Beautiful Life (Union J song)
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Beautiful Life
| cover = Union J Beautiful Life.png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Union J
| album = Union J
| released = 21 October 2013
| recorded = 2013
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Pop
| length = 4:03
| writer = {{hlist|Jon Maguire|Jon Lilygreen|Jo Perry|Jo Lawrence|Blair Dreelan}}
| producer =
| prev_title = Carry You
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = Loving You Is Easy
| next_year = 2013
}}
"Beautiful Life" is a song by British boy band Union J. It was released as on 21 October 2013 as the second single from their debut studio album, Union J (2013).
Background
On 3 September 2013, Union J announced via Twitter the name of their next single would be "Beautiful Life" and will be released on 21 October: "THE WAIT IS OVER! Our brand new single is called 'Beautiful Life' and is released on 21st Oct #UnionJBeautifulLife".{{cite web|url=http://www.forthone.com/music/news/union-j-announce-new-single-beautiful-life/|title=Union J Announce New Single 'Beautiful Life'|date=3 September 2013}} George Shelley said: "Single 2 is called Beautiful Life, and its my favourite song in the world. Means so much to me, and you'll love it!"{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a512116/union-j-announce-new-single-beautiful-life.html|title=Union J announce new single 'Beautiful Life'|last=Corner|first=Lewis|date=3 September 2013|publisher=Digital Spy|accessdate=3 September 2013}} The group also commented on the track: "The guitar is back!", and Josh Cuthbert described it as a "mid-tempo song" that "builds throughout".{{cite web|url=http://www.metroradio.co.uk/music/news/union-j-announce-new-single-beautiful-life/|title=Union J Announce New Single 'Beautiful Life'|date=3 September 2013|publisher=Metro Radio}} The single officially debuted on 9 September.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a513732/union-j-unveil-new-single-beautiful-life-listen.html|title=Union J unveil new single 'Beautiful Life'|date=9 September 2013}}
Music video
On 4 September 2013, it was reported the band were filming the music video for their new single.{{cite web|url=http://www.bopandtigerbeat.com/2013/09/union-j-films-beautiful-life-music-video/|title=Union J Films "Beautiful Life" Music Video|date=4 September 2013|access-date=25 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013055737/http://www.bopandtigerbeat.com/2013/09/union-j-films-beautiful-life-music-video/|archive-date=13 October 2013|url-status=dead}} In late September, 4Music revealed a behind-the-scenes of the video for "Beautiful Life".{{cite web |url=http://www.4music.com/news/news/11756/Union-J-Beautiful-Life-behind-the-scenes-video |title=Union J 'Beautiful Life' behind the scenes |date=25 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025215821/http://www.4music.com/news/news/11756/Union-J-Beautiful-Life-behind-the-scenes-video |archivedate=25 October 2013 }} The video was filmed in London at a shipping dock as the song progresses young people emerge from the crates and join Union J.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/union-j/390012-union-j-new-single-beautiful-life-video-shoot-pics-here|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906060832/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/union-j/390012-union-j-new-single-beautiful-life-video-shoot-pics-here|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 September 2013|title=Union J Confirm New Single, Shoot Music Video in London|date=3 September 2013}} The music video officially premiered on 16 September 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a515892/union-j-unveil-beautiful-life-music-video-watch.html|title=Union J unveil 'Beautiful Life' music video – watch|date=16 September 2013}}
Critical reception
Roberts Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song three out of five stars, saying: "As such, Union J's latest single 'Beautiful Life', which encourages people to live life to the fullest – including one insecure girl who lives a 'broken dream' and spades on the make-up 'to cover up an empty space' – feels a touch on the dated side. The jaunty guitar riff, singalong lyrics and arms-aloft chorus are all present and correct, but what is sorely lacking is a dose of youthful charm."{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/review/a522580/union-j-beautiful-life-single-review.html|title=Union J: 'Beautiful Life' – Single review|date=10 October 2013}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Digital download
| title1 = Beautiful Life
| length1 = 4:03
| title2 = Beautiful Life
| note2 = Acoustic
| length2 = 4:01
}}
;Other Versions
- 7th Heaven Club Mix – 6:28
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Chart (2013)
! Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Ireland|19|year=2013|week=45}} |
| {{single chart|Scotland|7|date=2013-11-02}} |
| {{single chart|UK|8|date=2013-11-02}} |