Desirée Annette Weekes[1][2] (born 30 November 1968), known by her stage name Des'ree (/ˈdɛz(ə)reɪ/),[3] is an English pop and soul recording artist and songwriter, who rose to prominence during the 1990s.
Known for her distinctive contralto voice and uplifting lyrics,[4][5][6] Des'ree's biggest hits include the singles "Feel So High", "You Gotta Be", and "Life", as well as the ballad "Kissing You", which featured on the soundtrack of the 1996 film Romeo + Juliet.
[6] In 1991, at the age of 22 and with no connections in the music industry, Des'ree was signed to Sony 550, having been encouraged by her then-boyfriend to send a demo tape to the label.
Next, she performed for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican City's inaugural concert of secular music,[10] which aired on Italian television in December 1993; the event, Concerto di Natale, has been held with different artists every Christmas in the years since.
[10] Released a total of three times in the UK, it finally reached the top 10 in 1999 after a Ford Focus advertising campaign renewed its popularity.
[2] She appeared in a cameo role as "Diva" during one of the film's most iconic sequences,[17] performing said track, "Kissing You", as Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes' characters meet for the first time.
In 2007, a BBC Radio 6 listeners' poll declared the song as featuring the "worst lyric in pop", its offending lines being, "I don't want to see a ghost / it's the sight that I fear most / I'd rather have a piece of toast / watch the evening news".
[22] The album from which the single was taken, Supernatural, was released in June 1998 to positive reviews,[23] with American music critic J. D. Considine calling it "exquisitely listenable".
Dream Soldier was not a commercial or critical success, which led to her parting ways with Sony,[28] instead exploring her interest in naturopathy and training as a nutritionist.
[28][32] MusicOMH's Nick Smith awarded it four stars out of five, noting the "subtle beauty and emotional power" of Des'ree's voice, and calling the album "a solid and engaging return".