Sing is the third solo studio album released by British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow. The album was released through Decca Records on 25 May 2012 and features The Commonwealth Band which was created by Barlow to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.
Background With Take That on hiatus after the completion of their record breaking Progress Live tour in 2011, Barlow was approached by the Queen's advisers to discuss his writing of a song which would become the official single of the Diamond Jubilee. Barlow then begun to shape ideas before enlisting the help of Andrew Lloyd Webber who was also asked to create a piece of music for the celebrations.Jubilee Official, Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber to create a Diamond Jubilee song-Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber are to write a song together to mark 60 years of The Queen's reign
Release Once the title track, "Sing", was written, Barlow then re-recorded his version of "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles, which was used previously in a UK advertising campaign for Marks & Spencer, and added it to the release. Further to this he then worked with other singers and recorded new versions of older songs which were also included.
Chart performance The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number 1 with sales of 40,020,http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1049803&c=1 Worlds album chart : Gary Barlow LP sells 40k. 21:21 | Sunday 3 June 2012 By Alan Jones becoming Barlow's second number 1 album since Open Road which was released in May 1997.Official Charts Company Gary Barlow At Number 1 in Albums Chart. June, 3 2012 The album now holds the record for the shortest playing number one album in chart history. The album also reached number 1 on the Scottish Albums Chart and number 61 in Ireland. The album remained at number 1 in the UK Albums Chart the following week, selling 75,538 copies—the third highest weekly sale by any artist album in 2012, and the highest for 16 weeks.http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1049854&c=1 Official Charts Analysis: Gary Barlow tops Album and Singles lists 10:02 | Monday 11 June 2012By Alan Jones "Sing" also rose from 11 to number 1, making Barlow the first artist in 2012 to be number 1 on the album and singles chart in the same week.http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/gary-barlow-tops-the-official-singles-and-official-albums-chart-with-sing-1438/ Gary Barlow tops the Official Singles AND Official Albums Chart with Sing 10 June 2012 Upon the announcement of the album entering at number 1, Barlow said "I couldn't have wished for anything more on this momentous weekend!" in reference to the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, co-writer of lead single "Sing", added: "I'm absolutely thrilled, this is a burst of sunshine on a rainy Sunday".http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a385175/gary-barlow-grabs-first-solo-no1-album-since-1997-with-sing.html Digital Spy - Gary Barlow grabs first solo No.1 album since 1997 with 'Sing'Published Sunday, 3 June 2012, 19:00 BST | By Tom Eames
Track listing
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2012)PeakpositionAustralian Albums (ARIA)Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. 87Irish Albums (IRMA)" Stats – Gary Barlow". Chart Stats. Retrieved 29 May 2012.61Scottish Albums (OCC)"Gary Barlow lands Official Number 1 album for Diamond". Scottish Album Chart Archive 16 June 2012 Official Chart Company. Retrieved 10 June 2012.1UK Albums (OCC)"Gary Barlow lands Official Number 1 album for Diamond ". Gary Barlow lands Official Number 1 album for Diamond Official Chart Company. Retrieved 3 June 2012.1UK Download (OCC Download)"UK Album Downloads Top 40 - 9th June 2012 ". UK Album Downloads Top 40 - 9 June 2012 Official Chart Company. Retrieved 3 June 2012.1
Year-end charts Chart (2012)PositionUK Albums (OCC)54
Certifications
Release history Country Date Format Label IrelandiTunes - Music - Sing by Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band 25 May 2012 CD, digital download Decca Records United Kingdom 28 May 2012
References