Sing

Album: Pentatonix (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In the third single from their debut album, Pentatonix offers one solution to deal with life's problems: sing. They wrote the energetic track with Boys Like Girls frontman Martin Johnson and songwriter Sam Hollander (Train, One Direction). In a Songfacts interview with Hollander, he explained how it came together. "'Sing' was one of these ideas that is just so specific that I didn't have a concept of who could pull it off, but I kept singing the beginning of it and it felt like something," he said. "I went over to Martin's, we started 'shedding it, and then we got the session with Pentatonix. We brought it in the room and those guys jumped on and began writing with us and we pounded it out. We were using lots of Kevin's beatbox and lots of live stomps and claps and all that stuff. It was interesting to see it materialize production-wise.

    Martin finished the track and he really did a great job on both of those songs. I think they're absolutely beautiful. I hear 'Sing' a lot. People send me videos of show choruses at schools and stuff like that. That song still really moves me. I'm a big fan of optimism - sometimes with a little darkness interwoven - but that one is just pure bliss to me."
  • PTX baritone Scott Hoying and vocal percussionist Kevin Olusola share lead vocal duties on the track. Hoying recalls trying to keep up with Martin Johnson's boundless energy: "He is the most energetic human being on the entire earth; he runs around the room and does like back flips. It's so full out, it's intimidating... He made me sing it over and over and over. But the song just came together so fast 'cos we were so inspired, and it really is just a celebration of what we do; sing, anyone can do it. And I am obsessed with that song; it's probably in my top three favorite songs on the whole album."
  • Christian Lamb directed the music video, which shows the band cavorting with fans and features cameos by Maisie Williams, Hailee Steinfeld and Victoria Justice, as well as the YouTubers Tyler Oakley and Grace Helbig.

Comments: 2

  • Kimm Walsh from Sammamish, Wa Usa"Sing" really lifts me up!
  • Edward Charles Mcdevitt (eddie) from Green, OhioThis is one of the most energetic songs I have ever heard! I keep playing the video over and over and singing along. It is so much fun!!! Thanks, PTX for an amazing video!!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.