Black and Gold
{{Short description|2008 single by Sam Sparro}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Black and Gold
| cover = Samsparroblackandgoldsingle.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Sam Sparro
| album = Sam Sparro
| B-side = S.A.M.S.P.A.R.R.O.
| released = {{start date|2008|3|31|df=y}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| length =
- 4:37 (album version)
- 3:32 (single version)
| label =
- Island
- Modus Vivendi
| writer =
- Sam Falson
- Jesse Rogg{{cite web|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=9104345&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID|title="Black and Gold" writing credits|publisher=BMI|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140105022118/http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=9104345&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID|archive-date=5 January 2014|access-date=4 January 2014}}
| producer =
- Jesse Rogg
- Sam Falson
| prev_title = Cottonmouth
| prev_year = 2007
| next_title = 21st Century Life
| next_year = 2008
}}
"Black and Gold" is the lead single from Australian singer Sam Sparro's eponymous debut album. The song was written by Sparro (as Sam Falson) and Jesse Rogg. It has been remixed by Max Sanna and Steve Pitron, Paul Epworth, Al Usher, Kings of the Universe, Kromatik and Russ Chimes.{{cite web |url=http://www.samsparro.com/blog.php?item%3D14 |title=Sam Sparro |access-date=25 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404064411/http://www.samsparro.com/blog.php?item=14 |archive-date=4 April 2008}} The original version of the single was made available online on 31 March 2008. On 7 April, the CD, 12-inch, and limited edition 7-inch singles were released.
"Black and Gold" explores the relationship between reason, spirituality and love. It was a commercial success upon release, reaching number two in the United Kingdom, number four in Australia, and number five in Ireland and Turkey. It was also a top-20 hit in Denmark, Flanders, Italy, and New Zealand. The song was nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 2009 Grammy Awards.
Information
"Black and Gold" originally appeared on the Modus Vivendi Music Vol.2 compilation album, released in 2007, along with an alternate mix of the song "Sally" and Sparro's remix of "Young Lovers", by another Modus Vivendi artist, Love Grenades. Modus Vivendi Music released an EP entitled Black + Gold, featuring the song, in the autumn of 2007, which garnered the attention that led to the deal with Island UK. All songs from that EP, excluding "Miss Rexi", appear in new revisions on Sparro's debut eponymous studio album, released with Island UK in May 2008.
"Black and Gold" was made available as a digital download on 31 March 2008 as the lead single from Sam Sparro.{{cite web|url=http://www.samsparro.com/about.php |title=Sam Sparro |website=samsparro.com |date=3 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403050727/http://www.samsparro.com/about.php |archive-date=3 April 2008 |access-date=8 April 2023}} It was released by Island UK Records through a licensing deal with independent Los Angeles based label, Modus Vivendi Music, owned and operated by Jesse Rogg, who also produced and co-wrote the song with Sparro.[http://www.modusvivendimusic.com Modus Vivendi Music]
British singer Adele performed an acoustic cover of the song for her appearance on a 2008 Live Lounge episode.{{cite web|first= Jo |last= Whiley |title= Adele (Live Lounge Tour)|website= BBC |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ebwmxj|date= 22 September 2008|accessdate= 7 May 2022}}
The song was nominated for the {{grammy|2009}} Grammy Award for "Best Dance Recording". It received three nominations for the 2008 ARIA Awards in the categories for "Breakthrough Artist – Single", "Best Pop Release" and "Single of the Year".[http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=6263 2008 ARIA Awards Nominees Announced... And Here They Are!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220092721/http://undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=6263 |date=20 December 2008 }}, Undercover, accessed 6 October 2008 The song has been certified gold in both Australia and the UK.
In a video interview, Sparro confirmed that the song's subject is his religious faith, saying "It is about God, yeah. [...] I do like to have faith in something that is bigger than me."{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R37cw4b70DA|title=SAM SPARRO interview|date=2 May 2008|work=YouTube}}
The song appears on the soundtrack of the video game FIFA 09,Gamespot [http://au.gamespot.com/ps3/sports/fifasoccer09/news.html?sid=6196016 EA kicks off FIFA 09 tracklist] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210191645/http://au.gamespot.com/ps3/sports/fifasoccer09/news.html?sid=6196016 |date=10 February 2009 }} Accessed 6 October 2008 as well as appearing in the 2010 video game DJ Hero 2, where it was mixed with David Guetta's "Love Is Gone".
The song was later sampled by British rock band Coldplay on "People of the Pride", a track from their 2021 album Music of the Spheres.{{cite AV media notes|title=Music of the Spheres|others=Coldplay|date=2021|type=liner notes|publisher=Parlophone, Atlantic Records}}
The song is played after East Fife FC matches in which the team are victorious. East Fife play in black and gold.
Music video
File:"Black and Gold" - Sam Sparro (music video screen shot).jpg
There were two music videos produced for "Black and Gold". The first was directed by Mariah Garnett.{{cite web| url=http://mariahgarnett.com/html/blackgold.html| title=Sam Sparro – Black and Gold| publisher=MariahGarnett.com| access-date=17 November 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019220936/http://www.mariahgarnett.com/html/blackgold.html| archive-date=19 October 2009| df=dmy-all}} Sparro appears dressed in black, white, and gold clothing, singing alone, cut between city views, shots of urban streets filmed from moving cars, and reverse action shots of gold coloured drinking glasses shattering against a black back drop. The video had a significantly low budget, and was later scrapped after Sparro's deal with Island Records.
The second music video was directed by AlexandLiane,{{cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3TqxcLwbzI| title=Sam Sparro – Black & Gold: Video| publisher=Universal Music Group (YouTube)| access-date=12 November 2009}} funded through Sparro's new contract. The music video depicts Sparro emerging from a Limousine with many copies of himself in an underground garage. The garage, illuminated by chains of lights, pulsating as Sparro and his copies dance, donning tuxedos decorated with lights. The video has a colour theme of black and gold after the title, a theme reminiscent of the first video. It was released in February 2008.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHuebHTD-lY|title=Sam Sparro - Black and Gold|date=22 February 2008|work=YouTube}} This video, directed by AlexandLiane, received a nomination for "Best Dance Video" at the 2009 MTV Australia Awards.
Awards and nominations
ARIA Music Awards[http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/year/2008 ARIA Awards History 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813152819/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=2008 |date=13 August 2009 }}.Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 10 June 2012
{{awards table}}
|-
| rowspan=3 | 2008 || rowspan=3 | "Black and Gold" || Breakthrough Artist – Single || {{nom}}
|-
| Best Pop Release || {{nom}}
|-
| Single of the Year || {{nom}}
{{end}}
{{awards table}}
|-
| {{grammy|2009}} || "Black and Gold" || Best Dance Recording || {{nom}}
{{end}}
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2009 || "Black and Gold" || Best Dance Video || {{nom}}
{{end}}
Track listings
UK CD single
- "Black and Gold" (radio edit) – 3:30
- "S.A.M.S.P.A.R.R.O." – 2:32
German CD single
- "Black and Gold" (radio edit) – 3:30
- "Black and Gold" (Phones Hard as Diamond) – 5:02
- "Black and Gold" (Al Usher mix) – 4:35
- "Black and Gold" (video) – 3:39
12-inch single
- "Black and Gold" (Max Sanna & Steve Pitron mix) – 8:33
- "Black and Gold" (Al Usher remix) – 8:15
- "Black and Gold" (Phones Hard as Diamond mix – dub) – 6:32
Personnel
Personnel are adapted from the liner notes of Sam Sparro.
- Richard Edgeler – assistance
- Jesse Rogg – writing, mixing, production
- Sam Sparro – vocals, keyboards, writing, production
- Mark Rankin – drum programming
- Brio Taliaferro – additional programming
- Jeremy Wheatley – mixing
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (2008) !scope="col"|Peak |
| {{single chart|Australia|4|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Austria|50|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders|15|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Wallonia|36|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Czech Republic|32|year=2008|week=32|rowheader=true|access-date=6 September 2018|artist=|song=|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Denmark|10|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2008/BB-2008-05-17.pdf|title=Hits of the World – Eurocharts|magazine=Billboard|volume=120|issue=20|page=103|date=17 May 2008|access-date=3 August 2020}}
|5 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Germany|40|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|songid=424391|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland2|5|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black & Gold|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Italy|19|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch40|29|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|year=2008|week=24|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|47|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|12|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Scotland|1|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|date=20080426|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Slovakia|32|year=2008|week=28|rowheader=true|access-date=3 August 2020|artist=|song=|refname=}} |
| scope="row"|Turkey (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Turkish Top 20 |magazine=Billboard |url=http://www.billboard.com.tr/pages/Turkiye_top20.aspx |access-date=29 January 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080611132445/http://www.billboard.com.tr:80/pages/Turkiye_top20.aspx/ |archive-date=11 June 2008}}
|5 |
| {{single chart|UK|2|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|date=20080419|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|UKdance|6|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|date=20080413|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|12|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|rowheader=true|refname=}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceairplay|8|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|rowheader=true|access-date=3 August 2020|refname=}} |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (2010) !scope="col"|Peak |
| {{single chart|UKdance|29|artist=Sam Sparro|song=Black and Gold|date=20100109|rowheader=true|refname="uk2010"}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
=Decade-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (2000–2009) !scope="col"|Position |
| scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pfly8|title=Radio 1 Programmes – Christmas and New Year on Radio 1, Chart of the Decade, Episode 2|publisher=BBC|date=29 December 2009|access-date=16 January 2012}}
|91 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Gold|access-date=13 November 2009|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|type=single}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2009|type=single}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|type=single|title=Black & Gold|artist=Sam Sparro|id=10453-3198-1}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format(s) !scope="col"|Label(s) !scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"|United Kingdom
|31 March 2008 |rowspan="2"|{{hlist|Island|Modus Vivendi}} |
|---|
| 7 April 2008
|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|CD}} |{{cite magazine|title=Future Release|magazine=Music Week|page=29|date=29 March 2008|quote=['Black and Gold'] will be released physically on April 7.}} |
| scope="row"|Australia
|12 May 2008 |CD |{{hlist|Island|Modus Vivendi|Universal Music Australia}} |{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue950.pdf|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 12th May 2008|publisher=ARIA|page=31|date=12 May 2008|archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080520233743/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20080520-0000/issue950.pdf|archive-date=20 May 2008|access-date=8 April 2023|url-status=live}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Sam Sparro}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Black And Gold (Song)}}
Category:Island Records singles
Category:Number-one singles in Scotland
Category:Songs written by Jesse Rogg
Category:Songs written by Sam Sparro