I Bruise Easily

"I Bruise Easily" is a song by British recording artist Natasha Bedingfield. The pop ballad was written by Andrew Frampton, Wayne Wilkins, and Paul Herman along with Bedingfield for her debut album, Unwritten (2004). Production on the track was handled by Frampton and Wilkins. In the song, Bedingfield describes how relationships affect people, even when they have come to an end.

"I Bruise Easily"
Single by Natasha Bedingfield
from the album Unwritten
B-side	"You Look Good on Me" "Ain't Nobody"
Released	4 April 2005 (2005-04-04)
Genre	Pop R&B
Length	4:13 (album version) 3:43 (radio edit)
Label	Phonogenic
Songwriter(s)	Natasha Bedingfield Andrew Frampton Wayne Wilkins Paul Herman
Producer(s)	Andrew Frampton Wayne Wilkins
Natasha Bedingfield singles chronology
"Unwritten" (2004) "I Bruise Easily" (2005) "I Wanna Have Your Babies" (2007)

The track was released as the album's fourth single in 2005 to positive reviews from music critics. While "I Bruise Easily" failed to match the success of its predecessor "Unwritten", it reached the top 20 in Ireland and the United Kingdom. In 2008, the song was used by electronic artist Chicane for the song "Bruised Water", a mashup between "I Bruise Easily" and Chicane's 1999 hit "Saltwater". The song was included on Chicane's The Best of Chicane: 1996–2008 and is credited as Chicane vs. Natasha Bedingfield.

Background and writing

Bedingfield began recording her debut album in mid-2003, following the signing of a recording contract with BMG UK and Ireland earlier that year.^[1] While collaborating with Andrew Frampton, Wayne Wilkins and Paul Hermam in London, England, they composed "I Bruise Easily", which was inspired by a relationship Bedingfield had recently ended.^[2] While recording she had found it easier to compose songs that were melancholic rather than songs that were upbeat.^[2] According to Bedingfield, the song is actually a love song because "it's talking about vulnerability and the fact that the more you love someone, the more you have to open your heart" which means that "you could get hurt".^[2]

Critical reception

The song was generally well received by contemporary pop music critics. Johnny Loftus of AllMusic called the song "epically romantic" and a "standout" from Unwritten.^[3] PopMatters stated that the song was a "worthy slow-burner highlighted by Natasha's soul-baring lyrics",^[4] and RTÉ Entertainment commented that the "soulful ballad" was "both impressive and broadranging."^[5] Andy Gill of The Independent gave it a very strong review, stating that the song contained some of the album's strongest lyrics that "deals sharply with the difficulties of finding Mr Right".^[6]

Chart performance

"I Bruise Easily" was released as the fourth major single-release from Unwritten. Because it was released as the fourth single, success was very limited since many consumers had already purchased the album, which at the time had been certified triple platinum in the United Kingdom.^[7] It debuted on the UK Singles Chart on 11 April 2005 at number 12.^[8] It peaked at number 12 and remained on the chart for a total of seven weeks.^[9] "I Bruise Easily" failed to make an impact in Europe. It peaked outside the top 40 in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.^[9] The international CD single featured two B-sides. The track "Ain't Nobody", performed with Bedingfield's brother Daniel and recorded live at the BRIT Awards, is a cover version of the Chaka Khan and Rufus 1983 single. The song "You Look Good on Me" is an original Bedingfield composition.

Music video

 

The music video features Bedingfield dressed as a geisha.

The music video was directed by Matthew Rolston and premiered on 28 February 2005.^[10] The video begins with Bedingfield entering an elevator dressed as a geisha. She then exits the elevator and wanders down a long hall looking for her hotel room. Sitting in front of a mirror, Bedingfield slowly removes her wig and makeup, revealing the pain she had been hiding. Scenes of Bedingfield singing on her bed and in a dark room are intercut throughout the video.

Bedingfield dressed as a geisha in the music video to represent how the feelings of pain and sadness are often not shown to others when a relationship ends. Out in public Bedingfield's character covers her feelings up with makeup, but alone she removes it, exposing how she truly feels inside. The complete version of "I Bruise Easily" featured in the music video has been released commercially through CD singles and digital downloads.

Track listings

International maxi-CD single

1. "I Bruise Easily" (radio edit)
2. "Ain't Nobody" (with Daniel Bedingfield)
3. "You Look Good on Me"
4. "I Bruise Easily" (album version)
5. "I Bruise Easily" (music video)

European CD single

1. "I Bruise Easily" (radio edit)
2. "Ain't Nobody" (with Daniel Bedingfield)
3. "You Look Good on Me"
4. "I Bruise Easily" (music video)

Charts

Chart (2005)	Peak position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[11]	46
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)^[12]	4
CIS (TopHit)^[13]	174
Germany (Official German Charts)^[14]	46
Ireland (IRMA)^[15]	17
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[16]	13
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[17]	37
Scotland (OCC)^[18]	15
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[19]	53
UK Singles (OCC)^[20]	12
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)^[21]	24

Release history

Release dates and formats for "I Bruise Easily"

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
United Kingdom	4 April 2005	CD single	Phonogenic	^[22]
	9 May 2005	Digital download		^[23]
Germany			Sony	^[24]
	30 May 2005	CD single		^[25]

References

1. Artist Biography 19 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine. VH1. Retrieved 3 May 2007.
2. Jay S. Jacobs. "Where Her Book Begins". popentertainment.com. Retrieved 26 May 2007.
3. Johnny Loftus. "Unwritten" Album Review. Allmusic. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
4. "Unwritten" Album Review. PopMatters. 15 September 2005. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
5. "Unwritten" Album Review. Radio Telefís Éireann. 21 September 2004. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
6. Andy Gill. "Unwritten" Album Review. The Independent. 3 September 2004. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
7. British Certified Awards 8 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine. The BPI. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
8. UK Singles Chart (11 April 2005) 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Music Square. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
9. World Chart Positions 2 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Music Square. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
10. Music Video Information 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. mvdbase.com. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
11. "Natasha Bedingfield – I Bruise Easily" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
12. "Natasha Bedingfield – I Bruise Easily" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
13. Natasha Bedingfield — I Bruise Easily. TopHit. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
14. "Natasha Bedingfield – I Bruise Easily" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
15. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I Bruise Easily". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
16. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 20, 2005" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
17. "Natasha Bedingfield – I Bruise Easily" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
18. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
19. "Natasha Bedingfield – I Bruise Easily". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
20. "Natasha Bedingfield: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
21. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
22. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 2 April 2005. p. 27.
23. "I Bruise Easily".
24. "I Bruise Easily".
25. "I Bruise Easily".