Critic Jonni: Sam Callahan

Sam Callahan - Demons |

I have been a fan of Sam Callahan for years, even before he auditioned for The X Factor, and today saw him drop a brand new single and music video, titled "Demons", and I am obsessed with this song. Highly relatable to anyone who has been in toxic friendships and relationships - let's be honest, we've all been there at some point - this song draws on the emotions of that pivotal moment when you decide to do what's best for you and leave the toxic person once and for all, detoxing yourself from that person who was dragging you down with them. It's quite possibly one of his best songs he's released lyrically as the structure is on-point, as well as his vocals, and his falsetto gives me chills every time he launches into that bridge. This is one brilliant song that deserves to become his biggest hit to date. Keep listening to it on repeat!

The music video, directed by Jake Pursey, is set in an abandoned building and is a pure performance visual. Sam Callahan takes all his honesty and emotion and unleashes it during the visual allowing the audience to feel what this track means to him. We imagine that he would bring this sort of energy on stage whenever gigs are allowed to go-ahead again. The last few scenes see him use all that emotional energy on smashing a TV with a baseball bat - which he clearly enjoyed doing. This is such a great music video to accompany this track.

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It's been way too long since I last blogged, but I have now returned to blogging, purely because Sam Callahan has released this awesome new music video that has definitely impassioned me. Well, it's not just the music video, it's the absolutely incredible song that is all about getting back up after feeling so low and ready to give up on everything. I've been fighting for my writing career for a number of years now, and I still haven't reached the goal and the dream I've envisioned since I was a kid, and I still feel like I'm a long way away from getting there, but I will continue to push and put in all the hard work that is needed to get me to that moment - because I will get there. That is what I take from this song and music video and that's the whole intention. Watch Sam Callahan walk the streets to the top of a car park where he lights up a purple smoke flare, while scenes of four professionals training in their chosen fields are intercut throughout.

Sam Callahan is a singer-songwriter I have been following ever since he released his debut single "Runaway Train" back in 2012. For those of you who have been reading my blog for years will know that I've reviewed pretty much all his music videos on here. He followed his debut up with "Crazy" before becoming a contestant on the tenth series of The X Factor, where he made it to the live shows and came seventh overall. After the show, he released "Bigger Things", formed a rock band (which split not long afterwards), and released a club track titled "I Love It When You". In 2017, he released the incredible song "Burns Like Fire" and followed that up earlier this year with "Say Something". Today, he has released "Stitches and Scars" and it's his most emotional track to-date whilst taking it back to his roots. The track reminds me of "Runaway Train", only with more emotion and passion - Sam Callahan is still a star in the making and deserves success in all forms, he even wrote this track all by himself. The producer of the song was Jamie Sellers.

Directed by Sam Callahan & Gareth Mangan, the music video is mainly a narrative piece with the occasional performance scene throughout. It is certainly the best music video from Sam Callahan to-date, and I completely believe that. The visual stars professional MMA Fighter, Mike ‘Pretty Boy’ Hales, professional gymnast, Sophie Brace, British MX Championship contender, Tommy Lee Morris, and, world champion minibike racer, Robbie Daly.

The slight performance piece is gentle and basic as we follow Sam Callahan who is walking along the streets with his guitar, which he occasionally plays. We also watch scenes of him performing on stages from festivals to arena concerts. He leads us to a car park, and when he arrives at the top he lets off a purple smoke flare whilst acting confident.

As for the narrative, we watch these four professionals training. Mike 'Pretty Boy' Hales is running along the shoreline before a young kid decides to join him and helps him to work out; this professional MMA fighter can also be seen training up in a gym, similarly, Sophie Brace is also training in a gym - we watch her perform floor gymnastics. As for Tommy Lee Morris and Robbie Daly, we watch them ride their bikes on a track and their preparations beforehand. The ending sees them all achieving the goal they set themselves.

What more can I say about this music video? I've already covered it on CelebMix and Fuzzable, and it is set to be published on Outlet Magazine soon. What we've only just discovered is that Sam Callahan filmed this music video using his iPhone 8+ and he also edited and produced it himself. He put his all not just into the song but into this music video, and it's not a surprise that it is absolutely incredible. This music video is one I won't be forgetting, in years to come, and it just goes to show that hard work really does pay off. This is a masterpiece, and I'm beyond proud to give Sam Callahan his first five stars for one of his music videos! I hope he releases more incredible music videos in the future.

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Burns Like Fire - Sam Callahan |

As soon as this dropped, I knew I'd be using it as my New Release for this date, after writing up about it for CelebMix. The song has been out for over two weeks now, but this blog is backdated as I attempt to catch up on my blog posts. I have supported Sam Callahan since I stumbled across "Runaway Train", and have continued to support him as the years have gone by, he even became Artist of the Month on my blog, back when I was focusing on those posts. Now he's got another brilliant song out, and I can't get enough of it. Watch Sam Callahan walk through a forest as three women throw colour powder over him and cling to his tee, eventually ripping it from him in this sexy music video for "Burns Like Fire".

Sam Callahan is a UK male singer-songwriter who has been releasing music for many years. Most notably, he was a contestant on the tenth series of The X Factor, where he made it to the live shows and came seventh overall. Since then he has been working on new music and has been dropping a lot of teasers, we've already had "Bigger Things", which was then followed up with "I Love It When You", and now we've got "Burns Like Fire" which is an extremely addicting track. He later dropped a remix and a live acoustic version of the track. The song was written by Sam Callahan and Jamie Sellers.

Directed by Johnny Marchtta, this music video has to be Sam Callahan's best one to date, for sure. There's not a lot going on throughout, as this male singer-songwriter walks slowly through the forest. Acting as his three love interests are actresses and models Rebecca Liddle, Jo Marney, and Jazmine Martin.

Taking the "before it all blew up in my face" lyric and turning it into colour powder, this music video centres around that. As Sam Callahan walks through the forest, each girl approaches, throws the colour powder at him, clings on to him, and pulls at his t-shirt.

By the end, all three women surround him and throw powder before attempting to tear his t-shirt off him; they eventually do and we're treated to a topless Sam Callahan. We then see him wake up in bed - it was all some weird colourful dream, or so he thinks. He flings the duvet from him and we see that he's covered in the colour powder. What really happened then? Your guess is as good as mine.

Overall, it's a clever concept of a music video. It's addicting, enjoyable, and interesting in every way. They all look like they had great fun filming the video, although it's clear that Sam Callahan's necklace gets in the way at times. I hope the future music videos from this talented male singer is of the same high quality.

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Sam Callahan has done it again, he has released one banger of a song I can't stop playing over and over again. 'What is it you do to me?' High energy, amazing vocals, and the perfect path for him to go down. A past Artist Of The Month, is setting clubs alive with this song, and I'd definitely be requesting it in any club I'm in, and will definitely be playing it at any predrinks and house parties I host. 'I don't know what you do to me'. Sam Callahan is back stronger than ever, sexy upbeat tempo track that compliments his vocals, and a club style music video that accompanies the song effortlessly.

Sam Callahan is another one of The X Factor alumni, but that wasn't where I first came across him. He was promoted before The X Factor and appeared in both Attitude Magazine and Gay Times Magazine, it's where I spotted him over three years ago. He released "Runaway Train" and "Crazy" before entering for the competition. He got to the live shows, with his callafan army behind him. It gave him more exposure and many more fans. After a wayward dip in the rock world, he has turned his sights on dance/house music and this definitely suits him much more. After the release of "Bigger Things", I wondered what was next, and here is my new favourite song from him. I Love It When You was written by Sam Callahan, Warren Meyers, Jenna Donnelly and Matthew Meyers.

Directed by Harvey Lewis, I instantly prefer it over "Bigger Things". A mainly performance piece with a hidden narrative, Sam Callahan finally has perfect stage presence and portrays this song amazingly, he's heart is definitely into this one, and he's loving every minute of it.

Set in Talk Nightclub in Southend, the video has the same feel of the song, with edited scenes that are repeated at times, allowing for an upbeat video. It features Tiffany Theatre College and Vapour Creations (the latter provided the smoke table which holds the drinks in Sam Callahan's booth).

The narrative never quite forms, it works to an extent, but this girl is jumping from one guy to the next, which isn't exactly a rarity in clubs. The first guy she's talking to at the bar is presumable later found in the men's toilets with another girl. Then she comes across Sam Callahan, and after a few exchanges they head back to his booth, where he says something stupid and she pushes him away. Whatever you said Sam Callahan, never say it again!

There's a few people with scary masks on, suggesting alcohol is going to the clubbers heads. Allowing a distorted version of events which totally relates to the song

More clubbing enfolds, including a crowd surf, a champagne soaking (who wouldn't like to get Sam Callahan wet?) and plenty of dancing; with a cheeky UV kiss on his cheek, right at the end.

Overall, an amazingly catchy song that has been stuck in my head since it was released on SoundCloud. The music video finally got released, along with the pre-order of the radio edit. The video relates, it's energetic, has perfect performance vibes from Sam Callahan, and attempts at a narrative that leaves us wanting more. Sam Callahan has found his sound, he just needs promotion and success. I Love It When You is a banger, and it's going to be one of those uncharted treasures that should've been popular.

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Sam Callahan is back with a rockier sound, which is totally working for him. He has been going for a number of years, he appeared in some of my gay magazines which is where I spotted him, he became my Artist of the Month back in February 2013. He then went on The X Factor, and gained more fans to add to his Callafan army, who have supported him a lot. This is Sam Callahan's first release since finishing The X Factor, he looks cool and calm, with and emotional vocals and a perfect narrative video to accompany the song.

Sam Callahan has finally released his EP today, and this is the lead single from it. He previously released "Runaway Train" and "Crazy" which are no longer available on iTunes. He's rendition of "We'll Be Coming Back" is still one of my all-time favourite covers ever sung. I really do hope the best for his career, however I'm disappointed in his team for releasing this song on a SUNDAY! Are they not aware that New Music Fridays (NMF) has come in, where singles are released on a Friday, and that the chart is also released on a Friday to coincide with the NMF. The chances of this charting is little to none, and the iTunes chart proves this too, as he isn't anywhere near the top 1000, let alone the top 100. And the very little amount of YouTube views of his music video also shows how many people know about his EP. He's been promoting the song through school gigs, but this is clearly not working. He needs to up his promotion if he wants a good chance in the music industry. I really hope he doesn't fall like all the previous X Factor stars. I know he has the vocals and the star power to do it, he just needs more promotion, and a perfect song like "We'll Be Coming Back".

This is directed by Harvey Lewis, the narrative features a guy and a girl (Joe Ashman and Grace Walsh respectively) who are in a relationship that is rocky at best. It reminds me of Aylar Lie's relationship with Lucas Thorheim in Basshunter's "Now You're Gone" and "All I Ever Wanted".

They go away on a beach holiday and they're all loved up, but it soon ends with her being upset that some girl is texting him. They meet up once again and hug and say that they love each other. A typical relationship story, that works really well with the song.

Disappointingly Sam Callahan lets the whole thing down, he appears in some of the scenes singing the song, much like Basshunter appeared in his two videos. Sam Callahan, however, doesn't make me want to see him live, which is a slight surprise since he's nailed all his previous performance scenes in his previous music videos. Is this song something he hasn't got his heart in? Or is there something else we don't know? Fingers crossed his second music video is better (that's if he continues to release music). Personally, I think it's his time, he just needs that hit song, to get everyone talking.

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Sam Callahan, Critic Jonni's first ever Artist Of The Month, way back in February, is soon going to be one of the most talked about artists at the end of this year. He is currently doing well in The X Factor this year, so we'll all be seeing him on our TV screens in the future. He previously released "Runaway Train" as his first single. Next was this single which involved him taking part in 15 crazy stunts for charity, all of which appear in this music video as he reminisces over those stunts. So while you are watching The X Factor this year, don't forget to root for him!

The 15 crazy stunts Sam Callahan was involved in were: 1) A Ghost Hunt, 2) Eat a 26" Pizza, 3) Back flip off the top divers board, 4) Wake Boarding, 5) Pole Dancing, 6) Horse Jump, 7) 160ft Bungee Jump, 8) Morris Dancing, 9) Fire Walk, 10) 100mph Zip Wire, 11) Zorbing, 12) Spartan Challenge, 13) Skinny Dip, 14) Dirt Bike Jump, and 15) Sky Dive. All crazy stunts include videos and they can be seen by clicking here, you can also still donate, he was raising money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

This video is mainly a performance piece, without all the editing, all we would have is Sam Callahan singing the song. However, that is not all that he is doing. His lyrics mean a lot to him, and each word in the song is sung with emotion, and you can really believe Sam Callahan is going to do well in the music industry.

The videos have various scenes to them. The start clip can be considered part of the narrative, as Sam and this girl in the video clip are going on a road trip, and he is clearly fantasising about her, and therefore the song relates to the video pretty well.

Overall a song that deserved to chart, but didn't, however might get a chance when The X Factor returns and his audition is shown. And an accompanying video that is good in some ways, but not so good in others. I have to give credit to the editors, they did a good job with this. But I feel that we should have seen a little more of the narrative and the videos rather than focusing entirely on Sam Callahan's performance piece.

Sam Callahan first sparked my attention by appearing in a magazine. Since then I can't stop thinking about him, so I looked up his music on iTunes and on a whim bought this single, and what a lucky find I have found, an 18 year old and he can sing like that..... What is this world coming to? His voice is angelic and amazing, and one of those voices I could listen to again and again and never ever get bored.

"Runaway Train" is not the only track on the single I bought from iTunes, but it's definitely his own song, whereas the others are covers of Calvin Harris Featuring Example's "We'll Be Coming Back" and Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together". Both covers are amazing with the former being one of the best versions of that song I have ever heard. This is one artist you do not want to miss, and I'm sure he is going to be on everyone's lips soon enough (and I don't mean that in a literal sense, I hope not anyway as there would be a lot of jealousy in the world if that did happen). He has recently became my Artist Of The Month in February. Watch out guys, he's on his way.

This music video is low-budget, which is to be expected since it is his first music video, and there is a lot of imagery in this that goes perfectly with the song. I especially like seeing the trains in the background.

There is a performance piece and a narrative, always a good starting point in music videos, so this puts him in my good books, and there is not much going on making it easy to follow, although you can't help but be distracted by his pretty face.

There's a few niggling things that has dropped my rating. From a technical point of view, there is way to many close-ups and mid-shots, we never see his entire body, and what he is wearing, focusing mainly on his face, sometimes too close. The long shots are quick and flits as if they weren't really there. Another point is the studio performance piece, this could've been in front of a crowd full of screaming girls, I think it would've captured us in more and seen the sort of energy he would give to a stage. Again the narrative could've been developed that little bit more, maybe him jumping off the train at the start and then him strumming about on the grass with his guitar.

But those are minor details that are missing, and I'm throwing ideas about this video, because I want Sam Callahan to become the mega star he clearly deserves to be, and I'm sure he will be. Watch out 2013, it's the year of Sam Callahan and many other artists so it seems.

Overall a great song I could listen to again and again. And an accompanying music video that may need a few touch ups here and there, but it's captivating and imaginable, that it makes you want to watch again, and not just because of his amazing voice. This is the sort of video I like, and hence for the rating. Please bare in mind this is a low-budgeted music video and so my rating would've differed if this wasn't the case.