Nick Jonas All Grown Up: A Look At His Development As A Songwriter Turned Solo Star
Nick Jonas In “Jealous” Music VideoIt has been no secret to die hard Jonas Brothers followers that Nick Jonas was considered by many to be the breakout star of the trio. So now that he and his brothers have disbanded as a group, he finally gets a chance to step out, re-introduce himself, and prove to the world that he has developed as a songwriter and producer, and has become the solo artist he was always meant to be.
Ever since he was discovered at the young age of seven, Nick had been acting and singing in various Broadway plays and even recorded a solo album as “Nicholas Jonas” around that time. In fact it was during his run as “Chip” in Disney’s Broadway version of Beauty And The Beast when Nick wrote his single, “Joy To The World (A Christmas Prayer)” in 2002. That music that was eventually placed on Nick’s 2005 debut solo album (limited release from Daylight/Columbia Records) would help serve as the foundation for what would later become the sound and image that would give him and his brothers worldwide success as “The Jonas Brothers.” That album even featured an early version of what would become The Jonas Brothers’ hit single, “When You Look Me In The Eyes.” It was re-recorded and re-released as the fourth single from their self-titled second album in 2007. (After they signed with Disney’s Hollywood Records) As things began to materialize for him as part of the trio with his brothers Joe and Kevin, he put his solo aspirations on hold to give the group his full attention. However working in his group did not slow down his growth as a songwriter and producer.
Nicholas Jonas
“Joy To The World (A Christmas Prayer)”
From Nicholas Jonas
INO/Daylight/Columbia Records
“When You Look Me In The Eyes”
From Nicholas Jonas
INO/Daylight/Columbia Records
From The Jonas Brothers
Hollywood Records
During his career with his brothers Nick became increasingly more and more involved with the creative process with each album. He worked closely with the band’s producer John Fields,( Also Known For producing for Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Backstreet Boys, Parachute, Jon McLaughlin and others) and even though most of the Jonas Brother’s discography was co-written by Nick, Joe, and Kevin together, occasionally Nick got in the driver’s seat and wrote something himself for the band. This was best exemplified when Nick wrote the band’s 2007 hit single, “S.O.S.”(From 2007’s Jonas Brothers) This is considered by many to be the band’s commercial breakthrough hit, becoming their first top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It also sold very well, peaking at #4 on the Hot Digital Singles chart for two weeks in September of 2007, and peaked at #5 on the US Billboard Pop Singles chart. Nick would fly solo as a writer for the group on various other album cuts on their two album’s that would follow, (A Little Bit Longer in 2008, and Lines, Vines And Trying Times in 2009) However Nick was able to really show his range as a producer, writer, and artist when he stepped away from his brothers in 2010 to form “Nick Jonas And The Administration” with producer John Fields.
The Jonas Brothers
“S.O.S”
From Jonas Brothers
Hollywood Records
Nick Jonas And The Administration
“Who I Am”
From Who I Am
Jonas/Hollywood Records
“Tonight” (Re-Worked Jonas Brothers Song Produced By Nick Jonas And John Fields)
From Who I Am
Jonas/Hollywood Records
The growth that Nick experienced during this time is probably what motivated him to serve as the primary producer for what was intended to be the group’s fifth studio album, V, which was cancelled after the group, announced their break up in late 2013. Fans did get to hear Nick’s growth as a producer on two singles intended for the album “Pom Poms”, and “First Time.” However, it was that growth that most likely brought an end to his group, as Nick began to out grow the musical boundaries of his brothers. In an article we published in December of 2013, we quoted Nick from an interview with People Magazine saying he was in fact the one who initiated the tough conversation that resulted in the group’s break up.
“I was feeling kind of trapped,” he said. “I needed to share my heart with my brothers.” That statement was echoed in more detail in the final interview the brothers gave as a group to ABC’s Good Morning America shortly after.
The Jonas Brothers Discuss Their Break Up On Good Morning America
Published Online On October 30, 2013
ABC News
Jonas Brothers
“Pom Poms” (Produced By Nick Jonas)
Jonas Brothers Recording
“First Time” (Produced By Nick Jonas)
Jonas Brothers Recording
Even though this tough conversation caused the cancelation of their final album, V, which many fans (including us) were looking forward to, it was something Nick obviously felt he had to do for a long time. By that time Nick wasy producing for not only his band, but also other artists. Some of these artists included Demi Lovato, Honor Society, Zendaya, Charice and others.
Select Songs By Other Artists Written/Produced By Nick Jonas
Demi Lovato
“Stop The World”(Written By Nick Jonas/Demi Lovato/PJ Blanco)
From Here We Go Again
Hollywood Records
“One Day” (Written By Nick Jonas/Dan Muckala/Jason Ingram Also Produced By Nick Jonas And Dan Muckala)
From Infinity (Japan Release Only)
143/Reprise Records/WEA International
From Zendaya
Hollywood Records
He certainly wasted no time in bouncing back with a new and improved solo career that he finally revived. By July of this year we published a press release introducing his music video for his promotional single, “Chains.” In that release we also revealed that Nick had signed a completely new record deal with a recently restructured Island Records. (The Jonas Brothers parted ways with Hollywood Records in 2012 and were intending to release V independently last year) Then we published that Island Records will be releasing Nick’s self-titled album, Nick Jonas on November 11th (Not to be confused with his first self-titled debut album Nicholas Jonas from 2005)
Nick Jonas
“Chains”
From Nick Jonas
Island Records
That new direction is clearly evident in the album’s first official single, “Jealous”, a song that he wrote with producer, Sir Nolan. Nolan, who is best known for working along side Canadian production duo, The Messengers, (Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Pitbull, The Wanted, Cody Simpson and more) helped Nick come up with a rhythmic upbeat sound unlike anything he’s done before. The track tells his story of jealousy inspired by real life events when he saw a guy was giving his girlfriend, Olivia Culpo (Miss Universe 2012) a little too much attention. He went into detail in a recent Fuse interview.
“We were out somewhere and someone was staring at [Culpo] for a little bit too long,” the singer recalls. “It was uncomfortably long. I kind of got in my head about it for a moment. That’s been the really interesting thing about this song and whole idea of jealousy: It’s not the best character trait, but it’s a very human thing. I think it happens to everybody at different moments. I’m in a very happy relationship and it was all in my head. That’s what I pulled from this experience and the song.” While the song’s subject matter comes from a very personal place, the visuals for the track’s video do as well in completely different way.
In a recent interview with Just Jared.com Nick described the meaning behind the video by explaining, “The video is basically a trip into the mind of Nick Jonas by way of stream of consciousness. So the director, Peter, he said ‘I think if you asked someone right now, ‘Who is Nick Jonas?’ I think you’d get a million different answers. After having the chance to get to know you, I feel like none of them would really be right because you are so different than the public perception. So let’s get inside your mind because this song is very personal even though it’s fun. It’s kind of a dance song in a way. But let’s dig a little deeper and see what it means to you.’
The new personal sound from Nick Jonas is being welcomed by fans and critics in ways The Jonas Brothers’ music never has. Since the September 8th release of “Jealous” to digital download and Top 40/Mainstream radio, it has consistently been one of the most added songs for the format since. The radio spins have also continued to increase greatly since the September 16th release of the song’s music video!
As we get to know Nick in this deeper way, it will be done with the help of the production from the likes of Jason Evigan, (Demi Lovato, Jason Derulo, Fifth Harmony and more) John Feldman (5 Seconds Of Summer, Avicii, Allstar Weekend and others) and Mike Posner (RCA Recording artist, known for working with other artists like Justin Bieber and Maroon 5). Nick also revealed in a recent interview with Ryan Seacrest that the album will also feature guest appearances from Demi Lovato and his Island Records label mate, Angel Haze. For Jonas fans old and new, November cannot come fast enough, stay tuned for more details about Nick’s new album coming soon as he ends 2014 strong!
Nick Jonas
“Jealous”
From Nick Jonas
Island Records
