BBC Radio 2 Allstars To Release Official BBC Children In Need Single

Gregory Porter, Bryan Adams, Jamie Cullum, Cher, Lenny Kravitz, and Robbie Williams are among the stars featuring, as the BBC Radio 2 Allstars, on the newly-announced official BBC Children in Need single, “Stop Crying Your Heart Out.”

The new version of the Oasis song forms a central part of the annual fundraising spectacular, and it’s released on Friday (November 13) to coincide with the BBC’s traditional telethon. The event raises vital funds that support children and young people across the UK who are facing disadvantage, when they need it most.

“Stop Crying Your Heart Out,” now available for pre-order, features, 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 is by the BBC Concert Orchestra, with Grace Chatto and Sheku Kanneh-Mason on cello and Anoushka Shankar on sitar.

The single was curated by BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music head of music Jeff Smith, and was recorded and filmed around the world, from Cher’s contribution in Malibu via Robbie Williams in Switzerland and Jay Sean in New York to Yola in Nashville. It was produced by Grammy-winning producers Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling and will be broadcast for the first time on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Radio 2 on Friday.

The accompanying video receives its premiere during BBC Children in Need’s 2020 Appeal show on BBC One that evening. It was directed by Phill Deacon, producer of the recent multi-artist Radio 1 Live Lounge Allstars video for their cover of Foo Fighters’ “Times Like These,” which topped the UK singles chart. A minimum of 50p from the sale of each download of “Stop Crying Your Heart Out” in the UK will benefit BBC Children in Need.

Bryan Adams photo: BBC

“It is an honor to sing on the Children in Need single,” said Adams. “Let’s all help make it into a big smash record to help the kids.” Cher added: “I felt very emotional recording this song, it was very important to me.” Kravitz noted: “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.”

Among the other contributors, 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 photo: BBC

Added Gregory Porter: “Children in Need is such a brilliant charity and the work they do is always incredible so it’s a total privilege to able to be a part of this single and 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 noted: “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.”

“Stop Crying Your Heart Out” by the BBC Radio 2 Allstars can be pre-ordered here.