"Hands"
A female black hand approaches a male white hand with various tattoos on it.
Single by various artists
ReleasedJuly 6, 2016
Recorded2016
Length4:23
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Lyric video
"Hands" (Lyric video) on YouTube

"Hands" is a charity single recorded by various artists as tribute to victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting. It was written by Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, and BloodPop, and produced by the latter and Mark Ronson. All of the song's proceeds benefited the families affected during the shooting, and helped cover medical costs and counseling efforts. The song was written a day after the mass shooting occurred.

Approximately 27 artists assisted in the making of "Hands", which was released for download on July 6, 2016. Interscope Records handled the release, allowing artists to use the studios most convenient to them. In addition to Tranter and Interscope, GLAAD also helped with the single. Proceeds from the song were donated to the Equality Florida Pulse Victims Fund, the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida and GLAAD.

Background

"Hands" was conceived by Tranter the following day after the Orlando nightclub shooting occurred. In an interview with Billboard, Tranter stated that each musician was "assigned [...] what we thought would be the best part for their voice".[1] Eventually, over two dozen artists assisted in the making of "Hands", which was released as a download on July 6, 2016. Interscope Records handled the release, with assistance from GLAAD.[2][3]

Artists involved

Source: Billboard[1]

Track listing

Download[4]
No.TitleLength
1."Hands"4:23

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
US Pop Digital Songs (Billboard)[5] 30

Release history

Country Date Format Label Ref.
Worldwide July 6, 2016 Download
[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Wilker, Deborah (July 6, 2016). "Britney Spears, Pink, Selena Gomez Join 'Hands' for Orlando: How the All-Star Song Came to Life". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2016-07-07. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Davis, Brendan (29 June 2016). "GLAAD and music superstars release single "Hands" to benefit victims and families of Orlando massacre". GLAAD. Archived from the original on 2016-07-09. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  3. ^ Spanos, Brittany (July 6, 2016). "Britney Spears, Selena Gomez in Orlando Tribute Song 'Hands'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2016-07-07. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  4. ^ "iTunes (U.S.) – Music – Various Artists – Hands – Single". iTunes (U.S.). July 6, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-07-06. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  5. ^ "Chart Search". Billboard Pop Digital Songs for Various artists. Retrieved July 19, 2016.[dead link]
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