Pop star Samantha Jade forges ahead with new single Sweet Talk in honour of her mother

POP darling Samantha Jade promised her dying mum she would get back to work quickly after her sad passing in June. Now she reveals a taste of her long-awaited second album.

IT has been the toughest year of Samantha Jade’s life. The release of her new single Sweet Talk this week should be cause for celebration with her family.

But her greatest champion, her mum Jacqui Gibbs, will never hear the song that kicks off the countdown to her long-awaited second album.

The single was recorded in London as Jade, her father Kevin and brothers Alex and Thomas neared the end of a month-long overseas trip to escape the pain of Jacqui’s passing from cancer in June.

With the song on a loop in her head and her final promise to her mother to finish the record ringing in her ears, Jade decided it was time to get back to work.

“I wasn’t able to do a lot of writing this year because I spent every day at the hospital,” she said.

SAD LOSS: ‘I will miss you everyday, especially on my wedding day’, Samantha Jade posts moving tribute to mum

“I fell in love with Sweet Talk, it’s (got a) Mariah and Janet vibe, and I knew I would buy that song even if it wasn’t me recording it.”

The 27-year-old singer nailed the track in just a few takes with her proud father watching her work.

The studio session reminded her of the Saturday morning tradition in the Gibbs household, when they would do their chores to the Big Chill soundtrack.

“Music was always important in our house growing up, Dad loves music, so to have my biggest fan in the studio with me was great,” she said.

HEARTFELT VOW: ‘I’ve lost my beautiful mother, but I’ll never stop singing’ — Samantha Jade

Jade put recording sessions for the album on hold earlier this year when her mother was diagnosed with brain cancer. But she revealed that Jacqui was involved in the album plans before her death.

“My friend Zac and I took all the pictures for the artwork into the hospital and Mum picked the ones she thought would work best, she approved them all and that’s how she is involved in this record,” she said.

Jade impressed millions of viewers and won the enduring support of her fans with her dogged determination and undeniable talent on the X Factor in 2012.

REALITY FLASHBACK: When Samantha Jade won X Factor

Sweet Talk not only confirms the vocal power which made her the first female winner of the competition in Australia but ably demonstrates she can match it with Mariah when it comes to hitting those golden high notes.

“I never really showcased that I could hit those notes on the X Factor except for maybe on the first week with Wide Awake,” she said.

“On this song, I just go for it.”

SCREEN DARLING: Samantha Jade wants to do more acting after her breakout role as Kylie Minogue in INXS biopic

She doesn’t need the pitch correcting assistance of the infamous Auto Tune but she admits the recording software is used on all pop tracks now as a sound effect.

“I sang without it — I always have to know I can hit those notes when it comes to singing it live,” she said.

“But if you listen to the song, I am sure they added it over the top as an effect because it has become the sound now.

“If you put a song on radio that doesn’t have it, you can tell the difference. So now it makes songs sound radio-friendly.”

Jade has her good hours and bad hours when her mind turns to her mum and admits there are some days she wishes she could spend crying all day behind locked doors.

‘It’s for them’ ... Samantha Jade says her single is for her family — and she’ll keep working hard for them. Picture: John Appleyard

But honouring her commitment to he mother to forge ahead in her career keeps Jacqui close to her heart.

“Mum was very clear that she wanted me to finish this, to keep going with my dream,” she said.

“So I am doing this for my family. I’m not going to stop working.”

Sweet Talk is out on Friday, with her second album expected in early 2015.

Originally published as Pop star Samantha Jade forges ahead with new single Sweet Talk in honour of her mother