Clouds (Zach Sobiech song)

"Clouds" is a song by American singer-songwriter, Zach Sobiech. It was his debut and only single released as a solo artist, released digitally on December 14, 2012, and later included in his debut EP, "Fix Me Up" (released under his band name, A Firm Handshake).
Proceeds from the sale of "Clouds" go to the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund, which is a branch of the Children's Cancer Research Fund.
In the United States, "Clouds" sold 25,000 units before Sobiech's passing, and an additional 30,000 units on his death date. In total, he had sold 156,000 copies of "Clouds" upon his Hot 100 entry, and has since accumulated 18 million views on YouTube. The single has charted in USA, UK, Canada, France and Belgium.
Background.
At age 14, Sobiech was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer which mostly strikes children. In May 2012, Sobiech's doctors informed him that he had up to a year to live. Sobiech recorded the song "Clouds" about his battle with cancer.
Release and promotion.
Sobiech released it as a YouTube video in December 2012. It went viral, surpassing 3 million views at the time of his death in May 2013. Views had reached 11.8 million by end of November 2013.
Around 30 stars had begun releasing tribute versions of the song. One version was released on SoulPancake, featuring Bryan Cranston, Rainn Wilson, Ashley Tisdale, Colbie Caillat, Anna Faris, Chris Pratt, Jason Mraz, Sara Bareilles, Jenna Fischer, Rachel Bilson, Sarah Silverman, Jason Derulo, Kina Grannis, Paul McDonald, and Phillip Phillips among other celebrities and Zach's family and friends lip-synching to "Clouds". This video of artists was assembled by Rainn Wilson, and directed by Justin Baldoni who had also directed a short documentary about Sobiech, titled "My Last Days". At the end of the video, Jason Mraz is shown saying, “Thank you Zach. You’ve written a great song, dude. It’s a real pleasure to sing it, and sing it with you. Thank you.”
Legacy.
"Clouds".
On October 16, 2020, Disney+ released the movie "Clouds", an american musical drama film based upon the memoir "Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom's Small Prayer in a Big Way" by Laura Sobiech. The film stars Fin Argus, Sabrina Carpenter, Madison Iseman, Neve Campbell, Tom Everett Scott and Lil Rel Howery.
After the release of the film, the song "Clouds" topped the iTunes song chart at the No. 1 spot a second time, 7 years after Zach Sobiech's death.
"Clouds: A Musical Celebration", a virtual concert was held as a musical tribute on October 24, 2020, OneRepublic, Fin Argus, Sabrina Carpenter and various members of the "Clouds" cast.
Credits and personnel.
References: