Black and Gold (song)
Encyclopedia
"Black and Gold" is the lead single from Sam Sparro
's eponymous first album. The song has been remixed by Max Sanna and Steve Pitron, Paul Epworth
, Al Usher, Kings of the Universe, Kromatik and Russ Chimes. The original version of the single was made available on iTunes on 23 March 2008, with the entire album available from 31 March. On 7 April, the CD, 12" and limited edition 7" singles were released. The song explores the relationship between reason, spirituality, and love. The song was written by Sam Falson & Jesse Rogg.
in the categories for "Breakthrough Artist - Single" and "Single of the Year". A music video was released to promote the single. The song was used in the 2009 movies Obsessed
Soundtrack, and Fame
, and is on the soundtrack of the video game, FIFA 09
. There is also an acoustic version, which has been famously performed by artists such as Chloe Warren and Gary Go.
In a video interview, Sparro confirmed that the song's subject is his religious faith, saying "It is about God, yeah. [...] I do like to have faith in something that is bigger than me."
dystopian science-fiction novel, and Stanley Kubrick's 1971 film adaptation
, A Clockwork Orange
.
There were two videos produced for the song. One video was directed by Mariah Garnett, the other by AlexandLiane
Store) on 23 March 2008 by Island UK Records
through a licensing deal with independent Los Angeles
based label, Modus Vivendi Music, which is run by producer Jesse Rogg.
"Black and Gold" originally appeared on the Modus Vivendi Music Vol.2 compilation album, released in 2007, along with "Sally" and Sparro's edit of another Modus Vivendi artist, Love Grenades. Modus Vivendi Music released an EP entitled Black & Gold in the fall of 2007 that garnered the attention that led to the deal with Island UK. Several songs from that EP, including "Black and Gold" and "Cottonmouth" appear in new revisions on the full length Sparro release with Island UK release in May 2008, "21st Century Life".
The song was included on the soundtrack for EA Sports' FIFA 09
. Additionally, it appeared in the 2010 video game DJ Hero 2
, where it was mixed with David Guetta
's "Love Is Gone
".
Canadian folk band City and Colour
has added the chorus at the end of their song "Sometimes (I Wish)" during some live performances, including their televised performance on Bravo! Live at the Concert Hall.
's "4 Minutes
", and stayed in the top-40 for 28 weeks.
The song has also charted on the Irish Singles Chart
, peaking at number five.
The song was released on the US iTunes store on 20 May 2008. Additionally, it was released as the single of the week for the week of 23 June on US iTunes and could be downloaded for free.
On 12 October 2008, the song managed to climb back up to #33 on the UK Singles Chart
.
On 28 December 2008, the UK Singles Chart
listed this at #10 for the year end countdown.
On 28 December 2009, Radio 1 Presenter: Nihal counted down "The Official Top 100 Songs of the Decade", in which "Black and Gold" came at #91.
On 3 January 2010, "Black and Gold" entered the UK Dance Chart once more, currently peaking at #29.
12" Single
, and was covered by Guillemots, On a Sensual Note
, an all male a cappella
group at American University and the Chordials
, a co-ed collegiate a cappella group at Cornell University. Katy Perry
covered the song on the album Sweetheart. Ellie Goulding
and Adele
have also covered the song.
Recently, DC-area Rapper Wale
sampled the song for his mixtape, More About Nothing.
Sam Sparro
Sam Sparro is an Australian singer-songwriter, music producer, and former child actor. His stage name was derived from a family nickname, which in turn was inspired by the Dagenham radio mascot Sammy Sparrow...
's eponymous first album. The song has been remixed by Max Sanna and Steve Pitron, Paul Epworth
Paul Epworth
Paul Epworth is an award-winning British music producer, musician, and songwriter. His production credits include Adele, Cee Lo Green, Florence and the Machine, Plan B, Friendly Fires, Bloc Party, Primal Scream, The Rapture, Jack Peñate, Kate Nash and Maxïmo Park.-Lomax:From 2002-2004 Paul provided...
, Al Usher, Kings of the Universe, Kromatik and Russ Chimes. The original version of the single was made available on iTunes on 23 March 2008, with the entire album available from 31 March. On 7 April, the CD, 12" and limited edition 7" singles were released. The song explores the relationship between reason, spirituality, and love. The song was written by Sam Falson & Jesse Rogg.
Information
The song was produced by Jesse Rogg and nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award in the category of "Best Dance Recording". It received two nominations for the 2008 ARIA AwardsARIA Music Awards of 2008
The 22nd Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards took place on 19 October 2008...
in the categories for "Breakthrough Artist - Single" and "Single of the Year". A music video was released to promote the single. The song was used in the 2009 movies Obsessed
Obsessed (2009 film)
Obsessed is a 2009 American thriller film directed by Steve Shill. The Screen Gems production stars Idris Elba, Beyoncé Knowles and Ali Larter...
Soundtrack, and Fame
Fame (2009 film)
Fame is a 2009 musical film and a loose remake of the 1980 film of the same title. It was directed by Kevin Tancharoen and written by Allison Burnett. It was released on September 25, 2009 in the USA, Canada, Ireland, and the UK.-Freshman year:...
, and is on the soundtrack of the video game, FIFA 09
FIFA 09
FIFA 09 is the 2008 installment of Electronic Arts' FIFA series of football video games. Developed by EA Canada, it is published by Electronic Arts worldwide under the EA Sports label. It was released in October 2008 for Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii,...
. There is also an acoustic version, which has been famously performed by artists such as Chloe Warren and Gary Go.
In a video interview, Sparro confirmed that the song's subject is his religious faith, saying "It is about God, yeah. [...] I do like to have faith in something that is bigger than me."
Music video
The music video for Black & Gold shows Sam Sparro emerging from a Limousine with many copies of himself in an underground garage. The Garage, illuminated by chains of lights, pulsates as Sparro and his copies dance, donning tuxedos decorated with lights. The video has a color theme of black and gold. The atmosphere and clothing designs used in the video have been noted to be reminiscent of the style and elements of Anthony Burgess'sAnthony Burgess
John Burgess Wilson – who published under the pen name Anthony Burgess – was an English author, poet, playwright, composer, linguist, translator and critic. The dystopian satire A Clockwork Orange is Burgess's most famous novel, though he dismissed it as one of his lesser works...
dystopian science-fiction novel, and Stanley Kubrick's 1971 film adaptation
A Clockwork Orange (film)
A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 film adaptation of Anthony Burgess's 1962 novel of the same name. It was written, directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick...
, A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange is a 1962 dystopian novella by Anthony Burgess. The novel contains an experiment in language: the characters often use an argot called "Nadsat", derived from Russian....
.
There were two videos produced for the song. One video was directed by Mariah Garnett, the other by AlexandLiane
AlexandLiane
Alex Large and Liane Sommers are a British directing team who have been based in Berlin since 2000. They have made music videos for Kylie Minogue, La Roux, Tiga, Take That, Cheryl Cole, Scissor Sisters, Dido, Mika, Bloc Party, The Ting Tings, Sam Sparro, Armand Van Helden, Tocotronic and...
Release history
"Black and Gold" was made available as a download (via the Apple iTunesITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
Store) on 23 March 2008 by Island UK Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
through a licensing deal with independent Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
based label, Modus Vivendi Music, which is run by producer Jesse Rogg.
"Black and Gold" originally appeared on the Modus Vivendi Music Vol.2 compilation album, released in 2007, along with "Sally" and Sparro's edit of another Modus Vivendi artist, Love Grenades. Modus Vivendi Music released an EP entitled Black & Gold in the fall of 2007 that garnered the attention that led to the deal with Island UK. Several songs from that EP, including "Black and Gold" and "Cottonmouth" appear in new revisions on the full length Sparro release with Island UK release in May 2008, "21st Century Life".
The song was included on the soundtrack for EA Sports' FIFA 09
FIFA 09
FIFA 09 is the 2008 installment of Electronic Arts' FIFA series of football video games. Developed by EA Canada, it is published by Electronic Arts worldwide under the EA Sports label. It was released in October 2008 for Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii,...
. Additionally, it appeared in the 2010 video game DJ Hero 2
DJ Hero 2
DJ Hero 2 is a rhythm video game and a sequel to DJ Hero, a spinoff of the Guitar Hero series. DJ Hero 2 uses a special turntable-controller, the same as introduced in DJ Hero, to simulate turntablism, the act of creating a new musical work from one or more previously recorded songs using record...
, where it was mixed with David Guetta
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
's "Love Is Gone
Love Is Gone
"Love Is Gone" is a song by French house DJ David Guetta and American singer Chris Willis. It is the second single from Guetta's third studio album Pop Life. The single was released in France on June 18, 2007 and in the UK on August 3, 2007. The song reached #9 in the UK Singles Chart, becoming his...
".
Canadian folk band City and Colour
City and Colour
City and Colour is the recording alias for Juno Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Dallas Green, who was also the guitarist and vocalist of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. He plays melodic acoustic and folk music and is often accompanied by a rotating number of Canadian indie rock...
has added the chorus at the end of their song "Sometimes (I Wish)" during some live performances, including their televised performance on Bravo! Live at the Concert Hall.
| Region | Date |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
14 April 2008 |
| Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
23 May 2008 |
| Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
24 May 2008 |
| United States of America | 10 June 2008 |
Chart performance
"Black and Gold" was remastered for the Island UK single release on CD, 7" and 12" as the album's lead single. It debuted at number twenty-three on the UK Singles Chart, and a week later it went to number four. It peaked at number 2, behind MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's "4 Minutes
4 Minutes (Madonna song)
"4 Minutes" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her eleventh studio album Hard Candy. It was released as the lead single from the album on March 17, 2008, by Warner Bros. Records. The song's development was motivated by a sense of urgency to save the planet from destruction, and...
", and stayed in the top-40 for 28 weeks.
The song has also charted on the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
, peaking at number five.
The song was released on the US iTunes store on 20 May 2008. Additionally, it was released as the single of the week for the week of 23 June on US iTunes and could be downloaded for free.
On 12 October 2008, the song managed to climb back up to #33 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
On 28 December 2008, the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
listed this at #10 for the year end countdown.
On 28 December 2009, Radio 1 Presenter: Nihal counted down "The Official Top 100 Songs of the Decade", in which "Black and Gold" came at #91.
On 3 January 2010, "Black and Gold" entered the UK Dance Chart once more, currently peaking at #29.
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
4 |
| Austrian Singles Chart Austria Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the... |
52 |
| Belgian Singles Chart Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... |
15 |
| Czech Republic Singles Chart IFPI The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry is the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. It is a not-for-profit members' organisation registered in Switzerland... |
32 |
| Danish Singles Chart Denmark Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark... |
10 |
| Dutch Singles Chart Netherlands The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... |
29 |
| European Hot 100 | 5 |
| German Singles Chart Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
29 |
| Global Dance Tracks Chart | 22 |
| Indian Singles Chart India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
9 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
5 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 13 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 12 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 4 |
| Turkey Singles Chart Turkey Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe... |
5 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
2 |
| U.S. Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Hot Dance Airplay Hot Dance Airplay Dance/Mix Show Airplay is a monitored electronic dance music radio chart that is featured weekly in Billboard magazine. The chart came about as a result of the small but influential impact of electronic dance music on the radio in the United States and the stations that program it... |
8 |
| U.S. Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
13 |
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
| UK Dance Chart | 29 |
End Of Decade positions
| Chart (2000–2009) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
91 |
Track listing
UK CD Single- Black and Gold (radio edit)
- S.A.M.S.P.A.R.R.O.
12" Single
- Black and Gold (Sanna & Pitron mix)
- Black and Gold (Al Usher remix)
- Black and Gold (Phones Hard as Diamonds dub mix)
Covers
It has been covered live several times by Irish band, The BlizzardsThe Blizzards
The Blizzards are an Irish band from Mullingar in County Westmeath. They were formed by Niall Breslin in late 2004, and also feature Dec Murphy , Justin Ryan, Anthony Doran and Aidan Lynch...
, and was covered by Guillemots, On a Sensual Note
On a Sensual Note
On a Sensual Note is the all-male collegiate a cappella singing ensemble of American University. Founded in the fall of 1996, OASN is the University's oldest a cappella ensemble. The ensemble performs regularly at campus events, tours and visits other schools and participates in regional festivals...
, an all male a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
group at American University and the Chordials
Chordials
The Chordials are a co-ed a cappella group at Cornell University that perform a mix of rock, soul, R&B, and pop music.-History:The Cornell Chordials were founded in 1997 by Elana Wolff...
, a co-ed collegiate a cappella group at Cornell University. Katy Perry
Katy Perry
Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a...
covered the song on the album Sweetheart. Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding
Elena Jane "Ellie" Goulding is an English singer-songwriter. In 2010 she became only the second artist to both top the BBC's annual Sound of... poll, and win the Critics' Choice Award at the BRIT Awards in the same year, following Adele's win of both in 2008...
and Adele
Adele (singer)
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins , known professionally as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter. She was the first recipient of the Brit Awards Critics' Choice and was named the number-one predicted breakthrough act of 2008 in an annual BBC poll of music critics, Sound of 2008...
have also covered the song.
Recently, DC-area Rapper Wale
Wale
A wale is a broad, thick plank around the outside of a wooden ship.The garboard is the wale next to the keel; the gunwale is the top such plank and covers the heads of the timbers between the main and fore drifts....
sampled the song for his mixtape, More About Nothing.