Clouds (Zach Sobiech song)

"Clouds"
Single by Zach Sobiech
from the album Fix Me Up
Released December 14, 2012[1]
Format Digital download
Recorded 2012
Genre Folk rock, acoustic
Length 2:59
Label Rock the Cause
Writer(s) Zach Sobiech[2]
Producer(s)

Karl Demer[2]

Audio sample
file info · help
Music video
"Clouds" on YouTube

"Clouds" is a song by American singer-songwriter, Zach Sobiech. It was his debut single, released digitally on December 14, 2012, and later included in his debut EP, Fix Me Up (released under his band name, A Firm Handshake).

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 11 million hits 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] (Viewers have reached 11.8 million by end of November 2013).

Around 30 stars had begun releasing tribute versions of the song.[11] The most notable version was released on SoulPancake,[12] featuring Bryan Cranston, Ashley Tisdale, Colbie Caillat, Anna Farris, Chris Pratt, Jason Mraz, Sara Bareilles, Jenna Fischer, Rachel Bilson, Sarah Silverman, Jason Derulo, Kina Grannis and Phillip Phillips, lip-synching to "Clouds". 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]

Credits and personnel

Single
Music video

References:[2][14]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[15] 29
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[16] 14
France (SNEP)[17] 26
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[18] 73
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[19] 50
UK Indie (Official Charts Company)[19] 8
US Billboard Hot 100[20] 26
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[20] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (2013) Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[21] 59

Awards and nominations

References

  1. ↑ "Clouds - Single by Zach Sobiech". iTunes.com. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "ZACH SOBIECH - CLOUDS". Rock the Cause. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "Minnesota teen Zach Sobiech whose farewell song became Web hit dies". Detroit Free Press. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Caulfield, Keith (May 29, 2013). "Daft Punk Leads Debut-Filled Top Four On Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  5. ↑ Trust, Gary (May 23, 2013). "Zach Sobiech's 'Clouds' Headed For Hot 100 Debut". Billboard. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "Clouds by Zach Sobiech". YouTube. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Zach Sobiech, Terminally Ill Singer Who Channeled His Story Into 'Clouds', Dies at 18". Billboard.com. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  8. ↑ Boehm, Kristin (20 May 2013). "Zach Sobiech Dies at 18, Teen with Cancer Who Sang Viral Hit "Clouds"". People. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ Enayati, Amanda (May 20, 2013). "Teen featured in viral video dies". CNN. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Grein, Paul (29 May 2013). "Week Ending May 26, 2013. Songs: "Clouds" Takes Off". Yahoo! Music - Chart Watch. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "Clouds by Zach Sobiech - Youtube". TheWoolyRhino. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  15. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Zach Sobiech – Clouds" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  16. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1565048/macklemore-ryan-lewis-still-atop-hot-100-zach-sobiech-debuts
  17. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Zach Sobiech – Clouds" (in French). Les classement single.
  18. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Zach Sobiech – Clouds". Swiss Singles Chart.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Archive Chart: 2013-06-01" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Billboard: Macklemore Ryan Lewis still atop Hot 100, Zach Sobiech debuts
  21. ↑ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  22. ↑ Midwest Emmies: 2013 nominees