Sing (Gary Barlow song)
"Sing" | ||||
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Released | 28 May 2012 | |||
Recorded | 2012 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 4:35 | |||
Label | Decca | |||
Songwriter(s) | Gary Barlow (Music & Lyrics) Andrew Lloyd Webber (Music) | |||
Producer(s) | Eliot Kennedy, Gary Barlow, Ryan Carline | |||
Gary Barlow singles chronology | ||||
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Military Wives singles chronology | ||||
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"Sing" is a song written by British singer-songwriter
Background
It was announced in January that six-time Ivor Novello recipient Gary Barlow and world-renowned composer Andrew Lloyd Webber would be working together to write the official Diamond Jubilee single. Barlow and Lloyd Webber aimed to write the music to the song before Barlow would travel The Commonwealth looking for musicians, singers and contributors and begin writing the lyrics and producing the song as he visited remote villages and countries from across the Caribbean, Africa, the Pacific Islands and Australasia to find singers to perform in front of the Queen. Barlow said of the project: "This is probably the biggest challenge I've ever taken on musically. I'm so excited and thrilled to be a part of it." Lloyd Webber echoed these views and stated: "It is a huge honour to be involved in this historic occasion and I am looking forward very much to working with Gary."[4]
Composition
Barlow revealed that the music of the song was written in January during "an afternoon round at [Lloyd Webber's] house, [with a] couple of pianos and it was really good fun actually." He said that they "did all the melodies in an afternoon and then I waited to do the lyrics until I got to Kenya".[5] Speaking about writing the track with Barlow, Lord Lloyd-Webber said: "We got together with embryonic ideas. Gary had an idea for the chorus, I had the idea for the verse, we both agreed that the message was about the Commonwealth. I was thinking 'anthem', but we had to involve all the people we could, and it had to be something very simple that people could learn. Working with Gary has been one of the great joys, he is such a fantastic songwriter, it was a completely new experience."[6]
The lyrics were written by Barlow whilst visiting villages in
Music video
The official music video for Sing premiered on 18 May 2012, via Barlow's official YouTube account. It was also premiered in full on the BBC during The One Show. It features Barlow's journey across The Commonwealth creating the song, and adding the vocals and instruments from various countries. It also includes clips of Prince Charles, Prince Harry and of Barlow and Lloyd Webber writing the music to the song as well as the mastering and addition of the orchestra to the track.[9] The video also included excerpts from the recording of the single at Abbey Road Studios with 'The Military Wives' Choir' featuring military wives from 10 different Military Wives Choirs, including ladies from Marham Bluebirds, RAF Marham Military Wives choir.
Critical reception
Critics reviewed "Sing" positively, with Ross Lydall of the
Chart performance
"Sing" entered the
As of November 2020, "Sing" has moved a total of 427,000 units in the United Kingdom.[19]
"Sing" also entered the Netherlands Top 100 at 69 and peaked at 88 in Belgium.
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label |
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Worldwide | 28 May 2012 | Digital download | Decca Records |
References
- ^ "GARY BARLOW/COMMONWEALTH BAND". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
- ^ Lane, Dan (6 June 2012). "Gary Barlow set for Official Charts Diamond double!". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
- ^ Metro.co.uk, Sarah Deen for (6 June 2012). "Gary Barlow on course for double No.1 with Sing album and single".
- ^ a b The Diamond Jubilee Official Archived 8 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Thediamondjubilee.org.
- ^ Fox, Emily. (18 May 2012) Prince Harry Makes Musical Debut On Gary Barlow'S Jubilee Single. Daily Express.
- ^ Eames, Tom (18 May 2012). "Gary Barlow, Andrew Lloyd Webber unveil Jubilee track 'Sing' – video". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- ^ Fox, Emily. (18 May 2012) Daily Express PRINCE HARRY MAKES MUSICAL DEBUT ON GARY BARLOW'S JUBILEE SINGLE Emily Fox 18 May 2012. Daily Express.
- ^ Telegraph 18 May 2012. The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ Jubilee Song Unveiled Digital Spy 18 May 2012. Digitalspy.co.uk (18 May 2012).
- ^ Harry the pop star prince is crowning glory on Queen's Jubilee record 17 May 2012, Ross Lydall Evening Standard. London Evening Standard (17 May 2012).
- ^ Tim Walker – Gary Barlow and The Commonwealth Band. The Independent. (19 May 2012).
- ^ "On Her Majesty's Service". 25 June 2012 – via Amazon.
- ^ 8 June 2012. IRMA Top 100 Singles Week ending 7 June 2012. Irma.ie.
- ^ "OCC Scottish Singles Chart 16 June 2012". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Gary Barlow tops the Official Singles AND Official Albums Chart with Sing".
- ^ Jones, Alan (11 June 2012). "Official Charts Analysis: Gary Barlow tops Album and Singles lists". Music Week. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
- ^ Dan Lane (14 December 2012). "Official Charts Advent Calendar 2012: Day 14". Official Chart Company. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ^ a b "Top 100 Singles of 2012". BBC. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
- ^ "Gary Barlow's biggest solo hits on the Official Chart revealed". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- Ultratip.
- ^ "Chart Search Results – Euro Digital Songs 2012-06-23". Billboard. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Gary Barlow & Commonwealth Band". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ "Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band – Sing" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "British single certifications – Gary Barlow". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 20 December 2012. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Gary Barlow in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.