"Stronger" is the first single from British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters...

's second studio album, Twelve Months, Eleven Days

Twelve Months, Eleven Days

Twelve Months, Eleven Days is the second solo album released by British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow. The album was released by BMG and RCA Records on October 11, 1999.-Album information:...

. The single was released on July 5, 1999 and was Barlow's first solo excursion into dance music.

Song Information

According to his autobiography, Barlow objected to "Stronger" being released as a single. He believed that due to its dance-orientated background, it would prove less popular amongst fans. However, after much deliberation, Sony BMG decided to release the track as a single, believeing that fans would enjoy something different, rather than Barlow's regular pop-ballad style. "Stronger" was performed live many times before it was announced as a single, most notably at 95.8 Capital FM's Party in the Park

Party in the Park

Party in the Park is the generic name given to music concerts organised by various radio stations and local authorities in England and Wales, typically in large parks during the summer.-Leeds' Party in the Park:...

, on the April 12 edition of Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...

, and as the finalists' dance track on Italian Talent Show Festivalbar

Festivalbar

The Festivalbar was an Italian singing competition that took place in the most important Italian squares during summer, such as the Piazza del Duomo, Milan; the first time it was held was in 1964...

.

Music video

The video for the track was filmed in Vancouver

Vancouver

Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...

, Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

. Barlow stated in his autobiography that he wanted to be constantly doing something in the video so Director Dani Jacobs changed the original concept of the video. The video begins with Barlow leaving his work place in the pouring rain as he makes his way to his car. Barlow went on record to say that Vancouver was forecast to experience heavy showers during the dates when the music video was due to be shot and recorded. However the weather was the complete opposite leaving them having to use a rain machine to create the desired effect for the video. As Barlow drives the car suddenly pulls to a stop leaving Barlow to try and diagnose the problem as traffic builds behind him. He then begins to push the car alone leading to huge traffic which is then reported by news channels as they beam it live to television from helicopters as cars crash into each other and Police try and respond to the disturbance. The video ends with Barlow reaching a bridge and stopping the car as he walks away from the camera and the news channels cease reporting.

Track listings

UK CD Single #1

1. "Stronger" (Metro Mix) - 3:41
2. "Stronger" (Metro Extended Mix) - 5:32
3. "Wondering" - 3:07

UK CD Single #2

1. "Stronger" (Mark's In Vocal Mix) - 5:41
2. "Looking For Change" - 4:15
3. "Stronger" (Video) - 3:41

UK Cassette Single

1. "Stronger" (Metro Mix) - 3:41
2. "Wondering" - 3:07

UK Promotional Single

1. "Stronger" (Radio Edit) - 3:37
2. "Radio Espana Interview, April 1998" - 11:35

UK 12" Vinyl Set

1. "Stronger" (Mark's In Vocal Mix) - 5:41
2. "Stronger" (Mark's Delicious Dub) - 9:38
3. "Stronger" (Metro Extended Mix) - 5:32
4. "DMC Megamix" - 10:14

Charts

Chart (1999)	Peak position
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)	16
Finland (SNEP Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... )	11
Germany (Media Control AG Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... )	73
Latvia (EHR European Hit Radio European Hit Radio is one of the very first commercial radio stations in Baltic States. This radio focuses on reflecting the current situation in European music charts... )	3