"Nine Million Bicycles" is a song by Katie Melua from her second studio album, "Piece by Piece," released in 2005. Here are some interesting facts about the song and Katie Melua:
Lyrics Inspiration: The lyrics of "Nine Million Bicycles" were inspired by Katie Melua's fascination with astronomy and her attempt to express the vastness of the universe in a simple and relatable way.
Scientific Accuracy: The song drew attention for its attempt to quantify the vastness of the universe, with lyrics like "There are nine million bicycles in Beijing, that's a fact, it's a thing we can't deny." Some critics have pointed out the inaccuracy of the statement, given that the actual number of bicycles in Beijing is constantly changing.
Success: "Nine Million Bicycles" became one of Katie Melua's most successful songs. It reached the top ten in several European countries and received widespread acclaim for its unique lyrical approach.
Album Success: The album "Piece by Piece," on which the song is featured, was a commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart.
Early Life: Katie Melua was born on September 16, 1984, in Georgia (formerly part of the Soviet Union) and moved to the United Kingdom at the age of eight. She showed an early interest in music and learned to play the guitar at a young age.
Musical Style: Katie Melua is known for her unique voice and a musical style that blends elements of jazz, blues, and folk. Her music often features introspective and poetic lyrics.
Other Notable Songs: While "Nine Million Bicycles" is one of her most well-known songs, Katie Melua has a repertoire of other notable tracks, including "Closest Thing to Crazy," "The Flood," and "If You Were a Sailboat."
These facts provide a glimpse into Katie Melua's career and the inspiration behind "Nine Million Bicycles."