Risk It All (song)
{{good article}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Risk It All
| type = single
| cover = Ella Henderson x HGC x Just Kidding - Risk It All.jpg
| alt =
| artist = Ella Henderson, House Gospel Choir and Just Kiddin
| album =
| released = 20 August 2021
| recorded =
| studio = The Pool (London, UK)
| genre =
| length = 2:58
| label =
| writer =
- Ella Henderson
- Charlotte Haining
- Lewis Thomson
- Rob Harvey
| producer = Just Kiddin
| chronology = Ella Henderson
| prev_title = Let's Go Home Together
| prev_year = 2021
| next_title = Hurricane
| next_year = 2021
| misc =
{{External music video|{{YouTube|Tv62_Kw9efI|"Risk It All" music video}}}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|K_e9DD0xkQI|"Risk It All" (acoustic) music video}}}}
}}
"Risk It All" is a standalone single by English singer-songwriter Ella Henderson, the House Gospel Choir and producer Just Kiddin. It was released on 20 August 2021 through Major Tom's / Asylum Records and Warner Music Group. Described by critics as an uplifting euphoric dance and pop song, it features lyrics that speak of facing your fears in life and love, and giving a relationship a second chance.
The song was promoted with live performances on BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show with Zoe Ball and the homecoming ceremony for Team GB's Paralympics Team Homecoming. Upon its release, "Risk It All" debuted and peaked at 100 on the UK Singles Chart.
Background and composition
In 2015, a year after topping the UK Albums Chart with her debut album Chapter One, Ella Henderson began working on her second album.{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/ella-henderson-on-her-rebirth-with-second-album-everything-i-didnt-say-so-much-happened-to-me-when-i-was-16-i-needed-to-live__35432/ |title=Ella Henderson on her rebirth with second album Everything I Didn't Say: 'So much happened to me when I was 16, I needed to live' |last=Griffiths |first=George |website=Official Charts Company |date=11 March 2022 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311124658/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/ella-henderson-on-her-rebirth-with-second-album-everything-i-didnt-say-so-much-happened-to-me-when-i-was-16-i-needed-to-live__35432/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/the-script/news/ella-henderson-writing-session/ |title=Danny O'Donoghue Confirms He's Got A Writing Session With Ella Henderson Next Month |website=Capital FM |date=6 March 2015 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=16 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616223735/https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/the-script/news/ella-henderson-writing-session/ |url-status=live}} Despite completing album number two, Henderson suffered from severe anxiety which ultimately led to delays and her departure from Syco Music, for a new deal with Rudimental's label Major Tom's and Asylum Records.{{cite web |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/ella-henderson-everything-i-didn-t-say-album-review-b987192.html |title=Ella Henderson – Everything I Didn't Say review: we're all rooting for her |work=Evening Standard |last=Smyth |first=David |date=11 March 2022 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313034317/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/ella-henderson-everything-i-didn-t-say-album-review-b987192.html |url-status=live}} It was Rudimental that introduced Henderson to the London-based vocal group House Gospel Choir.{{cite web |url=https://celebmix.com/ella-henderson-house-gospel-choir-just-kiddin-release-risk-it-all/ |title=Ella Henderson, House Gospel Choir & Just Kiddin release 'Risk It All' |website=Celebmix |last=Rees |first=Katrina |date=August 2021 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=21 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821210955/https://celebmix.com/ella-henderson-house-gospel-choir-just-kiddin-release-risk-it-all/ |url-status=live }}
Speaking about how "Risk It All" came about, Henderson said "When the Rudimental boys introduced me to House Gospel Choir, I knew I had to work with them. It was such an amazing experience collaborating with them and Just Kiddin on this song. I hope it uplifts you as much as it did us in the studio." "Risk It All" is a dance music and pop song with a "vibrant production" that invokes "euphoria" and lyrics that speak of giving a relationship a second chance. Henderson spoke about the song on her social media accounts, saying "it's alllllll about taking risks and not being afraid to face your fears in love and in life" {{sic}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.pmstudio.com/music/music.html?page=20210820-14671 |title=Ella Henderson, House Gospel Choir & Just Kiddin Team Up for New Song "Risk It All" |website=PMStudio |date=20 August 2021 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=23 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823111610/https://www.pmstudio.com/music/music.html?page=20210820-14671 |url-status=live }}
Reception
Upon release, "Risk It All" received support from music streaming platforms and radio stations in the UK. It was playlisted by BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2, as well as being picked as one "Hottest Record In The World Right Now" on Charlie Hedges's Dance Anthems show. Additionally, it was included on Spotify's 'New Music Friday' and 'All New All Now' playlists, as well as Apple Music's 'New Music Daily' playlist.{{cite web |url=https://kassnermusic.com/new-release/ella-hendersons-risk-it-all-is-out-now/ |title=Ella Henderson's "Risk It All" is out now |website=Kassnermusic.com |date=2021 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411212744/https://kassnermusic.com/new-release/ella-hendersons-risk-it-all-is-out-now/ |url-status=live }} "Risk It All" received a positive review from music critic Jon Stickler, from Stereoboard, who that said that Henderson's vocals combined with the choir's to "lift the vibe".{{cite web |url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/232747/9 |title=Ella Henderson Shares House Gospel Choir And Just Kiddin Collaboration Risk It All |website=Stereoboard |last=Stickler |first=Rob |date=26 August 2021 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320224501/https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/232747/9 |url-status=live }}
Promotion
On the day of release, 20 August 2021, Henderson appeared on Zoe Ball's Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 for a live acoustic performance of the song. The single's cover art was shot by photographer Matt Pearson and was accompanied by other photos, all taken during the music video shoot atop Seven Sisters Cliffs in Sussex, England.{{cite web |url=https://www.mattpearson.co.uk/portfolio/ella-henderson-risk-it-all-single-cover |title=Ella Henderson – Risk it all Single Cover |website=Mattpearson.co.uk |last=Pearson |first=Matt |date=2021 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411212730/https://www.mattpearson.co.uk/portfolio/ella-henderson-risk-it-all-single-cover |url-status=live }} Henderson would later appear on 12 September with the House Gospel Choir at the Team GB Paralympics Homecoming Ceremony for a performance of "Risk It All", live on Channel 4.
Music videos
The music video for "Risk It All" features Henderson and the House Gospel Choir atop the Seven Sisters cliffs in Sussex, England. The theme of the video is around a "Last Day on Earth", with a couple departing for the cliffs and mark off activities from their bucket list as "an asteroid threatens the Earth". It features scenes of both "pre-Apocalyptic drama" and "young love and a gratitude for being alive", and "touches the dichotomy of love and fear".{{cite web |url=https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2021/09/15/ella-henderson-x-house-gospel-choir-x-just-kiddin-risk-it-all-lewis-cater/72792 |title=Ella Henderson X House Gospel Choir X Just Kiddin 'Risk It All' by Lewis Cater |last=Ulitski |first=Rob |website=Promonews.tv |date=15 September 2021 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411212736/https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2021/09/15/ella-henderson-x-house-gospel-choir-x-just-kiddin-risk-it-all-lewis-cater/72792 |url-status=live }} The video made its debut on 27 August 2021, and was directed by Lewis Cater. According to Promonews{{'}}s Rob Ulitski, the video is "brilliantly realised... with a surprising feel-good factor".
A music video performance of the acoustic version of "Risk It All" was released on 10 September 2021. It was recorded at The Pool Studios in Bermondsey, London. {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_e9DD0xkQI |title=Ella Henderson x House Gospel Choir – Risk It All (Acoustic Video) |via=YouTube |date=10 September 2021 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411212811/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_e9DD0xkQI |url-status=live }}
Track listing
Digital single{{cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/track/2ntTfXxuIi3jlePOKSz26N |title=Song – Risk It All – Ella Henderson, House Gospel Choir, Just Kiddin |website=Spotify |date=2021 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308171442/https://open.spotify.com/track/2ntTfXxuIi3jlePOKSz26N |url-status=live }}
- "Risk It All" (Ella Henderson, The House Gospel Choir, Just Kiddin) – 2:58
Acoustic single{{cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/3ktN8lAbG1r45q0DqoN8Bl?si=SaHx_6ShSm2oJPyDy7UaiA |title=Song – Risk It All (acoustic) – Ella Henderson, House Gospel Choir, Just Kiddin |website=Spotify |date=2021 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411212731/https://open.spotify.com/album/3ktN8lAbG1r45q0DqoN8Bl?si=SaHx_6ShSm2oJPyDy7UaiA&nd=1 |url-status=live }}
- "Risk It All" (Ella Henderson & The House Gospel Choir) – 3:18
- "Risk It All" (Ella Henderson, The House Gospel Choir, Just Kiddin) – 2:58
Just Kidding VIP mix single{{cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/2jnjbG7ivKi3rD3QySIc5y?si=8n8osagSTSKB0OPLwru0pA |title=Risk It All (Just Kidding VIP Mix) – Ella Henderson, House Gospel Choir, Just Kiddin |website=Spotify |date=2021 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411212808/https://open.spotify.com/album/2jnjbG7ivKi3rD3QySIc5y?si=8n8osagSTSKB0OPLwru0pA |url-status=live }}
- "Risk It All" (Just Kidding VIP mix) – 4:27
- "Risk It All" (Club Mix) – 3:24
- "Risk It All" (Ella Henderson, The House Gospel Choir, Just Kiddin) – 2:58
KC Lights remix single{{cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/2jnjbG7ivKi3rD3QySIc5y?si=8n8osagSTSKB0OPLwru0pA |title=Song – Risk It All (Just Kidding VIP Remix) – Ella Henderson, House Gospel Choir, Just Kiddin |website=Spotify |date=2021 |access-date=11 April 2022 |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411212811/https://open.spotify.com/album/2jnjbG7ivKi3rD3QySIc5y?si=8n8osagSTSKB0OPLwru0pA&nd=1 |url-status=live }}
- "Risk It All" (KC Lights remix) – 3:21
- "Risk It All" (Ella Henderson, The House Gospel Choir, Just Kiddin) – 2:58
Personnel and credits
Recording locations
Personnel
- Ella Henderson – vocals
- House Gospel Choir – vocals
- Henri Davies – vocal recording engineer
- Sarah Dorgan – assistant engineer (acoustic version)
- David Emery – mixing and mastering engineer (acoustic version){{cite web |url=https://tidal.com/browse/track/196537901 |title=Risk It All (acoustic) – Credits |website=Tidal |access-date=12 April 2021}}
- Kevin Grainger – mixing engineer, mastering engineer{{cite web |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/193133524/credits |title=Risk It All – Credits |website=Tidal |access-date=12 April 2021}}
- Charlotte Haining – background vocals
- Billy Halliday – engineer (acoustic version){{cite web |url=https://milocostudios.com/releases/risk-it-all-acoustic/ |title=Risk It All (acoustic) – Ella Henderson |website=Milcostudios.com |date=10 September 2021 |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412104545/https://milocostudios.com/releases/risk-it-all-acoustic/ |url-status=live }}
- Lizzie Jennings – choir arranger
- Ben Loveland – assistant engineer
- Natalie Maddix – choir director
- Robert Sellens – engineer
- Lewis Thomson (Just Kiddin) – producer, background vocals
Charts
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for "Risk It All" ! scope="col"| Chart (2021) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{single chart|UK|100|date=20210923|rowheader=true|access-date=11 April 2022}} |
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release history for "Risk It All" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Version ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="4"| Various
| 20 August 2021 | rowspan="4"| {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | Original version | rowspan="4"| {{hlist|Major Tom's|Asylum|Warner}} |
|---|
| 10 September 2021
| Acoustic version | {{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/music/player/albums/B09FFPW9HY?marketplaceId=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&musicTerritory=GB&trackAsin=B09FFR8YZ7&ref=sr_1_1&keywords=risk+it+all+acoustic&crid=QQ1JOECU73Z0&sprefix=risk+it+all+acoustic%2Caps%2C84&qid=1649713020&sr=8-1 |title=Risk It All (Acoustic) – Ella Henderson x House Gospel Choir x Just Kiddin |website=Amazon |date=10 September 2021 |access-date=11 April 2022}} |
| 24 September 2021
| Just Kidding VIP mix |
| 8 October 2021
| KC Lights remix |