BY RICHARD JOHNSON
Observer senior reporter—
Jamaican singer Dalton Harris’s blistering rendition of I Have Nothing on Saturday’s live show on X Factor UK was not only enough to keep him in competition, it also put him on the iTunes Top 100 UK charts.
His studio recording of the song, made popular by the late Whitney Houston from the soundtrack of her 1992 film The bodyguard, immediately shot onto the popular downloads chart following his performance which was for many the highlight of Saturday’s second live performance show of the televised talent competition.
Up to press time Harris’s version of I Have Nothing was at number 27, the highest of any of his fellow X Factor contestants. Only three other contestants made it on to the iTunes chart with only Anthony Russell cracking the top 100 at 99. Trailing behind Harris are his fellow Boys Team member Russell, who performed Foreigner’s I Want to Know What Love Is; Scarlett Lee from the Girls Team who did Elvis Presley’s Always On My Mind and the duo Misunderstood who performed a rework of Close To You originally done by British-born reggae act Maxi Priest.
Harris was among the top contestants to be declared safe during Sunday’s elimination show. At the end of the night it was Janice Robinson from The Overs and LMA Choir from The Groups, who were sent home.
On Saturday, Harris sealed his slot for the next week doing a song which incidentally was one of the final tracks chosen by Tessanne chin during her victorious campaign in a similar competition, The Voice, back in 2013.
All four judges instantly rose to their feet along with studio audience once Harris completed his performance. Each of the judges was eager to pile on the commendations on the 24-year-old Jamaican.
“Dalton… if Jamaica had an Olympic singing team, they should send you because they would win gold. Incredible,” judge Robbie Williams shouted above the wild cheer and applause from the audience which lingered after the performance.
William’s wife and fellow judge Ayda Field also had nothing but the best words for Harris.
“I don’t know why you chose I Have Nothing, because you have everything. You are a star. You take on Whitney and you leave nothing behind.Dalton you are mega,” she said.
The show’s creator and lead judge Simon Cowell noted that the performance could be a career-defining moment for Harris.
“Dalton I remember a few occasions on this show when certain artistes had their moment that could change their lives. That might be that moment. Seriously amazing… I have to hold my hat off to you,” Cowell stated.
Harris mentor Louis Tomlinson was again pleased with the performance of his charge.
“Dalton, as far as I’m concerned, you are in your own league in this competition. It’s almost entertaining for me every week that I give you a bigger challenge every single week and you raise the bar every single week. You should be very, very proud of yourself. And let me just say, I have never heard a reaction like this in the room. It’s all for you,” said Tomlinson.
Harris dedicated his performance to all the potential artistes.
“I’m so grateful that I’m again given this platform to be a musician and inspire young youths from around the world. So if you are seeing me now and watching this, it’s possible. Just get on your dreams. I don’t care what it is. Just get on your dreams and do it,” said an impassioned Harris.
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