I would just like to take a minute to talk about two acts from the X Factor who were criminally overlooked with their first singles.
Laura White - You Should Have Known
I think Laura is the perfect example of how fickle the X factor is. When Laura was eliminated in week in week 5 there was uproar. (Just like the situation with Ella now.) Petitions were started, people demanding that she be brought back into the show, there were complaints to Ofcom and Simon Cowell well and truly got it in the neck. I'm sure at the time Laura wasn't worried, lots of press and people claiming they couldn't sleep because they were so upset. But here is her first single, which at the time of release nobody cared about so was barely played or heard. It is in fact brilliant, its angry and dancey which is one of my favourite combinations. If Kelly Clarkson had covered it I think we'd have had a major classic.
Belle Amie - Girls Up
I think the writing was on the wall for Belle Amie from the start, I just don't think they had enough connection with the audience. They did better than FYD but I wasn't expecting them to even stay together once the X Factor finished. But they did and they released this absolute beauty of a song Girls Up, now I may be biased because I love girl bands but I think this song is so brilliant. Its catchy and up beat, meant for dancing and general frivolity. I'm not sure whether the message is natural is best, or spend loads of money on surgery to feel good, but either way I love it. I think the only reason Belle Amie failed is because they didn't adhere to the new pop rule that everybody in a band has to be the same height.
