Sarah Harding takes lead on new Girls Aloud single

Girls Aloud are set to release a special 20th-anniversary version of their hit single I’ll Stand By You, with the lead vocals sung entirely by their late bandmate, Sarah Harding. The ballad, originally released in 2004 as part of a Children In Need charity campaign, topped the UK charts for two weeks. The re-release will once again support the charity, which raises funds for disadvantaged children across the UK.

The new version of the song is a heartfelt tribute to Sarah Harding, who tragically passed away in September 2021 after battling breast cancer at the age of 39. Speaking about the re-release, Girls Aloud member Nadine Coyle described it as “a special celebration of Sarah” and the band’s longstanding involvement with Children In Need.

Harding’s isolated vocals for I’ll Stand By You were rediscovered earlier this year while the band was compiling archival material for their sold-out arena tour. The track became a poignant moment of the tour, with Harding’s voice featured on screens while her bandmates—Nadine, Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, and Kimberley Walsh—led the audience in a touching singalong. As they performed, the girls slowly gathered together on stage and harmonized a cappella with Sarah’s vocals, holding hands as they shared a final chorus.

Reflecting on the emotional impact of the tour, the band explained in a statement: “It was an emotional moment for us all.” Now, the new single, I’ll Stand By You – Sarah’s Version, has been released, with a debut airing on BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show with Zoe Ball.

In an interview on the show, Nadine Coyle described the track as “really special” and paid a heartfelt tribute to Sarah, calling her “our wonderful Sarah.” The new version of the song highlights Harding’s unique vocal strength, with her distinctive rasp adding depth to the song’s theme of friendship and solidarity. The raw emotion in her voice resonates deeply with the song’s message of standing by those we care about, making it an even more poignant release.

To accompany the single, a new version of the I’ll Stand By You music video has been created, incorporating previously unseen footage of Sarah and the band. This updated video will be shown during the Children In Need appeal show on BBC One on November 15, with the single being released on the same day.

Chrissie Hynde, the lead singer of The Pretenders who originally wrote and recorded I’ll Stand By You in 1994, has also praised the new version. “How wonderful to hear I’ll Stand By You with the lovely vocals of Sarah Harding leading the way for BBC Children in Need,” Hynde said in a statement.

The re-release of I’ll Stand By You is not just a musical tribute to Sarah Harding but also a way to support Children In Need, the BBC’s charity that helps disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. Harding’s powerful vocals will help raise vital funds for this important cause, and fans are encouraged to listen and support the charity on the release day.

In addition to the single, ITV will broadcast highlights from the recent Girls Aloud tour on November 17, marking what would have been Sarah Harding’s 43rd birthday. This special program will feature some of the best moments from the tour, which saw the band reunite for the first time in years, with Sarah’s presence felt in every performance. The full concert will also be available for streaming on ITVX, giving fans an opportunity to relive the emotional and celebratory moments of the band’s final tour.

This 20th-anniversary release of I’ll Stand By You serves as a moving tribute to Sarah Harding’s lasting legacy, while also supporting a cause that was close to her heart. It’s a reminder of the power of music to unite, inspire, and bring about positive change.