John Barrowman: 'What About Us?'

Released on Monday, Nov 17 2008

Published Sunday, Nov 16 2008, 13:52 GMT | By Nick Levine | 11 comments

'Music Music Music' LP

As with Grace Jones, Su Pollard and Sinitta, the mere existence of John Barrowman is a good thing. Though he sounds American - well, most of the time anyway - it can't be long before we start referring to him as a "national treasure". Yet likeable as he is, there can't be many people who really want to hear him croon a pop single.

But, against the odds, 'What About Us?' is a bit of a gem. Penned by Gary Barlow, it's a big, important-sounding ballad about relationship issues whose chorus wipes the floor with the one on the new Take That single. Plus, hats off to Barrowman for using the video to make his political point cleanly and with the minimum of fuss.

> Click here to watch the 'What About Us?' video

More: John Barrowman, Music

Your Views

11 Comments

Your Responses

Gerry Bennett Hampshire. U.K., on July 16th, 2009
Video is so lovely...perfect looking and what a voice. John was lucky to get this song to sing..lyrics are sad but true to life..been there and asked same question. What about us?

Marie, UK, on May 7th, 2009
Fantastic, fantastic fantastic :P

Sue, Australia. 25th March 2009, on March 24th, 2009
This song and the rest of the ablum is one of Johns best. What about us, is a master piece from Gary Barlow (always a brilliant talent can he can any better!!) Keep this type of album coming John.

Carole Anthony, Wales, on December 25th, 2008
absolutley great

Emma, Colchester, on November 28th, 2008
i love take that's songs, and when i heard that gary barlow wrote a song for john barrowman i was excited! when i first heard it i knew i was buying the album gary barlow is a great song writer and john pulled this song off brilliantly (the video for it is good, but not the best) x

Alex, Twickenham, on November 25th, 2008
yeah I agree this single is much better than Take That's new one released.

Merce, Argentina, on November 24th, 2008
John has an excelent voice and the song is great, the video is very real

Kelly, Sunderland, on November 24th, 2008
I love this song! Gary writes the most amazing songs and John just sings them so beautifully :) Raise your hand if you bought the single.. *pokes hand in air*! :D

Alex, Wiltshire, on November 18th, 2008
It's brilliant, really been growing on me. Would be interesting to hear a Take That version, I think it could have been a number one if it had been backed by their publicity machine.

Ian, London, on November 17th, 2008
Take That should have done this song themselves. Barrowmans utter cheesiness spoils it and his voice isn't really suited to it. I was eager to hear the Simmons & Christopher remix, but again, his vocal is just not right.

Jo, Gloucester, on November 16th, 2008
I Love This Song :) The Video Is So Simple, Yet Powerful! John Barrowman's Voice Over Gary Barlows Beautiful Lyrics Is Just Pure Genius :) I Can't Wait To Buy Tomorrow :)