Never Forget (Take That song)

Song information

The song was written by Gary Barlow and sung mostly by Howard Donald. Robbie Williams has a short solo section in the middle of the song and his vocals are also featured before the final chorus. The opening of the song is taken from Verdi's Requiem, sung by the Henllan Boys Choir led by Alistair Stubbs.

It was released on 24 July 1995 and reached no. 1 in the UK chart, as the band's seventh number one single. The song remained at number one for three weeks in the UK charts. It was also the sixth track on their 1995 album, Nobody Else. Williams also left the band during the promotion of this song.

The song was mimed by the leading characters in the series finale in the fourth series of Shameless and used in 2006 for the "Take That: The Ultimate Tour" finale. Currently the track has sold over 498,000 copies in the UK and received a Gold disc certification.

"Sunday to Saturday" was issued as a single in Japan instead of "Never Forget" and reached number nine. However, "Never Forget" still managed to chart in the lower sections of its singles chart.

Music video

The music video is a montage of childhood moments of Take That caught on camera and features photographs of the members as children. Most of the footage is taken from the band performing live, backstage at gigs or on tour. Other moments such as the band meeting Prince Charles and TV appearances are also shown.

Live performances

In the original recording of the song, Robbie Williams had a solo section near the end. When the group reformed in 2006 without him, the first part of Williams' section was sometimes sung by whoever was supporting the band on tour. The second half was sung by Mark Owen. After Robbie Williams rejoined the group in 2010, the song was performed live by all five members for the first time on BBC Children In Need on Friday 19 November 2010. In 2008, Eoghan Quigg performed a cover of this song on The X Factor and it featured on his critically panned self-titled album, released on 6 April 2009. Critics considered it the worst moment on the album. The following year it was performed by the final twelve during the final group performance of series 6. It was also performed at the beginning of The X Factor Final 2010 featuring finalists Matt Cardle, Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction, and joined by Take That on stage.

Robbie Williams also performed the song solo, on the Take the Crown Stadium Tour in 2013. When playing at Wembley Stadium, he replaced the lyric "Someday this will all be someone else's dream" with "this will be Justin Bieber's dream!... I don't think so" to thunderous applause from the audience.

The song's chorus is played during rugby games at Twickenham Stadium when England score a penalty kick or conversion.

Personnel

Track listings

1. "Never Forget" (radio edit) – 5:32
2. "Back For Good" (live From MTV's Most Wanted) – 4:10
3. "Babe" (live from MTV's Most Wanted) – 4:41

1. "Never Forget" (single mix) – 6:24
2. "Pray" (live from MTV's Most Wanted) / Interview – 17:36

1. "Never Forget" (radio edit) – 5:32
2. "Back For Good" (live from MTV's Most Wanted) – 4:10

1. "Never Forget" (radio edit) – 5:32
2. "Back For Good" (live from MTV's "Most Wanted) – 4:10
3. "Pray" (live from MTV's Most Wanted) / Interview – 17:36

1. "Sunday to Saturday" – 5:03
2. "Back for Good" (live from MTV's Most Wanted) – 4:10
3. "Babe" (live from MTV's Most Wanted) – 4:41
4. "Pray" (live from MTV's Most Wanted) / Interview – 17:36

1. "Never Forget" (radio edit) – 5:32
2. "Back For Good" (live from MTV's Most Wanted) – 4:10

1. "Never Forget" (radio edit) – 5:32
2. "Back for Good" (live from MTV's Most Wanted) – 4:10

Official versions