Gabrielle Artistfacts

Gabrielle song list

Gabrielle Artistfacts

June 19, 1969
Her trademark accessory is an eye patch over her right eye. This isn't a pirate thing: She was born with a droopy eyelid.
She says she was an ugly duckling growing up, teased for her big butt and and thick glasses. It took a lot of courage for her to sing in front of audiences.
Her first single, "Dreams," went to #1 in the UK, helping her earns the BRIT award for Best Newcomer in 1994. She got the BRIT for Best Female Solo Artist in 1997.
She gave birth to a son, Jordan, in 1995. His father, Tony Antoniou, missed the birth and broke up with Gabrielle the next day. Turned out, that was far from the worst thing he did: In December that year, Antoniou murdered his stepfather (who he said abused him) and cut off his head with a sword. Gabrielle was called to testify at the trial and broke down in tears, leading to unflattering press coverage that painted her as sympathetic to her ex, who was sentenced to life in prison.

Gabrielle and Antoniou were together for three years before Jordan was born; they operated a fish and chips restaurant in Sheffield for a while.
Before making it as a singer, she had dreams of becoming a lawyer.
She became one of the few artists to legally sample a Bob Dylan song when Dylan agreed to let her use part of "Knocking On Heaven's Door" in on her track Rise. Dylan agreed because he liked the song; he even waived his portion of the publishing royalties.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

More Songfacts:

VogueMadonna

Every film star mentioned in Madonna's "Vogue" has since died. The last was Lauren Bacall, who passed away in 2014.

My Ding-a-LingChuck Berry

Chuck Berry's only #1 hit was "My Ding-a-Ling," a novelty song about a boy and his... you know.

TitaniumDavid Guetta

Sia Furler wrote "Titanium" and wanted to give the tune to Katy Perry. She turned it down, so David Guetta recorded it instead using Sia's original demo guide vocal. It became a big hit, especially in the UK, where it went to #1.

When I Think of YouJanet Jackson

When "When I Think of You" hit #1, Janet and Michael Jackson became the first siblings with chart topping solo hits in the United States.

Ho HeyThe Lumineers

"Ho Hey" by The Lumineers is about New York City, where lead singer Wesley Schultz moved to make it in music. He was dismayed to find many "trust fund kids" in the music scene while he struggled to pay the rent.