:The Climb (song)

"The Climb" was not intentionally written for the 2009 musical film Hannah Montana: The Movie. Co-writer Jessi Alexander conceived the song's melody while driving to the home of songwriting partner Jon Mabe. Once she arrived, Mabe and her developed a song about overcoming life's obstacles inspired by their personal struggles in the music industry.{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsroom.com/details/3767761|title=Songwriter Talks About Miley Cyrus Hit 'The Climb'|date=August 15, 2009|work=WSMV-TV|publisher=Voxant|access-date=November 27, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110724045511/http://www.thenewsroom.com/details/3767761|archive-date=July 24, 2011}} Alexander referred to the process as a form of "therapy" and recalled, {{blockquote|"I was just driving to work one day. It's just a typical day, nothing really special about that day. And I just had this melody in my head. And I couldn't get to my co-writer Jon Mabe or my guitar fast enough because I just wanted to play what I was hearing. And, you know, we just kinda put it down pretty fast and didn't really think anything about it. The lyrics kinda started to come, I think for both of us, being kinda underdogs in the business. My co-writer was a songplugger, just turned songwriter, and I'd had record deals and ups and downs in the music business. I think for both of us, we just came from a place of, you know, 'it's not a race'."}}

The song they created was titled "It's the Climb" and was written in the third person.{{cite interview|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/12/11/the-climb-writer-jessi-alexander-miley-cyrus-grammys/|title=Q&A with Miley Cyrus songwriter Jessi Alexander: 'The Climb' being pulled from Grammy noms is 'devastating'|date=December 11, 2009|first=Jessi|last=Alexander|subject-link=Jessi Alexander|interviewer=Whitney Pastorek of Entertainment Weekly|access-date=December 18, 2009}} Alexander described the original song as "more spiritual" than the version that was released, and said it contained lines about prayer. However, she claimed she knew it was pop and suitable for the Walt Disney Company.

Before reaching Cyrus, the song had been rejected by several country artists. It was eventually picked up by Peter Chelsom, director of Hannah Montana: The Movie, who gave it to Cyrus to record for the film.{{cite journal|last=Paxman|first=Bob|date=September 14, 2009|title=Climb Every Mountain|journal=Country Weekly|volume=16|issue=31|issn=1074-3235}} Chelsom found what would become "The Climb" while visiting Nashville, Tennessee, during a quest to find 11 new songs for the movie. After hearing Alexander's music, Chelsom asked her to submit songs for consideration. Alexander recorded "It's the Climb" on a CD and gave it to him. Several weeks later, Chelsom called to say, "the song was gonna be an integral part of the movie". However, he wanted Mabe and Alexander to rework some of the song's content and to change the song from third person to first person. Alexander felt the changes amounted to a "substantial amount of the song" and commented, "For me, when you change something from third person to first person, it can change the whole meaning of a line." Mabe and her "wrestl[ed] over taking words out" and how much they could change while maintaining the song's integrity. After a number of drafts, Mabe and Alexander finally created a version they felt was "perfect for the movie".

Upon receiving the final draft, filmmakers told the songwriters, "This is perfect for Miley, it’s gonna change her life, gonna change your life." Chelsom commented that the song "turned up" the film's music level by tapping into Cyrus's newfound vocal range.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=276454020&uo=4 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121106145413/http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=276454020&uo=4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |title=UK Premiere – Hannah Montana The Movie |work=iTunes Store |publisher=Apple, Inc |access-date=November 11, 2009}} As with the other songs featured in Hannah Montana: The Movie, the song is "tightly woven into the fabric of the story and the characters".{{cite web|url=http://www.visualhollywood.com/movies_2009/hanna_montana/notes.pdf |title=Hannah Montana The Movie Production Notes |work=Walt Disney Pictures |publisher=VisualHollywood.com |access-date=November 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723045415/http://www.visualhollywood.com/movies_2009/hanna_montana/notes.pdf |archive-date=July 23, 2011 }} In the film, Cyrus plays Miley Stewart, a character with a secret double life as superstar Hannah Montana. Keeping this secret causes trouble between Miley and many of the other characters in the film, and leaves Miley confused and contrite. She expresses her emotions by writing "The Climb". According to film producer Alfred Gough, "The song is her journey, the lessons she's learned in the movie. It's an epic [...] power ballad that encapsulates Miley's journey and the message of the film."

"The Climb" was chosen as the lead single from the soundtrack due to its country elements, which introduced Cyrus to listeners beyond her usual pop audience. The song is Cyrus's first solo effort marketed directly to country radio, though she had previously recorded and released a country duet with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, which was titled "Ready, Set, Don't Go", in 2007. Warren Truitt of About.com{{unreliable source?|date=February 2014}} referred to the song as "Miley's serious attempt to break into the contemporary country world."{{cite web|url=http://kidsmusic.about.com/od/musicreviews/fr/hmmovie.htm |title=Miley Cyrus – Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack |work=About.com |first=Warren |last=Truitt |access-date=October 8, 2009 |publisher=The New York Times Company |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412120939/http://kidsmusic.about.com/od/musicreviews/fr/hmmovie.htm |archive-date=April 12, 2014 }} The song became available as a digital download on March 5, 2009 through a marketing agreement with Rick Hendrix Company and Apple Music.{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/the-climb-single/1444289267|title=The Climb - Single by Miley Cyrus on Apple Music|last=Cyrus|first=Miley|author-link=Miley Cyrus|date=March 5, 2009|website=music.apple.com|access-date=July 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607141117/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/the-climb-single/1444289267|archive-date=June 7, 2020}} It was released to US country radio, and adult contemporary radio on March 10. On April 24, it was released in Germany as a CD. In October 2009, it was re-released to countries outside the United States in the international version of Cyrus' extended play, The Time of Our Lives.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VCE4HK|title=The Time of Our Lives: Miley Cyrus: Amazon.com: MP3 Downloads|website=Amazon|access-date=October 4, 2009}}

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"The Climb" is a country pop power ballad that incorporates soft rock and pop rock styles{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1479519|pure_url=yes}}|work=Allmusic|publisher=Macrovision Corporation|access-date=October 8, 2009|title=Hannah Montana: The Movie [Soundtrack] > Review|first=Heather|last=Phares}}{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1681970|pure_url=yes}}|title=allmusic {{The Climb [3 Track] > Overview}}}|work=Allmusic|publisher=Macrovision Corporation|access-date=November 14, 2009}} and lasts 3 minutes and 55 seconds.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024QS7WQ|title=Amazon.com: Climb: Miley Cyrus: Music|website=Amazon|access-date=August 10, 2009}} However, at two minutes and forty-five seconds, a "sudden, spiky burst of violins" enters the song, and the song switches to full power. Todd Martens, co-editor of the Los Angeles Times music column, says Cyrus uses "a raspy voice [that] brings a bit of country grit" to the song. "The Climb" is set in common time at a moderate tempo of 80 beats per minute.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0073289|title=Digital sheet music – Miley Cyrus – The Climb|access-date=November 11, 2009|work=Music notes.com|publisher=Alfred Publishing|date=2009-03-20}} The song is sung in the key of E major, and Cyrus' vocal range spans one and a half octaves from the low note of E₃ to the high note of C{{sharp}}₅. The song uses a standard-issue ballad arrangement{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/02/miley-cyrus-the.html|title=Miley Cyrus' 'The Climb:' Yes, be excited.|first=Todd|last=Martens|date=February 13, 2009|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 14, 2009}} with the chord progression, E5–Asus2–F♯7sus.

According to music reviewer Fraser McAlpine of the BBC, the song's lyrics assert that life should be viewed as "a journey which is difficult but rewarding".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2009/04/miley_cyrus_the_climb.shtml|title=Miley Cyrus – 'The Climb'|first=Fraser|last=McAlpine|date=April 22, 2009|work=BBC|publisher=BBC Online|access-date=November 16, 2009}} Both Martens and McAlpine took special interest in the line "It's always gonna be an uphill battle/Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose". Martens interpreted the line as an acknowledgment by the singer of her own mistakes in life, while McAlpine wrote, "In this song which is about plugging away at things, the writers have slipped in [...] that the occasional setback isn't the end of the world." Others have suggested that Cyrus is also borrowing from Albert Camus' The Myth of Sisyphus, highlighting the absurdity of life.{{Cite web|title=Hannah Montana and Philosophy (Pt 1): Camusian Existentialism & Embracing the Absurd – Mitu Khandaker|url=https://mitu.nu/2011/01/02/hannah-montana-and-philosophy/|access-date=2021-08-12|language=en-US|archive-date=August 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812001106/https://mitu.nu/2011/01/02/hannah-montana-and-philosophy/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite tweet |archive-date=October 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015012148/https://twitter.com/chipsmreks/status/1183880428362465280 |user=chipsmreks |url=https://twitter.com/chipsmreks/status/1183880428362465280 |number=1183880428362465280 |access-date=2023-05-07 |title=always gonna be an uphill battle |language=en}}

File:Miley Cyrus at Kids' Inaugural 3 cropped.jpg event in January 2009.]]

Critical reception for the song was generally positive. Fraser McAlpine of the BBC felt the song's lyrics were generic, but complimented Cyrus vocals: "Miley acquits herself well vocally—there are moments where her voice sounds a tad strained, but it's good to hear her on a track that's a little more subdued and with less frantic production than the uptempo, sassy pop songs we're used to." Michael Menachem of Billboard magazine called the song "one of the year's strongest ballads".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1070956/miley-cyrus-party-in-the-usa|title=Miley Cyrus, "Party in the U.S.A."|date=August 24, 2009|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=November 16, 2009|last=Menachem|first=Michael}} Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe praised "The Climb" for being a "pretty liberation anthem".{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2009/04/10/hannah_is_still_keeping_a_secret/|title=The screen is bigger, but 'Hannah' is still keeping a secret|work=The Boston Globe|publisher=The New York Times Company|access-date=October 21, 2009|date=April 10, 2009|first=Wesley|last= Morris}} Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly said, "On tunes like [...] 'The Climb', the 16-year-old Tennessee native turns up her homegrown inflections, but a few elongated r's won't exactly shut out her huge pop audience."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20266411,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321033639/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20266411,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 21, 2009|title=Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009)|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Warner, Inc|first=Leah|last=Greenblatt|access-date=October 9, 2009|date=March 18, 2009}} Todd Martens of The Los Angeles Times believed that "The Climb" was "buried in cheese" and described it as "pre-Valentine's Day gooeyness". However, Martens said, "'The Climb' is the rare Miley ballad that's on par with some of her more spunky teen pop." Matt Bjorke of Roughstock praised this song as a reminder to enjoy life, "even with 'struggles they're facing' being almost too numerous to mention."{{cite web |url=http://roughstock.com/news/2009/03/21030-miley-cyrus-the-climb |date=March 9, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-date=Jul 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715120550/http://roughstock.com/news/2009/03/21030-miley-cyrus-the-climb |language=en |access-date=1 August 2023 |title=Miley Cyrus {{ndash}} The Climb|work=RoughStock }}

Heather Phares of AllMusic said, "the best songs that Cyrus sings on the soundtrack have her own name on them". She also made musical comparisons to Shania Twain and described the song as "natural, [...] down to earth and grown-up". While reviewing The Time of Our Lives, Michael Hann of The Guardian called "The Climb" a "one rather superior ballad", compared to "When I Look at You" and "Obsessed". Hann said the song was added to the extended play to "add some ballast since this collection's US release."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/nov/20/miley-cyrus-time-of-lives-review|title=Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009)|work=guardian.co.uk|publisher=Guardian Media Group|first=Michael|last=Hann|access-date=November 20, 2009 |date=November 20, 2009 |location=London}} Jon Caraminica of The New York Times described "The Climb" as an "appealing new single [that] is just the sort of demure, inspirational country-rock that could easily be mistaken for self-reckoning."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/arts/music/15play.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/C/Cyrus,%20Miley|title=Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009)|work=The New York Times|first=Jon|last=Caraminica|access-date=November 20, 2009|date=March 13, 2009}} While reviewing a concert performance, James Reed of The Boston Globe called the song "bland but inspirational fare".{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/11/10/cyrus_rocks_td_garden_but_keeps_it_in_check/|title=Cyrus rocks Garden but keeps it in check|work=The Boston Globe|publisher=The New York Times Company |access-date=November 10, 2009|date=November 10, 2009|first=James|last=Reed}}

"The Climb" won "Best Song from a Movie" at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2009/winners.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602164310/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2009/winners.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 2, 2009|title=2009 MTV Movie Awards l Winners|work=MTV Movie Awards|publisher=Viacom|access-date=November 15, 2009}} and "Music Choice: Single" at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.teenchoiceawards.com/vote-music-post.php |work=Teen Choice Awards |access-date=October 19, 2009 |publisher=News Corporation |archive-date=October 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20091019153953/http://www.teenchoiceawards.com/vote-music-post.php |title=Teen Choice Awards 2009 Music |url-status=dead }} At the 52nd Grammy Awards, "The Climb" received a nomination for the Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, a songwriter's award. However, Walt Disney Records withdrew the song from consideration because the song was not "written specifically for a motion picture, television or other visual media", as the Grammy eligibility rules dictated. According to Rolling Stone, "The Climb" was submitted for consideration by mistake.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/karen-o-gets-wild-thing-grammy-nod-after-cyrus-withdraws-the-climb-20091210|author= Harris, Chris |title=Karen O Gets "Wild Things" Grammy Nod After Cyrus Withdraws "The Climb" |magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media LLC|date=December 10, 2009|access-date=December 10, 2009}} The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), the presenters of the Grammy Awards, released a statement stating, "Walt Disney Records was proactive and forthcoming to our awards department and verified that the song was not written specifically for the film Hannah Montana: The Movie. Based on this information, the Academy has complied with the label's request."{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2009/music/awards/miley-cyrus-song-pulled-from-grammys-1118012584/|author= Morris, Christopher |title=The 52nd Grammy Awards Nominees List|work=Variety|publisher=Reed Business Information|date=December 10, 2009|access-date=December 10, 2009}} NARAS replaced the nomination with the song with the next highest initial vote count, "All is Love", which was written by Karen O and Nick Zinner for the film Where the Wild Things Are. Dan Milliken of Country Universe gave the song a D+. His review consisted solely of two motivational posters: one reading "Life: Its{{sic}} not about the destination, but the journey" to describe the song's content, and a mock poster reading "Success: Everything is easy when you're cute" for his actual review. He later expanded his review, calling it "a soulless rephrasing of an extremely famous philosophical message (so famous it borders on cliche) that doesn't provide an emotionally coherent context or justification". Milliken gave the song a higher grade because "she's a pretty good singer for someone her age".{{cite web|url=http://www.countryuniverse.net/2009/03/12/miley-cyrus-the-climb/|title=Miley Cyrus—"The Climb"|last=Milliken|first=Dan|date=2009-03-12|work=Country Universe|access-date=2009-03-26}}

File:Miley Cyrus - Wonder World Tour 2.jpg]]

On the week ending March 7, 2009, "The Climb" debuted at number 48 on Billboard{{'}}s Hot Country Songs. It was, incidentally, the same week that "Back to Tennessee", by Cyrus' father, Billy Ray Cyrus, debuted at number 59, the first time a father and daughter had separate charting songs on the chart since Johnny and Rosanne Cash charted in 1990 with "Silver Stallion" and "One Step Over the Line", respectively.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/266384/best-of-2009-part-1|title=Best of 2009: Part 1|first=Gary|last=Trust|date=December 15, 2009|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=March 5, 2011}} "The Climb" eventually peaked at number 25 on the country-genre chart.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p823418|pure_url=yes}}|title=Miley Cyrus > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles|work=Allmusic|publisher=Macrovision Corporation|access-date=November 20, 2009}} For the week ending March 21, 2009, the song debuted at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 due to sales of 166,000 digital downloads,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269227/miley-cyrus-climb-debuts-high-on-hot-100|title=Miley Cyrus' 'Climb' Debuts High On Hot 100|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|location=Los Angeles|date=March 12, 2009|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=November 15, 2009}} thus making "The Climb" Cyrus's highest-charting effort at the time, surpassing her previous best-charting effort "7 Things", which peaked at number nine in July 2008. For the week ending May 2, 2009, the song reached its peak at number four on the Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268828/eminem-green-day-make-big-hot-100-debuts|title=Eminem, Green Day Make Big Hot 100 Debuts|first=Silvio|last=Pietroluongo|author2=Keith Caulfield |date=April 23, 2009|location=Miami and Los Angeles|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=November 6, 2009}} "The Climb" also peaked at number seven on the Pop 100 chart, 42 on Hot Christian Songs, and at number one for 15 consecutive weeks on Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. Cyrus became the youngest artist to top Adult Contemporary since LeAnn Rimes entered the chart in 1997 with "How Do I Live".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/266374/best-of-2009-part-2|title=Best of 2009: Part 2|first=Gary|last=Trust|date=December 16, 2009|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=March 5, 2011}} According to Billboard, "The Climb" was the eighth best selling digital single of 2009.{{cite magazine|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/43323/chart-watch-extra-down-to-the-wire/ |author=Grein, Paul |title=Chart Watch Extra: Down To The Wire |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |date=December 16, 2009 |access-date=December 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091219203351/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/43323/chart-watch-extra-down-to-the-wire/ |archive-date=December 19, 2009 |url-status=dead }} The single was certified six times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the sales of over six million sales.{{cite certification|region=United States|type=single|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=The Climb|access-date=February 21, 2023}} As of January 2014, "The Climb" has sold 3,709,000 copies in the United States.{{cite news |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/music-news/chart-watch-pitbull-kesha-eminem-riri-230734884.html |title=Chart Watch: Pitbull & Kesha & Eminem & RiRi |author=Paul Grein |date=January 8, 2013 |work=Yahoo Music }} In Canada, "The Climb" entered at number 17 and eventually peaked at number five.{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/song/42195|title=Miley Cyrus – The Climb – Music Charts|publisher=aCharts.us|access-date=November 21, 2009}} The single was certified triple platinum by Music Canada for the sales of 240,000 digital downloads.{{cite web|url=http://www.musiccanada.com/GoldPlatinum.aspx |title=Gold and Platinum |work=Musiccanada.com |publisher=Music Canada |access-date=July 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115121201/http://www.musiccanada.com/GoldPlatinum.aspx |archive-date=November 15, 2011 }}

"The Climb" was also a success in Australia and New Zealand. The song made its debut on the Australian Singles Chart at number 46 on April 19, 2009.{{Cite web|url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Miley+Cyrus&titel=The+Climb&cat=s|title=Miley-Cyrus – The Climb (Song)|work=Australian-charts.com|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=November 21, 2009}} After 10 weeks on the chart, "The Climb" reached number five on the chart, where it stayed for two consecutive weeks. "The Climb" was placed at number 84 on the decade-end Australian Singles Chart. The song has been certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for sales above 70,000.{{cite web |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accr.htm|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Singles|access-date=November 14, 2009|work=ARIA.com.au|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association}} "The Climb" debuted in the New Zealand Singles Chart at number 25 on April 13, 2009, and reached its peak at number 12 on June 15, 2009.{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Miley+Cyrus&titel=The+Climb&cat=s|title=Miley Cyrus – The Climb (Song)|work=charts.nz|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=November 22, 2009}}

In the UK Singles Chart, "The Climb" made its entry at number 82 on March 28, 2009, and reached its peak at number 11 on June 16, 2009.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Grrrr|title=The Official Charts Company – Miley Cyrus – The Climb|publisher=The Official Charts Company|work=Official Charts Company|access-date=November 22, 2009}} With its peak at number 11, it tied for Cyrus's best-charting effort on the chart with "See You Again" from October 2008.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Shining%20Light|title=The Official Charts Company – Miley Cyrus|publisher=The Official Charts Company|work=Official Charts Company|access-date=November 22, 2009}} The single was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for the shipment of over 200,000 copies. In Ireland, the song also peaked at number 11. In mainland Europe, the song peaked at number 23 on Eurochart Hot 100 Singles, number 11 on Belgian Tip Singles Chart (Flanders), and number five on Norwegian Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/8a277/Miley-Cyrus-The-Climb|title=Miley Cyrus – The Climb (Nummer)|language=nl|work=Ultratop|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=November 22, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Miley+Cyrus&titel=The+Climb&cat=s|title=Miley Cyrus – The Climb (Song)|work=Norwegiancharts.com|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=November 22, 2009}} The song experienced similar commercial outcomes throughout the rest of Europe; it appeared within the top 30 of charts in Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), and France.

File:The Climb Miley Cyrus music video.jpg" by Britney Spears.]]

The music video for "The Climb" premiered on Cyrus' Myspace page on February 11, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=52165367|title=Miley Cyrus – The Climb – Official Music Video|work=Myspace|publisher=Fox Interactive Media|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218091033/http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=52165367|archive-date=2009-02-18}} The video commences with a shot of Cyrus holding a guitar and a suitcase as she begins to walk down a long path extending through a valley. At the end of the valley, the sun breaks out over a distant mountain. The entire scene is enhanced with computer-generated imagery. Cyrus has her hair tied in a bun and wears a traveling jacket, a gray tank top, and cowboy boots. In a separate setting, Cyrus, wearing a gray short-sleeved shirt and her hair loose, begins to sing "The Climb" beneath a blue spotlight in a purple room. The two settings alternate throughout the video. A vignetted scene from Hannah Montana: The Movie appears in front of Cyrus as she walks on the path. The video zooms into the scene and a montage of film clips plays, featuring Cyrus's character and her love interest, Travis Brody (played by Lucas Till) horseback riding. The video returns to Cyrus walking; she picks up a rose fallen on the path, then throws it behind her. As the video progresses, she also sees things such as a herd of horses and a shooting star cross her path. A new setting enters the video in which Cyrus dances in a purple room with a countdown, or occasionally, film clips projected on the wall behind her. Rain begins to pour in the path setting. Cyrus puts down her jacket, guitar case, suitcase, and boots, and continues onwards with only her guitar strapped to her shoulder. More film clip montages play in the same manner as the first. As the last montage ends, Cyrus finally reaches the summit of a reddish, CGI mountain and triumphantly looks over the cliff's edge to watch the sun shining over a shimmering lake. An alternate version of the music video excluding the Hannah Montana: The Movie clips exists and was sent to several channels, including VH1.{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?artist=2408193&vid=348983|title=Miley Cyrus l The Climb|work=VH!|publisher=Vicaom|access-date=November 17, 2009|archive-date=December 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215185826/http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?artist=2408193&vid=348983|url-status=dead}}

Todd Martens of the Los Angeles Times wrote that while he enjoyed the song, he was unsure about the video. He commented that while the video was an improvement since Cyrus' video for "7 Things" (2008), the settings in "The Climb" music video looked as though they had been painted by Thomas Kinkade and Cyrus' dancing appeared off-beat. Travis of MTV described the video as "beautifully shot (although heavily digitized)".{{cite web|url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2009/04/10/buzz-bites-%E2%80%94-41009-manic-miley-cyrus-movie-friday/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412130010/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2009/04/10/buzz-bites-%E2%80%94-41009-manic-miley-cyrus-movie-friday/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 12, 2009|title=Manic Miley Cyrus Movie Friday!!!!!!|date=March 24, 2009|author=Travis|work=MTV|publisher=Viacom|access-date=November 17, 2009}} Lyndsey Parker of Yahoo! Music remarked that the summit setting was similar to that of the music video for Britney Spears' "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman". Parker also felt the scene in which Cyrus looks out over the cliff, shot using large sweeps with an aerial camera, had been "lifted straight out of an '80s Bon Jovi video".{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/heard/2318/miley-cyrus-not-a-girl-not-yet-a-woman|title=Miley Cyrus: Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman|publisher=Yahoo!|work=Yahoo! Music|date=March 4, 2009|author=Parker, Lyndsey|access-date=August 10, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://disney.go.com/videos/#/videos/movies/&content=210596|title=The Climb|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|work=Disney.com|access-date=August 10, 2009}} In 2009, the video received a MuchMusic Video nomination for Best International Artist Video, but lost to Lady Gaga's music video for "Poker Face".{{cite web|url=http://mmva.muchmusic.com/category/nominees |title=MuchMusic Video Awards 2009 Nominees |work=MuchMusic Video Awards |publisher=Viacom |access-date=November 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407003751/http://mmva.muchmusic.com/category/nominees |archive-date=April 7, 2010 }}

File:Miley Cyrus - Gypsy Heart Tour - São Paulo 18.jpg]]

Cyrus opened the Kids' Inaugural: "We Are the Future" event with the premiere of "The Climb". The event was held on January 19, 2009, in Washington DC, at the Verizon Center to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States.{{cite press release|publisher=Disney Channel|title=Presidential Inaugural Committee Announces Talent Lineup for Neighborhood Inaugural Ball and Kids' Inaugural Concert|url=http://disneychannelmedianet.com/DNR/2009/doc/Neighborhood_Ball_Kids_Inaugural_TalentRelease.doc|date=January 13, 2009|access-date=November 14, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1603046/20090119/cyrus__miley.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121064843/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1603046/20090119/cyrus__miley.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 21, 2009|title=Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus Entertain Vets (And Obamas) At 'Kids' Inaugural'|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|work=MTV News|publisher=Viacom|date=January 19, 2009|access-date=November 14, 2009}} Cyrus, dressed in an embroidered red ball gown made by Reem Acra, dedicated the song to Obama's daughters, Sasha and Malia Obama.{{cite web|work=Zap2it|publisher=Tribune Media Services|title=VIDEO: Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers at Kids Inaugural Concert! How hot are they?|author=Snead, Elizabeth|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/thedishrag/2009/01/miley-cyrus-sin.html|date=January 13, 2009|access-date=November 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231021920/http://blog.zap2it.com/thedishrag/2009/01/miley-cyrus-sin.html|archive-date=2009-12-31|url-status=dead}} Following the song's official release in March 2009, Cyrus resumed promotion for "The Climb", performing live for shows including American Idol,{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608463/20090403/cyrus__miley.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406021753/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1608463/20090403/cyrus__miley.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 6, 2009|work=MTV News|publisher=Viacom|access-date=October 10, 2009|title=Miley Cyrus To Perform On 'American Idol'|date=April 9, 2009|first=Gil|last=Kaufman}} The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/The+Tonight+Show+with+Jay+Leno/Miley+Cyruss%3B+Tom+Lennon/episode/1266024/summary.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209120214/http://www.tv.com/The+Tonight+Show+with+Jay+Leno/Miley+Cyruss;+Tom+Lennon/episode/1266024/summary.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 9, 2012|work=TV.com|publisher=CBS Interactive|title=The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Miley Cyrus; Tom Lennon|access-date=October 10, 2009}} the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards,{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607867/20090326/cyrus__miley.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090329050743/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607867/20090326/cyrus__miley.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 29, 2009|title=Miley Cyrus To Perform At Academy Of Country Music Awards|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|access-date=November 14, 2009|work=MTV News|publisher=Viacom|date=March 26, 2009}} Good Morning America,{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20270636,00.html|work=People|publisher=Time Warner, Inc|access-date=November 7, 2009|date=April 8, 2009|first=Evan|last=Agostini|title=Star Tracks: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 – 'Morning Glory': Miley Cyrus|archive-date=January 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108163923/http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20270636,00.html|url-status=dead}} and Live with Regis and Kelly throughout April.{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2009/03/64224143/1|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|title='Regis and Kelly' roll out the red carpet|date=March 16, 2009|access-date=November 14, 2009|first=Ann|last=Oldenburg}} On April 13, Cyrus performed "The Climb" as part of her set for the Sessions@AOL.{{cite web|url=http://music.aol.com/video/the-climb-sessions/miley-cyrus/bc:19421588001|title=Miley Cyrus – "The Climb (Sessions)"|access-date=October 10, 2009|work=AOL|publisher=Time Warner, Inc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417160414/http://music.aol.com/video/the-climb-sessions/miley-cyrus/bc:19421588001|archive-date=2009-04-17|url-status=dead}} On April 24, Cyrus sang "The Climb" and other songs in a London Apple Store.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=316595910&id=316595900&s=143444&uo=4 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121104232154/https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=316595910&id=316595900&s=143444&uo=4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |title=iTunes: Live from London |work=iTunes Store United Kingdom |publisher=Apple Inc |access-date=November 7, 2009 }} The performances were recorded and sold exclusively by the United Kingdom iTunes Store as a live extended play titled iTunes Live from London. On June 7, 2009, Cyrus performed the song at the 20th annual A Time for Heroes Celebrity Carnival, an outdoor carnival supporting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.{{cite web|url=http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0,,20283773_20631203,00.html |title=Miley Cyrus – A Time for Heroes Celebrity Carnival |date=June 8, 2009 |access-date=November 14, 2009 |work=InStyle |publisher=IPC Media |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612023324/http://www.instyle.com/instyle/parties/party/0%2C%2C20283773_20631203%2C00.html |archive-date=June 12, 2009 }} Cyrus also sang "The Climb" on The Today Show on August 28{{cite web|title=Miley Cyrus Talks about Her 'Mistakes' on 'Today' Show|work=MTV News|publisher=Viacom|date=August 28, 2009|access-date=November 14, 2009|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1619779/20090828/cyrus__miley.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830045031/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1619779/20090828/cyrus__miley.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 30, 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1618665/20090813/cyrus__miley.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524134835/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1618665/20090813/cyrus__miley.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 24, 2012|title=Miley Cyrus To Replace Mariah Carey On 'Today' Show|date=August 13, 2009|access-date=November 14, 2009|author=Vena, Jocelyn|publisher=Viacom|work=MTV News}} and at the first D23 Expo on September 11, 2009.{{cite web|last=Vargas-Cooper|first=Natasha|title=Uh Oh! Are Disney Fans Turning on Miley?|work=E!|publisher=Comcast|date=November 14, 2009|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b143803_uh_oh_are_disney_fans_turning_on_miley.html|access-date=November 14, 2009}}

To promote the Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack, Cyrus performed "The Climb" on a six-day, five-city acoustic radio promotional tour that reached over 250 radio shows. The song was also used as the closing number of Cyrus' 2009 Wonder World Tour, her first world tour. During the tour performances, Cyrus performed in a white tank top and shorts, boots, and a metallic vest, while giant overhead video screens displayed sunsets.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/6197431/Miley-Cyrus-Hannah-Montana-star-kicks-off-new-tour.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922230812/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/6197431/Miley-Cyrus-Hannah-Montana-star-kicks-off-new-tour.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 22, 2009|title=Miley Cyrus: Hannah Montana Star Kicks Off Tour|date=September 16, 2009|access-date=November 14, 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph|last=Cameron|first=Kirsty|location=London}} After finishing, Cyrus exited through a passageway in the stage while the images of shooting stars and the earth in space appeared on the screen. Melinda M. Thompson of the Oregonian described the performance as "really a moment to remember—Miley's soulful and touching rendition of 'The Climb'",{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Melinda M.|title=Review: Miley Cyrus Rocks the Rose Garden as She Kicks off Tour in Portland|work=The Oregonian|publisher=Advance Publications|date=September 15, 2009|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/music/index.ssf/2009/09/review_miley_cyrus_rocks_the_r.html|access-date=November 14, 2009}} while Jim Harrington of The Oakland Tribune said the performance was a "tender closer" that drew a large response at the September 18 concert in Oakland, California, at the Oracle Arena.{{cite web|last=Harrington|first=Jim|title=Concert Review: Miley Cyrus Leaves Hannah Montana Behind at Oakland Show|work=Oakland Tribune|publisher=MediaNews Group|date=September 19, 2009|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/music/ci_13376611 |access-date=November 17, 2009}}

Cyrus performed the song during the Gypsy Heart Tour. She also performed this song on CNN Heroes on December 11, 2011. Six years later, in 2017, she performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, followed by an acoustic version on The Howard Stern Show, and on March 24, 2018, Cyrus performed it before a massive outdoor crowd protesting gun violence at the March For Our Lives in Washington, DC.{{cite web|title=Miley Cyrus Just Performed 'The Climb' at March for Our Lives and It Was Beyond Emotional|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a19583699/miley-cyrus-the-climb-march-for-our-lives/|website=Cosmopolitan|access-date=March 25, 2018|date=24 March 2018}} On May 15, 2020, Cyrus performed the song for #Graduation 2020: Facebook and Instagram Celebrate the Class of 2020.{{cite web|url=http://www.beautifulballad.org/2020/05/15/miley-cyrus-selena-gomez-and-hailee-steinfeld-take-part-in-graduation-2020-facebook-and-instagram-celebrate-the-class-of-2020/|title=Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Hailee Steinfeld Take in #Graduation 2020: Facebook and Instagram Celebrate the Class of 2020|work=Beautiful Ballad|date=May 15, 2020|access-date=May 28, 2020}}

In 2023, Cyrus did a version of the song as part of her Backyard Sessions live performance series. It was the only track from the session that was not from her 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation.{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=2023-03-15 |title=Miley Cyrus Reviving the 'Backyard Sessions' for 'Endless Summer Vacation' Special |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/miley-cyrus-backyard-sessions-endless-summer-vacation-1234690323/ |access-date=2023-04-11 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "The Climb"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=7|relyear=2009|certyear=2024|access-date=February 6, 2024|refname=ARIA-cert}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|relyear=2009|certyear=2024|title=The Climb|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|digital=true}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|relyear=2009|certyear=2010|certmonth=04|title=The Climb|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|digital=true}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|relyear=2009|certyear=2022|title=The Climb|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|id=11045|accessdate=February 15, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=The Climb|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2009|certyear=2023|access-date=June 6, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Miley Cyrus|title=The Climb|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2009|certyear=2024|access-date=December 21, 2024|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|title=The Climb|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2009|certyear=2025|id=miley-cyrus-the-climb|access-date=April 2, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2009|certyear=2019|title=The Climb|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|id=8559-51-1|accessdate=February 15, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2009|certyear=2025|title=The Climb|artist=Miley Cyrus|type=single|award=Platinum|number=7|accessdate=February 6, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

"The Climb" has been covered several times. At auditions for the ninth season of the television singing competition American Idol, "The Climb" was the most popular choice of song amongst contestants.{{cite magazine|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/07/15/american-idol-auditions-miley-cyrus-climb/|title='American Idol': Miley Cyrus' 'The Climb' was the most popular audition song|first=Mandi|last=Bierly|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 15, 2009|publisher=Time Warner. Inc|access-date=November 14, 2009}} The song was covered by students in GEMS Wellington International School as a charity single, which debuted at the top of UAE download and UK soundtrack charts on iTunes within hours of being released.{{cite web |title=Charity single by GEMS Wellington students rockets straight to the top of UAE and UK download charts |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/charity-single-by-gems-wellington-students-rockets-straight-to-the-top-of-uae-and-uk-download-charts-1.102344109 |website=Gulf News |access-date=8 November 2024 |date=26 April 2024}}{{cite web |title=Charity single by GEMS Wellington students rockets straight to the top of UAE and UK download charts |url=https://www.gemseducation.com/en/News-and-Events/News/Charity-single-by-GEMS-Wellington-students-rockets-straight-to-the-top-of-UAE-and-UK-download-charts |website=GEMS Education |access-date=8 November 2024 |date=25 April 2024}} The proceeds went to Harmony House, an orphanage in India.{{cite web |title=GEMS Wellington Charity Single for Harmony House |url=https://fundraising.dubaicares.ae/campaigns/gems-wellington-charity-single-harmony-house |website=Dubai Cares |access-date=8 November 2024}}

For BBC Children in Need in 2015 1661 children performed the song live in unison from 10 towns across the UK to raise money for the charity. The choir is a regular feature on the telethon and performs a different song each year. The performance starting in the studio cut between the 10 choirs giving them about 15 seconds of air time before going back to the studio to finish. The choirs sang from: Elstree at Elstree Studios the studio on the outskirts of London where the main telethon was held, Gloucester at Gloucester Cathedral,{{cite web | url=https://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/14043176.gloucestershire-residents-raise-1374202-for-bbc-children-in-need/ | title=Gloucestershire residents raise £1,374,202 for BBC Children in Need | date=November 19, 2015 }} Belfast at BBC Blackstaff House,{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06pk3gj | title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, 2015, Northern Ireland's Best Bits }} Keswick at The Rawnsley Centre,

Great Yarmouth at The Hippodrome,{{cite web | url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/20886168.great-yarmouth-schools-join-children-need-choir/ | title=Great Yarmouth schools to join the Children in Need choir | date=November 3, 2015 }} Llandudno at Venue Cymru,{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06pmfhm | title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, 2015, Wales' Best Bits }} Jersey at Fort Regent,{{cite web | url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2015/11/10/choir-of-200-young-people-to-perform-for-children-in-need/ | title=Choir of 200 young people to perform for Children in Need | date=November 10, 2015 }} Blackpool at Blackpool Tower Circus, Glasgow at BBC Pacific Quay{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06pjldy | title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, 2015, Scotland's Best Bits }} and Arundel at Arundel Castle{{cite web | url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/arundel-castle-to-appear-on-bbc-children-in-need-1280398 | title=Arundel Castle to appear on BBC Children in Need | date=October 27, 2015 }}

{{Infobox song

| name = The Climb

| cover = Joe McElderry - The Climb.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Joe McElderry

| album = Wide Awake

| released = {{Start date|2009|12|14}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = Country pop

| length = 3:36

| label = Syco

| writer = Jessi Alexander, Jon Mabe

| producer = Quiz & Larossi

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Ambitions

| next_year = 2010

}}

In the same year of "The Climb"'s original release, British executive Simon Cowell chose for Joe McElderry, Olly Murs, and Stacey Solomon, the three finalists of the sixth series of the British television talent contest The X Factor, to record the song in preparation for a single release as soon as the winner was announced.{{cite web|url=http://www.mileycyrus.com/2009/12/03/simon-cowell-choses-the-climb-for-x-factor/ |title=Simon Cowell choses 'The Climb' for X Factor |date=December 3, 2009 |work=MileyCyrus.com |publisher=Hollywood Records |access-date=December 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518194124/http://www.mileycyrus.com/2009/12/03/simon-cowell-choses-the-climb-for-x-factor/ |archive-date=May 18, 2010 |url-status=dead }} After Solomon's elimination, Murs and McElderry sang the song on December 13, 2009, as their final performance in the competition. Upon winning the competition, McElderry's version of "The Climb", produced by Quiz & Larossi, was released as a single on December 14, 2009, by Syco Music.

McElderry said that the lyrics to "The Climb" meant a lot to him: "It's an emotional song because it's what's been happening in the last few months. It all feels very, very surreal." According to Peter Robinson of The Guardian, the cover has a "plinky" piano in its introduction. In regards to lyrics, Robinson interpreted, "lines about 'uphill battles' and 'having to lose' do seem to talk of Joe's probable future."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2009/dec/14/joe-mcelderry-the-climb-x-factor|work=The Guardian|access-date=March 30, 2010|title=Does The Climb lack the X Factor?|date=December 14, 2009|first=Peter|last=Robinson|location=London}}

Peter Robinson of The Guardian described "The Climb" as a "controversially uncontroversial choice" for a cover and continued, "While 'The Climb' might be a suitable choice for a winner's single, the fact that it's a cover of such a recent song means that it's still slightly odd."

On the week ending 26 December 2009, "The Climb" debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart; its debut position was influenced by a campaign composed of Facebook group members, aimed at getting Rage Against the Machine's 1992 single "Killing in the Name" to the top position during Christmas week.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266349/rage-against-the-machine-beats-x-factor-to-uk-xmas-no-1|title=Rage Against The Machine Beats 'X Factor' To U.K. Xmas No. 1|first=Paul|last=Sexton|date=December 21, 2009|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=March 30, 2010}} In the following week, the song reached number one, becoming the final number one of the 2000s decade, where it maintained for a week. It became 2009’s New Years number one. The single was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments exceeding 600,000 copies.{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |title=BPI – Certified Awards Search |publisher=British Phonographic Industry |access-date=January 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924015932/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |archive-date=September 24, 2009 }} The song has sold 810,000 copies in the UK as of January 2015.{{cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/features/number-1-today-in-2005-lady-gagas-bad-romance-returns-to-the-top-3396/|title=Number 1 today in 2010: Lady Gaga's Bad Romance returns to the top|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=9 January 2015|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=12 January 2015}}

"The Climb" debuted at number one on the Irish Singles Chart on the week ending December 17, 2009, where it maintained in the top position for four consecutive weeks.{{cite web|url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Joe+McElderry|title=Discography Joe McElderry|work=Irish-charts.com|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association|access-date=March 30, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/song/52590|title=Joe McElderry – The Climb – Music Charts|publisher=aCharts.us|access-date=March 30, 2009}} In mainland Europe, the song charted in the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles at number four on the week ending January 9, 2010.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/#/charts/european-hot-100?chartDate=2010-01-09|title=European Hot 100 – Week of January 9, 2010|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=March 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905164627/http://www.billboard.com/ |archive-date=September 5, 2008 }}

File:Joe McElderry - The Climb music video.JPG

The video was shot on December 16, 2009, in London, England. The video begins with footage from The X Factor and then transitions to a close-up shot of McElderry in the main setting, a flooded cityscape—the scene was shot in a flooded set with a cityscape backdrop. McElderry is clothed by a grey vest and a grey shirt, as he stands in the setting and performs. Throughout the entire video, scenes alternate between the flooded cityscape setting and recycled footage from The X Factor, which are in black and white until it shows him in the live shows in colour. The video concludes with McElderry being informed he won the competition, hugging his peers.

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• Digital download

1. "The Climb" – 3:36

• CD single

1. "The Climb" – 3:36
2. "Somebody to Love" – 2:38
3. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" – 2:27

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2009|certyear=2010|title=The Climb|artist=Joe McElderry|type=single|award=Platinum|id=8559-2311-1|salesamount=810,000|salesref=}}

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• List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 2009
• List of number-one singles of 2009 (Ireland)
• List of number-one singles of 2010 (Ireland)
• List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 2010s

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{{Miley Cyrus songs}}

{{The X Factor}}

{{Joe McElderry}}

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