Beautiful Life (Union J song)

"Beautiful Life"
Single by Union J
from the album Union J
Released	21 October 2013
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2013
Genre	Pop
Length	4:03
Label	Syco, RCA
Writer(s)	Jon Maguire, Jon Lilygreen, Jo Perry, Jo Lawrence, Blair Dreelan
Union J singles chronology
"Carry You" (2013) "Beautiful Life" (2013) "Loving You Is Easy" (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".^[1] 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!"^[2] The group also commented on the track: "The guitar is back!", and Josh Cuthbert described it as a "mid-tempo song" that "builds throughout".^[3] The single officially debuted on 9 September.^[4]

Music video

On 4 September 2013, it was reported the band were filming the music video for their new single.^[5] In late September, 4Music revealed a behind-the-scenes of the video for "Beautiful Life".^[6] The video was filmed in London at a shipping dock as the song progresses young people emerge from the crates and join Union J.^[7] The music video officially premiered on 16 September 2013.^[8]

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."^[9]

Track listing

Digital download
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Beautiful Life"	4:03
2.	"Beautiful Life" (Acoustic)	4:01

Charts

Chart (2013)	Peak position
Ireland (IRMA)[10]	19
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[11]	7
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[12]	8

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
Indonesia[13]	27 September 2013	Digital download	Sony Music
Australia[14]	18 October 2013		RCA Records, Sony Music
Ireland[15]
New Zealand[16]
United Kingdom[17]

References

1. "Union J Announce New Single 'Beautiful Life'". 3 September 2013.
2. Corner, Lewis (3 September 2013). "Union J announce new single 'Beautiful Life'". Digital Spy (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 3 September 2013.
3. "Union J Announce New Single 'Beautiful Life'". Metro Radio. 3 September 2013.
4. "Union J unveil new single 'Beautiful Life'". 9 September 2013.
5. "Union J Films "Beautiful Life" Music Video". 4 September 2013.
6. "Union J 'Beautiful Life' behind the scenes". 25 September 2013.
7. "Union J Confirm New Single, Shoot Music Video in London". 3 September 2013.
8. "Union J unveil 'Beautiful Life' music video - watch". 16 September 2013.
9. "Union J: 'Beautiful Life' - Single review". 10 October 2013.
10. "Chart Track: Week 45, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
11. "Archive Chart: 2013-11-02". Scottish Singles Top 40.
12. "Archive Chart: 2013-11-02" UK Singles Chart.
13. "Beautiful Life – Single – Union J". iTunes Store (Apple Inc.). Retrieved 3 October 2013.
14. "Beautiful Life – EP – Union J". iTunes Store - AUS (Apple Inc.). Retrieved 26 October 2013.
15. "Beautiful Life – EP – Union J". iTunes Store - IRE (Apple Inc.). Retrieved 3 October 2013.
16. "Beautiful Life – EP – Union J". iTunes Store - NZ (Apple Inc.). Retrieved 26 October 2013.
17. "Beautiful Life – EP – Union J". iTunes Store - UK (Apple Inc.). Retrieved 3 October 2013.