He sold over 1.5million copies of his debut album "Beautiful Soul", now Jesse McCartney is set to rock the charts with his new album "Right Where You Want Me", released through EMI Philippines.
"Right Where You Want Me" is a cool collection of twelve pop/rock/R&B songs. The album includes the title track and first single, "Right Where You Want Me", a sultry blend of soul-inspired pop that is currently dominating US radio and TV playlists. "It seemed like a strong statement," says Jesse of the single. "It's about a girl who's in control showing me how to step up to the plate and be a man. And I'm right where she wants me to be."
Other tracks on the album combine Jesse's life-long love of r&b artists like Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and Lauryn Hill ("Just Go") with a newfound rock urgency ("Blow Your Mind" and "Can't Let You Go"). "I wanted to take my music a step forward from my debut album 'Beautiful Soul,' to show some growth and maturity," says Jesse. "It's the difference between being 15 and almost 20. I'm really proud of it."
Jesse co-wrote every track except one on "Right Where You Want Me", many with his guitarist and musical director Dory Lobel, as well as Adam Watts & Andy Dodd, the team behind his worldwide smash hit single "Beautiful Soul". The single hit the US Top 5 and No.1 in Australia, Italy, including the Phillippines and Taiwan. In addition the song spent three weeks in the UK Top 20 earlier this year.
"Adam and Andy were totally undiscovered when they wrote 'Beautiful Soul' for my first album," says Jesse. "But just like my co-writer Dory, they understand where I'm coming from musically. I definitely hit a stride with them and it was pretty effortless."
"Right Where You Want Me" also includes contributions from such hit-making writer-producers as John Shanks ("Blow Your Mind"), Kara DioGuardi, Greg Wells, Drew Ramsey, Shannon Sanders, Marti Fredricksen and Eman.
But make no mistake, this is Jesse's project through and through, as one listen to the deeply personal "Invincible," which features a sparse vocal backed by a 15-piece orchestra, clearly demonstrates.
"It's a really heavy song about a buddy of mine who died in a drinking and driving accident three years ago," Jesse explains. "I felt like I had to put that on the record because it contains such an important message for kids my age, which is to think before they drink and drive. It's so powerful that they'll have to listen."
Born in Westchester, a suburb of New York City, Jesse began performing at local community musicals at the age of seven, making his Broadway debut in "The King and I" when he was 10 and later appearing with The Who's Roger Daltrey in "A Christmas Carol". In 1997, Jesse joined kid group "Sugar Beats" as a vocalist, earning a Grammy nomination for "Best Children's Album" for their 1998 release "How Sweet It Is". He then joined the band "Dream Street" where, at the age of 12, he was presented with his first platinum album. By 16, Jesse was launching his solo career. The album "Beautiful Soul" was released in 2004 and Jesse's solo headlining tour created a stir in 56 U.S. cities and drew thousands of new fans to shows throughout Australia, Japan and Europe as he performed around the globe. Jesse later teamed up with The Backstreet Boys for seven sold-out concerts in Europe.
"Beautiful Soul" spawned several US hit singles and videos. Jesse garnered an American Music Award nomination for "Best New Artist", an MTV Award nomination for "Best Pop Video" and three Teen Choice Awards, including "Choice Male Artist", "Breakout Artist" and "Crossover Artist", as well as two highly coveted Emmy Award nominations. Jesse also picked up the award for "Favourite Male Singer" at this year's Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.
Jesse reflects: "The last couple of years have been a roller coaster. It was mind-blowing and so fulfilling and, to be honest, I put every ounce of energy I had into it.
Alongside his enormous talent as a singer and songwriter, Jesse is also a talented actor that has appeared in hit American shows "All My Children" (for which he was nominated for an Emmy) and most recently "Summerland". Though Jesse exhibits equal talent in his acting, whether on a TV show like "Summerland" or a feature film like the forthcoming indie flick "Keith," this need to express himself is what has always drawn Jesse to music.
"It's also what made writing and recording this album all the more satisfying." Jesse elaborates: "People are always asking me, 'What do you like better, acting or singing?' I love them both equally, but the fact is, acting and music are very different. With a movie, so much is in the hands of other people, which is nice in its own way. But with my music, I have much more control over everything. It's a little scary, but I loved the challenge. At the end of it, I like that I can say 'these are my choices.'"
Many of his life experiences can be heard on the album "Right Where You Want Me". "After being on the road for eight straight months, traveling the world, being inspired by different cultures and taking it all in, the songs just started flowing out of me. I became more aware of people, the world and how it works. It was a challenge and ultimately satisfying to put that to a melody."
To that end, Jesse is truly enjoying every moment of his journey, and, to his fans' delight, the self-confessed workaholic has no intention of slowing down. "This is what I want to do the rest of my life," he says. "I can't imagine anything else."
In that sense, Jesse McCartney truly is right where he wants to be-here to stay. Get his latest album, RIGHT WHERE YOU WANT ME now available in music bars released by EMI Philippines.