Clouds (Zach Sobiech song) explained

Clouds
Cover:Clouds - Zach Sobiech cover art.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Zach Sobiech
Released:December 14, 2012[1]
Recorded:2012
Length:2:59
Label:Rock the Cause
Producer:Karl Demer

"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).

Proceeds from the sale of "Clouds" go to the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund,[2] which is a branch of the Children's Cancer Research Fund.

In the United States, "Clouds" sold 25,000 units before Sobiech's death,[3] and an additional 30,000 units on his death date.[4] In total, he had sold 156,000 copies of "Clouds" upon his Hot 100 entry, and has since accumulated 20 million views on YouTube.[5] [6] 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.[7] In May 2012, Sobiech's doctors informed him that he had up to a year to live.[8] Sobiech recorded the song "Clouds" about his battle with cancer.

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.[9] Views had reached 11.8 million by end of November 2013.

Around 30 stars had begun releasing tribute versions of the song.[10] 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".[11] 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.[12] 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."

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.[13]

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.[14] [15] [16] 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.[17]

Credits and personnel

Single

Music video

References:[18]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2013)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[19] 14
US Billboard Hot 100[20] 26
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)3

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Clouds"! Chart (2013)! Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[21] 59

Awards and nominations

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Clouds - Single by Zach Sobiech. iTunes.com. 28 May 2013.
  2. News: Minnesota teen Zach Sobiech whose farewell song became Web hit dies. 28 May 2013. Detroit Free Press. 22 May 2013.
  3. News: Caulfield. Keith. Daft Punk Leads Debut-Filled Top Four On Billboard 200. 30 May 2013. Billboard. May 29, 2013.
  4. Trust. Gary. Zach Sobiech's 'Clouds' Headed For Hot 100 Debut. 30 May 2013. Billboard. May 23, 2013.
  5. Web site: Clouds by Zach Sobiech. YouTube. 3 October 2014.
  6. Web site: Zach Sobiech, Terminally Ill Singer Who Channeled His Story Into 'Clouds', Dies at 18 . May 21, 2013 . Billboard.com . May 24, 2013.
  7. News: Zach Sobiech Dies at 18, Teen with Cancer Who Sang Viral Hit "Clouds". Boehm. Kristin. 20 May 2013. People. 21 May 2013.
  8. News: Teen behind viral hit 'Clouds' dies of bone cancer weeks after celeb-filled tribute video. Stump. Scott. 20 May 2013. Today. 21 May 2013.
  9. News: Teen featured in viral video dies. Enayati. Amanda. May 20, 2013. CNN. May 21, 2013.
  10. News: Grein. Paul. Week Ending May 26, 2013. Songs: "Clouds" Takes Off. 30 May 2013. Yahoo! Music - Chart Watch. 29 May 2013.
  11. News: Zach Sobiech, teen who wrote viral YouTube hit 'Clouds' about cancer, dies from it at 18. Hastings. Deborah. May 20, 2013. Daily News. May 21, 2013.
  12. News: Willis. Charlotte. Teen behind Clouds viral hit Zach Sobiech dies weeks after celebs' touching tribute video. 27 May 2013. news.com.au. May 21, 2013. 21 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130521035345/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/celebrities-pay-tribute-to-cancer-sufferer-zach-sobiech-with-his-farewell-song-clouds/story-e6frfn09-1226639279732#ixzz2UVmNQr8c. dead.
  13. Web site: Disney+ Picks Up Justin Baldoni's Teen Drama 'Clouds' From Warner Bros. Hollywood Reporter. 2020-10-21. www.hollywoodreporter.com. 14 May 2020.
  14. Web site: 2020-10-18. Zach Sobiech's 'Clouds' Tops iTunes Charts 7 Years After His Passing. 2020-10-21. en-US.
  15. Web site: Zach Sobiech's 'Clouds' flies high again to top of iTunes chart. 2020-10-21. Star Tribune.
  16. Web site: 2020-10-19. 'Clouds,' by teen who died of cancer, hits No. 1 on iTunes. 2020-10-21. CTVNews. en.
  17. Web site: 2020-10-21 . Jason Mraz and One Republic to pay tribute to Zach Sobiech and 'Clouds' in virtual concert . 2022-05-17 . Twin Cities . en-US.
  18. Web site: Clouds by Zach Sobiech - Youtube. TheWoolyRhino. 28 May 2013.
  19. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Still Atop Hot 100, Zach Sobiech Debuts. .
  20. http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1565048/macklemore-ryan-lewis-still-atop-hot-100-zach-sobiech-debuts Billboard: Macklemore Ryan Lewis still atop Hot 100, Zach Sobiech debuts
  21. Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2013 . . December 13, 2013.
  22. https://archive.today/20130825050427/http://midwestemmys.org/20130823/2013nominees/ Midwest Emmies: 2013 nominees

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