We have another charity single dropped by the NHS Voices this week. The song is a cover of the popular song by The Beatles, titled “With A Little Help From My Friends”. They have teamed up with an array of well-known artists on this track, bringing quite the collaboration together. Not only that, they have released an official music video on their Vevo account. All proceeds from the track will go to NHS Charities Together, which is a group of more than 130 NHS charities that have come together to celebrate the 70th birthday of the NHS.
The project for this song was started by NHS communications professional, Joe Blunden, and children’s Dr Katie Rogerson. Also instrumental in getting the project off the ground was choir leader and children’s community physiotherapist, Caroline Smith. The NHS has had a hand in it all, managing to get this together whilst still working their day jobs. They’ve had a hand in the recording of the song, convincing ITV to make a documentary, recruiting artists, booking studios, and creating publicity.
In 2015, the team managed to knock Justin Beiber off the top spot for UK Christmas Number one, with a very successful campaign for the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir’s song “A Bridge Over You”.
Of the new project, Joe Blunden said: “We see how hard NHS staff work every single day, and wanted to create something that would show them all just how appreciated they are. Everyone involved has been so generous with their time, and their talent, and we can’t thank them enough.”
Dr Katie Rogerson added: “Joe and I wanted to think of a way to include everyone who is touched by the NHS in a huge celebration. What better way than a Band Aid-style song. This is our way to nod to the past seven decades of love, care and the best of British, standing hand in hand with 1.3 million fantastic staff to say ‘happy birthday NHS’.”
Furthermore, Caroline Smith said: “It is so exciting to be working on a project that celebrates the NHS on this incredible anniversary. Recording with other NHS staff from around the UK – in such a special setting as Abbey Road – has been a real honour. The fact so many amazing musical heroes of ours gave up their time speaks volumes about how highly they regard the NHS and its staff.”
Watch The Music Video For NHS Voices’ Song “With A Little Help From My Friends” Here:
The song is tuneful, allowing each incredible singer to make their mark on the track, all the while allowing the NHS Voices choir to stand out in every single way. The song is one of our all-time favourite songs, and this version has just made us fall in love with it a little bit more.
The music video is solid from start to finish, with scenes of the different artists recording the song in the studio mixed in with scenes from the NHS of doctors and nurses helping patients. It’s a sense of community and involvement, and it’s completely heartwarming to see.
The guest stars on this track show a diverse range in age, really celebrating the 70 years of the NHS by having young artists such as HRVY, who is only 19 years old, to Engelbert Humperdinck, who is 82 years old.
The official list of stars who appear in this track are:
- Alexandra Burke
- Ali Campbell and Astro from UB40
- Aston Merrygold
- Beverley Knight
- Blue
- Chris Difford, Glenn Tilbrook and Simon Hanson from Squeeze
- Coleen Nolan
- Danny Jones
- Dennis Greaves, Mark Feltham and Ben Willis from Nine Below Zero
- Engelbert Humperdinck
- Gabrielle
- Gary Stringer from Reef
- Guy Garvey
- HRVY
- Jack and Tim from Britain’s Got Talent
- Louisa Johnson
- Marina and the Diamonds
- Mark King
- Myleene Klass
- Nile Rodgers
- Rick Astley
- Seal
- Tom Smith from Editors
- Tony Hadley
- Una Healy
It has been produced by Brit Award-winning Jon Cohen and world-renowned US producer, Timbaland.
“With A Little Help From My Friends” by NHS Voices is available to download and stream right now. All proceeds of the song will go to NHS Charities Together.