<P> `` Almost Is Never Enough '' is a song recorded by American singer Ariana Grande and English singer Nathan Sykes . The pop and soul - influenced track was written by Grande , Harmony Samuels , Carmen Reece , Al Sherrod Lambert , Olaniyi - Akinpelu , and its producer , Moses Samuels . Two official versions of the song exist . The soundtrack version is included on the official soundtrack for the 2013 fantasy film The Mortal Instruments : City of Bones and was released August 19 , 2013 via Republic Records as a second promotional single from the same , following Colbie Caillat 's `` When the Darkness Comes '' on July 10 , and a longer version was remastered for inclusion on Grande 's debut studio album , Yours Truly ( 2013 ) . </P>
who is the original singer of almost is never enough
American singer Ariana Grande English singer Nathan Sykes