Hope

Exclusive tracks donated by the biggest names in music.

Hope was first released in partnership with The Daily Mirror in April 2003 as a response to the Iraq War. The artist community came together for War Child once more with some of the biggest names in music recording an album of exclusive tracks in just three weeks to raise vital funds to give hope to the children of Iraq. 
 
George Michael contributed a beautiful cover of Don McLean’s ‘The Grave’ a song originally written in protest to the Vietnam War that has resonated with him as a 7-year-old and perfectly captured his sentiments about the Iraq crisis. Travis continued the anti-war theme with an acoustic version of ‘The Beautiful Occupation’ and Paul McCartney added to the project with an 
alternate rendition of ‘Calico Skies’ which contains a poignant verse about the futility of all wars. New Order added their take on Jimmy Cliff’s 1969 anti-war protest song ‘Vietnam’. 
 
David Bowie donated the Metro Mix of ‘Everyone Says ‘Hi’’ exclusively for Hope and Basement Jaxx teamed up with Jamaican MC Yellowman to contribute ‘Love Is The Answer’. 
 
Beverly Knight delivered a powerful vocal performance of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Love’s In Need of Love Today’. The Charlatans followed up their cover of ‘Time For Livin’ from the 1995 HELP album with a version of Curtis Mayfield’s ‘We Gotta Have Peace’ and Beth Orton adds a sombre beauty to The Family Five’s ‘Ooh Child’. 
 
The album is wrapped up by Yusuf / Cat Stevens who recorded his first pop song for 25 years with a new version of his 1971 hit ‘Peace Train’ featuring South African choir the Incwenga Singers. 
 
The vinyl release of Hope features alternate artwork using the original concept designed by Nick Robertson that has never been used before. Get your copy below, limited vinyl available in red, yellow and black.