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Karen Harding

Karen Harding
Born (1991-11-18) 18 November 1991 (age 33)
Consett, Durham, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2010–present
Labels

Karen Harding (born 18 November 1991) is an English singer and songwriter from Consett, County Durham. Her first single, "Say Something", released in February 2015, entered the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart.

Early life

[edit]

Born to an English father and Filipino mother,[1] Harding grew up in Consett and attended Moorside Community Technology College.[2] She used to work at her parents' oriental food store and, in 2008, won a regional music competition called Music Means Life.[3] One of her first recordings was a cover version of the anti-racism song "Strange Fruit", made famous by Billie Holiday.[4]

She is a supporter of Newcastle United.[citation needed]

Music career

[edit]

In 2010, she competed on the television programme Eurovision: Your Country Needs You, the national final deciding who would represent the United Kingdom in that year's Eurovision Song Contest.[5] She was eliminated in the penultimate round after singing Kylie Minogue's "What Do I Have to Do".[6] Harding was a contestant on the tenth series of the television singing competition The X Factor, but was eliminated at the boot camp stage during the controversial six-chair challenge.[7][8]

Following The X Factor, Harding was approached by the producer MNEK, who had seen a video she uploaded onto the Internet of her covering Disclosure's "Latch".[9] She was subsequently signed by Disclosure's record label, Method Records.[10] Her first single, the MNEK-produced "Say Something", was released in January 2015 by Method and Capitol Records[11] and attracted notice from Fact magazine, MuuMuse, Noisey and The Singles Jukebox.[12][13][14][15] "Say Something" entered the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number seven, with frequent airplay on BBC Radio 1 and its sister station, 1Xtra.[16] It spent 26 weeks on the official charts and achieved platinum status.

Harding has worked with producers and songwriters such as Tom Aspaul, CocknBullKid, Mark J. Feist, Rodney Jerkins, Jimmy Napes and Richard Stannard.[10] She is featured on the house duo Arches' single "New Love", released in April 2015,[17] and on Blonde's single "Feel Good (It's Alright)", released in August 2015.[18] Harding played at several festivals during mid-2015, including Birmingham Pride, Ibiza Rocks, Lovebox, Manchester Pride and Parklife.[19]

Harding's influences include female solo artists such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson and Lisa Stansfield, as well as dance and garage acts Artful Dodger, Craig David and Madison Avenue.[1][8] She has also cited house music of the 1990s as an influence.[9]

In May 2016, Harding was selected to perform the English national anthem at the 2016 FA Cup Final. However, she missed her cue, and only managed to join in with the crowd for the last few lines.[20]

"Need Your Love", a 2023 single she recorded with Felix Cartal, was the winner of the Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2024.[21]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Details
Take Me Somewhere
  • Released: 29 September 2023
  • Label: Ultra Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD, LP

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Details
Sweet Vibrations
  • Released: 15 October 2021
  • Label: Ultra Records
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[22] 		BEL
(Wa)
[23] 		IRE
[24] 		SCO
[25]
"Say Something" 2014 7 80 73 11 Take Me Somewhere
"Open My Eyes" 2016 — — — — Non-album single
"Like I Can"
(with Tough Love) 		— — — — Past Present Future
"Runaway"[27]
(with Tom Ferry) 		2018 — — — — Non-album singles
"Picture" — — — —
"You Already Know"
(with Paul Woolford) 		2019 — — — —
"I Don't Need Love"
(with Wh0) 		— — — —
"It Must Have Been Love" 2020 — — — —
"Rely"
(with Future Kings & L'Tric) 		— — — — Sweet Vibrations EP
"Undo My Heart"[28]
(with Digital Farm Animals) 		— — — —
"Let's Get Together"[29]
(with Illyus & Barrientos) 		— — — —
"Morning"
(with Shift K3Y) 		2021 — — — —
"The Best"
(with Hook n Sling and Galantis)[30] 		— — — — Non-album single
"Only One"
(with Felix Cartal)[31] 		— — — — Expensive Sounds for Nice People
"You & I (All I Need)" — — — — Sweet Vibrations EP
"Celebrate"
(with Sammy Porter) 		— — — — Non-album singles
"White Horses"
(with Toby Romeo and Noel Holler) 		2022 — — — —
"Other Side of Love" — — — — Take Me Somewhere
"True"
(with Jonasu) 		— — — — Non-album singles
"Last Christmas"
(with Eden Prince 		— — — —
"Wings (I Won't Let You Down)"
(with Armand van Helden) 		— — — — Take Me Somewhere
"Sweat"
(with Majestic)[32] 		2023 — — — — Non-album singles
"Oops"
(with Oliver Heldens) 		— — — —
"Back to You" — — — — Take Me Somewhere
"Worship You"
(with Martin Jensen) 		— — — — Non-album singles
"Show You"
(with TS7) 		— — — —
"Need Your Love"
(with Felix Cartal)[33] 		— — — —
"Wrong Places" — — — — Take Me Somewhere
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.
[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[22] 		IRE
[24]
"New Love"
(Arches featuring Karen Harding) 		2015 — — Non-album singles
"Feel Good (It's Alright)"
(Blonde featuring Karen Harding) 		76 —
"Sweet Lies"
(Wilkinson featuring Karen Harding) 		2016 — — Hypnotic
"Good for Me"
(Giorgio Moroder featuring Karen Harding) 		— — Non-album single
"Gun Shy"
(ImanoS featuring Pusha T & Karen Harding) 		2017 — — xXx: Return of Xander Cage
(Music from the Motion Picture)
"Down"
(FooR featuring Karen Harding) 		— — Non-album singles
"The Weekend"
(This Diamond Life featuring Karen Harding) 		— —
"More & More"
(Tom Zanetti featuring Karen Harding) 		73 —
"With U" (Official Untold Festival Anthem 2018)[34]
(Tujamo featuring Karen Harding) 		2018 — —
"Stay"
(Le Youth featuring Karen Harding) 		— —
"All for You"
(Wilkinson featuring Karen Harding) 		2019 — —
"Unity"
(Röyksopp featuring Karen Harding) 		2022 — — Profound Mysteries II
"Free to Love"
(Louie Vega featuring Karen Harding) 		— —
"Bring Me Joy"
(Rudimental featuring Karen Harding)[35] 		2024 63 — TBA
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.

Guest appearances

[edit]
Title Year Artist Album
"All U Need"[36] 2018 Example Bangers & Ballads

Songwriting credits

[edit]
Year Artist Song Album Ref.
2015 The Magician "Together" Non-album single [37]
2016 Alex Newell "Shame" Power EP [38][39]
Anton Powers "Love You Better" feat. Sabella Non-album single [40]
2018 Felix Jaehn "Figure You Out" I [41]
Rika "The Others" Non-album single [42][43]
Kokiri "Pyramids" [44][45]
BODE "Side" feat. Natalie Wood [46][47]
2019 Claire Richards "Shame on You" My Wildest Dreams [48]
Just Kiddin "Stay the Night" with Camden Cox Non-album single [49]
Sonny Fodera "Control" feat. Shannon Saunders Rise [50][51]
"What is Love" [52][53]
Kream "Go Somewhere" with Rani Non-album single [54][55]
Vion Konger "Her Bed" feat. Nikki Ambers [56]
2020 Tom Ferry "I Think That I Like You" with Kiesza [57]
Majestic "Bodywork" [58]
Crazy Cousinz "Outline" feat. Julie Bergan [59][60]
Just Kiddin "Time Alone" [61][62]
Eli Brown "Immortal" [63][64]
Alyx Ander "Without You" with Mya [65][66]
Paris Blohm "Waiting" feat. Bright Lights [67][68]
Henri PFR "No One Knows" with Famba feat. Chiara Castelli [69]
Kandy "Free Me" with Bright Lights [70][71]
2021 Justus "Meant to Be" [72][73]
Marcus Santoro "It's Not About You" with Isabelle Stern [74]
Pablo Bravas "Visions" [75]
Tom Ferry "Not Going Home" with Avian Haviv [76][77]
Shane Codd "Always on My Mind" feat. Charlotte Haining [78]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Get To Know: Karen Harding". Hunger TV. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  2. ^ Barry Nelson. "Music provides life – and a recording contract for Karen". The Northern Echo.
  3. ^ Barry Nelson. "Music provides life – and a recording contract for Karen". The Northern Echo.
  4. ^ "Serving up a top 10: Former Sunderland takeaway worker Karen Harding reaches number seven in the charts". Sunderland Echo. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  5. ^ "Karen from Consett will sing on Your Country Needs You". BBC News. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
    - Katie Davies (6 March 2010). "Singer Karen Harding aiming for Eurovision". N E Chronicle.
    - "Eurovision hopeful has previously beaten Joe McElderry in a singing contest". Daily Star. 5 March 2010.
  6. ^ "Josh flying the flag for United Kingdom in Oslo". Eurovision.tv.
  7. ^ John Plunkett (30 September 2013). "X Factor viewers complain over 'cruel' bootcamp twist". The Guardian.
  8. ^ a b "Karen Harding X Factor MNEK Debut Single 'Say Something' –". Grazia Live. 16 January 2015.
  9. ^ a b Duke (27 January 2015). "Consett singer Karen Harding heading for the top 10 with Say Something". N E Chronicle.
  10. ^ a b "The 405 meets Karen Harding". The 405. Archived from the original on 4 December 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  11. ^ "iTunes Music – Say Something – Single by Karen Harding". iTunes Store. January 2014.
  12. ^ Bradley Stern (3 October 2014). ""Say Something" Video: Karen Harding Takes Over The Dance Floor". MuuMuse.
  13. ^ "The Singles Jukebox » Karen Harding – Say Something". Thesinglesjukebox.com. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  14. ^ "PREMIERE: Karen Harding – "Say Something"". Noisey.
  15. ^ "Stream Wookie's remix of newcomer Karen Harding's 'Say Something'". Fact Magazine. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  16. ^ "Uptown Funk scores 7th week at Number 1". Official Charts.
    - "BBC – Radio 1Xtra – Playlist". Radio 1Xtra.
    - "BBC – Radio 1 – Playlist". Radio 1.
  17. ^ "Premiere: Arches "New Love" ft Karen Harding". Wonderland. 10 April 2015.
  18. ^ "VIDEO: Blonde Feat Karen Harding 'Feel Good (It's Alright)'". Dropout UK. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  19. ^ "Karen Harding". Love Box Festival. Archived from the original on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  20. ^ "FA Cup final 2016: Singer Karen Harding misses cue to sing national anthem". BBC Sport. 21 May 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  21. ^ "Junos 2024: full list of winners". CBC Music, March 23, 2024.
  22. ^ a b Peak positions in the United Kingdom:
  23. ^ "Karen Harding – Say Something". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  24. ^ a b Hung, Steffen. "Discography Karen Harding". Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  25. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  26. ^ a b "British certifications – Karen Harding". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 July 2022. Type Karen Harding in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  27. ^ "Runaway – Single by Karen Harding & Tom Ferry on Apple Music". iTunes Store (AU). 16 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  28. ^ Milligan, Kaitlin. "Karen Harding and Digital Farm Animals Release New Collaboration, 'Undo My Heart'". Broadway World. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Let's Get Together - Single by Illyus & Barrientos & Karen Harding on Apple Music". Apple Music. 30 October 2020. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  30. ^ "The Best - Single by Hook N Sling, Galantis & Karen Harding on Apple Music". Apple Music. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  31. ^ "Only One - Single by Felix Cartal & Karen Harding on Apple Music". Apple Music. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  32. ^ "Majestic Teams Up with Karen Harding for New Song Sweat". PM Studio. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  33. ^ "Need Your Love - Single by Felix Cartal & Karen Harding on Apple Music". Apple Music. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  34. ^ "WITH U (feat. Karen Harding) Official Untold Festival Anthem 2018 – Single by Tujamo". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  35. ^ "Rudimental have released their new single 'Bring Me Joy' featuring Karen Harding". Read Dork. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  36. ^ "Bangers & Ballads by Example". iTunes (UK). 17 August 2018.
  37. ^ Together. The Magician. 17 February 2018. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  38. ^ Shame. Alex Newell. 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  39. ^ Songview. Shame ascap.com
  40. ^ Love You Better. Anton Powers. 24 July 2018. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  41. ^ Figure You Out (Tom Ferry Remix). Felix Jaehn. 21 June 2018. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  42. ^ The Others. Rika. 16 April 2018. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  43. ^ Songview ascap.com
  44. ^ Pyramids (Extended Mix). Kokiri. 30 May 2018. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  45. ^ Songview ascap.com
  46. ^ BODÉ - Side (feat. Natalie Wood) [Official Audio]. SOURCE. 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ Side ascap.com
  48. ^ Shame on You. Claire Richards. 31 January 2019. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  49. ^ Stay The Night. Just Kiddin. 4 July 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  50. ^ Control (feat. Shannon Saunders). Sonny Fodera. 11 July 2019. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  51. ^ Songview ascap.com
  52. ^ What Is Love. Sonny Fodera. 11 July 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  53. ^ What is love ascap.com
  54. ^ Go somewhere ascap.com
  55. ^ Go Somewhere (VIP Mix). RANI. 17 October 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  56. ^ Her Bed. Vion Konger. 28 November 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  57. ^ I Think That I Like You. Tom Ferry. 20 February 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  58. ^ Bodywork ascap.com
  59. ^ Outline (feat. Julie Bergan). Crazy Cousinz. 23 April 2020. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  60. ^ Outline ascap.com
  61. ^ Time Alone. Just Kiddin. 5 April 2021. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  62. ^ Songview ascap.com
  63. ^ Immortal. Eli Brown. 9 July 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  64. ^ Immortal ascap.com
  65. ^ Without You (Chill Mix). Mýa. 10 September 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  66. ^ Without you ascap.com
  67. ^ Waiting. Paris Blohm. 29 October 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  68. ^ Waiting ascap.com
  69. ^ No One Knows (feat. Chiara Castelli). Henri Pfr. 5 November 2020. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  70. ^ Free Me. KANDY. 19 November 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  71. ^ Free me ascap.com
  72. ^ Meant To Be (Rave Edit). Justus. 28 January 2021. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  73. ^ Meant to be ascap.com
  74. ^ It's Not About You (Extended Mix). Marcus Santoro. 14 January 2021. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  75. ^ Visions. Pablo Bravas. 8 April 2021. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  76. ^ Not Going Home. Tom Ferry. 27 May 2021. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.
  77. ^ Not going home ascap.com
  78. ^ Always On My Mind. Shane Codd. 8 July 2021. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via YouTube.