Hear the Tear-Jerking, Fastest-Selling Single in Britain in 3 Years…By a Group of Military Wives
- Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:28am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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The song has become the fastest-selling single in Britain in the last three years. It sold 556,000 copies in the last week, more than the rest of the top 12 combined. And it’s not the work of a teen pop sensation or even a “professional” musician. Rather, it came from a bunch of military wives singing their hearts out. And the result is nothing short of tear-jerking and spectacular.
“This is so surreal. Who would have guessed in those first rehearsals that we could take Christmas Number 1″ the choir’s director, Gareth Malone, told the Telegraph. He formed the group for a BBC singing competition called, “The Choir.”
And they all stuck singing gold.
The song is called “Wherever You Are,” and the video features not only the song, but a behind-the-scenes look at the song’s recording:
Understandably, the patchwork group of singers has captivated Britain. The Daily Mail’s Melanie Phillips tries to put into words why:
As a TV programme, The Choir shone out from the dross of reality TV and all the tawdry and vulgar shows that pass for entertainment on the box. Yet this three-part series was broadcast only as a niche programme on BBC2.
And even now the BBC doesn’t seem to appreciate quite what a gem it has created, by tucking away a condensed 90-minute version late last Thursday evening. Surely it should have been elevated instead to the Christmas or Boxing Day schedules.
For what this series showed us was something really remarkable and uplifting — the power to enable people to transform their own lives.
We saw these military wives at first too shy even to perform in front of each other.
Purely through his blazing faith in the transformative power of song, the absurdly youthful Malone coaxed them first to sing in front of him, then each other, then soldiers on the base, then in a local market, then at Sandhurst and finally at the Remembrance concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
Whereupon there was not a dry eye among the viewing audience. It was not just that we saw these timid women grow in confidence and blossom in hitherto unsuspected talents — and then have the guts to display those talents in public which previously none of them would have dreamed possible.
And just in case your heart wasn’t warm enough, all the proceeds from the song’s purchase go to the Royal British Legion and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).
Photo: PA
“Britain sometimes seems to be sliding beneath the weight of its own depression and sense of inexorable decline,” writes Phillips.
“Here’s a New Year hope — that Gareth Malone’s choir is a turning point which will inspire the whole nation to sing instead.”
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Comments (146)
OneTermPresident
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:20amThe difference between Michelle Obama and these women… “This is the first time in my life I’ve been proud of my country.” YIKES.
God Bless these women… who have a great courage of their own.
Report Post »MikesPace
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:15pmhttp://www.youtube.com/operationgetbackhome
Report Post »Jacque
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:41pmAnd with Moochello we can’ t use the word proud, nothing close.
Untill 2012 …
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:47pmThere from England.. but yes… I am proud of our armed forces!! They are our heroes!
Report Post »robert
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 1:46pmIf I didn’t know beforehand, I would have thought these women were highly paid professionals.
Their singing is beautiful.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 2:22pmMay the Lord bless them with the safe return of their loved ones…
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 2:23pmThat was lovely. In this day and age of manufactured arti$t$, that song was a breath of fresh air.
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 5:21pmMaybe if more of us prayed for peace instead of war, it might actually happen!
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 5:27pmMost service people from the US join the military for a JOB.
Report Post »Yes, peace would be a wonderful thing.
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 6:05pmThis is a thing of true beauty. Thank you!
Report Post »carbonyes
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:59pmTruly an awesome song, and done with great composure and beauty. Indeed, God bless these women and bring their men home safe and sound.
Report Post »navydoc2008
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:59pm@Vechorik During peace time you have many people who enlist for a “job,” but we have been at war for over 10 years. My men signed up to protect this country, granted some may have been more naive than others on what that meant, but not just for a job.
Report Post »thepatriotic1
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 4:35pmDamn it. I did not want to start the day with tears in my eyes. Simply beautiful. Thank you ladies, and may God see your loved ones come home safely.
Report Post »RightThinking1
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:14amI’ve posted this before, and so long as The Blaze allows, I will continue. It is easily worth the few minutes watch. It is Ronald Reagan’s Christmas address of 1981, and very relevant:
Report Post »http://twitter.com/#%21/JimPethokoukis/status/150791686442844160
Txsharon
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:42amThanks for the post, how we took that time for granted, what a difference in leaders. God help us all.
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:12pmWow……Ronald Reagan knew what Christmas was all about…and wasn’t afraid to say so in front of millions of people……..I pray another Ronald Reagan comes a long!
Report Post »MackeyMac12
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:12pmI wonder what has happened to our great country. Where are the Ronald Reagans of today. I grew up during the 50′s and I have had a good life, but I fear for our children and their future. We need to change where our country is going before all is lost. Praying for a new beginning in 2012.
Report Post »andredegas
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 1:07pmkeep on posting it. An inspired speech which I can’t get enough of.
Report Post »Zeb
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:48amAnother message for the new year and everyday there after.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=yS4yf723kmY
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:13amwhite people of the very best of us.
JustPeachy
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:57amPlease stop with the racist comments. So sad. . . this isn’t about any particular color of skin. It’s about families–and love–and heroes. IMO, we demean it with remarks like this. No call or place for them, IMO. It’s like defecating on a beautiful painting.
COFemale
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:03pmI am appalled at your comment, what does the color of their skin have to do with the song. You are one sick and demented person. Why don’t you just fade away and spew your racist remarks to those who give a ________________. You are not welcomed here by me.
Report Post »the blazer
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:36pmGo away.
Report Post »the blazer
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 12:40pmGo away junglej.
Report Post »Choctaw25
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 1:23pmJungle J has never served anyone or anything other than his stupid ego. He is a democrat, liberal, because they are the only racist in the world.
Report Post »Everything has to be about race, because they can’t engage in any intelligent thoughts, so they revert to their low life existance.
It was a very beautiful piece of music. Not the rap dropping that Jungle J listens to.
Libertarian B 4 Libertarians Were Cool
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 1:43pmjungle J you’re a pig. Get a life and if kindness can’t fill your heart, stay in a room by yourself and stew in your own bigot juices. No one wants to hear your garbage!
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:59pmJUNGLEJ, your comment is sick, I suggest you take a good long look inside yourself.
Report Post »april 12 1861
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 6:08pmMay God help you.
Report Post »Carl_Newman
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:34pmDoing the right thing…answering darkness with light…is never easy…but ut is always worthwhile. Check this out…and help if you can…The Believe Again Project was created specifically to remind people what Reverend Kings’ message was about and how we can apply it today. Please check it out, the organizations we are trying to help, the Video we have created to remind us and what we are all about. Feedback via the contact us tab is GREATLY appreciated. Also any ideas on sharing this web site and its message is greatly appreciated. If anybody knows Oprah,Ellen, Conan, Jimmy or David tell them I said hey..
Report Post »http://www.thebelieveagainproject.com
Dismayed Veteran
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 4:58pmJungle J
Go away. There is no room for you at this inn.
Oddly enough, I learned a little bit more of what my wife felt 43 years ago. May the all come home safe and sound.
Report Post »Animator
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:09amWell that’s got me all choked up on a Monday morning. I strongly support my British friends across the pond. The time may come when us Yanks may have to go over to stand and fight along side our greatest ally (sorry it’s not France, like Obama proclaims) once again. I would proudly don a British or even an Israeli uniform. The time is coming where we will be called to “stand”…
Report Post »MEANS2RESIST
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 2:22pmA very nice song indeed, but don’t let the Brits fool you. They have been meddling in our business for well since before the revolutionary war. They are the ones behind these international banksters trying to collapse our economy. If Britian had their way, we would be just like them, a socialist country ruled by the Royal Family when actually they originated from Germany. The Royals treat their people like peasants.
I operated with many Britsh units, and they are good lads, but the Brit govt has the people so brainwashed it amazes me.
Lord Rothschild & the British banks of London are hell bent on ruining us, just read this book and it may enlighten you on your views of our so called British friends across the pond.
Nothing against the lovley lasses that made this song, but the big shots in England do not have us in their best interest….Just like Obama
http://www.scribd.com/doc/13671265/Descent-Into-Slavery
Report Post »Animator
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:53pmYou seem to not understand that you’re already a slave, as well. Stop paying your taxes to your progressive masters and they will destroy you by taking away your house, your car and ultimately your false perceptions of actually having any freedom.
What I see in this video is a remnant of what is “good” in England.
I was of course referring, in my post, to defending the British people. I have to say though, that I was a bit proud of their PM for taking a stand against the EU and voting “NO” against the foolish bailout scheme that will ultimately end up bankrupting Europe (kicking the can down the road and piling up more debt). It was nice to see a leader grow a pair (unlike our leaders) and stand for his nation. Some say that he was just defending the English banks. I have a gut feeling that it may actually go deeper than that.
If England falls, we’re certain to follow. We can all hang together or we’ll certainly all hang separately. Your choice.
Report Post »Longing for Change
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:09amYes I did! and I am man enough to admit I cried when I watched this video!
Report Post »mensaman62
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 6:14pmJeepers…Like Glenn said “I feel like such a girl.” Great job ladies!
Report Post »hgaut
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:58pmI have no words to express how beautiful this song was. It was moving.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:08amI, too, felt that this song is more than the surface meaning although that is enough to carry it. Lovely voices, terrific sacrifice on everyone’s part: soldier, wife, children, country which too often loses the best of the best while the entitled often stay home or “safely” apart. Not so with Diana and Charles’ sons, however.
At the end of the video when the child is running toward its father, I had the impression of our running toward JESUS and HIS bending down to swoop us up close to HIM. Thank you for that image.
Lovely song. Thank you ladies. Thank your families and thank your husbands for us. GOD BLESS YOU ALL IN JESUS’ NAME, amen.
Report Post »notreally
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:54amSometimes I forget how many good, decent people there are.
Report Post »BrotherWill
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:01amThats because they are few and far in between.
Report Post »Thors Hammer
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 11:44amNo, the good people are the majority, but the rest get all the headlines. Stand proud, we will prevail, God willing.
Report Post »redbone007
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:46am2012 election around the corner, I can see team obama, michelle, oprah, hollywood trying to create a song for the soldiers to win over votes. Just saw an ad today, Michelle and Oprah were in an ad talking about our soldiers as their heros.
Report Post »madasblazes
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 2:22pmPerry is right!
Where is the parade?
Report Post »redbone007
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:40amLet American hero’s parents try to create something so beautiful as this for their hero and watch the ACLU, DOJ, team obama, hollywood come down on them as they are doing Tewbow.
It was beautiful. The left is trying to get our mind so f…up that it is becoming harder for us to create beauty.
Report Post »Shrugged
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 2:55pmRedBone, the left always takes a successful conservative issue and inverts it to destroy its value and impact. The occupy wall street gang was created to negate the tea party – to blur the lines and create a fuzzy impression of these citizen groups (not that OWS was grass roots – it was an obama campaign strategy)
Report Post »Bluenose177
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:40amextremely proud and honoured to be British
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 5:24pmWho wants peace the most? The US? The UK? The same?
Report Post »RightThinking1
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:33amNaturally, Obama despises the British.
Report Post »Stay the course ladies, your American cousins stand with you, and with your men. It is a time for stout hearts and strong people
jakartaman
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:31amThanks ladies for the song but most importantly for YOU and your husbands unselfish service.
Report Post »noland
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:29amThey are the salt of the earth gotta luv em!! God Bless the Britts
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:25amOk now im crying, must be because its Monday and its raining .
Report Post »redbone007
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:48amI think it is raining around the world today.
Report Post »brianoflondon
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:59amWe had rain on Christmas Day in Israel but that’s a good thing here :-) Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) is up in level by half an inch which is a really good thing.
It’s a nice story from my former home… popular culture picks a worthy winner for once.
Report Post »donnyho
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:24amI think the wives are the forgotten component of all military’s. Thank you Ladies for reminding us you have a place in our fight for freedom. Just beautiful!
Report Post »FWB
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:13amThese are “TRUE” women of our country.
Report Post »bigdaddyt46
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 10:09amvery beautifully done, awesome that they included vids of servicemen too. made it extra heartwarming.
Report Post »Sibyl
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:56amTHIS IS EXQUISITE! What a beautiful solo voice and lyrics too.
How wonderful that they could do something so profound and powerful – and I know it’s a hit for their courageous warriors as well.
At first, as a Christian, I was put off when the lyrics gave attributes to their husbands that belong to Jesus (shining star, prince of peace) but then I realized – this is exactly the way it should be.
Look at the Scriptures: A husband and wife are supposed to be like Christ and the Church.
We are all to become like Christ, light of the world – and we are supposed to shine with His Light, Life, Love and help Christ bring peace and good will to the earth. (See Ephesians chapters 4 and 5)
Love it!
May this beautiful song also reach those lost in darkness, who bound by all the insane hatred, greed, power-mongering and deceptions of the evil one…and all that opposes and wars against Christ and His good eternal holy Kingdom. Amen
Report Post »zman173rd
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:29pmI was also put off by the lyrics. No mention of the Lord and who really watches over loved ones the world over. Funny, I always well up over things like this but I was waiting for a SINGLE acknowledgement to HIM and it didn’t come. Neither did my tears. SIBYL, I’ll take your description to heart but still, Thanks must go to GOD, not just to one another. I know folks will come down on me for not being more open and loving and some will say that i’m not showing the WWJD attitude. Sorry…
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:53amterrific
Report Post »65Mustang
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:51amBeautiful, just beautiful…could listen to it all day and had some tears while listening.
Report Post »Turtleman
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:47ambeautiful!
Report Post »truthseekerusa
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:45amThank you Jonathan and the Blaze for bringing this inspiring video to us. May God bless these women for sharing their beautiful voices and help us to remember the sacrifices military families make so that we may be safe.
Report Post »Zcat
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:45amDefinitely bring tears to your eyes!
Report Post »LukeAppling
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:44amHooray for the ladies! Slodiers always love their wives to think highly of them as we all do.
Report Post »Lesterp
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 9:39amVery moving! Great job ladies!
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