Girls Aloud release new single I’ll Stand By You

In support of the BBC’s Children in Need, pop group Girls Aloud will today (15 November) perform a new version of ‘I’ll Stand By You’ for the charity’s telethon later tonight. version released.

“I’ll Stand By You” was originally written by the Pretenders in 1994, but was covered by Girls Aloud for Children in Need in 2004 as the organization’s official charity single, and was released in the UK that year. won first place.

In the new version, The title is “I’ll Stand By You (Sarah Version)”‘, which features the late Sarah Harding exclusively on lead vocals, is a fitting tribute to Harding, who passed away in 2021 after a battle with advanced breast cancer. Her former bandmates said at the time that they were “completely devastated” by the news.

In a statement released alongside the new song, Girls Aloud said: “This year marks the 20th anniversary of the BBC Children in Need single ‘I’ll Stand By You’. We celebrate and pay tribute to our wonderful Sarah. To help support BBC Children in Need, we are once again releasing a new studio version of this song.

“I’ll Stand By You (Sarah’s Version) features Sarah on lead vocals throughout, using vocals found in the archives of the original recording sessions.”

The remaining members of Girls Aloud, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Cheryl, performed without Harding for the first time over the summer, appearing on songs such as “Untouchables,” “A Whole Lotta History,” and “I’ll Die.” He sang “Stand By You.” During that time, there was footage of Harding performing behind them and talking about Harding on stage.

“This song played a key role in this summer’s ‘The Girls Aloud Show’ arena tour and was an emotional moment for all of us,” they added.

Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde said it was great to hear the song, with “Sarah Harding’s lovely vocals leading the way for BBC Children in Need”. Hynde wrote the song with band members Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly.

All proceeds from the single will be donated to the Children In Need project, which supports children in local communities across the UK. Including LGBTQ+ youth.

This comes just two days before ITV is scheduled to air Girls Aloud Show: Live at the O2 The song was recorded on tour, on what would have been Harding’s 43rd birthday.