"Impossible" is a song by Barbadian singer Shontelle. It is the lead single from her second studio album, No Gravity (2010). The song was written by Arnthor Birgisson and Ina Wroldsen, and produced by Birgisson. It was released digitally on February 9, 2010. "Impossible" peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, number 33 in Canada, number nine in the United Kingdom and number five in Denmark.
The X Factor winner James Arthur released a cover version of the song after winning the ninth series of the talent competition in December 2012. It was released shortly after his win and reached number one in the UK and Ireland, as well as charting in the top ten in 20 other countries. As of 2021, it has sold 1,940,010 copies in the UK.
The international symphonic metal band Exit Eden released their cover version of the song in 2017 for their album Rhapsodies in Black via Starwatch Entertainment and Napalm Records. The song was accompanied by an official music video and a live video.
Inspiration and composition "Impossible" is a midtempo R&B ballad written by Arnthor Birgisson and Ina Wroldsen, in the musical key of A major with a time signature in common time and a tempo of 92 beats per minute. The melody is to be played in a moderate tone and tempo. The song's backing track consists of a simple chord progression of Fm7—A—E—D. It was conceived after Shontelle stated that she felt that radio was currently missing a "heartbreak ballad". In an interview with J-14 magazine she said "I knew that there was no song out there for heartbroken people. I just wanted to put a song out that gave people hope – things may not work out the way you want them to, but you can move past it and everything is gonna be okay... [I want to help listeners] draw the strength to carry on past a break up where you're the one in the embarrassing position." Shontelle uses a vocal range from E3 to D5 in the song. Billboards Michael Menachem described her vocal precision as similar to that of Beyoncé's in "Irreplaceable". Meanwhile, the production, helmed by Birgisson, was compared to Norwegian production team, StarGate who are, coincidentally, the team responsible for producing "Irreplaceable".
Reception Critical response Michael Menachem of Billboard loved the song. He said "Shontelle shines on 'Impossible', giving one of the year's standout female vocal performances and recalling the poignancy and technical precision of Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable". The 24-year-old's vulnerable delivery demands attention ... releasing the pain of a broken heart... Nothing is impossible when a vocal sounds as effortless and anthemic as this." Ryan Love of Digital Spy gave the song five out of five stars, writing: "Arnthor Birgisson's StarGate-style production is appealingly restrained, Ina Wroldsen's lyrics are blunt and utterly relatable, and Shontelle gives her strongest vocal performance yet without ever overdoing it. The result? A treat for everyone except the people at Greenpeace, who might not approve of a song that requires at least two Kleenex mansize every time you play it." Financial website MarketWatch branded the song a "passionate ballad" and Shontelle's vocals "soulful".
Carmen Castro of The Canadian Press said "Shontelle hits the right notes on "Impossible", the album's only standout track." A reviewer from Entertainment Focus said "'Impossible' showcases undeniably strong vocals from the 24-year-old. ... It's easily a contender for breakup song of 2010 and Shontelle sings with such passion that you can't help but hold back the tears. Things are about to turn around for Shontelle. 'Impossible' is the strongest release we've had from the young singer yet and it's a sign of bigger things to come." Meanwhile Bill Lamb of about.com said "Shontelle delivers a strong, emotional R&B ballad. This smooth soul sound provides a valuable counterpart to the dominant uptempo dance music on current pop radio."
Chart performance "Impossible" made its US Mainstream Top 40 chart debut at number 40 on 1 May 2010, two months after the song was first released. The following week it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, at number 88. It continued to rise up both charts, before eventually peaking at number nine on the US Pop Songs chart, number eleven on the Hot Digital Songs chart and number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100. Consequently, it is Shontelle's most successful single in the United States. On 27 August 2010, "Impossible" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for selling one million copies.
"Impossible" equalled its US success in the United Kingdom, peaking at number three on the UK R&B Chart and number nine on the UK Singles Chart. It became Shontelle's second top-ten hit and her best chart peak since her 2009 debut single "T-Shirt" which reached number six. It was also the only newly released track to reach the top-twenty that week, selling 22,292 copies according to Music Week. Additionally it achieved some success in Europe too, reaching number five in Denmark, fifteen on the Slovakia Airplay chart and number twenty in Norway. It also peaked in Canada at number 33. It was certified gold by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Denmark, for selling 15,000 copies.
On 16 December 2012, "Impossible" re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 22 after James Arthur won The X Factor and released the song as his winner's single.
Music video The official video was directed by Taj Stansberry, Represented by Leah Harmony and Ciarra Pardo. It premiered on 14 April 2010 and according to 92.3 Now FM's Ed Easton, the video is "a great visualization of her struggles, professionally and personally." In the video, singer Steph Jones plays Shontelle's love interest. The video opens with Shontelle entering an apartment at 12:14 p.m. The video is a reflection of the past. During the first chorus, Shontelle is talking to her boyfriend and they start caressing. In the second chorus, Shontelle and her boyfriend are arguing while Shontelle is also shown writing lyrics to the song and scribbling off words. Later, her boyfriend is having a beer at a party. He is celebrating his platinum success. Afterwards, Shontelle receives a letter from a recording studio, and realizes her own dreams are coming second to her boyfriends. Later, she is putting away glasses and bottles. At the end, a reflection is shown in black and white. The final scene is kissing her boyfriend on the head, taking the demo CD he made for her and leaving him. It then goes back to the present, where Shontelle is getting into a taxi while her boyfriend sleeps on the sofa.
Live performances Shontelle performed the song at the NewNowNext Awards televised on digital cable television channel Logo. The event marked her first live performance on television.
Track listing Digital download "Impossible" – 3:46 "Impossible" (Jonas Jeberg Remix) – 3:11 "Impossible" (Smasher Remix) – 4:36 "Impossible" (Superdef & Jecto Remix) – 7:18
Credits "Impossible" was recorded at Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California and The Vault in Stockholm, Sweden. Songwriting – Arnthor Birgisson, Ina Wroldsen Record producer and programmer – Arnthor Birgisson Recording engineer – Chris Kesychs Mixing – Phil Tan, Damien Lewis (assistant) Guitars – Esbjörn Öhrwall Lead vocals – Shontelle Layne Background vocals – Ina Wroldsen
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2010–12)Peakposition scope="row" scope="row" scope="row" Brazil Hot 100 Airplay (Billboard)"Brazil Hot 100 Airplay" (in Portuguese). Billboard Brasil (Brazil: bpp) (2): 100. 18 October 2010.23 scope="row" scope="row" scope="row" scope="row" scope="row" scope="row" scope="row" scope="row" scope="row" scope="row" scope="row" scope="row" scope="row" scope="row"
Year-end charts Chart (2010)PositionDenmark (Tracklisten) 50 UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 145 US Billboard Hot 100" Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100: Best of 2010 (61–70)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 22 December 2010. 70 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) 42
Certifications
Radio and release history
Radio adds Region Date FormatUnited States 2 February 2010 Top 40/Mainstream 18 May 2010 Rhythmic/Crossover
Release history Region Date Format LabelCanada9 February 2010Digital downloadUniversalDenmarkIrelandUnited StatesSRCBelgium15 February 2010UniversalNetherlandsNorwaySwedenSwitzerlandUnited Kingdom9 September 2010Digital downloadIsland
James Arthur version
James Arthur, the winner of the ninth series of The X Factor, released a cover version of "Impossible" digitally on 9 December 2012, immediately after winning the show. The CD single was released on 12 December 2012. Profits from each download were expected to be at least £0.25 and all profits from CD and download sales were to be donated to the charity Together for Short Lives. The charity works with "children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions." Speaking on the decision to support Together for Short Lives, Simon Cowell creator and executive producer of The X Factor said, "[it] is such an inspiring and important charity for so many kids and their families who really need help and support. I'm delighted that The X Factors winner single sales will go directly to helping them."
In its first week, the single sold 489,560 copies, making it the UK's fastest-selling single of 2012. The song also peaked at number one in Ireland, number two in both Australia and Switzerland, and number one in Slovakia. As of 2023, the single has sold over 2 million copies in the UK, becoming the biggest-selling single by an X Factor winner.
Critical reception Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating, "of course, making such a decision based on his victory single – a cover of Shontelle's 2010 hit 'Impossible' – is a futile exercise. The track, which was once sidelined for former finalist Cher Lloyd, has been drained of its R&B sassiness and re-worked into a swooping ballad, saved only by Arthur's quivering and gutsy vocal. Fortunately for him, at this stage that's the only bit that matters." He gave the song three out of five stars. The song was nominated for "British Single of the Year" at the 2013 BRIT Awards, but lost out to "Skyfall" by Adele.
Chart performance and sales