Simon Cowell released the “Artists for Grenfell” tribute collaboration. The song was made available at 8 a.m. local time. For those in the United States, that’s really early.
As BBC reports, more than 50 music stars hit the studio to contribute to the song. It was released a week after the apartment fire that claimed 79 lives in a 24-story apartment building in London. The government is still investigating how the fire started and why. Surviving victims are still living in limbo as they try to piece their lives back together.
The song is Simon and Garfunkel’s 1970 hit “Bridge Over Troubled Water” redone by producer Simon Cowell with top, mostly British artists. Rita Ora, Liam Payne, and Jessie J are just some of the contributors. A 300 person chorus of Londoners, some who lived in Grenfell Tower, also added vocals. Cowell announced the song last Thursday, June 15, and artists could be spotted popping in and out of the studio all week.
Proceeds will benefit the surviving Grenfell Tower blaze victims and relatives of victims. Queen Elizabeth spoke to Parliament to ensure the concerns of fire victims are heard. Londoners were frustrated at the government and building management’s slow reaction to the disaster.
As for how so many artists can fit on a song less than four minutes in length, that comes down to the rapid exchange of verses and lines. A standout on the track is Stormzy. He gives a heartfelt opening rap on the song’s intro.
