“Disco dancing with the lights down low…”
It’s been (practically) twenty years now since 5 aspiring singers thrown collectively on a actuality TV present made their debut as a gaggle, occurring to change into the UK’s biggest-selling lady group of the twenty first century.
Girls Aloud‘s “Sound of The Underground” arrived in December of 2002, produced by Brian Higgins and Xenomania, the workforce that might in the end pave the group’s path in pop for a decade.
The tune was meant to compete with their profitable boy band counterpart from Popstars: The Rivals, referred to as One True Voice, for the No. 1 spot at Christmas, and got here with an already profitable marketing campaign slogan: “Purchase Women, Bye Boys!”
#tbt Keep in mind “Purchase Women Bye Boys”? We relive a traditional race for #XmasNo1 from Women Aloud… https://t.co/1MFsiLlADo pic.twitter.com/orcNMIZ2S9
— Official Charts (@officialcharts) December 22, 2016
Using in on a cool ’60s surf rock guitar match for an Austin Powers soundtrack, a rebellious drum and bass spirit and madcap lyricism, “Sound of the Underground” sounded each acquainted and futuristic all of sudden, and brisker and bolder than any actuality TV show-winning lady group’s profitable single had any enterprise being.
Sarah Harding, Cheryl Tweedy, Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh stormed the competitors, securing the No. 1 and remaining there for 4 weeks in a row.
And the remainder is, nicely….a complete lotta historical past.

20 years later, following the passing of Sarah Harding last year, the women are releasing a 7″ vinyl of their debut single (restricted to five,000 copies), with 100% of the earnings going to The Sarah Harding Breast Most cancers Attraction, in assist of The Christie Charitable Fund.
The vinyl features a never-before-heard different vocal tackle “Sound of the Underground,” in addition to a sheet of “Purchase Women, Bye Boys” stickers (!) – and it’s accessible to pre-order right here.
The discharge additionally comes after the women reunited and hosted The Primrose Ball – named after Sarah’s iconic line in “The Promise” – a charity gala over the weekend, that includes performances from Olly Alexander (watch him perform “The Promise” and “Call The Shots”), Ricky Wilson of Kaiser Chiefs (watch his “Love Machine”) and Will Young, in addition to a dwell public sale together with an unique canvas of Sarah Harding by The Connor Brothers.
Touchingly, Nicola additionally carried out the worship tune “Oceans (The place Ft Might Fail)” by Hillsong United.
It’s all very emotional, and completely bittersweet, to see the women celebrating their twentieth anniversary collectively once more. Right here’s hoping that is simply the beginning of honoring their unimaginable legacy.
Aloud endlessly.