Girls Aloud are releasing a new version of their hit “I’ll Stand By You” just in time for its 20th anniversary. The updated track features lead vocals exclusively by beloved group member Sarah Harding, who died of cancer in 2021.
“I’ll Stand By You” began as a classic by The Pretenders from their 1994 album Last of the Independents. A decade later, Girls Aloud recorded their own take on the track for their album What Will The Neighbours Say? It was released as the official Children In Need single in 2004 and went on to top the UK singles chart for two weeks.
When the girl group was going through archival material ahead of its The Girls Aloud Show arena tour this year, they discovered Harding’s previously unreleased vocals for “I’ll Stand By You.” A version of the song incorporating those vocals became an emotional highlight of the tour. Now a freshly produced studio update of the track is set to arrive this Friday, Nov. 15, once again to benefit Children In Need.
The revamped “I’ll Stand By You” arrives ahead of Girls Aloud’s new concert special, The Girls Aloud Show: Live at The O2. The film was recorded in London’s O2 Arena during this year’s tour. A 60-minute edition of the special will air Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. on ITV1 and will repeat the following night at the same time. The full extended arena show will air Nov. 24 at 3:30 p.m. on ITV2 and will be available to stream on ITVX.
“This show is a massive celebration of our journey over the last 22 years,” the group’s Nicola Roberts says. “It was a great chance for us to showcase our catalog of music that we’re so proud of, and to celebrate and remind people of our incredible Sarah.” Her bandmate Cheryl adds, “It was pure joy and nostalgia at every show. It was amazing to look out at the crowd every night, especially in the moments when we all remembered Sarah together.”
Order Girls Aloud’s “I’ll Stand By You” (Sarah’s Version) now.
