Sing

Story of Song

‘Sing’ was penned for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebration. When Lloyd Webber was asked how he and Barlow penned this track together, he responded: “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.”

Barlow explained that he was inspired by Prince Charles to recruit a wide range of artists for the single, he told the Press Association: “I was just going to do it in London with the Philharmonic Orchestra, but once I’d met with him [Prince CharIes] I realized we’ve got to go into the world. In my chat with him he said, ‘If you really want the Queen to like this, find people; go and travel and find people.’” And he did. The single not only features 230 people and musicians from various Commonwealth countries including Australia, Jamaica, Kenya and the Solomon Islands plus Gareth Malone and the Military Wives choir, but Barlow took Prince Charles’ advice and added Commonwealth musicians such as Ska guitarist Ernest Ranglin, Reggae duo Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, Jamaican group The Jolly Boys and the African Children’s Choir.

Release date

Released May 28, 2012

 Songwriter/s

Gary Barlow (lyrics & Music) – Andrew Lloyd Webber (Music)

Label

Decca

 Chart Rankings

This single topped the UK Singles Charts in 2012 selling over 327.000 copies. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified it Silver.  The song also topped the Euro Digital Songs Charts, and peaked at number 2 in Scotland. In Ireland ‘Sing’ peaked at number 12, and in Belgium it reached number 88. The song didn’t make it to the US charts.

Artist’s age on release date

Gary Barlow was 42 years old and the Military Wives had been active for 1 year when this song was released.

Cover Versions

Amateur artists covered this song on Youtube.

Video