Nine Million Bicycles

Katie Melua

About Nine Million Bicycles

"Nine Million Bicycles" is a song written and produced by Mike Batt for the singer Katie Melua's second album, Piece by Piece. It was released as the album's first single in September 2005 and reached number five on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Melua's first top five hit as a solo artist. It was a finalist for The Record of the Year prize, losing to "You Raise Me Up" by Westlife.


Year:
2005
119 
#1

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

There are nine million bicycles in Beijing
That's a fact
It's a thing we can't deny
Like the fact that I will love you
'Til I die

We are twelve billion light years from the edge
That's a guess
No one can ever say it's true
But I know that I will always be with you

I'm warm by the fire
Of your love every day
So don't call me a liar
Just believe everything that I say

There are six billion people in the world
More or less
And it makes me feel quite small
That you're the one I love the most of all

We're high on a wire
With the world in our sight
And I'll never tire
Of the love that you give me every night

There are nine million bicycles in Beijing
That's a fact
It's a thing we can't deny
Like the fact that I will love you
'Til I die

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Katie Melua

Ketevan "Katie" Melua (Georgian: ქეთევან "ქეთი" მელუა; born 16 September 1984) is a Georgian-born British singer, songwriter and musician. She moved to Northern Ireland at the age of eight and then to England at fourteen. Melua is signed to the small Dramatico record label, under the management of composer Mike Batt, and made her musical debut in 2003. In 2006, she was the United Kingdom's best-selling female artist and Europe's highest selling European female artist. more »

5 fans

Written by: Mike Batt

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Album Release
"Nine Million Bicycles" was included on Katie Melua's second studio album, "Piece by Piece", released in 2005.
Chart Success
The song quickly became a hit in the UK, topping many charts, it reached number five in the UK Singles Chart and was the first single released from the album "Piece by Piece."
Science Controversy
The song's lyrics imply a cosmological error in estimating the age of the universe, which led to an amusing controversy and debate with scientist Simon Singh.
Singh's Correction
Astrophysicist Simon Singh criticised the inaccuracy of the line, "We are 12 billion light years from the edge. That's a guess — no one can ever say it's true," claiming that the estimated age of the universe is actually about 13.8 billion years.
Melua's Response
Katie Melua humorously responded by recording a version of the song with corrected lyrics suggested by Singh. This version was played on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4.
Platinum Status
"Nine Million Bicycles" helped the album "Piece by Piece" achieve platinum certification in the UK.
Single Release
The song was released as a single on 19 September 2005.
Writer and Producer
"Nine Million Bicycles" is a song written and produced by Mike Batt, an established songwriter and composer who has contributed to many high-profile projects and artists.
Song Inspiration
The song was reportedly inspired by the sight of the numerous bicycles in Beijing, estimated at nine million, hence the song's title.
Certification
The single sold over 100,000 copies and was certified silver by the BPI in October 2005.
In Popular Culture
The song has been used in several TV shows and movies, including an episode of "The Science of Doctor Who" in which the presenter used the lyrics from the song to discuss the vastness of the universe.
Cover Versions
Many cover versions of "Nine Million Bicycles" have been made by various artists around the world, underscoring the song's popularity and universal appeal.
Music Video
The music video was filmed in Beijing, China, where the inspiration for the song originally came from.

Discuss the Nine Million Bicycles Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Nine Million Bicycles Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/12985641/Katie+Melua/Nine+Million+Bicycles>.

    Missing lyrics by Katie Melua?

    Know any other songs by Katie Melua? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Nine Million Bicycles

    26.7M
    118.3K     3,675

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Fill in the missing Nirvana lyric: "Just because you're ___ don't mean they're not after you"?
    A Delusional
    B Unafraid
    C Paranoid
    D Innocent

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Katie Melua's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Katie Melua tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!