Back for Good (song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the album by Modern Talking, see Back for Good (album).
For other uses, see Back for Good (disambiguation).

"Back for Good"
Back for Good cover.png
Single by Take That
from the album Nobody Else
Released27 March 1995
Recorded1994
GenrePop
Length4:02
Label
Songwriter(s)Gary Barlow
Producer(s)
  • Chris Porter
  • Gary Barlow
Take That singles chronology
"Sure"
(1994) 		"Back for Good"
(1995) 		"Never Forget"
(1995)
Alternative cover
American CD single artwork
American CD single artwork
Music video
"Back for Good" on YouTube

"Back for Good" is a song recorded by British band Take That for their third studio album, Nobody Else (1995). It was written by lead singer Gary Barlow, who also co-produced it with Chris Porter.

The song topped the UK Singles Chart, whilst also charting at number one in 31 countries, as well as hitting the top ten in many others (including the United States, making it their only hit in that country).[1]

At the 1996 Brit Awards it won the Brit Award for British Single of the Year. In 2003, Q Magazine ranked the song at number 910 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever"[2] and in a UK poll in 2012, it was voted number 11 on the ITV special The Nation's Favourite Number One Single. In 2015, Idolator called the song a "pop masterpiece".[3]

Background and later versions[]

Written by Gary Barlow, who also sang lead vocals and engineered by Phil Coxon (keyboard player with OMD), it was Take That's sixth chart topper in the United Kingdom and only top ten hit in the United States. 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.[4]

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 television show's soundtrack.

In an effort to mock his boy band roots, group member turned solo artist Robbie Williams performed a 'hard rock' live version in the style of the Sex Pistols, which was a B-side to his single "Angels" (1998). Williams performed this arrangement of the song with Mark Owen, as the encore at his record-breaking Knebworth Park concerts and eventually performed this version with Take That, upon receiving his Brit Icon Award in 2016.

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.

The song was covered in a hip hop/dancehall style by Born Jamericans on their 1997 album, Yardcore.

"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, by McAlmont & Butler in 2002 for the "NME in Association with War Child Presents 1 Love" charity 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. Barlow also performed the song with JLS at the O2 Apollo Manchester date of his 2012 concert tour.

"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…"'[5]

Just prior to this single release, the group had done a photo shoot for Vogue Italia with designer Gianni Versace. The clothing range given to the band by Versace is featured on the single cover.[6]

Release and chart performance[]

The song was released on 27 March 1995[7] 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.[8]

It remained at number one in the United Kingdom for four weeks. The song has received a double Platinum sales status certification in the United Kingdom, and is also still regularly ranked high in United Kingdom based favourite ever songs polls.[9] It is their biggest selling single and the biggest selling boyband single ever in the United Kingdom, with sales of 1.2 million as of September 2017.[10] The song won British Single of the Year at the 1996 Brit Awards.

"Back for Good" would later reach number seven on the United States Billboard Hot 100, spending a total of thirty weeks on the chart,[11] sixty six weeks on the US Adult Contemporary chart[12] and 30 weeks on the Top 40 US Airplay chart.[13]

Critical reception[]

Music writer James Masterton wrote in his weekly UK chart commentary, that the song is "one of the most breathtakingly brilliant pop singles that had been heard in a long long time." He added that it "is arguably the band's masterpiece and whilst they may have further smash hits after this it is unlikely they will ever measure up to the scale of this one."[14] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "With a romantic "film ballad" like this, Take That trespasses Wet Wet Wet's territory, which opens the possibility to crossover to an older audience–the female 25+ demo?–for the first time."[15] A reviewer from Music Week rated the song five out of five, picking it as Single of the Week. The reviewer wrote, "Take That play it safe opting for a nice-not naughty MOR pop number which will pick up sales outside their usual fanbase. With more than a month of radio support behind it, an instant, and long lasting, number one seems certain."[16] The magazine later added, "Expect to hear this beautifully-arranged, classic pop ballad on the radio and jukeboxes for many years to come."[17] Gerald Martinez from New Sunday Times said it "is indeed a beautifully produced love ballad."[18]

Rolling Stone ranked the song number 15 in their list of 75 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time in 2020.[19]

Music video[]

The accompanying music video to the song was shot in black and white on February 27 1995 and directed by Vaughan Arnell and Anthea Benton.[20] It shows the band walking and dancing in the rain as well as the band performing the song in a shelter. Most of the external footage was shot at the backlot of Pinewood Studios. 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. Due to spending so long in cold and wet conditions, several of the band became ill afterwards with flu.

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 and was published on Take That's official YouTube channel in October 2009. The video has amassed more than 73 million views as of September 2021.[21]

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 boy band singles and their videos, with "Back for Good" being one of them. New Kids on the Block also paid homage to both Take That and this music video in their video to single, Boys in the Band (Boy Band Anthem).

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" vinyl – 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[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[80] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[81] Gold 25,000*
Belgium (BEA)[82] Gold 25,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[83] Gold 45,000double-dagger
Germany (BVMI)[84] Gold 250,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[85] 2× Platinum 1,207,286[10]
United States — 427,000[86]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Take That:From boy band to national treasures". BBC. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Q - 1001 best songs ever (2003)".
  3. ^ Daw, Robbie (9 December 2015). "The 50 Best Pop Singles Of 1995 (Featuring New Interviews With Alanis Morissette, Garbage, Kylie Minogue, Monica, Ace Of Base & More!)". Idolator. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Music TV - Pop on trial - 1950s-1990s". BBC. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  5. ^ Mojo, August 1997, p51
  6. ^ "Gary Barlow:'Our industry's had a battering'". Music News. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  7. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 25 March 1995. p. 35. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  8. ^ Music Week, 8 April 1995
  9. ^ "The Nation's Favourite Number 1 shortlist revealed". Officialcharts.com. 16 April 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  10. ^ a b Copsey, Rob (19 September 2017). "The UK's Official Chart 'millionaires' revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  11. ^ "Take That – Chart history (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  12. ^ "Take That – Chart history (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  13. ^ "Take That – Chart history (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  14. ^ Masterton, James (2 April 1995). "Week Ending April 8th 1995". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  15. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 8 April 1995. p. 13. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  16. ^ "Reviews: Singles - Single of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. 18 March 1995. p. 14. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Take That – Winning A New Audience While Retaining Teen Fans" (PDF). Music Week. 15 April 1995. p. 23. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  18. ^ Martinez, Gerald (21 April 1996). "Lending local voices to Disney hits". New Sunday Times. p. 16. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  19. ^ "75 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  20. ^ "Take That: Back for Good". IMDb. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Take That - Back for Good (Official Video)". YouTube. 25 October 2009. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  22. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  23. ^ "Take That – Back for Good" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  24. ^ "Take That – Back for Good" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  25. ^ "Take That – Back for Good" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  26. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2801." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  27. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2769." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  28. ^ "Especial 20 Aniversario". rockandpop.cl. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  29. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". Tracklisten. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  30. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12 no. 16. 22 April 1995. p. 16. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  31. ^ "Take That: Back for Good" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  32. ^ "Take That – Back for Good" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  33. ^ "Take That – Back for Good" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  34. ^ "Tonlist Top 40". DV. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  35. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Back for Good". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  36. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12 no. 17. 29 April 1995. p. 18. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  37. ^ "Take That Japanese Chart Positions". Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  38. ^ "M-1 TOP 40". M-1.fm. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  39. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 16, 1995" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  40. ^ "Take That – Back for Good" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  41. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  42. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". VG-lista. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  43. ^ "Lista Przebojów Trójki - Polskie Radio Online". Lp3.polskieradio.pl. 19 May 1995. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  44. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  45. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  46. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  47. ^ "Take That – Back for Good". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  48. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  49. ^ "Take That Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  50. ^ "Take That Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  51. ^ "Take That Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  52. ^ "Take That Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  53. ^ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  54. ^ "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 21 December 2012.
  55. ^ 1995 Australian Singles Chart aria.com Archived 3 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  56. ^ 1995 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at Archived 24 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  57. ^ 1995 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart Ultratop.be Archived 30 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  58. ^ 1995 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be Archived 14 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  59. ^ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  60. ^ "RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1995". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  61. ^ "Billboard - Google Books". 1 January 2000. Retrieved 31 March 2014 – via Google Books.
  62. ^ 1995 Finnish Singles Chart Sisältää hitin -kirjaan (Retrieved 16 September 2018)
  63. ^ 1995 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com Archived 14 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 30 January 2009)
  64. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts".
  65. ^ "Árslistinn 1995". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1996. p. 16. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  66. ^ "Single top 100 over 1995" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  67. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - Single 1995" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  68. ^ 1995 New Zealand Singles Chart [1] (Retrieved 28 July 2015)
  69. ^ 1995 Norwegian Singles Chart [2] (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  70. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1995" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  71. ^ 1995 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch Archived 23 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 28 July 2008)
  72. ^ "The Official Charts Company | The UK Charts | Top 40". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  73. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  74. ^ "Billboard Year End (23/12/1995 Page 138)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  75. ^ "RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  76. ^ "RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  77. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  78. ^ "Billboard Year End (28/12/1996 Page 128)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  79. ^ List of best-selling singles of the 1990s in the United Kingdom
  80. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1995". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  81. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Take That – Back for Good" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  82. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1995". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  83. ^ "Danish single certifications – Take That – Back For Good". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  84. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Take That; 'Back for Good')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  85. ^ "British single certifications – Take That – Back for Good". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  86. ^ Sexton, Paul (18 November 2006) (18 November 2006). Back for Good? Take That, All Saints Return To Records Shops. Billboard. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
Retrieved from ""