View source for Sing (Gary Barlow song)

{{short description|2012 single by Gary Barlow and The Commonwealth Band}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name       = Sing
| cover      =
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Gary Barlow]] & The Commonwealth Band featuring [[Military Wives]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/26981/gary-barlow-commonwealth-band///|title=GARY BARLOW/COMMONWEALTH BAND|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=2015-07-28}}</ref>
| album      = [[Sing (Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band album)|Sing]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/gary-barlow-set-for-official-charts-diamond-double-1435/|title=Gary Barlow set for Official Charts Diamond double!|last=Lane|first=Dan|date=6 June 2012|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=6 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2012/06/06/gary-barlow-on-course-for-double-no-1-with-sing-album-and-single-457293/|title=Gary Barlow on course for double No.1 with Sing album and single|first=Sarah Deen for|last=Metro.co.uk|date=6 June 2012}}</ref>
| released   = {{Start date|df=y|2012|05|28}}
| recorded   = 2012
| studio     =
| venue      =
| genre      = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| length     = 4:35
| label      = [[Decca Records|Decca]]
| writer     = [[Gary Barlow]] (Music & Lyrics) <br /> [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] (Music)
| producer   = [[Eliot Kennedy]], Gary Barlow, Ryan Carline
| chronology = [[Gary Barlow]]
| prev_title = [[Teardrop (song)#The Collective|Teardrop]]
| prev_year  = 2011
| next_title = [[Let Me Go (Gary Barlow song)|Let Me Go]]
| next_year  = 2013
| misc       = {{Extra chronology
| artist     = [[Military Wives]]
| type       = single
| prev_title = In My Heads
| prev_year  = 2012
| title      = Sing
| year       = 2012
| next_title =
| next_year  =
}}
}}
"'''Sing'''" is a song written by British singer-songwriter [[Gary Barlow]], of [[Take That]], and British composer [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]], and performed by a number of artists assembled by Barlow from across [[The Commonwealth]], to commemorate the [[Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom]]. The track was released via [[Digital distribution|digital download]] and [[CD single]] on 28 May 2012, and was performed as part of the [[Elizabeth II]]'s [[Diamond Jubilee Concert]] celebrations on 4 June 2012.<ref name="thediamondjubilee1">[http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/gary-barlow-and-andrew-lloyd-webber-create-diamond-jubilee-song The Diamond Jubilee Official] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008082000/http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/gary-barlow-and-andrew-lloyd-webber-create-diamond-jubilee-song |date=8 October 2012 }}. Thediamondjubilee.org.</ref>
==Background==
It was announced in January that six-time [[Ivor Novello Awards|Ivor Novello]] recipient [[Gary Barlow]] and world-renowned composer [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]<!--never Lord Andrew ...--> 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."<ref name="thediamondjubilee1"/>
==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".<ref>Fox, Emily. (18 May 2012) [http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/320976/Prince-Harry-makes-musical-debut-on-Gary-Barlow-s-jubilee-single- Prince Harry Makes Musical Debut On Gary Barlow'S Jubilee Single]. ''Daily Express''.</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a382297/gary-barlow-andrew-lloyd-webber-unveil-jubilee-track-sing-video.html|title=Gary Barlow, Andrew Lloyd Webber unveil Jubilee track 'Sing' – video|last=Eames|first=Tom|date=18 May 2012|work=[[Digital Spy]]|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref>
The lyrics were written by Barlow whilst visiting villages in [[Kenya]], where Princess Elizabeth had been visiting when she was told that her father [[King George VI]] had died and that she had ascended to the throne. Barlow said "She was in Kenya on holiday when she found out her father had died and she found out she was the Queen so I drove to this place called [[Treetops Hotel|Treetops]] and I wrote".<ref>Fox, Emily. (18 May 2012) [http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/320976/Prince-Harry-makes-musical-debut-on-Gary-Barlow-s-jubilee-single- Daily Express PRINCE HARRY MAKES MUSICAL DEBUT ON GARY BARLOW'S JUBILEE SINGLE Emily Fox 18 May 2012]. ''Daily Express''.</ref> Barlow went on to say that "She started her reign there and we started our record in that place" and it was fitting that the song would return to those origins.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9273224/Gary-Barlow-the-day-the-Prince-of-Wales-taught-me-how-to-write-a-Diamond-Jubilee-song.html Telegraph 18 May 2012]. ''The Daily Telegraph''.</ref> The final version of "Sing" was completed and mastered during April 2012, and was given its premiere radio play on 18 May 2012 on Chris Evans BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. The final record features more than two-hundred singers and musicians, including a guest appearance from [[Prince Harry]] on tambourine, the [[African Children's Choir]], the Kibera Drummers from Kenya as well as the [[Military Wives Choir]] conducted by [[Gareth Malone]], well-known musicians such as reggae duo Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, and ska guitarist Ernest Ranglin. The song was handed over to the Queen at the beginning of May, with Barlow and Lloyd Webber presenting her a framed copy of the sheet music whilst also performing the song to her for the first time. As [[Prince Charles]] had predicted, she was most interested in the people on the screen – 'What are they playing and where are they and who are they?’. To this Barlow told her "all the stories about the people and the places and where they lived and who they were and she loved it."
==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.<ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a382297/gary-barlow-andrew-lloyd-webber-unveil-jubilee-track-sing-video.html Jubilee Song Unveiled Digital Spy 18 May 2012]. Digitalspy.co.uk (18 May 2012).</ref> 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 ''[[London Evening Standard]]'' stating that the song "Titled simply Sing, is required to appeal to the masses across the Commonwealth as well as an 86-year-old monarch. But if anyone can teach the world to sing in perfect harmony it is Barlow, who is well used to writing songs that suit stadiums." He continues by calling the accompanying video "a delight, beginning with Barlow pressing play on a CD in front of Prince Charles – and going on to show him recording singers from Jamaica, Kenya, Australia and the Solomon Islands, as well as our own Military Wives Choir and some Scottish bagpipers. It's so inclusive it even lets Prince Harry have a go, giving a tambourine a bash." He concludes by stating that the song is a refreshingly unstarry work and it's every bit as stirring as you'd expect [and that] there's no doubt even her Majesty will tap a toe.<ref>[http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/harry-the-pop-star-prince-is-crowning-glory-on-queens-jubilee-record-7763657.html 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).</ref> Tim Walker of ''[[The Independent]]'' referred to the song as a "testament to Barlow's songwriting that having elicited contributions from Australia, Africa, Jamaica, the South Pacific and the House of Windsor – he has managed to produce something that sounds like a [[Take That]] track."<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/first-night-gary-barlow-and-the-commonwealth-band-sing-7767060.html Tim Walker – Gary Barlow and The Commonwealth Band]. ''The Independent''. (19 May 2012).</ref>
==Chart performance==
"Sing" entered the [[UK Singles Chart]] at number 11 having sold number 32,460 copies of the single, despite having been released on the Monday rather than the Sunday as is the case with most newly released singles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0087C4KFY/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B0087C4KFY|title=On Her Majesty's Service|date=25 June 2012|via=Amazon}}</ref> The song entered the top 60 in Ireland after 4 days on sale. The following week it rose from 53 to 12 in the Irish Singles Chart<ref>[http://www.irma.ie/aucharts.asp 8 June 2012. IRMA Top 100 Singles Week ending 7 June 2012]. Irma.ie.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/scottish-singles-chart/|title=OCC Scottish Singles Chart 16 June 2012.|publisher=Official Charts Company}}</ref> The following week, the single rose from 11 to number 1 on the [[UK Singles Chart]], selling 142,470 copies and beating "[[Whistle (Flo Rida song)|Whistle]]" by [[Flo Rida]] to the top spot, the highest weekly sales for a number one in 2012 until [[Cheryl Cole]]'s "[[Call My Name (Cheryl Cole song)|Call My Name]]" sold over 153,000 copies a week later. The song became Barlow's first chart-topping single in the UK since his 1997 hit "[[Love Won't Wait]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/gary-barlow-tops-the-official-singles-and-official-albums-chart-with-sing-1438/|title=Gary Barlow tops the Official Singles AND Official Albums Chart with Sing|website=[[Official Charts Company|Official Charts]] }}</ref> "Sing"'s sales week-on-week rose by 338.91% in its second week and were the highest weekly sale for a number one for 25 weeks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/official-charts-analysis-gary-barlow-tops-album-and-singles-lists/049143|title=Official Charts Analysis: Gary Barlow tops Album and Singles lists|last=Jones|first=Alan|date=11 June 2012|work=Music Week|accessdate=11 June 2012|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The song has sold 327,000 copies as of December 2012, becoming the 49th best-selling single of the year<ref name="Official Chart Company">{{cite news |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-charts-advent-calendar-2012-day-14/ |title=Official Charts Advent Calendar 2012: Day 14 |author= Dan Lane |publisher=Official Chart Company |date=14 December 2012 |accessdate=26 December 2012 }}</ref> and has spent 30 weeks in the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/2012/singles |title=Top 100 Singles of 2012 |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=31 December 2012 |accessdate=5 January 2013}}</ref>
As of November 2020, "Sing" has moved a total of 427,000 units in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gary Barlow's biggest solo hits on the Official Chart revealed|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/gary-barlows-biggest-solo-hits-on-the-official-chart__31684/|access-date=2020-11-25|website=officialcharts.com|language=en}}</ref>
"Sing" also entered the Netherlands Top 100 at 69 and peaked at 88 in Belgium.
==Charts and certifications==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left;"
|-
!scope="col"| Chart (2012)
!scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders Tip|88|artist=Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band|song=Sing}}
|-
| Europe ([[Euro Digital Songs]])<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/14094707 | magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | accessdate = 25 September 2012 | title = Chart Search Results – Euro Digital Songs 2012-06-23}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
{{singlechart|Ireland2|12|artist=Gary Barlow & Commonwealth Band|access-date=27 January 2020}}
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|69|artist=Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band|song=Sing}}
|-
{{singlechart|Scotland|2|artist=Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band|song=Sing|date=20120616}}
|-
{{singlechart|UKdownload|1|artist=Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band|song=Sing|date=20120616}}
|-
{{singlechart|UK|1|artist=Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band|song=Sing|date=20120616}}
|}
{{col-2}}
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (2012)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|UK Singles Chart<ref name="autogenerated1"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|60
|}
===Certifications===
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Gold|access-date=20 December 2012|artist=Gary Barlow|type=single|relyear=2012|certyear=2017}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
{{col-end}}
==Cover versions==
For [[BBC Children in Need]] in [[Children in Need 2013|2013]], 1,624 children sang the song live unison from 10 towns across the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-11-16 |title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, 2013, Children in Need Choir: Across the UK |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01lnycq |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> The performance started in the studio then cut between the choirs giving each choir around 10-15 seconds on air before cutting to the next one all live in real time, before finishing in the studio. This was the third year the choir had performed since it started in 2011 and continues to be a regular feature on the telethon. The choirs sang from: [[Elstree]] at [[Elstree Studios]] the studios on the outskirts of London where the main telethon was held, [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] at [[Roman Baths (Bath)|The Roman Baths]],<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2013-11-06 |title=BBC's Children In Need To Broadcast From Roman Baths |url=https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/bbcs-children-need-broadcast-roman-baths-53152/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=Bath Echo |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Belfast]] at [[Broadcasting House, Belfast|BBC Blackstaff House]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-11-16 |title=Record £818,000 raised in Northern Ireland for Children in Need |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-24971042 |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Manchester]] at Z-arts,<ref>''North West Tonight'', 15 November 2013</ref> [[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]] at [[National Maritime Museum Cornwall|The National Maritime Museum]],<ref>{{cite news|title=National Maritime Museum Cornwall all set for BBC Children in Need live broadcast on Friday.|url=http://www.westbriton.co.uk/National-Maritime-Museum-Cornwall-set-BBC/story-20066170-detail/story.html|accessdate=15 November 2013|newspaper=West Briton|date=12 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111070153/http://www.westbriton.co.uk/National-Maritime-Museum-Cornwall-set-BBC/story-20066170-detail/story.html|archive-date=11 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Glasgow]] at [[BBC Pacific Quay]],<ref>The Children in Need Scotland Highlights which featured the Glasgow choir's full performance</ref> [[Birmingham]] at the [[Library of Birmingham]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=Millions raised for Children in Need |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-24978593 |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Kettering]] at [[Wicksteed Park]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=East breaks Children In Need record |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-24974828 |access-date=2024-10-24 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Merthyr Tydfil]] at [[Merthyr Tydfil College]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Saffron |date=2013-11-21 |title=Children in Need 2013 fundraisers at Merthyr College |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/gallery/children-need-2013-fundraisers-merthyr-6328977 |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, 2013, Wales' Best Bits |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03j0zpp |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> and [[Hexham]] at Hexham Trinity Methodist Church<ref>{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Gemma|title=TOWN GEARS UP TO HOST CHILDREN IN NEED|url=http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/hexham-town-gears-up-to-host-children-in-need-1.1071007|accessdate=15 November 2013|newspaper=Hexham Courant|date=17 July 2013}} Note The main event was at the Market place only the choir was in the Methodist church</ref>
==Release history==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Country
! Date
! Format
! Label
|-
||Worldwide
| 28 May 2012
| [[Digital distribution|Digital download]]
||Decca Records
|}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Gary Barlow}}
{{Andrew Lloyd Webber}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2012 singles]]
[[Category:British pop songs]]
[[Category:Gary Barlow songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Gary Barlow]]
[[Category:Songs with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber]]
[[Category:UK singles chart number-one singles]]
[[Category:2012 songs]]
[[Category:Decca Records singles]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Eliot Kennedy]]
[[Category:Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II]]