The Flood (Take That song)

2010 single by Take That

"The Flood"

Single by Take That
from the album  Progress
Released| 15 October 2010 (2010-10-15)
Studio|

* Sarm West
* Abbey Road (London)
* Electric Lady (New York City)

Genre| Pop rock
Length|

* 4:51 (album version)
* 4:14 (UK radio edit)

Label| Polydor
Songwriter(s)|

* Gary Barlow
* Howard Donald
* Jason Orange
* Mark Owen
* Robbie Williams

Producer(s)| Stuart Price
Take That singles chronology
| "Hold Up a Light"
(2009)  | "The Flood"
(2010)  | "Kidz"
(2011)

|
|

Music video
"The Flood" on YouTube

"The Flood" is a song by English pop group Take That from their sixth studio album, Progress (2010). It was released as the lead single in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2010. The song is the first to feature Robbie Williams since his return to the band in July 2010, and features both Williams and Gary Barlow on lead vocals.

The song received acclaim from critics, who praised its anthemic sound and Williams' vocals. It peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, and was a hit internationally.

## Promotion

[edit]

The song was placed on the Radio 1 A-Playlist for a number of weeks after its first play on radio in early October. The band appeared on X Factor result show 6 to perform "The Flood" live for the first time on 14 November, it was also the first time they had performed as a five piece in 15 years. They also performed it on Children in Need and closed the show with number-one single "Never Forget". They then sang "The Flood" on X Factor Italy on 23 November, as well as on The Voice of Holland on 27 November. Following that was Skavlan.

Then they performed it on Benissimo on 1 December. Next up was The Late Late Show in Ireland on 10 December and then they performed it live on Wetten, dass..? in Germany. They also performed "The Flood" on Strictly Come Dancing and Dance avec les stars. They later sang it on the X Factor final on 12 December, where they also sang their number 1 single "Never Forget" with the final three contestants. They closed the Royal Variety Performance with "The Flood", with their backing dancers representing the progress of man.

## Critical reception

[edit]

The single gained rave reviews across the media and social network sites since its first play at BBC Radio 1 with social network users and fans commenting on the single as "incredible".[1]

During the ITV broadcast of the documentary Look Back, Don't Stare, Elton John appears to listen to an early demo of the song with the band and comments "Brilliant, do you know how big this is gonna be?"[2] \- however, this was clever video editing and the extended cut reveals Elton was actually listening to the song Underground Machine.

Digital Spy awarded the single 4 stars commenting that the single "reveals itself to be a genuinely epic pop belter".[3] The Daily Telegraph again praised the single stating "The Flood is a stirring us-against-the-world pop anthem that blends the best of Williams' rabble rousing instincts with Gary Barlow's smooth songwriting."[4] Orange agreed with this view, stating that "when it comes to perfect pop, they're still the masters of their game".[5]

The Flood was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award in 2012 for best work and most performed song.[6]

## Chart performance

[edit]

The single achieved commercial success in the United Kingdom and across Europe upon release, charting in more than 20 countries to date.

"The Flood" debuted in Denmark at number 7 on 22 October 2010 before moving up to 4. It remained in the Danish Singles Chart for a total of 20 weeks and was certified Gold by the IFPI.[7] The track debuted in the Top 10 in Ireland on the Irish Singles Chart dated 11 November 2010, at number 8, but later rose to number 3 whilst also spending 15 weeks in the Irish Top 50.[8] On 14 November 2010, the single debuted at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart with sales of 69,484 copies, and remained there the week after selling 89,917; it was held off number 1. The track has sold over 600,000 copies to date in the United Kingdom alone, being certified as Platinum, spending a total of eight weeks in the UK top ten, 20 in the top 100, and is currently their biggest selling single from the 2010s.[9]

The song peaked at number 6 in Switzerland and remained in the charts for 21 weeks, also peaking at number 14 in Austria where it spent 19 weeks in the Austrian Singles Chart. The single became the band's 16th top 40 single in Germany where it peaked at number 12 and spent 25 weeks within the German Charts and in Norway the band continued their consecutive hits with The Flood peaking inside the top 5 at number 3.[10] In the Netherlands the single peaked at number 4 and has to date spent 16 weeks within the charts, whilst the single peaked at number 2 in Italy where it was certified Gold by the FIMI.[11]

## Music video

[edit]

The music video, directed by Mat Whitecross, features the five members of the band racing against another crew in specially-made five-seater sculling boats.[12] The band's boat is named "Progress" after the record breaking number 1 album, whilst the band wear old-fashioned white rowing kits, bearing a custom-designed Take That crest. The group is shown to be competing in a race against a younger crew and although losing the race, the group continue going past the finish line (to the confusion of the winning team) and are shown to row down the River Thames past famous London landmarks before fading away into a stormy sea. The video for the single was filmed in July 2010 on Dorney Lake in Buckinghamshire, which played host to the rowing events at the 2012 Summer Olympics,[12][13] as well as on location on the River Thames.[14]

## Personnel

[edit]

* Gary Barlow \- co-lead vocals, backing vocals
* Robbie Williams \- co-lead vocals, backing vocals
* Howard Donald \- backing vocals
* Jason Orange \- backing vocals
* Mark Owen \- backing vocals

## Track listing

[edit]

* UK CD single

1. "The Flood" – 4:51
2. "The Flood" (instrumental) – 4:51

* UK DVD single

1. "The Flood" (Video) – 5:00
2. "The Flood" (Behind the Scenes) – 2:30

* UK promo single

1. "The Flood" (radio edit) – 3:54
2. "The Flood" (instrumental) – 4:51

* German CD single / UK iTunes package

1. "The Flood" – 4:51
2. "The Flood" (video) – 5:00

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2010–2011)  | Peak
position

|

Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[15] | 14
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[16] | 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[17] | 24
CIS Airplay (TopHit)[18] | 100
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[19] | 27
Denmark (Tracklisten)[7] | 4
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[20] | 4
Europe (Euro Digital Song Sales)[21] | 3
Europe (European Hit Radio)[22] | 7
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[23] | 28
France (SNEP)[24] | 37
Germany (GfK)[25] | 12
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[26] | 16
Ireland (IRMA)[27] | 3
Italy (FIMI)[28] | 2
Latvia (Latvijas Top 40)[29] | 23
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[30] | 16
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[31] | 3
Norway (VG-lista)[32] | 3
Portugal (AFP)[33] | 31
Scotland (OCC)[34] | 2
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[35] | 44
South Korea (Gaon)[36] | 7
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[37] | 44
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[38] | 24
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[39] | 6
UK Singles (OCC)[40] | 2

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2010)  | Position

|

Denmark (Tracklisten)[41] | 5
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[42] | 63
Germany (Official German Charts)[43] | 81
Ireland (IRMA)[8] | 21
Italy (FIMI)[44] | 60
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[45] | 98
Norway (VG-lista)[46] | 7
UK Singles (OCC)[47] | 35
Chart (2011)  | Position

|

Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[48] | 100

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[49] | Gold  | 15,000^
Germany (BVMI)[50] | Gold  | 150,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[51] | Platinum  | 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[52] | Platinum  | 602,000[9]
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[53] | Gold  | 50,000†

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

## Radio dates and release history

[edit]

### Radio add dates

[edit]

| Country  | Date

|

United Kingdom[54] | 8 October 2010

### Release history

[edit]

Country  | Date  | Format  | Label

|
|
|

Denmark[55] | 15 October 2010  | Digital download | Polydor Records
Germany[56] | 5 November 2010  | CD single, digital download
United Kingdom  | 7 November 2010[57] | Digital download
8 November 2010[58] | CD single
Worldwide  | 14 November 2010  | Digital download

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Metro.co.uk, Ann Lee for (8 October 2010). "Take That's new song The Flood gets rave reviews on Twitter".
2. ^ MissWilliamsArg (22 September 2012). "Take That - Look Back Don't Stare (FULL DVD)". Archived from the original on 26 September 2012 - via YouTube.
3. ^ "Take That: 'The Flood'". Digital Spy. 6 November 2010.
4. ^ "Neil McCormack The Telegraph 07-11-10". Archived from the original on 12 November 2010.
5. ^ "Chart Blog: Take That - 'The Flood'". BBC Chart Blog.
6. ^ "The Ivor Novello 2012 nominations". Digital Spy. 17 April 2012.
7. ^ a b "Take That – The Flood". Tracklisten.
8. ^ a b ">> IRMA << Welcome to our site >>". Archived from the original on 7 January 2012.
9. ^ a b Myers, Justin (24 March 2017). "Take That's Top 40 biggest songs revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
10. ^ GmbH, musicline.de / PhonoNet. "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche - musicline.de".
11. ^ Hung, Steffen. "danishcharts.dk - Take That - The Flood".
12. ^ a b "Take That's The Flood by Mat Whitecross". Promo News. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
13. ^ "Digital Spy 2010-21-07. Retrieved 21 July 2010". Digital Spy. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
14. ^ "~~ Marine Film Services ~~ Take That". Archived from the original on 30 August 2017.
15. ^ "Take That – The Flood" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
16. ^ "Take That – The Flood" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
17. ^ "Take That – The Flood" (in French). Ultratop 50.
18. ^ Take That — The Flood. TopHit. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
19. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 48. týden 2010 in the date selector.
20. ^ "Chart Search Results - European Hot 100 Singles 2010-11-27". Billboard. Retrieved 2 February 2023.[permanent dead link‍]
21. ^ "Take That Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
22. ^ "European Radio Airplay" (PDF). Billboard. Nielsen Music Control. 13 November 2010. p. 56. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
23. ^ "Take That: The Flood" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
24. ^ "Take That – The Flood" (in French). Les classement single.
25. ^ "Take That – The Flood" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
26. ^ "MAHASZ".
27. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Flood". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
28. ^ "Take That – The Flood". Top Digital Download.
29. ^ "The most popular songs in Latvia" (in Latvian). Lanet.lv. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
30. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 2, 2011" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
31. ^ "Take That – The Flood" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
32. ^ "Take That – The Flood". VG-lista.
33. ^ "PORTUGAL SINGLES TOP 50". Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. 9 January 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
34. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
35. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201048 into search.
36. ^ "국내 대표 음악 차트 가온차트!". gaonchart.co.kr.
37. ^ "Take That – The Flood" Canciones Top 50.
38. ^ "Take That – The Flood". Singles Top 100.
39. ^ "Take That – The Flood". Swiss Singles Chart.
40. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
41. ^ "ifpi.dk".
42. ^ "Billboard - Google Books". 1 January 2000. Retrieved 31 March 2014 - via Google Books.
43. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts".
44. ^ "FIMI - Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana - Ricerche e dati di mercato". Archived from the original on 21 January 2011.
45. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2010" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
46. ^ "Norway Singles Chart".
47. ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2010". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
48. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2011". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
49. ^ "Danish single certifications – Take That – The Flood". IFPI Danmark.
50. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Take That; 'The Flood')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
51. ^ "Italian single certifications – Take That – The Flood" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2014" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "The Flood" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
52. ^ "British single certifications – Take That – The Flood". British Phonographic Industry.
53. ^ "Danish single certifications – Take That – The Flood (Streaming)". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
54. ^ "Take That Debut New Single The Flood". MTV UK. 8 October 2010. Archived from the original on 18 October 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
55. ^ "The Flood - Single by Take That - Download The Flood - Single on iTunes". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
56. ^ "The Flood (2-Track): Take That: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
57. ^ "Pre-order The Flood now - Take That Official Site". Takethat.com. 11 October 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
58. ^ "The Flood: Take That: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2010.

* v
* t
* e

Take That

* Gary Barlow
* Howard Donald
* Mark Owen

* Jason Orange
* Robbie Williams

Studio albums|

* Take That & Party
* Everything Changes
* Nobody Else
* Beautiful World
* The Circus
* Progress
* III
* Wonderland
* This Life

Other albums|

* The Greatest Day – Take That Present: The Circus Live
* Progressed
* Progress Live

Compilation albums|

* Greatest Hits
* The Best of Take That
* Forever... Greatest Hits
* Never Forget – The Ultimate Collection
* The Platinum Collection
* Odyssey

Singles|

* "Do What U Like"
* "Promises"
* "Once You've Tasted Love"
* "It Only Takes a Minute"
* "I Found Heaven"
* "A Million Love Songs"
* "Could It Be Magic"
* "Why Can't I Wake Up with You"
* "Pray"
* "Relight My Fire"
* "Babe"
* "Everything Changes"
* "Love Ain't Here Anymore"
* "Sure"
* "Back for Good"
* "Never Forget"
* "How Deep Is Your Love"
* "Patience"
* "Shine"
* "I'd Wait for Life"
* "Reach Out"
* "Rule the World"
* "Greatest Day"
* "Up All Night"
* "The Garden"
* "Said It All"
* "Hold Up a Light"
* "The Flood"
* "Kidz"
* "Happy Now"
* "Love Love"
* "When We Were Young"
* "These Days"
* "Let in the Sun"
* "Higher Than Higher"
* "Hey Boy"
* "Cry"
* "Giants"
* "Pray (Odyssey version)"
* "Out of Our Heads"
* "Greatest Day (Robin Schulz Rework)"
* "Windows"
* "Brand New Sun"
* "This Life"

Tours|

* The Ultimate Tour
* Beautiful World Tour 2007
* Take That Present: The Circus Live
* Progress Live
* Take That Live
* Greatest Hits Live
* This Life on Tour

Television|

* Take That: For the Record
* Take That's Countdown to Midnight

Musical theatre|

* Never Forget
* Greatest Days

Related articles|

* Discography
* Songs
* Nigel Martin-Smith
* John Shanks
* Stuart Price
* SingStar Take That

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work
* MusicBrainz release group

|

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