Black and Gold
2008 single by Sam Sparro
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"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.[2] 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.
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| Single by Sam Sparro | ||||
| from the album Sam Sparro | ||||
| B-side | "S.A.M.S.P.A.R.R.O." | |||
| Released | 31 March 2008 | |||
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| Sam Sparro singles chronology | ||||
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"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.
Background
"Black and Gold" originally appeared on the Modus Vivendi Music Vol.2[3] 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. 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."[4]
Release
"Black and Gold" was made available as a digital download on 31 March 2008 as the lead single from Sam Sparro.[5] 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.[3]
Reception
The song was nominated for the 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".[6] The song has been certified gold in both Australia and the UK.
Music video
![](#/media/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.[7] 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,[8] 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.[9] This video, directed by AlexandLiane, received a nomination for "Best Dance Video" at the 2009 MTV Australia Awards.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Black and Gold" | Breakthrough Artist – Single | Nominated |
| Best Pop Release | Nominated | ||
| Single of the Year | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "Black and Gold" | Best Dance Recording | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "Black and Gold" | Best Dance Video | Nominated |
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
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[41] | Gold | 35,000^ |
| Italy (FIMI)[42] | Gold | 10,000* |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[43] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[44] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
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* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 31 March 2008 | Digital download |
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[5] |
| 7 April 2008 |
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[45] | ||
| Australia | 12 May 2008 | CD |
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[46] |
Covers and samplings
British singer Adele performed an acoustic cover of the song for her appearance on a 2008 Live Lounge episode.[47] 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.[48] Katy Perry & Ellie Goulding have also covered it, earlier in their careers.