“If we got to No 1, it would be insanity but a really good version of it.” - Katie Rogerson, NHS choir member.
“A Bridge Over Troubled Water,” a song sung by NHS is , trailing behind Justin Bieber’s Love Yourself.in second position At first I was not sure what this NHS choir was all about. I thought that this was another band of young artists all fired up with their passion for music to be shown to the whole world. I also thought that they would be like those random teenagers who wanted to do covers of songs and stuff but when I looked them up on the internet, I was in awe. NHS meant National Health Service. I know a lot of people’s minds were also boggled because of this rising phenomenon in the music industry. What is the NHS choir, exactly?
NHS Choir was first seen on Gareth Malone's BBC2 show, 'Sing While You Work', where they were beaten in the final. After their loss, they have gone performing regularly forpatients in the hospitals and people in thelocal community, as well as singing in concerts across the UK and releasing a charity single.
“A Bridge Over You”, a remix of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and Coldplay’s “Fix You” was the song they came up with in order to mark their first anniversary. They dedicated this song to all the hardworking NHS staff across the country. The choir is made up of staff from right across the NHS workforce, including doctors, nurses, physios, porters, administrators and many more. It is very heart-warming to know that besides having to deal with the hustle and bustle of their everyday work, thy still managed and were able to perform for other people in order to inspire them. Even though times are hard, they still reach out to those around them. Imagine performing in front of numerous stages knowing you have to deal with your dear patients later! The country’s unsung heroes’ sudden valor for music might be another way for them to cope with emotional and physical stress. Nevertheless, it is a two-way process: inspire and be inspired.
The song promotes very significant messages. “I think some of the messages in the song are very pertinent ... It’s to say we’re here for you, throughout the week, 365 days a year.” said Nerva, a junior doctor who was out campaigning for the song to be no.1.
The campaign has received huge public support. Nerva said: “It’s been quite touching having people tell us their stories about how they love the NHS and how it has saved their life.”
It is just wonderful to know that such professionals could make music fly into the hearts of people, not only their patients but those who need help. Fix You and Bridge Over Troubled Water really are the best songs to help people survive their daily lives. Music has really proved that it could make people feel and heal.
