Girls Aloud have today (November 6th) announced they are to release a brand new version of their 2004 hit single “I’ll Stand By You”, with the lead vocal sung entirely by the late Sarah Harding, in aid of this years Children In Need appeal.
Marking 20 years since they hit the No.1 spot on the Official UK singles chart with their remake of the classic Pretenders power ballad, Nadine, Nicola, Cheryl and Kimberley share “I’ll Stand By You (Sarah’s Version)” – a freshly produced studio version featuring vocals by Harding which were initially discovered hidden away in the Girls Aloud vault, whilst the band were pulling together archive material for their sell-out The Girls Aloud Show arena tour earlier this year.
The single will be released on November 15th 2024, and is available to pre-order here.
“I’ll Stand By You (Sarah’s Version)” premiered on Wednesday during Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 breakfast show. A new edit of the original video featuring unseen archive footage will also be released during the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show on November 15th.
Girls Aloud – I’ll Stand By You (Official Music Video)
Originally released by British-American rock band The Pretenders back in 1994, and included on their sixth studio album “Last of the Independents”, “I’ll Stand By You” was written by Chrissie Hynde, Tom Kelly, and Billy Steinberg.
Known for its touching lyrics and emotional delivery, it became one of groups most popular ballads and remains a timeless anthem of reassurance and empathy; it’s heartfelt lyrics offering the promise to stay by someone’s side no matter what, providing comfort in the face of pain, vulnerability, and uncertainty.
Commenting on Girls Aloud new version of the track, Hynde said in a press release: “How wonderful to hear ‘I’ll Stand By You’ with the lovely vocals of Sarah Harding leading the way for BBC Children in Need. Happy Christmas all!”
A one hour special The Girls Aloud Show: Live at The O2 will air later this autumn on ITV1. The full extended arena show will also be available to stream on ITVX.