanish ("Es De Verdad") although only appear in the USA version.
- The Brazilian Special Edition was released on November 12, 2007. It includes the songs "If We Were", "End Of The Day", "Takes One To Know One" and "Why Wait?" (From The Cheetah Girls 2The Cheetah Girls 2The Cheetah Girls 2 is the 2006 sequel to the Disney Channel Original Movie, The Cheetah Girls. Its premiere received the highest ratings of all Disney Channel Movies at its time, a total of over 8.1 million viewers, beating the premiere ratings of High School Musical , and beating previous highest...
). - The Spanish Special Edition includes the 13 songs from the original edition and the addition of "If We Were", "End Of The Day", "Takes One To Know One" and "Why Wait?". This edition was released on November 19, 2007.
- The Italian Special Edition includes the songs "If We Were", "End Of The Day", "Takes One To Know One" instead of the Spanish versions, plus the songs "Why Wait?" and "Your Hero" (featuring FinleyFinley (band)Finley are an Italian pop punk band, formed in Milan in 2000. The band is made up of four guys from Legnano, a town near Milan. The band got its name from NBA star Michael Finley...
). The material was released on February 29, 2008.
Awards
On August 29, 2007, Belinda received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Album for her work in Utopía, and also the second single "Bella TraiciónBella Traición
"Bella Traición" , is the official second single from Belinda's second studio album "Utopía".- Information :...
" was nominated for Song of the Year. At the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America
MTV Video Music Awards Latin America
Premios MTV Latinoamérica was the Latin American version of the Video Music Awards. They were established in 2002 to celebrate the top music videos of the year in Latin America and the world. They are presented annually and broadcast live on MTV Networks Latin America...
2008, which were held in Mexico City, she also won two awards: Best Solo Artist and Video of the Year for her hit single Bella Traición
Bella Traición
"Bella Traición" , is the official second single from Belinda's second studio album "Utopía".- Information :...
. She won Best Female Pop Artist on the 20th edition of Premios Lo Nuestro beating fellow singers Julieta Venegas
Julieta Venegas
Julieta Venegas Percevault , known professionally as Julieta Venegas, is a Mexican singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and producer, who sings pop-rock in Spanish. She speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish fluently. She has a twin sister, Yvonne, who is a photographer...
, Paulina Rubio
Paulina Rubio
Paulina Susana Rubio Rue is a Mexican singer and actress. Rubio achieved international stardom with her fifth studio album, Paulina...
and Yuridia.
Track listing
Notes- "Utopía" is a Spanish version of an unreleased SiaSia FurlerSia Kate Isobelle Furler or simply Sia, is an Australian pop, downtempo, and jazz singer and songwriter. In 2000, her single, "Taken for Granted" was a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom. Her 2008 album, Some People Have Real Problems peaked in the top 30 on the Billboard 200...
song, entitled "The Corner". - "Noche Cool" (Cool Night) is the Spanish version of the Pussycat DollsPussycat DollsThe Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
song "Flirt", co-written by Kara DioGuardiKara DioGuardiKara Elizabeth DioGuardi is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, composer and TV personality. She writes music primarily in the light pop-rock, dance, and R&B genres. DioGuardi has worked with many popular artists; her songs have appeared on more than 159...
and Nicole ScherzingerNicole ScherzingerNicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
. - "Contigo o Sin Ti" (With Or Without You) is a re-working of EstheroEstheroEsthero ,born Jenny-Bea Englishman, is a Canadian singer-songwriter who currently lives in Los Angeles, California. The name Esthero refers both to the singer and formerly to the two-person team of herself and producer Doc McKinney...
's song, "If Tha Mood", from her album Wikked Lil' GrrrlsWikked Lil' GrrrlsWikked Lil' Grrrls is Canadian American singer Esthero's second album, her first full-length in seven years....
. - "¿Quién Es Feliz?" (Who Is Happy?) is a Spanish version of an unreleased Skye SweetnamSkye SweetnamSkye Alexandra Sweetnam is a Canadian singer-songwriter, actress, and music video director. Skye first entered the mainstream in 2003 with the release of her debut single "Billy S." Over a year later, her debut album, Noise from the Basement, was released including the singles "Tangled Up in Me"...
song, entitled "Remember Me".
Singles
- "Ni Freud Ni Tu MamáNi Freud ni tu mamá"Ni Freud Ni Tu Mamá" is the official first single from Belinda's second studio album Utopía. It was produced by Greg Wells and written by Greg Wells, Shelly Peiken, Belinda and Nacho Peregrín.- Single :...
" was released as the lead single in MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Latin AmericaLatin AmericaLatin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
on September 19, 2006 and peaked number one in Mexico. It was later released internationally on August 28, 2007 as If We Were for U.S. markets. Both versions of music video were shot by Scott SpeerScott SpeerScott Speer is an American music video director born in San Diego, California.-Career:At age 23 he was signed with HSI Productions, and in 2006 Speer received the MVPA Award for Directorial Debut of the Year for the music video of "Stars" by Switchfoot.In 2007 he won his first MTV Video Music...
. - "Bella TraiciónBella Traición"Bella Traición" , is the official second single from Belinda's second studio album "Utopía".- Information :...
" was the second single and peaked number seven in the Mexican airplay chart. The music video was filmed in Mexico and was released on March 5. - "Luz Sin GravedadLuz Sin Gravedad"Luz Sin Gravedad" , is the third official single from Belinda's second studio album Utopía. "See A Little Light" is the second single from Belinda's Utopía new edition....
" was released as the third single of the album. It peaked on the top ten spots in numerous countries, including ArgentinaArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, PeruPeruPeru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
and ChileChileChile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. An English version was released as the seventh and last single from the album, released in EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, both versions with a music video. - "Alguien MásAlguien Más"Alguien Más" is the fourth single from Belinda's second studio album Utopía.- Information :The song is about a girl whose boyfriend isn't the same; she feels there is some other girl that he is seeing and she is torn apart and won't forgive him....
" was the fourth single and had minor succes. A music video was planned but for unknown reasons it was cancelled. - "Es De VerdadEs De Verdad"Es De Verdad" , is the first official single from Belinda's re-release album "Utopía²".- Information :...
" was the fifth single, released in Europe and released as a promo single in Mexico.
EPs
Months after the original album was released, EMIEMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
released different EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
's, Utopía 2 EP, remixes of "Ni Freud Ni Tu Mamá", "Bella Traición", "Luz Sin Gravedad", and the English versions. The EPs were released between 2006 and 2007.
Credits and personnel
- Belinda: vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
. - Greg Wells: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, programming. - Jimmy Harry: guitar, programming.
- John Allen: drums.
- James Rudder: Assistant engineer.
Chart performance and certifications
The album debuted at number 22, later reaching number three on the Mexican charts. Compared to her previous work it had minor commercial success, but was her highest-selling debut in the United States.| Chart (2006–2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Argentina Top 20 Albums Chart | 7 |
| Mexican Top 100 Albums Chart AMPROFON Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas is a non-profit organization integrated by multinational and national record companies in Mexico. Established on April 3, 1963, it groups phonographic companies that represent more than 70 percent of the market in Mexico... |
3 |
| U.S. Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Top Latin Albums |
20 |
| U.S. Billboard Latin Pop Albums Latin Pop Albums Latin Pop Albums is a record chart published on Billboard magazine. It features Latin music information of the Pop music genre. Established in June 1985, this chart features only full length albums and like all album charts on Billboard, is based on sales. The information is compiled by Nielsen... |
8 |
| U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
19 |