A profound woman's words once echoed, "Today marks the dawn of your narrative; the rest lies untold, waiting to be inked." Natasha Bedingfield, two decades removed from her initial gaze into the abyss of that blank page, reflects on how those words have transcended into a mantra, embraced by countless hearts.
Returning to the limelight this year, Natasha shares with BBC Newsbeat a surprising revelation: "Little did I fathom that 'Unwritten' would be the anthem that endures, defying time's grasp." She muses, "Amidst cooler tunes, crafting uplifting melodies without inducing awkwardness is an art form in itself."
'Unwritten,' with its liberating message of shedding inhibitions and embracing life's showers, has masterfully sidestepped the pitfalls of cheesiness, emerging as Natasha's most streamed masterpiece. By now, its melody has undoubtedly wormed its way into your psyche.
This track, plucked from her eponymous debut album, soared to UK charts' sixth spot almost precisely two decades ago. Yet, it's experiencing a renaissance, spending 20 weeks within the Top 40 since January, a feat achieved after a 17-year hiatus. Its resurgence can be attributed partly to its inclusion in the 2023 film 'Anyone But You,' but let's not overlook the pivotal role TikTok has played—a fact that surprises no one.
Nearly 700,000 videos have embraced 'Unwritten' as their soundtrack, ranging from Get Ready With Me (GRWM) sessions to heartfelt proposals. Natasha acknowledges, "While technology often evokes concerns, it also nurtures wonders. The way it connects us all is nothing short of astonishing, empowering artists to engage directly with their fans."
For Natasha, however, 'Unwritten' remains a timeless classic; it's merely that her fans are catching up. "I've been singing it all along," she quips, adding, "The novelty lies in my return to England." Now residing in New York, Natasha finds herself more renowned in the US, recalling struggles to break through in the UK post-'Unwritten.'
"I received a subtle message that England didn't quite embrace me," she shares, though her heart remains steadfastly British. "My music seemed to fade from English ears." Hence, her 2022 invitation by Lewis Capaldi to open for him at London's O2 Arena came as a delightful shock. "The crowd sang every word, every melody with fervor," Natasha recalls.
This isn't the first time social media has breathed new life into vintage tunes. Recall January when Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 'Murder On The Dancefloor,' released in 2001, stormed charts thanks to a TikTok trend rooted in Saltburn. Natasha concurs, "Social media unites the world in a remarkable way."
On Thursday evening, she collaborated with Cat Burns on a TikTok-sponsored performance for Team GB athletes in Paris, later shared globally on the platform. TikTok, an official Team GB partner, boasts over a million engagements with the Olympics hashtag, marking a staggering 2,000% surge from Tokyo 2020. So far, 43,590 creators have crafted Olympics-tagged content for Paris, a significant leap from the 3,151 during Tokyo's corresponding period.
Natasha enthuses about serenading the athletes, cognizant of music's profound impact on performance. "I receive countless DMs from athletes, testifying that 'Unwritten' or 'Pocket Full of Sunshine' fuel their endeavors," she shares. She recounts meeting Team GB canoeist Kimberley Woods, who attributed her bronze medal triumph to 'Unwritten.' "That's incredible," Natasha exclaims. "These songs serve as mental anchors, helping individuals recalibrate."
She emphasizes, "Self-pep talks and the right mindset are vital. Winning is deeply psychological."
