Story

There’s a new challenger for the Christmas number one this year as “Release Me”, the 43-year old classic by Engelbert Humperdinck, has been reworked as a social media anthem performed by a 30-strong male voice choir.  As part of a campaign to make people aware of the signs and symptoms of the killer disease meningitis, “Please ReTweet Me” sung by the Drybrook & District Male Voice Choir — average age 50 — is looking to take the YouTube download charts by storm.  Humperdinck’s “Release Me” lyrics have been re-written to include major social networks, iconic digital brands including Facebook, MySpace, Google and Twitter.   The song’s ending, “Facebook me, Facebook me…”, directs viewers via www.PleaseReTweetMe.com to the Meningitis Trust Facebook page, where they can find out more about signs and symptoms, along with background to the campaign and a downloadable singalong song sheet. Every year 2,500 cases of bacterial meningitis are reported in the UK – 10% of people will die and 15% will have severe after-effects including brain damage, loss of hearing and sight and, where septicaemia has occurred, loss of limbs and scarring. By engaging with more people online, it is hoped that “Please ReTweet Me” will raise lifesaving awareness of a killer disease. “Release Me” was a hit for Engelbert Humperdink in 1967 when it reached number one in the charts and remained there for six weeks. More than 40 years on and the new version has its tongue firmly in its cheek.   Sue Davie, Chief Executive of the Meningitis Trust, says:  “We want to reach out to a young audience and make them aware of the signs and symptoms, and what they should do if they are concerned. We live in a social media society and to reach them we needed to cut through with something memorable and shareable. “Please ReTweet Me” appeals to an at risk group; if it helps save one life it will have worked.” Mark Terry-Lush, founder and CEO of Renegade Media, who re-wrote the song, says: “The song is a classic, the ‘Please ReTweet Me’ lyrics are memorable, and the contrast of the Drybrook Male Voice Choir should provoke conversations about a serious subject. For the first time, the Meningitis Trust has mobilised all digital media platforms to share and promote the song, which will help get an important message across.” Sarah Waycott, musical director of the Drybrook Male Voice Choir, said: “It’s very special working with the Drybrook Male Voice Choir, they are a talented group of men who love music and have embraced the ‘Please ReTweet Me’ project.  While they may not understand or use social media, they understand how the song can spread the message and help save lives.”