Fuse Top 40 Video Battle: Can Ellie Goulding’s "Lights" Beat Rihanna's "Where Have You Been"?
In the battle for female pop supremacy on Fuse's Top 40 Battle, Rihanna's "Where Have You Been" is dueling against Ellie Goulding's "Lights" and for Ellie fans, it's not lookin' good. Despite Rihanna holding a commanding lead against the British ingenue in Round 3, there's still time to vote the "Lights" singer on to the next round. We're fans of Riri, but here are five reasons why Goulding's totally charming personality and musical prowess could sway voters.
1. She's Persistent
Goulding released "Lights," which was inspired by her fear of the dark, in December 2010. The song had one of the longest climbs up the Billboard charts, peaking at No. 2 an astounding 20 months later. It has gone on to sell more than three million downloads in the U.S. alone.
2. She Gets Tattoos for the Hell of It
Most people get tattoos for some sort of personal or commemorative reason; the memory of a lost loved one, that drunken night in Cancun, etc. Not Ellie. The singer had the outline of a red triangle inked on her wrist just because. She told GQ, "I got a random tattoo the other day. It's a red triangle, which makes everyone think I'm arty, which I'm not. I used to draw red triangles all the time. It must mean something - maybe I don't know it yet. But I'll figure it out."
3. She Hangs With Cool, Artsy Singers
When BBC's Sound of 2010 was released, Goulding finished first, just beating out indie chanteuse Marina Diamandis of Marina & the Diamonds. The two have remained close friends, though, appearing in interviews together and palling around.
4. She Performs at Royalty Weddings
When Prince William saw Goulding at a festival before his wedding, he and his wife Kate Middleton invited Goulding to perform 14 songs at their wedding reception, including a cover of Elton John's "Your Song" for the couple’s first dance at Buckingham Palace. Despite saying she thought the invite was a joke at first, the couple sent her a thank-you letter afterwards, with Goulding telling one magazine she had a “special encounter” with the couple.
5. She Plays Actual Instruments
Unlike other pop stars who can only sing, Goulding can play guitar, clarinet and, if we're to believe the "Lights" video, drums. Respect.
There's still time to vote for Ellie (or Rihanna) in Round 3 of Fuse's Top 40. Go vote now!
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