Universal Child
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Universal Child
| cover = UniversalChildAnnieLennox.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Annie Lennox
| album = A Christmas Cornucopia
| released = 12 October 2010
| recorded = 2009
| studio =
- Sheen Lane (London){{AllMusic|class=album|id=a-christmas-cornucopia-r2030375/review}}
- Milestone Studio (Cape Town){{AllMusic|class=album|id=a-christmas-cornucopia-r2030375/review}}
| venue =
| genre = Christmas, pop, soul
| length = 4:14
| label = Island
| writer = Annie Lennox
| producer = Mike Stevens
| prev_title = Full Steam
| prev_year = 2009
| next_title = God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
| next_year = 2010
}}
"Universal Child" is a single by Scottish recording artist Annie Lennox, released worldwide on 12 October 2010 on Island Records. It is the lead single from her fifth studio album, A Christmas Cornucopia.{{cite web|url=http://www.deccarecords-us.com/artist/releases/release.aspx?pid=64171&aid=10172 |title=Annie Lennox : Default : Universal Child (E-Single) |publisher=Deccarecords-us.com |access-date=2011-01-01}}
Background
"Universal Child" was the one original composition from A Christmas Cornucopia, her first Christmas album. Lennox was planning on recording some carols, and hadn't written new material since 2007's Songs of Mass Destruction. During recording the words "Universal Child" came into her mind and during a break, chords and a melody presented themselves. Lennox donated all royalties from the song to The Annie Lennox Foundation. Lennox is herself a Christmas child.{{cite web | url=http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?lyrics=21052 | title=Lyrics for "Universal Child" by Annie Lennox | publisher=Songfacts | access-date=2 February 2018}}
Release
"Universal Child" was released digitally on 12 October 2010.
Live performances
In August 2010, Lennox signed a new contract with Island Records in the UK and Decca Records in the US (both part of the Universal Music Group). Her first release was a Christmas album entitled A Christmas Cornucopia, issued 15 November 2010. The album is a collection of Lennox's interpretations of traditional festive songs such as "Silent Night" and "The First Noel", along with one new composition, "Universal Child", which was released as a download-only single on 13 October 2010. Lennox had previously showcased the song on the American Idol Gives Back TV show in April 2010. She also performed the song live for several TV audiences during the week of the album's release in November. These included The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Dancing with the Stars. She sang "Universal Child"{{youTube|Zl0dY5gYutw|Annie Lennox – Christmas in Washington – Universal Child – December 2010}} and "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" from the album for the TNT special Christmas in Washington.{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/12/AR2010121204423.html | title='Christmas in Washington' sticks to the classics | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=12 December 2010 | access-date=2 February 2018 | author=Malitz, David }}{{cite episode |title=Christmas in Washington 2010 |url=http://www.tnt.tv/christmasinwashington/ |series=Christmas in Washington |series-link=Christmas in Washington |airdate=2010-12-17 |credits=DeGeneres, Ellen (Host); Bocelli, Andrea (Performer); Carey, Mariah (Performer); Cosgrove, Miranda (Performer); Maxwell (Performer); Morrison, Matthew (Performer); Lennox, Annie (Performer) |network=TNT |access-date=24 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123012651/http://www.tnt.tv/christmasinwashington/ |archive-date=23 November 2010 |url-status=dead }}
Track listings
CD single
- "Universal Child" (Radio edit)
Digital single
- "Universal Child" – 4:14
Chart performance
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (2010) !Peak |
| United Kingdom (OCC){{cite web |title=ANNIE LENNOX |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27445/annie-lennox/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=17 May 2025 |language=en |date=12 November 1988}}
|align=center|88 |
| United Kingdom Physical Singles (OCC)
|align=center|87 |
| Scotland (OCC){{cite web |title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 21/11/2010 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20101121/41/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=17 May 2025 |language=en}}
|align=center|75 |
| {{singlechart|Billboardadultcontemporary|26|artist=Annie Lennox|accessdate=December 29, 2024}} |