The Greatest Day – Take That Present: The Circus Live Explained

The Greatest Day – Take That Present: The Circus Live
Type:	Live
Artist:	Take That
Cover:	The Greatest Day (Take That album - cover art).jpg
Released:	30 November 2009
Recorded:	July 2009
Venue:	Wembley Stadium, London
Genre:	Pop pop rock europop
Length:	122:36
Label:	Polydor
Producer:	John Shanks
Prev Title:	The Circus
Prev Year:	2008
Next Title:	Progress
Next Year:	2010

The Greatest Day – Take That Present: The Circus Live is the ninth album by English pop band Take That. It is the first of their three live albums, and has to date been released only in the UK. It was accompanied by a similar DVD release.

Background and promotion

The album was released on 30 November 2009. No singles were released from the album, although "Hold Up a Light", the fifth single to be released from Take That's previous album, The Circus, encouraged fans to purchase the live album. The video for "Hold Up a Light" featured footage of the band live on the Wembley Leg of the tour, also promoting the album itself. To date, the album has only been released in the UK and Ireland.

The album became the fastest-selling live album since 1994, selling over 123,000 copies in its first week.^[1] This was Take That's last album as a four-piece before Robbie Williams returned to the group in 2010.

A DVD, featuring footage of the concert itself, was released on 23 November 2009. This was followed by the audio recording a week later. The DVD topped the music DVD chart, with the audio recording placing #3 in the UK Albums Chart. The video of "Hold Up a Light" was premiered on The One Show on 12 November 2009.

Critical reception

The album was received well, with positive reviews. BBC News said "The album was a fresh burst of energy, keeping fans of Take That happy while a new album is being written." Digital Spy also reviewed it as 'almost perfect'.

Commercial reception

The Greatest Day sold 98,000 copies on its first day of release. This was roughly 35,000 copies below the first-day sales of their previous album, The Circus. The album peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart,^[2] and was certified Platinum in Ireland in December 2009. As of December 2011, the album had sold 514,403 copies in the UK.^[3]

Track listing

Disc one: The Circus – Live at Wembley

1. "Greatest Day" – 4:18
2. "Hello" – 3:49
3. "Pray" – 4:00
4. "Back for Good" – 4:01
5. "The Garden" – 5:18
6. "Shine" – 3:46
7. "Up All Night" – 3:58
8. "How Did It Come to This" – 4:07
9. "The Circus" – 3:36
10. "What Is Love" – 5:55
11. "Said It All" – 4:07
12. "Never Forget" – 5:28
13. "Patience" – 3:20
14. "Relight My Fire" – 4:34
15. "Hold Up a Light" – 4:29
16. "Rule the World" – 5:42

Disc two: In Session – At Abbey Road

1. "The Garden" – 4:54
2. "How Did It Come to This" – 2:42
3. "Greatest Day" – 3:24
4. "Up All Night" – 3:22
5. "Patience" – 3:20
6. "What Is Love" – 3:42
7. "The Circus" – 3:47
8. "Shine" – 3:42
9. "Rule the World" – 3:54
10. "Julie" – 3:54
11. "Said It All" – 4:17

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2009)	Position
Irish Albums (IRMA)
Scottish Albums (OCC)^[4]	3
UK Albums (OCC)

Year-end charts

Notes and References

1. Web site: Boyle stays on top with huge album sales. 6 December 2009. Catriona. Wightman. Digital Spy. 2011-09-26.
2. Web site: The Greatest Day - The Circus Live. Official Charts Company. 26 September 2011.
3. Web site: Jones. Alan. Official Album Chart analysis: Olly Murs becomes 10th X Factor No.1. Music Week. 4 December 2011. 4 December 2011. subscription .
4. Web site: Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company. OfficialCharts.com.
5. Web site: Official Album Chart 2009 . UKChartsPlus.co.uk . 2011-09-26.
6. Web site: The Greatest Day - Take That Present The Circus Live [Live]|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|accessdate=26 September 2011].