Footprints in the Sand (Leona Lewis song)

"Footprints in the Sand" was written by Simon Cowell, David Kreuger, Per Magnusson and Richard Page, whilst the production was helmed by Steve Mac. It was recorded in 2007 at Rokstone Studios in London, England.[1][2] Cowell originally came up with the idea to base a song around the Christian poem "Footprints",[3] and suggested it to Kreuger and Magnusson.[4] They had a scheduled session in Page's home in Malibu, California and finished the song the next day.[4] Cowell secured a songwriting credit for coming up with the idea.[5] In an interview with HitQuarters, Magnusson said they had thought the song would be a good idea for Irish boy band Westlife, but it was offered to British singer Leona Lewis instead.[4] When Cowell mentioned the song concept to Lewis, she agreed that it could be "really quite interesting".[5] Regarding the song, Lewis commented: "Originally it was a poem; it's very inspirational so we put it into a song. I think it is very moving, with a very emotional lyric and I really love to sing this song";[6] and added that the poem "[is] about standing by someone and being there for people who need your help."[7]

"Footprints in the Sand" was included on Lewis's debut studio album Spirit, which was released in 2007 by Syco and J Records.[1] The song has a duration of 4:09 and was composed using common time in the key of A♭ major with a larghetto tempo of sixty beats per minute; Lewis's vocals spanned from the low note of E♭₃ to the high note of G♯₅.[8] The song follows the sequence of A♭₅–A♭₅/B♭–Fm₇–E♭ in the verses and A♭–B♭–B♭m–Fm–G♭–D♭ in the chorus as its chord progression.[8] It incorporates four instruments: keyboard instruments (a piano, an organ and synthesizers), guitar, bass and drums, and includes a choir performance made by The Tuff Session Singers.[1] It incorporates elements of R&B and pop musical genres,[8][9] and, according to music critics, contains a gospel production performed by a choir and features "crashing drums".[10][11][12]

On 29 January 2008, Lewis announced on her website that "Footprints in the Sand", along with "Better in Time", would be released as a double A-side.[13] The single was launched with the song "You Bring Me Down" as the B-side,[14] and was released in the United Kingdom as a digital download on 9 March 2008, and a physical release on the following day,[13] with proceeds going to the charity.[15][16] The song was remixed for the single release ("Single Mix"),[9] which, unlike the original version, begins with Lewis's voice only, and music starts after she performs the first verse[17]—the album version of "Footprints in the Sand" starts with a piano tune before she starts to sing the lyrics—,[1] and lasts at 3:58.[18]

"Footprints in the Sand" became the official song of the charity Sport Relief, a biennial charity organised by Comic Relief and BBC Sport, for their 2008 broadcast.[14][19] In her performance, Lewis sang the song to the Sports Relief event. Also, there were musicians that played violas, violins, and a piano, and The Tuff Session Singers performed the chorus. Whilst she sang, images of "sadness and desperation" were shown to the public. But, as the Tuff Session Singers began, the third chorus, those images became pictures of "happiness".[20] As part of promotion, Lewis performed the song live on the British television programme Dancing on Ice on 9 March 2008;[21] her song accompanied Torvill and Dean's ice dance routine. In 2013, Lewis added the song to the setlist of her Glassheart Tour.[22]

Music video

The music video was filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa. In it, images of poverty of the city (an urban area pictured) are shown.

The accompanying music video was filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa,[7][23] and was directed by British director Sophie Muller back-to-back with the video for "Better in Time".[7][24] It premiered on Lewis official website and BBC Radio 1's website on 27 February 2008.[25] The video begins with the message "Working to change lives across the world, in support of Sport Relief". Then, it intercuts a performance of Lewis in front of a wall and greyscale scenes: an image of a child walking on a landfill site, a funeral, a child lying in the street, and a kid sat in a traffic island. As the first chorus begins, the video continues showing scenes of poverty and AIDS issues in the country. Whilst the second verse goes, pictures of malnourished people appears. As the second chorus and the bridge elapse people crying still coming on the scene. But whereas The Tuff Session Singers start to sing the third chorus, the video begins to show images of kids playing association football and cricket. The video ends with children and people smiling as Lewis sings the outro of the song. It was released on the US iTunes Store on 3 February 2009.[26]

CD single (Syco), CD single (RCA) and Swiss CD single[43]

1. "Better in Time" (Single Mix) – 3:55
2. "Footprints in the Sand" (Single Mix) – 3:58

German premium single[44]

1. "Better in Time" (Single Mix) – 3:55
2. "Footprints in the Sand" (Single Mix) – 3:58
3. "Bleeding Love" (Moto Blanco Remix Radio Edit) – 3:40
4. "Better in Time" (Video) – 3:58

Sony single;[45] Swiss maxi single[46]

1. "Better in Time" (Single Mix) – 3:55
2. "Footprints in the Sand" (Single Mix) – 3:58
3. "Bleeding Love" (Moto Blanco Remix Radio Edit) – 3:40

UK Sport Relief CD single[14]

1. "Better in Time" – 3:55
2. "Footprints in the Sand" – 4:09
3. "You Bring Me Down" – 3:54

• Music video at YouTube
• Lyrics at Leona Lewis Official Website