BBC Radio 2 record star-studded official charity single to support BBC Children in Need’s 2020 Appeal, featuring Cher, Kylie Minogue, Gregory Porter and many more

To support BBC Children in Need this year, iconic artists from across the world have collaborated on a cover of Stop Crying Your Heart Out by Oasis, to help raise vital funds for the charity.

Today (Tuesday 10 November),  BBC Radio 2 announced that they are bringing together some of the most iconic artists from around the world for this year’s official BBC Children in Need single – Stop Crying Your Heart Out (BBC Radio 2 Allstars).

The charity single, available for pre-order now, will be released by Decca Records on the day of the charity’s fundraising spectacular, Friday 13 November, and will see some of the music industry’s biggest stars collaborate on a reimagined cover of Oasis’ Stop Crying Your Heart Out to raise vital funds to help support children and young people across the UK facing disadvantage, at a time when they need it most.

The artists performing on the track are (in alphabetical order): Bryan Adams, Izzy Bizu, Cher, Clean Bandit, Mel C, Jamie Cullum, Ella Eyre, Paloma Faith, Rebecca Ferguson, Jess Glynne, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Lenny Kravitz, KSI, Lauv, Ava Max, Kylie Minogue, James Morrison, Gregory Porter, Nile Rodgers, Jack Savoretti, Jay Sean, Anoushka Shankar, Robbie Williams and Yola.  The backing track was performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra alongside Grace Chatto and Sheku Kanneh-Mason on cello and Anoushka Shankar on sitar.

The single, curated by BBC Radio 2’s Jeff Smith, was recorded and filmed by artists in locations across the world, from Cher in Malibu to Robbie Williams in Switzerland to Jay Sean in New York and Yola in Nashville, and was produced by Grammy award winning producers Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling who have produced chart topping hits for the likes of Cher, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue, One Direction, Lionel Richie, Britney Spears and many more.

Stop Crying Your Heart Out (BBC Radio 2 Allstars) will be broadcast for the first time on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Radio 2 on Friday 13 November. The accompanying video will be given its exclusive debut during BBC Children in Need’s 2020 Appeal Show on BBC One that evening.  The music video was directed by Phill Deacon who produced the recent multi-artist Radio 1 Live Lounge Allstars video for their cover of Foo Fighters’ Times Like These.

Bryan Adams said: “It is an honour to sing on the Children in Need single. Let’s all help make it into a big smash record to help the kids.”

Cher said: “I felt very emotional recording this song, it was very important to me.”

Lenny Kravitz said: “We are living in a time when children need all the support they can get and so it is a pleasure to be collaborating with so many great artists for such an important cause. I hope this song reminds everyone that we are all in this together and we can make a difference.”

Kylie Minogue said: “Children in Need is such a special charity and so loved by everyone, including me.  It was a privilege to take part in this recording with so many amazing artists. This year it feels even more poignant than ever, and I hope we can all come together to raise as much as possible.”

Gregory Porter said: “Children in Need is such a brilliant charity & the work they do is always incredible so it’s a total privilege to able to be a part of this single & do my little bit to help. To perform alongside such an awesome list of artists makes it extra special. I wish I could be there with Pudsey in person, but instead I must wish Children in Need all the best with the fundraising from afar.”

Nile Rodgers said: “I have a long history of doing great things with the BBC Radio 2 team and the UK is my home from home so I know exactly how important Children in Need is and the important work they do for children throughout the UK is very familiar to me. When Jeff Smith asked me to participate I immediately said yes as regardless of the pandemic we must do everything in our power to ensure there is no disruption in supporting these children.”

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, commented: “BBC Radio 2 have had a special relationship with BBC Children in Need for decades. I have seen the transformative impact of their work on the lives of children and young people in need of support which is why I am so proud to be announcing this incredibly special single today.  There are so many people to thank, but special credit really must go to Radio 2’s Head of Music Jeff Smith who has worked tirelessly to create this phenomenal track. He has done the most incredible job and I hope our listeners love it as much as I do.”

Tommy Nagra, Director of Content at BBC Children in Need, said: “On behalf of everyone at BBC Children in Need, I would like to extend my enormous thanks to the team at BBC Radio 2 and of course all of the incredible artists and musicians who have come together to create this re-imagining of a classic Oasis track . This year more than ever, children and young people across the UK need our help. The single will not only raise vital funds, but demonstrate that we are here for  children and young people in need of hope , and will continue to be here for them during these troubling times.”

Jeff Smith, Head of Music: BBC Radio 2 & 6 Music, said: “I would like to thank Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling for brilliantly producing this record plus Phill Deacon for making an amazing film of the song. I’d also like to thank every single artist and musician who helped bring this extraordinary track to life. I think the lyrics within this song are extremely poignant given the times we are in, and hope this song not only raises vital funds for children and young people across the UK, but also brings hope to people that need it, as the lyrics say “…. just try not to worry, you’ll see them someday.”

The single is available for pre-order at bbc.co.uk/r2allstars. A minimum of 50p from the sale of each download in the UK will benefit BBC Children in Need.

~Ends~

For further details please contact: [email protected]

Accompanying images and artwork can be found here

Notes to Editors:

A minimum of 50p from the sale of each download in the UK will benefit BBC Children in Need (registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 802052 and in Scotland, charity number SC039557).

Artist quotes:

Izzy Bizu said: “I remember watching Children in Need as a child, the comedy sketches, the lead up to the big total at the end to see how much everyone had raised, was such an amazing moment to see how everyone can pull together through entertainment. I really hope, especially during this time, we can bring the same incredible support as we did in the last few years! Was so special to be a part of this track.”

Jamie Cullum said: “I believe Children in Need is a part our national identity and a charity that I have had the pleasure of working with a few times now. I’m delighted to be involved in this years’ single ‘Stop Crying Your Heart Out’ not just because of its anthemic and emotive qualities but most importantly, to be a part of a project that helps the charity. Managing to release such a significant project with multiple artists has been no mean feat but Children in Need have stepped up in order to support and provide for those who need, especially at a more testing time than ever.”

Ella Eyre said: “It has been an incredibly tough year for all of us but this single really does bring to life the difference we can make when we join together to help those in need, and this year, more than ever, children and young people across the UK need our support. I hope everyone loves the track as much as I do, and that it raises lots of money to help make a difference!”

Rebecca Ferguson said: “I have so many happy memories of Children in Need, it brings people together all over the country, it is always a great day and is something myself and my family have always taken part in. I love that all of the schools come together and do fun things with the kids to raise as much money as they can, it is a great reminder that we are all one community. I have loved being part of the single, it is a great honour as there are so many unbelievably talented people on the single who have inspired me since I was a little girl so it’s a huge honour. Thank you for having me and I hope it raises lots of money for the charity.”

Sheku Kanneh-Mason commented: “It was a real honour to be asked to be part of this year’s Children in Need track and to perform alongside such a fantastic line-up of artists.  The work this charity does is  incredible and, this year, its help really is needed more than ever. I wish this year’s campaign, and this fund-raising single, every success.”

KSI said: “I’m honoured to have been asked to be involved in such a worthy and heart-warming cause and with such legendary company. It means a lot to me to be able to help where I can. Children in Need does an amazing job! It’s been a crazy year for all of us and I’m just grateful to be able to do what I love and to even be in this position where I can do my bit is a truly a privilege.”

Ava Max said: “This a time when support is needed on all levels and so I am excited to join in with these other artists to raise awareness for such a great cause.”

James Morrison said: I’m excited and honoured to be a part of this year’s Children in Need single. Their support for children’s charities is vital in any year and feels especially important this year, and I’m so happy I can play a small part in their fundraising efforts.”

Jack Savoretti said: “Having spent a lot of time with my own children this year, I realise more than ever just how important it is to provide care, love and attention to those children in less fortunate circumstances.”

Anoushka Shankar said: “Children in Need is such an important and iconic charity appeal, and I remember watching their annual shows as a child. I’m thrilled to take part in this special version of Oasis’ “Stop Crying Your Heart Out” and I hope people enjoy hearing the sitar in this unusual arrangement. More importantly, I hope it helps raise good funds for Children in Need.”

Yola said: “This year has been a challenge to navigate in so many ways and no one is more affected by the pandemic than many of the children and their families who Children in Need support, who have been put under additional financial strain or their health care put under additional pressure. Their work is vital and I’m so grateful to be involved in this single and help celebrate Children in Need’s 40th Year. It is important to make music to heal and to assist those in greater need.”

About BBC Children in Need:

BBC Children in Need’s vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential.  The charity will realise this vision by supporting, promoting and publicising work that addresses the challenges that children and young people face and work that builds their skills and resilience.

BBC Children in Need is currently supporting over 3,900 local charities and projects in communities across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages such as living in poverty, being disabled or ill, or experiencing distress, neglect or trauma.

Further information on BBC Children in Need can be found at bbcchildreninneed.co.uk

About BBC Radio 2:

BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to radio station, with a weekly audience of 14.4 million (RAJAR Q1, 2020), delivering the broadest range of music presented by some of the UK’s best loved entertainers. The network’s presenters include Michael Ball, Zoe Ball, Tony Blackburn, OJ Borg, Ken Bruce, Craig Charles, Rylan Clark-Neal, Fearne Cotton, Sara Cox, Jamie Cullum, Gary Davies, Vanessa Feltz, Paul Gambaccini, Bob Harris, Ana Matronic, Cerys Matthews, Huey Morgan, Trevor Nelson, Graham Norton, Paul O’Grady, Dermot O’Leary, Mark Radcliffe, Liza Tarbuck, Clare Teal, Jeremy Vine, Johnnie Walker, Jo Whiley, Claudia Winkleman and Steve Wright.

About Decca Records:

Established more than 90 years ago, Decca is one of the world’s iconic record labels and has been the home to countless legendary musicians including Luciano Pavarotti, Dame Vera Lynn and Bing Crosby to name a few. It now provides the platform for a new generation of ambitious artists at the forefront of their scenes. Artists including Shirley Bassey, Andrea Bocelli, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Melody Gardot, Max Richter, AURORA, Ludovico Einaudi and Gregory Porter continue to represent the label’s outstanding cultural legacy. Discover more at: decca.com