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It was released several times in the UK: first in 1994, then in 1995, and in 1999 in a remixed version following the success of Des'ree's previous singles "Life" and "Kissing You". The latter release of "You Gotta Be" charted in its highest position out of all three releases in the UK, peaking at #10. The 1995 release peaked at #5 in the United States and is the most popular version of the song. The remixed version of the song was released in 1998 in Spain, and went to #1 there.
In Italy, the song became popular after it was chosen as the soundtrack of some TV adverts, including those of Breil in 1996 and Ford Focus of 2000.[1][2] In Australia, circa early 2000s, this song was used in a Westpac bank advert.
The music video is filmed in black and white. In 1995, it was nominated in the category of "Best Female Video" at the MTV Video Music Awards, but did not win.
The year it was released, this song was used for the ending credits of The Next Karate Kid. A reworked version of this song was used in the Big Sing 2008. The Big Sing is to raise money for Childline by hundreds of schools singing this song at the same time across Ireland and England. If the number of children participating is big enough, the Big Sing will make it into the Guinness Book of World Records 2010.[3]
The song was covered by a cappella singing group DeCadence on their 2005 album Songs From the Closet. MiChi, a British/Japanese pop singer, also covered the song on her 2008 album MiChi Madness. The same year, Nature Living, a Japanese emo band, also covered the song in their album After All.
I am posting this song today because as of late I've been encountering many young gay men that feel that they will ALWAYS be lonely and love will NEVER find them. I feel that their issues are our issues and as someone that was 18-24 I know how lost one can feel. So I hope that as this song is played where ever in the world today, it gives them something to hold onto. And it my hope that they eventually come to understand that the threat they feel is something that is not even part of they life @ present. It is all about being present and acknowledging past mistakes and build yourself through them.
Thanks for that uplifting reminder that we gotta be bad, bold, WISER, cool, calm, STRONGER, hard and most important gotta stay together.
ReplyDeleteThis is so why I say WE are much stronger than our hetero brothas.
AUSFAHRT - YOU ARE VERY WELCOME!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely luv this song. Gotta luv the old school
ReplyDeleteDA SEEKAH - NO SCHOOL LIKE THE OLD SCHOOL!
ReplyDeleteI can recall the first time I heard this song and viewed the video; it was certainly a different time in my life. I used to sing this all the time after hearing it, and of course there is valid points in the song. Good song.
ReplyDeleteCHET - AWESOMELY GOOD SONG!
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