Sam Fender's soundtrack for the new John Lewis Christmas advert features voices of pupils from his former school, John Spence Community High School in North Shields, along with the Easington Colliery Band. The cover of The Rolling Stones' hit "You Can't Always Get What You Want" has already proved a hit in the North East, with fans praising the regional involvement.
A Surprise Regional Collaboration
The store's festive ad has had plenty of regional input this year, with the North Shields star enlisting pupils from his old school, along with band members, to join him in the cover version. The advert stars actress Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandma who is helped by her childhood wooden dog toy to connect with her grandchildren.
Fans have responded with delight, with comments including "love it! How fab to involve your old school", "it's a beautiful thing to have the John Spence choir involved" and "a brilliant version of one of my favourite songs".
Praise from Mick Jagger and Fans
The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has said of Fender's cover of the song he wrote with bandmate Keith Richards: "I think he's done a great job with it." Fender has called it a "privilege" to rework the song, and his unique take involving the school and the County Durham band has gone down a storm.
The 32-year-old, who attended the same school in his hometown of North Shields and has formed a bond with the band during previous performances, said of the advert's soundtrack: "In the spirit of Christmas, we re-recorded the children's choir with the kids from my old school, John Spence Community High School, and we arranged a brass section with the Easington Colliery Band."
Social Media Reactions
Updating his fans this Tuesday morning, Fender shared a post on Facebook saying: "Our version of 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' by The Rolling Stones is out now and featured in the John Lewis & Partners xmas ad. Thank you to John Spence high school choir and Easington Colliery band for jumping on."
Responses to the message were full of praise, calling it "a mint version" and "beautiful cover". Comments included "what a wonderful thing to do including the school choir and Easington band!", "great that it features North East musicians" and "This is fab Sam! Love the involvement of your old high school!! Good lad."
One responded: "Wow fantastic. And bringing local people as well. Some very happy people". Another called it a "lovely thing to do"; one wrote: "Love it, a true Geordie legend who has never forgot where he came from" while another noted: "Awww my old high school!" Others included: "Great cover and fab to see North East"; "love it and how fab you got the choir and band involved too" and "Doing us proud again Sam". One person said: "Absolutely fantastic Sam. Love the song (and the ad) and it's a beautiful thing to have the John Spence choir involved. Great work" with the writer then going on to add: "James Bond Theme next?"
