News
One Direction score the biggest Comic Relief single ever!
One Direction’s medley of Blondie’s classic hit ‘One Way or Another’ and ‘Teenage Kicks’ by The Undertones is officially the biggest-selling Comic Relief single ever.
The band released the single on 17 February to raise money for the charity’s 2013 campaign.
The track has peaked at number one on iTunes charts in 63 countries worldwide, including the UK, US, Canada, Mexico and Singapore and to date has raised over £850,000
Kevin Cahill, chief executive of Comic Relief said, “we couldn’t have asked for a better band to record the official Red Nose Day single in our 25th year. It’s an absolute coup and the first time ever we have a massive global-selling single for Comic Relief. Their genuine commitment to the work we fund is touching and I know that their contribution will raise a huge amount to make a real difference.”
One Direction visited Africa earlier this year to see how the money raised helps children in poverty.
One Direction also recorded the music video themselves to save Comic Relief money and promoted the single with a series of preview stills from the video ahead of its premiere.
One Direction waived 100% of the royalties from the single, as did Sony Music Entertainment and iTunes, and the band did not receive any payment in connection with the official Red Nose Day single.
