Clouds (Zach Sobiech song)
"Clouds" is a song by American singer-songwriter, Zach Sobiech. It was his debut and only single released as a solo artist, released digitally on December 14, 2012, and later included in his debut EP, Fix Me Up (released under his band name, A Firm Handshake).
"Clouds" | |
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Single by Zach Sobiech | |
Released | December 14, 2012[1] |
Recorded | 2012 |
Genre | Folk rock, indie pop, chamber pop |
Length | 2:59 |
Label | Rock the Cause |
Songwriter(s) | Zach Sobiech[2] |
Producer(s) | Karl Demer[2] |
Audio sample | |
| |
Music video | |
"Clouds" on YouTube |
Proceeds from the sale of "Clouds" go to the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund,[3] which is a branch of the Children's Cancer Research Fund.
In the United States, "Clouds" sold 25,000 units before Sobiech's passing,[4] and an additional 30,000 units on his death date.[5] In total, he had sold 156,000 copies of "Clouds" upon his Hot 100 entry,[4] and has since accumulated 18 million views on YouTube.[6][7] The single has charted in USA, UK, Canada, France and Belgium.
Background
At age 14, Sobiech was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer which mostly strikes children.[8] In May 2012, Sobiech's doctors informed him that he had up to a year to live.[9] Sobiech recorded the song "Clouds" about his battle with cancer.[7]
Release and promotion
Sobiech released it as a YouTube video in December 2012. It went viral, surpassing 3 million views at the time of his death in May 2013.[10] Views had reached 11.8 million by end of November 2013.
Around 30 stars had begun releasing tribute versions of the song.[11] One version was released on SoulPancake, featuring Bryan Cranston, Rainn Wilson, Ashley Tisdale, Colbie Caillat, Anna Faris, Chris Pratt, Jason Mraz, Sara Bareilles, Jenna Fischer, Rachel Bilson, Sarah Silverman, Jason Derulo, Kina Grannis, Paul McDonald, and Phillip Phillips among other celebrities and Zach's family and friends lip-synching to "Clouds".[12] This video of artists was assembled by Rainn Wilson, and directed by Justin Baldoni who had also directed a short documentary about Sobiech, titled My Last Days.[13] At the end of the video, Jason Mraz is shown saying, “Thank you Zach. You’ve written a great song, dude. It’s a real pleasure to sing it, and sing it with you. Thank you.”[11]
Legacy
Clouds
On October 16, 2020, Disney+ released the movie Clouds, an american musical drama film based upon the memoir Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom's Small Prayer in a Big Way by Laura Sobiech. The film stars Fin Argus, Sabrina Carpenter, Madison Iseman, Neve Campbell, Tom Everett Scott and Lil Rel Howery.[14]
After the release of the film, the song "Clouds" topped the iTunes song chart at the No. 1 spot a second time, 7 years after Zach Sobiech's death.[15][16][17]
Clouds: A Musical Celebration, a virtual concert was held as a musical tribute on October 24, 2020, OneRepublic, Fin Argus, Sabrina Carpenter and various members of the Clouds cast.[18]
Credits and personnel
- Single
- Zach Sobiech: guitar and lead vocals
- Karl Demer: producer/mix engineer - Atomic K Records & Productions
- Merritt Benton: tracking engineer
- John Lynn: piano
- Zach Miller: drums
- Sean O'Hea: bass
- Matt Vannelli: guitar
- Music video
- Video & Editing: Mike Rominski - Wooly Rhino Productions
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Awards and nominations
- Upper Midwest Emmy Nomination for "Best Music Composition/Arrangement"[28]
References
- "Clouds - Single by Zach Sobiech". iTunes.com. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
- "ZACH SOBIECH - CLOUDS". Rock the Cause. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
- "Minnesota teen Zach Sobiech whose farewell song became Web hit dies". Detroit Free Press. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
- Caulfield, Keith (May 29, 2013). "Daft Punk Leads Debut-Filled Top Four On Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
- Trust, Gary (May 23, 2013). "Zach Sobiech's 'Clouds' Headed For Hot 100 Debut". Billboard. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
- "Clouds by Zach Sobiech". YouTube. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- "Zach Sobiech, Terminally Ill Singer Who Channeled His Story Into 'Clouds', Dies at 18". Billboard.com. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
- Boehm, Kristin (20 May 2013). "Zach Sobiech Dies at 18, Teen with Cancer Who Sang Viral Hit "Clouds"". People. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- Stump, Scott (20 May 2013). "Teen behind viral hit 'Clouds' dies of bone cancer weeks after celeb-filled tribute video". Today. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- Enayati, Amanda (May 20, 2013). "Teen featured in viral video dies". CNN. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
- Grein, Paul (29 May 2013). "Week Ending May 26, 2013. Songs: "Clouds" Takes Off". Yahoo! Music - Chart Watch. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
- Hastings, Deborah (May 20, 2013). "Zach Sobiech, teen who wrote viral YouTube hit 'Clouds' about cancer, dies from it at 18". Daily News. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
- Willis, Charlotte (May 21, 2013). "Teen behind Clouds viral hit Zach Sobiech dies weeks after celebs' touching tribute video". news.com.au. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
- "Disney+ Picks Up Justin Baldoni's Teen Drama 'Clouds' From Warner Bros. | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
- "Zach Sobiech's 'Clouds' Tops iTunes Charts 7 Years After His Passing". 2020-10-18. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
- "Zach Sobiech's 'Clouds' flies high again to top of iTunes chart". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
- "'Clouds,' by teen who died of cancer, hits No. 1 on iTunes". CTVNews. 2020-10-19. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
- October 21, Skyler Shuler on; 2020 (2020-10-21). "'Clouds: A Musical Celebration' Virtual Concert Coming to Disney+'s Facebook". The DisInsider. Retrieved 2020-11-17.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
- "Clouds by Zach Sobiech - Youtube". TheWoolyRhino. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
- "Ultratop.be – Zach Sobiech – Clouds" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1565048/macklemore-ryan-lewis-still-atop-hot-100-zach-sobiech-debuts
- "Lescharts.com – Zach Sobiech – Clouds" (in French). Les classement single.
- "Swisscharts.com – Zach Sobiech – Clouds". Swiss Singles Chart.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- Billboard: Macklemore Ryan Lewis still atop Hot 100, Zach Sobiech debuts
- "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- Midwest Emmies: 2013 nominees