What I Started

"What I Started" is the debut single by URAPS Idol 12 winner Regina Harper. The song was written and produced by China. It was released as Harper's winners single on September 26th 2011 and charted at #3 on the singles charts.

Song Information
The track was written and produced specifically for Regina Harper by China and was chosen by the judges of URAPS Idol 12 to be Harper's winners song. Harper claims she is very proud to have recorded and released the song and says it "means a lot" [to her] as it was the song that launched her career and brings back lots of memories from her Idol times. She also added that she felt the song was relatable and anyone can find it relates to their lives in some way.

Release and Reception
The single was performed by Harper live for the first time on the URAPS Idol 12 final. She amazed the viewers and critics alike and within minutes after her performance, '#ReginaHarperWasAmazing' became the #1 Worldwide trending topic on Twitter and the site eventually crashed for a half hour. Popjustice took to his site to do a write up on the performance and added that the song was "The perfect winners single for the perfect little lady. Bravo Regina!".

Regina visited Radio One in August 2011 to premiere the studio version of the track. Many reviewers and critics praised the track and the infamous media diva, Perex Hilton, called the song "the best track of 2011!". The Guardian claimed the song was a "masterpiece" and predicted that Regina would become a worldwide superstar one day. The single was released in the US on October 17th where it was also received very well. Ellen DeGeneres called the song "The bastard love child of a Pop Rock track by Elice Claire and Alesha" and added that that was "a very good thing".

Music Video
The music video for "What I Started" was shot in the Australian Outback during the first week of September 2011. It took 1 day to complete. According to Harper, it was a fun video to shoot and they rain scenes were only added in because Harper was too hot. The director decided this would keep her cool and would add to the effect for the video. The video starts off with Regina and a car full of cute boys are driving through the outback on a really hot day. The car runs out of gas and the boys are forced to go and look for a solution. They tell Regina to stay put and that they shouldn't be too long. But soon after they leave, Regina begins to hallucinate and sees a handsome man walking towards her. He takes her by the hand and she gets out of the car. Throughout the video, he leads her on a journey through the outback. She follows behind him and he gives her a smile every now and again, however she does not give one back. Towards the middle 8, a storm approaches and the man tells Regina that they "need to hurry" [depicted by subtitles]. The two of them start running. As the final chorus kicks in, it's starts to pour heavy rain. Regina and this man begin dancing together in the rain. He continues to smile and be affectionate towards her, but she does not give it back. He leans in for a kiss towards the end of the video, and when Regina opens her eyes, he is gone. The video ends with Regina's friends from the beginning arriving back to the car wondering where she is.

Charts
The song debuted at #3 on the singles charts in October 2011 and spent a total of 10 weeks in the charts and has to date sold 446,752 copies achieving a platinum certification. In the USA the track peacked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since sold 304,236 copies. The track reached the top 10 in many European contries and sold 560,117 copies in all of Europe. And finall, the track reached #10 on the Australian singles charts and #7 on the New Zealand singles charts and sold a total of 745,820 copies between both countries.

The track has therefore sold 2,056,925 copies worldwide.

Tracklistings
U.K. Promo
 * 1) What I Started
 * 2) What I Started (Instrumental)

U.S. Promo
 * 1) What I Started
 * 2) What I Started (USA Radio Edit)
 * 3) What I Started (Instrumental)

U.K. CD 1 Single
 * 1) What I Started
 * 2) Mad World (Live at the URAPS Idol 12 Final)

U.K. CD 2 Single
 * 1) What I Started
 * 2) What I Started (Live at the URAPS Idol 12 Final)
 * 3) Don't Let Me Down (Studio Version (Originally performed on URAPS Idol 12 Final) )
 * 4) What I Started (Music Video)

U.S.A CD Single/Download EP
 * 1) What I Started
 * 2) What I Started (Richard Vision Remix)