Natasha Bedingfield’s ‘Unwritten’ 20th Anniversary Factfile

It’s been twenty years since Natasha Bedingfield released her debut solo album ‘Unwritten’. It spawned 4 top 20 UK singles and has been certified multi-platinum. The album’s longevity has been proven this year with the title track re-entering the Top 20 and reaching a whole new audience of fans. If you’re not familiar with Natasha’s brilliant back catalogue, here’s 10 songs to get to know her.

Whether you were a fan some two decades ago or a brand new fan this year, please join me as I look at 20 facts about the album ‘Unwritten’.

1. Natasha was the first act signed to brand new label Phonogenic in the summer of 2003. The label was founded by A&R men Paul Lisberg and Tops Henderson alongside songwriters Andrew Frampton and Steve Kipner, as a joint partnership with major label BMG. Andrew and Steve had already both enjoyed much success by this point writing songs for the likes of Steps, Christina Aguilera, Victoria Beckham and more.
2. It’s worth pointing out that Natasha’s career was preceded by that of elder brother Daniel who’d shot to fame with his breakout hit ‘Gotta Get Thru This’ in 2001. He racked up 3 No.1 singles and a multi-platinum album in the UK in 2001/2, but was always ready to tell interviewers about his incredible sister coming next. Natasha credits him with helping her learn about music and in fact the pair of them, along with younger sister Nikola, formed a group in their teens called The DNA Algorithm.
3. Back to 2003 and Natasha headed into the studio with Steve, Andrew and Wayne Wilkins (The Corrs) to work on songs for her debut album and the first single was the track called ‘Single’. An empowering song about being a single lady and being completely happy with that. It was released in May 2004 and peaked at No.3 on the Official UK Singles Chart. Natasha had arrived!
4. Changing tack lyrically for single two, ‘These Words’ is a song about trying to write a love song and it gave Natasha her first (and so far only) UK No.1 hit in summer 2004. Again, written by Natasha, Steve, Andrew and Wayne, the quirky video filmed in Spain and sees Natasha in various sunny set ups and even using some magical voodoo-like powers to direct a man to her villa.

5. Natasha’s cover of Coldplay’s ‘The Scientist’ (performed live on Radio 1’s Live Lounge) was included as a b-side on the single ‘These Words’. Fans who had signed up to Natasha's Official Mailing List were offered a special card slipcase to house both CD1 and CD2 of ‘These Words' which had a unique photo sleeve.
6. On 6th July, Natasha invited media and some lucky fans to have a taste of the upcoming album through watching her perform live at the Scala in London.
7. Released on 6^th September 2004, the album ‘Unwritten’ shot straight into No.1 on the UK’s Official Albums Chart and has gone on to sell over 1 million copies in the UK alone.
8. Natasha marked the album launch day with a signing session at London’s swanky fashion department store, Selfridges on Oxford Street. Hundreds of fans queued to meet her and get a copy of ‘Unwritten' signed.
9. Natasha worked with Robbie Williams songwriting partner, Guy Chambers, on the album track ‘Silent Movie’ – a potential missed single opportunity in my mind! Hints of wild west guitars help build the ambience as the verses lead to a big stadium-sing-along chorus.
10. The album features rapper Bizarre from D-12 on the track ‘Drop me in the Middle’ however for the US release it was changed to UK star Estelle. Natasha returned the favour by appearing in Estelle’s ‘Free’ video.
11. She worked with Patrick Leonard (Madonna) and Kara DioGuardi (Kylie/Kelly Clarkson) on the bonus track ‘Peace of Me’. This track showcases Natasha’s rockier side as she belts out the chorus and the guitars and drums build to a crescendo towards the end of the track.
12. In Japan, the album featured bonus track ‘The One That Got Away’ – a definite hidden gem in Natasha’s catalogue. It was also on the US version of the album and saw a limited promotional single release stateside in 2006.  Have a listen to the dramatic track below:

13. The third single came in November 2004 and was the album’s title track. Natasha wrote the song for her little brother Joshua to let him no not to put too much pressure on the future with people often asking the then 14 year old what was he going to be when he grew up. It peaked at No.6 in December and was co-written by Natasha with Danielle Brisebois and Wayne Rodrigues.
14. The choir at the end of the song ‘Unwritten’ is actually Natasha, her sister Nikola and friend Jessie who all sang themselves hoarse repeating the lines in various harmonies so they could be layered up to give a sound of a whole gospel choir.
15. The fourth and final single from the album is the gorgeous ballad ‘I Bruise Easily’ which was written by Natasha with Andrew and Wayne and was released in April 2005. The video sees Natasha returning to her hotel room, dressed from the waist up as a geisha girl as she removes her make up to symbolise the stripping away and vulnerable nature of the song’s lyrics. It just missed out on becoming her fourth UK Top 10 single, peaking at No.12.

16. Dance producers Chicane released a mashup of the above single with their track ‘Saltwater' called ‘Bruised Water’ in 2008.
17. In the US the album was released in August 2005, with different artwork, and peaked at 26 on the Billboard Top 200 and has been certified Gold in the US recognising sales in excess of 500,000 copies. It featured a slightly amended tracklist including one new track ‘Stumble’; the only track Natasha didn’t write on. Shelly Peiken (Christina Aguilera/Meredith Brooks) and Greg Wells (Aerosmith/Celine Dion) were the song's writers and it's empowering message fits nicely with the album's themes.
18. ‘These Words’ and ‘Unwritten’ had brand new videos shot specifically for the American market.
19. At the 2005 BRIT Awards, Natasha was nominated for British Female, British Breakthrough, British Pop Act and Best Single for ‘These Words’. She performed with her brother Daniel as they took on the Chaka Khan classic ‘Ain’t Nobody’. Watch the dramatic performance below.
20. ‘Unwritten’ the song re-entered the UK Top 40 earlier this year after being featured as lead character Ben’s serenity song in the film ‘Anyone But You’. The song spent 20 weeks back inside the UK Top 40 between January and May this year, peaking at 12 on three different weeks. ‘These Words’ has also seen a chart re-entry this year when DJ/Producer Badger remixed the track for 2024. It peaked at No.22 sitting side-by-side at one point with ‘Unwritten’ at 21 on the UK Official Single Charts, earlier this year.

‘Unwritten’ is available on vinyl for the first time on 6^th September.  Pre-order now at Amazon. Natasha will be performing at London’s Koko on 12^th September.

Stream the album below: