Grace Kelly (song)

"Grace Kelly" is a song by British singer Mika, released in January 2007 as the lead single from his debut album, Life in Cartoon Motion. The song is a piano-driven pop tune characterized by its operatic vocals and self-referential lyrics about the pressures of conforming to expectations in the music industry.

The song's lyrics are a critique of record label executives who urged Mika to adopt a more conventional and easily marketable image. He lists different vocal styles in the chorus – "Could be brown, could be blue, could be violet sky" – representing the different personas he was asked to adopt. The title is a reference to the American actress Grace Kelly, symbolizing the image of perfection and sophistication that Mika felt pressured to emulate.

"Grace Kelly" was a commercial success, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart, as well as topping the charts in several other countries including Ireland, Italy, and Norway. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its catchy melody and Mika's vocal performance. However, some critics also noted its calculated and somewhat artificial nature. The song helped launch Mika's career and remains one of his signature songs.