Whatever You Believe Explained

Whatever You Believe
Cover:Anderson, Harley & Batt - Whatever You Believe 1988 Single.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Anderson, Harley & Batt (AH&B)
Released:November 1988
Genre:Pop
Length:5:10
Label:Epic Records
Producer:Mike Batt

"Whatever You Believe" is a song by the British singer-songwriter Mike Batt, which was originally recorded and released as a collaboration charity single featuring Batt with Jon Anderson of Yes and Steve Harley of Cockney Rebel. Released in 1988, the single tied-in with that year's ITV Telethon.[1] The song was written and produced by Batt.[2]

Background

Batt had written the song as the "Heineken/LBC Big Song". The song was performed during a live TV broadcast at Battersea Park in London on 3 May 1988, as part of the Thames/LWT charity fundraising effort for the ITV Telethon. Arranged and conducted by Batt, the song's performance saw him accompanied by Anderson and Harley on lead vocals, and backed by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and the London-based Royal Choral Society. Furthermore, over 2,000 members of the general public contributed to the performance as a choir. Each person paid a donation to receive a copy of the song's sheet music to take part. The Central Band of the Royal Air Force appeared courtesy of Wing Commander Eric Banks. After this performance, Anderson, Harley and Batt would also record a studio version of the song. Later released as a single in November 1988, it failed to make a chart appearance in the UK.

Release

"Whatever You Believe" was released by Epic Records on 7" and 12" vinyl in the UK only.[3] [4] For the 7" vinyl release, the studio version of "Whatever You Believe" was the A-side and the ITV Telethon live version the B-side.[5] The 12" vinyl release included a third track; the traditional "Deep is My Yearning (Morning Has Broken)", performed by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. It was arranged and conducted by Eric Banks, and produced by Batt.[6] [7]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Jim Whiteford of the Dundee Evening Telegraph called "Whatever You Believe" "a stirring anthem".[8] Paul Massey of Aberdeen Evening Express wrote, "Jon, Steve and the man who gave us The Wombles get together for a tear-jerking ITV Telethon ballad. At least it's for a good cause."[9] Mick Mercer of Melody Maker commented, "I was begged to review this, what with it being a charity single, so I am. Being fairly charitable myself at this time of year I would suggest it is nauseatingly pappy, unattractive crap."[10]

Track listing

7" Single
  1. "Whatever You Believe (Studio Version)" - 5:10
  2. "Whatever You Believe (Live Version)" - 6:03
12" Single
  1. "Whatever You Believe (Studio Version)" - 5:10
  2. "Whatever You Believe (Live Version)" - 6:03
  3. "Deep is My Yearning (Morning Has Broken)" - 2:46

Personnel

Additional personnel

Other versions

Notes and References

  1. Book: Time And a Word: The Yes Story - Martin Popoff - Google Books . February 2016. 9780993212024 . 2017-09-10. Popoff . Martin .
  2. Web site: Anderson, Harley And Batt - Whatever You Believe (Studio Version) / Whatever You Believe (Live Version) - Epic - UK - PEEPS 1 . 45cat . 1988-11-14 . 2017-09-10.
  3. Web site: Anderson*, Harley* & Batt* - Whatever You Believe at Discogs . Discogs.com . 2017-09-10.
  4. Web site: JON ANDERSON Whatever You Believe reviews . Progarchives.com . 2017-09-10.
  5. Web site: Anderson*, Harley* & Batt* - Whatever You Believe (Vinyl) at Discogs . Discogs.com . 1988-05-03 . 2017-09-10.
  6. Web site: Anderson*, Harley* & Batt* - Whatever You Believe (Vinyl) at Discogs . Discogs.com . 1988-05-03 . 2017-09-10.
  7. Web site: 12" Singles - Anderson, Harley And Batt - Whatever You Believe (Live Version) / Whatever You Believe (Studio Version) - Epic - UK - PEEPS T1 . 45worlds.com . 1988-02-12 . 2017-09-10.
  8. News: Whiteford . Jim . On the Record! - Singles . . 2 December 1988 . 20 . . subscription . 13 December 2023.
  9. News: Massey . Paul . Citysound: Singles . . 15 December 1988 . 10 . . subscription . 13 December 2023.
  10. Mercer . Mick . 17 December 1988 . Singles . . 27.
  11. Web site: The Hunting Of The Snark - Whatever You Believe . YouTube . 2014-05-15 . 2017-09-10.
  12. Web site: Dramatico Entertainment Ltd.USA . Dramatico.com . 2017-09-10.
  13. Web site: Performance by Bob Blakeley: Amazon.co.uk: Music . Amazon.co.uk . 2017-09-10.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Whatever You Believe".

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