Greg James praises power of radio as listeners come together for BBC’s Great British Singalong
Greg James hailed radio’s power to bring people together in difficult times as he kicked off the BBC’s Great British Singalong.
The special initiative saw BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, 6Music, 1Xtra and Asian Network listeners pick five singalong tracks to lift the nation’s spirits during the coronavirus crisis.
On Thursday morning, Radio 1 Breakfast host James kicked things off by praising radio’s ability to unite people before introducing his listeners’ choice.
“What a unique moment,” he said. “It’s taken us a week to work out what to play.
What song should we get the nation singing? 🤔
Join @laurenlaverne this Thursday morning for the UK's biggest radio singalong ever across @BBCRadio2, @BBC1, @1Xtra and @BBCasiannetwork.
🎤🤳 Use #UKSingalong with any video clips you film. https://t.co/t7wgEOGBSy— BBC Radio 6 Music (@BBC6Music)
“We’ve veered from funny, stupid songs, but what we’ve landed on is the perfect song because radio has always been brilliant at bringing people together and particularly at this time its powers are magnetised."
“Isolation doesn’t mean you have to be lonely. Radio is a great pal to all of us. We’d love to see you singing along. This is a massive, brilliant community.”
James’ listeners voted for Florence and the Machine’s cover of You Got The Love, with many writing on Twitter that hearing the track made them feel emotional.
Absolutely balling my eyes out driving to work when Florence you’ve got the love was chosen as the first song for #UKSingalong thanks @gregjames @BBCR1
— Sarah marsham (@sarahlmarsham)
You’ve got the LOVE 💓 💓💓 🌎 #UKSingalong #love #kindness @BBCR1 @BBCRadio2 @BBC6Music @bbcasiannetwork @1Xtra pic.twitter.com/9rWsjqg8Hf
— Dr Radha (@DrRadhaModgil)
Listening to Florence and the Machine's "You've got the Love" on @BBCR1 during #UKSingalong was so thrilling! Such a brilliant idea to make it happen, thanks guys! Already in better spirits for today ☝️
— Dominik T (@dompiotry)
Radio 2’s Dermot O’Leary admitted that he was also feeling a little tearful after his colleague’s remarks, telling James “Stop making me cry with your lovely speech!” before playing his listeners’ choice of Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond.
During the singalong takeover, fans - and fellow BBC presenters - shared videos of themselves getting into the spirit and singing and dancing to the five special tracks.
6Music’s Lauren Laverne introduced Prince’s Raspberry Beret before handing over to Radio1Xtra’s Dotty, who was broadcasting from home.
We needed this today. Tiny human actually took herself to bed afterwards! Now for emails now 💪🏾 #UKSingalong pic.twitter.com/Ycaujz24oA
— Mrs C-S (@_MrsC_S)
More of a dance-a-long! Thanks for cheering up my solo self isolation in Abu Dhabi while my fella is stuck in the UK😘#UKSingalong pic.twitter.com/10wwcQOUJk
— Roopsmanuva (@Roopstar)
Loved BBC Radio's #UKSingalong this morning. I may have lost my mind a bit posting a dancing in trackkies video on Twitter but it gave me some much needed endorphins pic.twitter.com/4MBeDmoHj8
— Sinead Gray (@SineadGray)
@laurenlaverne @BBC6Music #UKSingalong from Prince to Koffee via Punjabi Mc to a Bob Dylan classic covered by Them. Such a beautiful example of of the precious cultural & musical diversity that we all cherish. It's a proper kitchen disco in our house this morning. Thank you X
— Paul Casar (@Paulcasar)
#UKSingalong yasssssss! Apologies in advance for the singing. pic.twitter.com/xZU1X1tUXO
— sara cox (@sarajcox)
Grandson Rex aged 2 dancing to Raspberry Beret #UKSingalong pic.twitter.com/vzPeFsoTFh
— Rosalind Hillman (@Mybigshed)
“It’s nice to be under the duvet, I’m not gonna lie to you Lauren,” she said, before playing Toast by rising reggae star Koffee.
Asian Network presenter Harpz Kaur then finished things off by playing Panjabi MC’s Mundian To Bach Ke.
Many Twitter users said that the singalong takeover had helped to boost their spirits during a difficult and uncertain time.
Last month, BBC DJs joined radio hosts across Europe in playing Gerry and the Pacemakers’ track You’ll Never Walk Alone at the same time in a display of solidarity during the coronavirus pandemic.
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