Clouds (Zach Sobiech song)

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

"Clouds"
Single by Zach Sobiech
ReleasedDecember 14, 2012[1]
Recorded2012
Length2:59
LabelRock the Cause
Songwriter(s)Zach Sobiech[2]
Producer(s)Karl Demer[2]
Audio sample
  • file
  • help
Music video
"Clouds" on YouTube

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 20 million views on YouTube.[6][7] The single charted in the US, the UK, Canada, France and Belgium.

Background

At age 14, Sobiech was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer that mostly affects 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] Views had reached 11.8 million by end of November 2013.

Around 30 stars had begun releasing tribute versions of the song.[11] One version was released on SoulPancake, featuring Bryan Cranston, Rainn Wilson, Ashley Tisdale, Colbie Caillat, Anna Faris, Chris Pratt, Jason Mraz, Sara Bareilles, Jenna Fischer, Rachel Bilson, Sarah Silverman, Jason Derulo, Kina Grannis, Paul McDonald, and Phillip Phillips among other celebrities and Sobiech's family and friends lip-synching to "Clouds".[12] 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]

Legacy

Clouds

On October 16, 2020, Disney+ released the movie Clouds, a musical drama film based upon the memoir Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom's Small Prayer in a Big Way by Laura Sobiech. The film stars Fin Argus, Sabrina Carpenter, Madison Iseman, Neve Campbell, Tom Everett Scott and Lil Rel Howery.[14]

After the release of the film, the song "Clouds" topped the iTunes song chart at the No. 1 spot a second time, seven years after Zach Sobiech's death.[15][16][17] Clouds: A Musical Celebration, a virtual concert was held as a musical tribute on October 24, 2020, with OneRepublic, Fin Argus, Sabrina Carpenter and various members of the Clouds cast participating.[18]

Credits and personnel

Single

  • Zach Sobiech: guitar and lead vocals
  • Karl Demer: producer/mix engineer – Atomic K Records & Productions
  • Merritt Benton: tracking engineer
  • John Lynn: piano
  • Zach Miller: drums
  • Sean O'Hea: bass
  • Matt Vannelli: guitar

Music video

  • Video and editing: Mike Rominski – Wooly Rhino Productions

References:[2][19]

Charts

Awards and nominations
  • Upper Midwest Emmy Nomination for Best Music Composition/Arrangement[28]

References
  1. "Clouds - Single by Zach Sobiech". iTunes.com. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  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. 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". Retrieved 3 October 2014 – via YouTube.
  7. "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. 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. "Disney+ Picks Up Justin Baldoni's Teen Drama 'Clouds' From Warner Bros. | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  15. "Zach Sobiech's 'Clouds' Tops iTunes Charts 7 Years After His Passing". 2020-10-18. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  16. "Zach Sobiech's 'Clouds' flies high again to top of iTunes chart". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  17. "'Clouds,' by teen who died of cancer, hits No. 1 on iTunes". CTVNews. 2020-10-19. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  18. "Jason Mraz and One Republic to pay tribute to Zach Sobiech and 'Clouds' in virtual concert". Twin Cities. 2020-10-21. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  19. "Clouds by Zach Sobiech - Youtube". TheWoolyRhino. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  20. "Zach Sobiech – Clouds" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  21. "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Still Atop Hot 100, Zach Sobiech Debuts". Billboard.
  22. "Zach Sobiech – Clouds" (in French). Les classement single.
  23. "Zach Sobiech – Clouds". Swiss Singles Chart.
  24. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  25. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  26. Billboard: Macklemore Ryan Lewis still atop Hot 100, Zach Sobiech debuts
  27. "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  28. Midwest Emmies: 2013 nominees
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