It's Official, Olly Murs Signs with Columbia Records, 'Heart Skips A Beat' Out May 22nd

A couple months after making the announcement via his own personal Twitter, UK singer/songwriter Olly Murs' U.S. label, Columbia Records confirmed the news by way of an official press release.  The label proceeded to confirm both Murs' signing as well as announcing his first U.S. single, a new version of the UK #1, "Heart Skips A Beat," featuring American hip-hop duo Chiddy Bang, due May 22nd (iTunes U.S.), and debut album due out in the Fall.  Listen to "Heart Skips A Beat" BELOW.

  

The release of Murs' debut U.S. single comes at the perfect time, right before he embarks on a U.S. tour opening for the UK boyband juggernaut known as One Direction.  Murs' sunny brand of pop mixed with singer/songwriter, mixed with hip hop and soul should complement One Direction's equally cheery variety of up-tempo boyband fare.  Since Murs' new "Heart Skips a Beat" re-fix made it's way online, UK fans have been critical, comparing it to the original version which featured English hip hop duo Rizzle Kicks.  Obviously, when you remake an original, there are going to be comparisons. It was inevitable!

That being said, here in America, this "new" version with Chiddy Bang will be the first most Americans will have heard of Olly Murs so there's no original to compare it to!  I mean, clearly, adding Chiddy Bang to the track was a calculated marketing maneuver for Columbia, as Chiddy Bang is more well known here in America, plus, there's the issue of the Rizzle Kicks' accent.  Say what you like about Cheryl Cole's short-lived stint as an American X-Factor judge, but we all know that accent had something to do with her being canned. However you cut it, the two versions of "Heart Skips a Beat" are virtually identical, and while I really don't see anything wrong with the new one, why fix something that isn't broken? 

Olly Murs first gained attention in the UK with his 2009 X-Factor audition, performing a funky rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," inspiring "the easiest yes I've ever given" from the usually impenetrable Simon Cowell.  While Olly Murs might have lost out on the title to winner Joe McElderry, I think it's safe to say that with a major U.S. tour on the horizon, coupled with a U.S. record contract, Murs is the real winner here.  In the years since competing on The X-Factor, Murs has gone on to achieve international success, including two double platinum albums and three #1 singles in the UK.  Internationally, Olly Murs has already sold over four million records, a number that's sure to rise once One Direction fans take him under their collective wing.  Despite initially downplaying the likelihood of a career in America, Murs seems to have changed his tune slightly, saying:

"I can't wait to come over to the US to tour with the One Direction boys and release my first single there!" said Olly Murs. "'Heart Skips A Beat' is a favorite of mine and my fans, and I hope you guys will love it too."

Check out the (SOLD OUT) tour dates BELOW for Olly Murs and One Direction and get ready to download "Heart Skips A Beat" on iTunes May 22nd, followed by Murs' debut U.S. album in the Fall.  I've also included the original video for the Rizzle Kicks-assisted original just for comparisons sake. Enjoy!

Tour Dates w/ One Direction:

1-Jun//Detroit, MI//Fox Theatre
2-Jun//Chicago, IL//Allstate Arena
8-Jun//San Diego, CA//Viejas Arena
9- Jun//Las Vegas, NV//Planet Hollywood
10-Jun//Phoenix, AZ//Comerica Theatre
13-Jun//San Jose, CA//Events Center
14-Jun//Oakland, CA//Paramount Theatre
16-Jun//Los Angeles, CA//Gibson Amphitheatre
17-Jun//Anaheim, CA//The Theatre At Honda Center
23-Jun//Dallas, TX//Gexa Energy Pavilion
24-Jun//Houston, TX//Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
26-Jun//Atlanta, GA//The Arena At Gwinett Center
27-Jun//Charlotte, NC//Time Warner Cable Arena
29-Jun//Tampa, FL//1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre
30-Jun//Orlando, FL//Amway Center
1-Jul//Ft. Lauderdale, FL//Bank Atlantic Center

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