Jump to content

Back for Good (song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 2601:82:c002:bb13:a9b7:384:d39d:b627 (talk) at 01:33, 23 October 2016. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the album by Modern Talking, see Back for Good (album).

"Back for Good"
Song

"Back for Good" is a song recorded by British band Take That for their third studio album, Nobody Else (1995). It was written and produced by the lead singer Gary Barlow, with an additional production done by Chris Porter.

The song topped the UK Singles Chart, and achieved great success in many countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Spain and the United States.

Background

Written by Gary Barlow, who also sang lead vocals, it was Take That's sixth UK chart-topper and only US top ten hit. Barlow claims he wrote the song in fifteen minutes. It was unveiled at the 1995 BRIT Awards, and such was the demand that its release date was brought forward. The song made available to the media an unprecedented six weeks before release.[1]

The song appeared on most releases in a slightly remixed form, which added extra instrumentation including additional drum beats. Some releases featured both radio and album versions. The song was a big hit in Brazil during 1995 and 1996, thanks to soap opera Explode Coração: the song was one of the main songs on the TV show's soundtrack. Group member Robbie Williams also recorded a 'hard rock' live version, which was a B-side to his 1998 single "Angels".

The song was featured on the final episode of the second series of Spaced, in which Tim, Brian, and Mike, along with Mike's Territorial Army buddies, attempt to play the song for Marsha, a la the boombox scene from Say Anything... It also featured in the final episode of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's The Office as a love theme for characters Tim (Martin Freeman) and Dawn (Lucy Davis). Gary Barlow stated on ITV1's An Audience with Take That Live broadcast on 2 December 2006 that there were 89 versions recorded by other artists.

"Back for Good" was covered by Boyz II Men for their Love album, by The Wedding Present for their How the West Was Won album, and by The Concretes on the Guilt by Association Vol. 1 compilation. Coldplay performed the song with Gary Barlow at Shepherd's Bush Empire, London in aid of War Child in 2009.

The song's popularity and quality led to an urban myth that it had secretly been written by Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees. Gibb later commented that he had "never even heard" the song.[2]

"If it touches people, it's a good song," remarked Noel Gallagher. "You know, people go on about Take That – but 'Back for Good' said something to me. And if it touches me…"'[3]

Chart performance

The song was released on 27 March 1995 and entered the UK Singles Chart at number one, selling nearly 350,000 copies in its first week. This made it one of the fastest selling singles of the year, selling almost as many as the rest of the top 10 that week added together.[4] It remained at number one in the UK for four weeks. The song has received a Platinum sales status certification in the UK and is also still regularly ranked high in UK based favourite ever songs polls.[5] It is their biggest selling single in the UK, with sales of 1.1 million as of November 2014.[6][7] The song won Best British Single at the 1996 BRIT Awards.

"Back for Good" would later reach number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100, spending a total of 30 weeks on the chart,[8] 66 weeks on the US Adult Contemporary chart[9] and 30 weeks on the Top 40 US Airplay chart.[10]

Take That were the first British boy band to achieve a US top ten single throughout the 1990s and only one other British boy band 5ive managed this feat during this decade however with a lower peak to Take That. Some 17 years later first initially by The Wanted and subsequently One Direction both achieved higher US single peaks for a British boy band.[11]

Music video

The music video to the song is relatively simple but now iconic. It is shot in black and white and shows the band walking and dancing in the rain as well as the band performing the song in a shelter. It was also the last music video to feature Robbie Williams in the present day until he rejoined the band in 2010. A 1958 Chevrolet Impala and a 1951 Mercury Custom, both customised in the styles of the 1950s/early 1960s feature in the video.

The video has often been an influence in the band performing the song live as they often make use of artificial rain when performing it. It also appears on the DVD release, Never Forget: The Ultimate Collection.

The music video was also paid homage to by The Wanted in the music video to Walks Like Rihanna. The video was based on three classic 90's boy band singles and their videos with Back For Good being one of them.

Personnel

Track listings

UK 7" vinyl (74321 27146 7)
  1. "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
  2. "Sure" (Live) – 3:16
  3. "Back for Good" (TV Mix) – 4:03
UK Cassette single (74321 27148 2)
  1. "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
  2. "Sure" (Live) – 3:16
  3. "Back for Good" (TV Mix) – 4:03
UK CD single #1 (74321 27146 2)
  1. "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
  2. "Sure" (Live) – 3:16
  3. "Beatles Tribute" (Live at Wembley Arena) – 11:40
UK CD single #2 (74321 27147 2)
  1. "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
  2. "Pray" (Radio Edit) – 3:43
  3. "Why Can't I Wake Up with You" (Radio Edit) – 3:37
  4. "A Million Love Songs" (7" Edit) – 3:53
EU CD single #1 (74321 27963 2)
  1. "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
  2. "Sure" (Live) – 3:16
EU CD single #2 (74321 27964 2)
  1. "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
  2. "Sure" (Live) – 3:16
  3. "Beatles Tribute" (Live at Wembley Arena) – 11:40
Japanese CD single (BVCP-9852)
  1. "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
  2. "Sure" (Live) – 3:16
  3. "Pray" (Radio Edit) – 3:43
  4. "Why Can't I Wake Up with You" (Radio Edit) – 3:37
  5. "A Million Love Songs" (7" Edit) – 3:53
US CD single #1 (07822-12880-5)
  1. "Back for Good" – 4:03
  2. "Love Ain't Here Anymore" – 3:57
  3. "Back for Good" (Live From MTV's Most Wanted) – 4:10
US CD single #2 (07822-12880-2)
  1. "Back for Good" – 4:03
  2. "Love Ain't Here Anymore" – 3:57
  3. "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
  4. "Back for Good" (Urban Mix) – 4:02
  5. "Back for Good" (Live from MTV's Most Wanted) – 4:10
US Cassette single (07822-12880-7)
  1. "Back for Good" – 4:03
  2. "Love Ain't Here Anymore" – 3:57
US 7" vinyl (07822-12880-5)
  1. "Back for Good" – 4:03
  2. "Love Ain't Here Anymore" – 3:57
US 12" viynl – Jukebox release only (TAKEBFG1)
  1. "Back for Good" – 4:03
  2. "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
  3. "Back for Good" (Radio Instrumental) – 3:59
  4. "Back for Good" (Urban Mix) – 4:02
  5. "Back for Good" (Urban Instrumental) – 4:02

Charts

Certifications

Country Certification Sales certified
Australia[61] Platinum 70,000
Austria[62] Gold 15,000
Germany[63] Gold 400,000[64]
Italy[65] Platinum 50,000
United Kingdom[66] Platinum 1,100,000[67]
United States[68] N/A 427,000[69]

References

  1. ^ "Music TV - Pop on trial - 1950s-1990s". BBC. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  2. ^ Petridis, Alexis. "Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees: 'I want to keep the music alive'". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  3. ^ Mojo, August 1997, p51
  4. ^ Music Week, 8 April 1995
  5. ^ "The Nation's Favourite Number 1 shortlist revealed". Officialcharts.com. 16 April 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  6. ^ http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/take-thats-top-40-biggest-selling-songs-3313/ Official Charts Company - best selling Take That songs 29 November 2014
  7. ^ Ami Sedghi (4 November 2012). "UK's million-selling singles: the full list". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  8. ^ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3022852. Retrieved 24 September 2012. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[dead link‍]
  9. ^ "TAKE THAT | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  10. ^ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/3022563. Retrieved 24 September 2012. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[dead link‍]
  11. ^ Holly Thomas (2 March 2012). "The Wanted outstrip Take That to become the most successful UK boy band in America | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  12. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  13. ^ "Take That – Back for Good" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  14. ^ "Take That – Back for Good" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 December 2015refname=fla.
  15. ^ "Take That – Back for Good" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  16. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  17. ^ "Especial 20 Aniversario". rockandpop.cl. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  18. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". Tracklisten. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  19. ^ "Take That: Back for Good" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  20. ^ "Take That – Back for Good" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  21. ^ "The Irish Charts - All There Is to Know". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  22. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  23. ^ "Take That Japanese Chart Positions". Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  24. ^ "Take That – Back for Good" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  25. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  26. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". VG-lista. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  27. ^ "Lista Przebojów Trójki - Polskie Radio Online". Lp3.polskieradio.pl. 19 May 1995. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  28. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  29. ^ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: January 15, 2012 to January 21, 2012)". Gaon Chart. 15 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  30. ^ "Take That – Back for Good" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  31. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  32. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  33. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  34. ^ "Take That Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  35. ^ "Take That Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  36. ^ "Take That Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  37. ^ "Take That Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  38. ^ "Take That | Awards". AllMusic. 13 February 1996. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  39. ^ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  40. ^ 1995 Australian Singles Chart aria.com (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  41. ^ 1995 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  42. ^ 1995 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  43. ^ 1995 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  44. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  45. ^ "Single top 100 over 1995" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  46. ^ "Billboard - Google Books". 1 January 2000. Retrieved 31 March 2014 – via Google Books.
  47. ^ 1995 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved 30 January 2009)
  48. ^ https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1995
  49. ^ "Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1995". Hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  50. ^ 1995 New Zealand Singles Chart [1] (Retrieved 28 July 2015)
  51. ^ 1995 Norwegian Singles Chart [2] (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  52. ^ 1995 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  53. ^ "The Official Charts Company | The UK Charts | Top 40". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  54. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  55. ^ "Billboard Year End". Billboard. 23/12/1995 Page 138. Retrieved 2014-03-31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  56. ^ "Billboard Year End". Billboard. 23/12/1995 Page 88. Retrieved 2014-03-31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  57. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  58. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  59. ^ "Billboard Year End". Billboard. 28/12/1996 Page 128. Retrieved 2014-03-31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  60. ^ List of best-selling singles of the 1990s in the United Kingdom
  61. ^ Australian certifications [3] (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  62. ^ Austrian certifications ifpi.at (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  63. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Back for Good')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
  64. ^ "Billboard - Google Books". 17 June 1995. Retrieved 31 March 2014 – via Google Books.
  65. ^ Italian certifications [4] (Retrieved 2 September 2008)
  66. ^ "UK certifications, database". Bpi. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  67. ^ http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/take-thats-top-40-biggest-selling-songs-3313/ Official Charts Company - best selling Take That songs 29 November 2014
  68. ^ "USA certifications, database". RIAA. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  69. ^ Sexton, Paul (18 November 2006). Back for Good? Take That, All Saints Return To Records Shops. Retrieved 5 January 2012. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Back_for_Good_(song)&oldid=745743188"