Back for Good
"Back for Good" | |||||||||||||
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Single by Take That | |||||||||||||
from the album Nobody Else | |||||||||||||
Released | 27 March 1995 | ||||||||||||
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Recorded | 1994 | ||||||||||||
Genre | |||||||||||||
Length | 4:02 | ||||||||||||
Label | |||||||||||||
Writer(s) | Gary Barlow | ||||||||||||
Producer(s) |
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Take That singles chronology | |||||||||||||
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"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 '90s boy band singles and their videos, with "Back for Good" being one of them.
Personnel
- Gary Barlow – lead vocals
- Howard Donald – backing vocals
- Jason Orange – backing vocals
- Mark Owen – backing vocals
- Robbie Williams – backing vocals
Track listings
- UK 7" vinyl (74321 27146 7)
- "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
- "Sure" (Live) – 3:16
- "Back for Good" (TV Mix) – 4:03
- UK Cassette single (74321 27148 2)
- "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
- "Sure" (Live) – 3:16
- "Back for Good" (TV Mix) – 4:03
- UK CD single #1 (74321 27146 2)
- "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
- "Sure" (Live) – 3:16
- "Beatles Tribute" (Live at Wembley Arena) – 11:40
- UK CD single #2 (74321 27147 2)
- "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
- "Pray" (Radio Edit) – 3:43
- "Why Can't I Wake Up with You" (Radio Edit) – 3:37
- "A Million Love Songs" (7" Edit) – 3:53
- EU CD single #1 (74321 27963 2)
- "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
- "Sure" (Live) – 3:16
- EU CD single #2 (74321 27964 2)
- "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
- "Sure" (Live) – 3:16
- "Beatles Tribute" (Live at Wembley Arena) – 11:40
- Japanese CD single (BVCP-9852)
- "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
- "Sure" (Live) – 3:16
- "Pray" (Radio Edit) – 3:43
- "Why Can't I Wake Up with You" (Radio Edit) – 3:37
- "A Million Love Songs" (7" Edit) – 3:53
- US CD single #1 (07822-12880-5)
- "Back for Good" – 4:03
- "Love Ain't Here Anymore" – 3:57
- "Back for Good" (Live From MTV's Most Wanted) – 4:10
- US CD single #2 (07822-12880-2)
- "Back for Good" – 4:03
- "Love Ain't Here Anymore" – 3:57
- "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
- "Back for Good" (Urban Mix) – 4:02
- "Back for Good" (Live from MTV's Most Wanted) – 4:10
- US Cassette single (07822-12880-7)
- "Back for Good" – 4:03
- "Love Ain't Here Anymore" – 3:57
- US 7" vinyl (07822-12880-5)
- "Back for Good" – 4:03
- "Love Ain't Here Anymore" – 3:57
- US 12" vinyl – Jukebox release only (TAKEBFG1)
- "Back for Good" – 4:03
- "Back for Good" (Radio Mix) – 3:59
- "Back for Good" (Radio Instrumental) – 3:59
- "Back for Good" (Urban Mix) – 4:02
- "Back for Good" (Urban Instrumental) – 4:02
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
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Certifications
Country | Certification | Sales certified |
---|---|---|
Australia[62] | Platinum | 70,000 |
Austria[63] | Gold | 15,000 |
Germany[64] | Gold | 400,000[65] |
Italy[66] | Platinum | 50,000 |
United Kingdom[67] | Platinum | 1,100,000[68] |
United States[69] | N/A | 427,000[70] |
References
- ↑ "Music TV - Pop on trial - 1950s-1990s". BBC. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ Petridis, Alexis. "Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees: 'I want to keep the music alive'". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ↑ Mojo, August 1997, p51
- ↑ Music Week, 8 April 1995
- ↑ "The Nation's Favourite Number 1 shortlist revealed". Officialcharts.com. 2012-04-16. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Ami Sedghi (4 November 2012). "UK's million-selling singles: the full list". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
- ↑ "Take That – Chart history (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ↑ "Take That – Chart history (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ↑ "Take That – Chart history (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ↑ Holly Thomas (2012-03-02). "The Wanted outstrip Take That to become the most successful UK boy band in America | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Take That – Back for Good". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Take That – Back for Good" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Take That – Back for Good" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 December 2015refname=fla.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Take That – Back for Good" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ "Especial 20 Aniversario". rockandpop.cl. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Take That – Back for Good". Tracklisten. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Take That: Back for Good" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – Take That – Back for Good" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Take That – Back for Good". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "The Irish Charts - All There Is to Know". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Take That – Back for Good". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Take That Japanese Chart Positions". Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Take That – Back for Good" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Take That – Back for Good". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Take That – Back for Good". VG-lista. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Lista Przebojów Trójki - Polskie Radio Online". Lp3.polskieradio.pl. 1995-05-19. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 1995-04-08". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: January 15, 2012 to January 21, 2012)". Gaon Chart. 15 December 2012. Archived from the original on 19 December 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Take That – Back for Good" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Take That – Back for Good". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Take That – Back for Good". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 1995-04-08" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Take That – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Take That. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Take That – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Take That. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Take That – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Take That. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Take That – Chart history" Billboard Radio Songs for Take That. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Take That | Awards". AllMusic. 1996-02-13. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑
- Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
- ↑ 1995 Australian Singles Chart aria.com Archived 3 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
- ↑ 1995 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at Archived 24 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
- ↑ 1995 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart Ultratop.be Archived 30 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
- ↑ 1995 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be Archived 14 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
- ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ "Single top 100 over 1995" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
- ↑ "Billboard - Google Books". 2000-01-01. Retrieved 2014-03-31 – via Google Books.
- ↑ 1995 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved 30 January 2009)
- ↑ https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1995
- ↑ "Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 1995". Hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ 1995 New Zealand Singles Chart (Retrieved 28 July 2015)
- ↑ 1995 Norwegian Singles Chart (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
- ↑ 1995 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch Archived 23 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
- ↑ "The Official Charts Company | The UK Charts | Top 40". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ↑ "Billboard Year End (23/12/1995 Page 138)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ "Billboard Year End (23/12/1995 Page 88)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ↑ "Billboard Year End (28/12/1996 Page 128)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
- ↑ List of best-selling singles of the 1990s in the United Kingdom
- ↑ Australian certifications (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
- ↑ Austrian certifications ifpi.at Archived 1 February 2010 at WebCite (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
- ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Back for Good')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
- ↑ "Billboard - Google Books". 1995-06-17. Retrieved 2014-03-31 – via Google Books.
- ↑ Italian certifications (Retrieved 2 September 2008)
- ↑ "UK certifications, database". Bpi. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ "USA certifications, database". RIAA. Archived from the original on 26 June 2007. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- ↑ Sexton, Paul (18 November 2006). Back for Good? Take That, All Saints Return To Records Shops. Billboard. Retrieved 2012-01-05.