Joe McElderry: ‘Even I Was Expecting A Ballad’

The 19 year old releases upbeat pop track Ambitions this week, despite winning X Factor last year by singing a fair few ballads. Joe told MTV News that everyone’s been surprised by his musical direction.

 

“I knew it would be a surprise but amazingly, everyone seems to be liking it,” he said recently. “Even I was expecting a ballad! I had been asking for an uptempo song and we found this and it’s a very feel good, happy song.”

 

Ambitions has an unusal backstory. It was originally a hit for Norwegian band Donkeyboy in their homeland but has now been covered by the Geordie and looks set to hit the Top 5 this weekend.

 

Joe revealed: “I got a phone call recently from a Norwegian journalist who said the band loved my version. I think the female from the band was in a talent show too so it ties in.”

 

He added: “For an uptempo song its very meaningful and still makes you want to get up and dance.”

 

The star also told MTV that he demanded his own dance routine in the spectacular video.

 

“I always wanted to do a dance for Ambitions- it made me so excited,” he said. “We had a choreographer and I was begging for a dance for myself. I learnt the moves and everyone loved it. I’m pushing for moves all the time now!”

 

McElderry releases his debut album Wide Awake on October 25.