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Almost Is Never Enough
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| "Almost Is Never Enough" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotional single by Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes | ||||
| from the album The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and Yours Truly | ||||
| Released | August 19, 2013[1] | |||
| Recorded | 2011 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
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| Producer | Harmony | |||
| Ariana Grande promotional singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Almost Is Never Enough" on YouTube | ||||
"Almost Is Never Enough" is a song recorded by American singer Ariana Grande and English singer Nathan Sykes. The pop and soul-influenced track was written by Carmen Reece, Al Sherrod Lambert, Moses Ayo Samuels, Olaniyi Michael Akinkunmi, Grande, and its producer, Harmony Samuels. Two official versions of the song exist. A shortened version is included on the official soundtrack for the 2013 fantasy film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and was released August 19, 2013 via Republic Records as a second promotional single from the same, following Colbie Caillat's "When the Darkness Comes" on July 10, and a longer version was remastered for inclusion on Grande's debut studio album, Yours Truly (2013).
Composition
[edit]The song is composed using the key of D Major. The duo's vocal range spans 2 octaves and 2 notes, from F#3 to D6.
Critical reception
[edit]
The duet received primarily positive reception. Idolator editor Mike Wass called "Almost Is Never Enough" a "glorious" and "soulful" anthem and praised the collaboration between the two artists; "The simple production is timeless and showcases Ariana’s powerful pipes superbly. And who knew Nathan could sing like that? 'Almost Is Never Enough' is a revelation all around and promises very good things for Grande's debut album."[3] Brent Faulkner of Star Pulse found the duet to be a pleasantly surprising blend of modern and classical elements and noted that the song "should be sappy but isn't".[4] This sentiment was mirrored by Popdust's Andrew Unterberger, who observed that the song "manages to mostly stay out of the way of its two talented young vocalists... and lets them carry it with the strength of their voices, and of the song itself. The result is a ballad that’s surprisingly mature and classic sounding." Unterberger also drew comparisons to Mariah Carey, and her Boyz II Men duet "One Sweet Day" also Brandy and Wanya Morris's "Brokenhearted" in particular.[5]
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[13] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[14] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[15] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[16] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[17] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "Almost is Never Enough". Amazon.
- ^ "CHART LOG UK: NEW ENTRIES UPDATE (31/08/2013)". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
- ^ Wass, Mike (22 July 2013). "Ariana Grande Duets With The Wanted's Nathan Sykes: Hear A Snippet Of "Almost Is Never Enough"". Idolator. Spin Media. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
- ^ Faulkner, Brent. "Review: Ariana Grande 'Yours Truly' - Ariana Grande Stuns Vocally Throughout Her Debut Album". Star Pulse. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
- ^ Unterberger, Andrew (3 September 2013). "Ariana Grande's "Yours Truly" Reviewed: "Almost Is Never Enough"". Popdust. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
- ^ "Chart Track: Week 34, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Gaon Digital Chart – Issue date: 2015.12.27 – 2016.01.02". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ "Ariana Grande featuring Nathan Sykes: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "2016년 Digital Chart (International)" (in Korean). GAON. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ "2016년 Digital Chart (International)" (in Korean). GAON. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Ariana Grande – Almost Is Never Enough" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Ariana Grande And Nathan Sykes – Almost Is Never Enough". Radioscope. Retrieved June 12, 2025. Type Almost Is Never Enough in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "British single certifications – Ariana Grande & Nathan Sykes – Almost Is Never Enough". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – Ariana Grande – Almost Is Never Enough". Recording Industry Association of America.
Almost Is Never Enough
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Background
Writing and inspiration
"Almost Is Never Enough" was originally conceived as a solo ballad by Ariana Grande for her debut studio album, Yours Truly, to provide an additional emotional ballad to the tracklist.[11] Grande recorded her initial version during sessions for the album in 2013.[11] Approximately one week after Grande's solo recording, her manager Scooter Braun emailed her suggesting the addition of Nathan Sykes from The Wanted as a duet partner, an idea that excited Grande and led to Sykes being flown to Los Angeles for collaboration.[11] The song was ultimately written by Ariana Grande, Harmony Samuels, Carmen Reece, Al Sherrod Lambert, Olaniyi-Akinpelu (also known as Mikey), and Moses Samuels (also known as Mo-Keyz).[12] The track draws inspiration from personal experiences of near-misses in romantic relationships, capturing themes of regret, longing, and the "what-ifs" that linger after opportunities slip away.[3] These elements reflect the bittersweet essence of unrequited or almost-realized love, resonating with listeners through its introspective narrative. Notably, Grande and Sykes began a brief real-life romance shortly after completing the recording and music video in 2013, which added an intriguing parallel to the song's emotional core.[13] The decision to include "Almost Is Never Enough" on the soundtrack for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones aligned the song with the film's exploration of forbidden and unfulfilled love between protagonists Clary and Jace, enhancing its thematic fit within the fantasy narrative.[14] A slightly stripped-down version was prepared specifically for the soundtrack release.[14]Recording
The recording sessions for "Almost Is Never Enough" took place prior to the brief dating period between Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes in 2013.[15] The track was initially recorded as a solo ballad by Grande during the production of her debut album Yours Truly.[11] Primary recording occurred at Powerhouse Studios in London and London Bridge Studio in Los Angeles.[3] Harmony Samuels served as the primary producer, overseeing the arrangement and final mixes.[16] Grande and Sykes recorded their lead vocals separately, with subsequent overdubs added to create layered harmonies. Background vocals were provided by Carmen Reece.[17] The extended album version, clocking in at 5:28, incorporates additional instrumental builds and ad-libs developed during these sessions, in contrast to the more concise 3:30 soundtrack edit released for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.[3]Music and lyrics
Composition
"Almost Is Never Enough" is a soulful pop ballad that incorporates R&B elements through its emotive delivery and harmonic interplay. Produced by Harmony Samuels, the track features a piano-driven arrangement that emphasizes emotional intimacy, with subtle orchestration enhancing the duet dynamic between Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes.[2][1] The song is composed in the key of D major and maintains a tempo of 81 beats per minute, contributing to its languid, heartfelt pace. It follows a verse-chorus structure, beginning with solo verses that alternate between the singers before converging in harmonized choruses. A building bridge introduces heightened tension, leading to climactic vocal runs in the outro, which showcase improvisational phrasing and layered harmonies.[18][3] Grande's vocal performance spans from F♯3 to A5, utilizing her light-lyric soprano timbre for melismatic runs and breathy sustains, while Sykes provides tenor harmonies that complement the mid-range melody. The arrangement highlights Grande's agility in the upper register during the bridge and finale, with Sykes' contributions adding warmth through call-and-response phrasing.[19] Instrumentation centers on an acoustic piano introduction that sets a minimalist tone, accompanied by subtle strings, including violins performed by Pamela Sixfin and David Davidson, and minimal percussion to preserve the song's intimate atmosphere. Background vocals by Carmen Reece further enrich the layered texture without overpowering the leads.[17] Two versions of the song exist: the soundtrack edition, clocking in at 3:30 and streamlined for cinematic integration in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and the full album version from Yours Truly, extending to 5:28 with an elongated outro featuring extended improvisational vocals and fading harmonies.[20][17]Lyrics
The lyrics of "Almost Is Never Enough" center on the theme of regret in a relationship that nearly succeeded but ultimately failed due to poor timing or external circumstances, employing metaphors of proximity without true fulfillment to convey emotional longing and denial.[3] The song's narrator grapples with the pain of what could have been, highlighting the insufficiency of "almost" in matters of love, as in the repeated assertion that partial connection leaves one isolated in separate "worlds."[3] Key excerpts underscore this narrative arc, beginning with Ariana Grande's opening verse that establishes a facade of acceptance: "I'd like to say we gave it a try / I'd like to blame it all on life," which immediately reveals underlying denial as the singer admits, "But that's a lie, that's a lie."[3] The chorus serves as the emotional core, with the hook "Almost, almost is never enough / So close to being in love" encapsulating the song's central lament, emphasizing missed opportunities for mutual desire.[3] In the bridge and outro, hypothetical scenarios of reconciliation emerge, such as "If I could change the world overnight / With these two hands, would it change your mind?" and pleas like "I'd fight for you, if you would fight too," exploring the tension between lingering hope and inevitable separation.[3] The duet format enhances the lyrical storytelling through alternating verses that represent each artist's perspective on the breakup, with Grande's initial verse conveying self-deception and Sykes' response expressing tentative resolve in lines like "If I could change the world overnight / With these two hands, would it change your mind?"[3] Shared choruses symbolize the couple's unresolved connection, creating a call-and-response dynamic that mirrors their intertwined yet divided emotions.[3] The song serves as a soundtrack contribution to the 2013 film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.[21] Originally conceived and recorded by Grande as a solo ballad for her debut album Yours Truly, the lyrics were adapted slightly to incorporate Sykes' contributions, transforming the structure into a duet with added verses and harmonized elements to facilitate the back-and-forth exchange.[11][3]Promotion and release
Release history
"Almost Is Never Enough" was initially released on August 19, 2013, as a promotional single from the soundtrack to the film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, distributed via digital download by Republic Records.[22] The track, a duet featuring English singer Nathan Sykes, served as a tie-in to the film's marketing efforts.[17] An extended version of the song was later included as the tenth track on Ariana Grande's debut studio album Yours Truly, which was released on August 30, 2013, by Republic Records.[23] The single was available exclusively as a digital download in its soundtrack edit format, with no standalone physical release; the extended version appeared on both digital and physical editions of Yours Truly, including CD formats in deluxe configurations.[24] Following its initial launch, the song has been incorporated into Grande's discography compilations, such as the 2023 Yours Truly (Tenth Anniversary Edition) deluxe digital reissue released on August 25, where the extended version was included, and remains available on streaming platforms without further re-releases as of 2025.[10][25]Music video
The music video for "Almost Is Never Enough" was directed by Nev Todorovic and produced by The Young Astronauts, with cinematography by Andrew Wheeler.[26] It features Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes performing the duet in a recording studio setting, intercut with scenes from the fantasy film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones to underscore the song's themes of longing and emotional closeness.[1] The visuals emphasize intimate close-up shots of the artists' vocal expressions and subtle interactions, captured in warm, subdued lighting that enhances the ballad's vulnerability, without a separate narrative storyline.[27] This approach mirrors the lyrics' exploration of unfulfilled love in a concise, performance-driven format.[27] The video premiered on YouTube and Vevo on August 19, 2013, aligning with the single's digital release as part of the film's soundtrack promotion.[1] By 2025, it had amassed over 100 million views, reflecting its enduring appeal as a promotional tie-in.[22] Produced in conjunction with the The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones soundtrack, the video effectively teased the film's August 2013 theatrical debut while generating early anticipation for Grande's debut album Yours Truly, which followed in September.[27]Live performances
"Almost Is Never Enough" made its live debut on August 10, 2013, as part of Ariana Grande's opening set for Justin Bieber's Believe Tour at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, where it was performed as a duet with Nathan Sykes for the first time publicly.[1] The duo reprised the song on the television program Live! with Kelly and Michael on September 5, 2013.[28] They also performed it together at the B96 Jingle Bash concert on December 14, 2013, at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.[29] During Grande's debut concert tour, The Listening Sessions, the track was a regular setlist inclusion, with Sykes joining for select dates such as those in Toronto, Rosemont, and Royal Oak; the song closed the tour's final performance solo by Grande on September 9, 2013, at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California.[30] It appeared occasionally in Grande's subsequent tours as a solo rendition, including during the 2017 Dangerous Woman Tour.[31] Post-2013, Sykes has delivered solo versions of the song at various events, notably during his AEG Presents headline shows in 2025, where it marked his first onstage interpretation without Grande.[32] The song has been adapted into acoustic formats for intimate venues, such as the duo's surprise performance at a secret London gig on November 7, 2013.[33] No major covers by other artists were prominent prior to 2025.Reception
Critical reception
Upon its release, "Almost Is Never Enough" received generally positive feedback from music critics, who praised its emotional balladry and the artists' vocal interplay. In a review of Ariana Grande's debut album Yours Truly, on which the song appears as a non-single track, Digital Spy described it as a "heart-fluttering ballad" and a "surprisingly fitting duet" with Nathan Sykes, highlighting its ear-grabbing hooks and rosy cadence that evoke '90s R&B influences. Similarly, Renowned for Sound called it a "beautiful love song" in their assessment of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones soundtrack, noting how Grande's rising pop profile and the duet's romantic tone complemented the film's narrative of forbidden romance and emotional turmoil.[34][35] Critics specifically commended the production's nod to 1990s soulful R&B and the song's emotional depth, with Sykes' harmonies providing a complementary counterpoint to Grande's expansive vocal range. Digital Spy's coverage emphasized the polished, nostalgic production that bolsters the duet's heartfelt delivery, while the emotional resonance was seen as a strength in tying into the soundtrack's themes of longing and near-misses in love. Reviewers appreciated how the track stands out on Yours Truly for its intimate vulnerability, distinguishing it amid the album's more upbeat cuts.[34] Some outlets offered minor critiques, viewing the song as somewhat formulaic within the genre of soundtrack ballads. KSL.com's soundtrack review labeled it "too cheesy for contemporary tastes," though effective for appealing to younger audiences drawn to its power-ballad style reminiscent of 1990s teen dramas. Critic of Music echoed this sentiment, faulting the delivery as insincere and overly imitative of influences like Mariah Carey, assigning it an overall grade of D+. Despite these points, the consensus remained favorable, with the album earning a 4/5 from Digital Spy and no aggregated Metacritic score available for the single itself.[36][37]Commercial performance
"Almost Is Never Enough" debuted at number 84 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in September 2013, ultimately peaking at number 82.[38] In the United Kingdom, the song reached a peak of number 49 on the Official Singles Chart, spending two weeks in the top 100.[39] It performed strongly in international markets, including a peak of number 4 on South Korea's Gaon International Chart.| Chart (2013) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| South Korea (Gaon International) | 4 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts) | 49 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 82 |
| Region | Certification (Units Sold/Streamed) | Accrediting Body | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Platinum (70,000) | ARIA | 2014 |
| Brazil | Gold (30,000) | PRO-MUSICAE | 2014 |
| New Zealand | Platinum (30,000) | RMNZ | 2020 |
| United Kingdom | Silver (200,000) | BPI | 2023 |
| United States | Platinum (1,000,000) | RIAA | March 31, 2025 |