Peak UK Chart Position: #3 in February 2003.

Birthday wishes to Charlotte Church – born Charlotte Maria Reed, in Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales – who celebrates her 31st birthday today.  Her musical break came at the age of just 11 when she sang Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Pie Jesu” over the telephone on the television show This Morning in 1997, followed by her performance on ITV’s Big, Big Talent Show in 1997. Her first album, “Voice Of An Angel”, released in 1998, was a collection of arias, sacred songs, and traditional pieces that sold millions worldwide and made her the youngest artist with a number one album on the British classical crossover charts.

Quick facts:

• “Brave New World” was her second singles chart success – preceded by 1999’s Christmas release “Just Wave Hello” which got to number 31.
• The music video for the song was animated and saw a computer-animated version of Charlotte Church running through a futuristic town to meet up with Jurgen Vries.
• Her biggest hit came in 2005 when “Crazy Chick” got to number two, and heralded the release of her debut pop album “Tissues And Issues”.
• Subsequent to her Channel 4 entertainment series The Charlotte Church Show in 2006, she won a British Comedy Award for “Best Female Comedy Newcomer” in December of that year.

“Brave New World” appeared on Top Of The Pops on the the January 31st 2003 show, which was hosted by Sarah Cawood. Church’s excellent live vocal performance was in and among the likes of Craig David, the Wildhearts, Darren Hayes, and that week’s number one from David Sneddon.