Up next in 10
Blue spill the secret behind becoming one of the biggest boy bands in the world
Apr 22, 2026
Blue are back and here to chat all about their biggest hit, "All Rise", the song they nearly turned down. We find out their biggest behind the scenes secrets and why their brotherhood is so strong. #blue #allrise #music #00s #00smusic Subscribe for regular entertainment! http://bit.ly/1qyfc2T Watch videos in full + exclusives here: https://thisisheart.co/heartglobalplayer Honest Celebrity Interviews: https://thisisheart.co/honestinterviews Music Artists: https://thisisheart.co/3YVm8wN Film and TV Stars: https://thisisheart.co/filmandtv _ We're the UK's biggest commercial radio brand creating memorable moments with the most recognised names in entertainment!
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
We've got a lot of stories to tell, me and the boys
0:02
Sometimes you just have to just learn to just not tell them. Hi, I'm Simon Webb
0:08
I'm Anthony Costa. And I'm Duncan James. And I'm Lee Ryan. And this is All Rise Unpacked
0:15
The song All Rise came to us. Mr Webb had the idea of the chorus
0:20
We were already writing in Norway at the time with Stargate. And our original single was going to be If You Come Back, wasn't it
0:27
Yeah. That was like, if you come back, if you come back. And then we're not really feeling it
0:32
This is not really what we want to be doing. And it was a different production, different sound
0:37
And then when it got played back to the rental company, they phoned us and said, All Rise is your first single
0:42
We were like, absolutely no way, because it's awful. But it's what you hear today that made us where we are today
0:49
In layman terms, the version that we recorded All Rise 2 was nothing like the version that you hear today
0:56
It was a completely different backing track. and it was a very tough backing track
1:00
It was right. It was very... Yeah, it was weird. And they made us sing it so regimented like this
1:07
And then they put this soft harmonica sound on it and they flipped the whole production
1:11
and then what you hear today is the all rise that we didn't actually record it. Exactly
1:16
But I knew that was going to happen. He knew. I knew. He didn't. No, I didn't
1:19
And then he wrote the rap. Wrote the rap, wrote the chorus. Yeah, yeah
1:23
Clement with the melodies and all that stuff. But yeah, it was our first ever release
1:27
I'm very, very proud of it. And it was our first ever video shoot as well. Yeah
1:33
I don't think we expected it to block as big as it did. I mean, I just remember, like, we were just four normal lads with a hope and a dream
1:42
And the next minute, it was like, in at number four, it's blue with all eyes
1:47
And then it was happening all over the world. Like, this impact that it had was just, it was insane
1:53
It was insane. it was really it did such a great job for us
1:57
that record didn't it I think All Rise is definitely a fan favourite it's probably the song
2:02
that we open pretty much 99% of our shows with because it's just
2:06
such a great opener that harmonica sound when it kicks in everybody knows what's coming
2:10
the audience the party's about to go on yeah they know it
2:14
it's one for the money and the free ride ride ride ride in the intro
2:19
but yeah it's definitely a party starter and what I really love about it
2:23
because it's our 25th anniversary. So you could say from Top of the Pops to TikTok
2:28
you know, the industry has changed, but our bond hasn't. Yeah, we do remember the first time Top of the Pops
2:35
It was a nightmare. It was a crazy time because no one knew this
2:39
We had to have like a TV edit for different shows. And we literally never heard of it before
2:45
We were like, wow, we've got to do a TV edit. This is exciting. And it was like three minutes exactly, wasn't it
2:50
And it was like longer. Couldn't be longer. and it was that thing of rushing on stage, rehearsing it, doing it and off and then it was like wow we've just performed at Top of the Pops, insane
3:00
Yeah. Amazing time. I just remember having Stave Fright because obviously with Top of the Pops you grow up watching it
3:06
watching the reaction that your parents have to their favourite artists and all of a sudden you're actually on that stage
3:11
And I just remember my voice went and we were singing live so the edit came back and they had to put in the actual record
3:19
into my over my voice which was a which was a savior to be honest but yeah for me it was a bit of a nightmare but yeah it because you sounded great and we all sounded road people Yeah man it a little You sing a live album like yep
3:35
It was amazing, wasn't it? It was like 23 hours wasn't it? But the styling was terrible
3:40
awful, hated it. Because you just live for like doing a video and then
3:45
the stylist we had she was like yeah just wear that, just wear that and we were like oh okay then
3:48
And then we just like four blokes just come off the street like trying to be a band, didn't it
3:53
yeah in it it was weird i think it actually worked in our favor because i think that the song was then
3:59
rather than people looking at the video and looking at our styling which which was just plain
4:03
like you're saying boys next door i think that the song itself like would would shine through it
4:09
and i think it kind of played in our favor but without people actually knowing it and here we
4:12
are 25 years later it means sign we turn up today for work in the same outfit yes that's that's that's
4:18
That's what happens when you're together for 25 years. It's like we are in sync, out of sync
4:24
Anthony clearly didn't get in the mama, did you? Oh, I did say to you last night, boys, I'm wearing blank
4:28
I missed it. I was asleep. Yes, it was a conscious decision because our influences predominantly were R&B based
4:39
And when the rental company said about too close and I was like, yeah, this is a banging tune, boys, we've got to do it
4:44
And we all agreed and it just went from there. and yeah the song does always get a little bit of a mixed reaction in different places you've got
4:52
to give them the lyric sheets haven't you where you're performing and stuff in certain countries
4:55
sometimes you have to change the lyric yeah so baby why you lying or why you always lie and I'm
5:02
jogging that's the other one isn't it yeah that's the latest one but it was a great song for blue
5:07
it's our first number one first number one yeah we were so blessed to be in an era where records
5:15
cds sales meant something you know there was i thought tapes tape recorders vinyl and i think
5:23
i'm so happy we lived that because it was that excitement of releasing a song on a monday
5:28
morning knowing where you're going to be whereabouts on a wednesday thursday latest and
5:33
midweeks hearing the charts on a sunday and yeah that was the excitement whereas now
5:38
i ain't got a clue i we've got a song out which is amazing but i don't know what chart exists and
5:44
and how it works holding the kettle of fish now isn't it yeah you've got a streaming you've got
5:49
a 10 o'clock in the morning chart 12 in the afternoon chart three o'clock at night on a
5:54
Thursday evening it's like I don't get it I wish we were back then but obviously you've got to move
5:58
with the times if social media existed back then I think we would have probably all been
6:04
counselled straight away yeah none of us have got a filter not really yeah I think we've had
6:11
our moments over the years been quite and I think we'll leave it at that yeah we'll just
6:14
Just leave it there. Good job, really. Yeah, yeah, let's leave it there
6:23
I think when we first got that phone call about working with Serrat and John
6:27
that was a real pinch me moment, wasn't it? Can you remember we were at an awards show and he was on the other table
6:34
and we were on a table with a record label and he said to me, Duncan, go up to Elton and ask if you'll be in the video shoot
6:40
And we were like, I can't do that. Go on go and ask him. We all walked up like Rotter, go on Webby
6:46
I walked up and then faded into the back. And when Lee's got something to ask you
6:51
It's like that mean with that Simpson mean, isn't it? Where he goes in and out of the bushes
6:54
Yeah but yeah it was an amazing moment for us It was I think most of all what was great for us is to have Serrat and a massive fan of the first ever All Rise album You know he invited us to his house for dinner and as we sitting around the table and he just said look this is my favourite album of the year
7:10
and you boys have a chance to have a great career you know just stick together and make it all about
7:15
the music and you know you'll go far which we think is great advice. Hence why I've got a 25th
7:19
anniversary album coming soon yes i think it does carry that same weight because it's nostalgia
7:26
isn't it it's people remembering that you and reminding people that we did actually sing with
7:32
a legend like sir elton john and and stevie wonder and i think it's an applause to us really isn't it
7:38
because if they didn't rate us as a band then we wouldn't have been given a chance so i think
7:42
for us it's a great testament that we can actually go out there and say we did this whether you like
7:47
us or not we've got that in our back pocket that we sang with this legend working with stevie was
7:52
such a beautiful moment because he just was such a special human being i mean he is he's just he's
7:58
such an amazing talent and i'm like growing up with i listening to him as a little boy you know all of his songs and everything and then getting an opportunity to to work with him and to
8:07
shoot a music video and when he talks to you he holds your hand and he's so powerful and you know
8:13
and he's just he's touching me and he's like oh my god I'm talking to Steve Yoronda
8:17
and he's holding my hand anyway I know what you're thinking no no no no no no no
8:20
I'm thinking them hands have played legend songs like over the years yeah
8:25
go on Dunks well first of all I'm really great I have a lot of gratitude
8:33
for all of you you've all been my my brothers I don't have
8:38
any brothers or sisters I'm only a child yeah so I have only child syndrome
8:42
but I inherited three brothers who I love very dearly and you're my family
8:49
Bless you. You know that, you know that. Mr. Wim. And Lee as well
8:54
Wim, I'm really nice. You're in a oven. It's Lee. Cheers, Lee. Sorry
8:59
Yeah, what Lee said. That's what I've got to say. Keep it simple
9:05
Keep it brief. Now, obviously, you know, I always see our bond as something strong
9:10
And something that I can't really get my head around because we're four boys who were born on four corners of the UK
9:16
that came together at a certain point, at a certain time, to make these special albums that we've got to make over the years
9:24
and all of these music videos. And to be able to look across on the stage
9:28
and know that's my brother, it's a moment that is unexplainable and that nobody else can understand but us
9:38
So I think that's... And if you come to Blueside, you probably think why are they always laughing we're always laughing because this is like we'll
9:43
look we'll clock somebody doing something it was just like it's just fun it's just funny yeah
9:51
i think what makes one bit special is the fact that we are celebrating 25 years and it's due to
9:55
the fact that the people coming to see us supported us on our journey from may 2001 to the present
10:01
day so i think all we've got to do is put on a good show fingers crossed and and they can go away
10:06
happy and enjoy that experience because 25 years it's a celebration, it won't come around again
10:12
Do you know what I mean? So, and we're just really grateful that we're still here after all this time, we're still putting out new music. Yeah
10:18
And yeah, we, we, we, we love what we do. We love singing together
10:22
We love performing and we love, you know, having a, having a party with the fans and just getting them to sing one of our songs back and all the hits and you know taking a trip down memory lane reminiscing all the stories and stuff So yeah it just what it about man Yeah
10:36
I mean, it's generations. It's the generations as well. I think that's the biggest impact
10:40
I think the record label did a statistic for us and they said, you are now a family band
10:44
where on our first Alright, I think it was a One Love tour. Was that our first
10:48
Yeah, One Love. One Love tour. You would see grandma sitting down with granddad going
10:54
sitting there. and then you saw the mum and then the kids and the kids going, who are they
10:58
And stuff like that. Now those kids have grown up and are now bringing their kids along
11:03
and that's what we've seen over the years. So, you know, almost three decades
11:08
We don't like to say fans. We like to call them family. They're more like family
11:12
Exactly. Oli's a legend. Yeah, proper good lad. Legend. Level-headed, got his head screwed on
11:21
and he's a grafter. So it's a fair play for him. Fun to be around
11:25
loves his games he does like his games loves his darts loves his
11:29
anything that's competitive he's a proper lad that's what he is he's like a proper
11:33
and what I love about him more Man United fan good lad
11:37
I did say that his his missus well she'd probably get sick of watching the same geezer
11:41
do you know what I mean no but no is what I'm saying well our missus is doing it it's that our missus is doing
11:44
so my missus was excited to meet Oli so and like yours so vice versa
11:48
I was like yo get your hand off his chest what are you doing
11:52
he's pecked the massive um never have any regrets that's my word of wisdom well i have no regrets because this look
12:04
look at where we are now in it 25 years on who would could have imagined that when we started
12:08
25 years later we'll be here um releasing our 25th anniversary album so reflection for me would be
12:15
that we've just grown gracefully and and organically and i think that's that's a testament
12:21
as a escape sign to us as a band? I think very much it's about being humble
12:26
I think we've always been a humble band. And I think even more now
12:30
getting an opportunity to still be here, it makes you more grateful and humble and feeling..
12:36
Because it was a whirlwind. It was a whirlwind in the beginning. It was hard to appreciate it, I think
12:40
Yeah. It was just like, next thing you know, right, after three years, we're going to take a break
12:46
And it was like, whoa. And then that all stopped. But then we'd be able to come back together
12:49
and it'd still be the same. but stronger. One of the nicest things I get to hear
12:55
is like people who meet us, they all come up and they say the same thing. They say, you lot are just like really nice, normal lads
13:01
And I think that's such a testament. You know, we had never gone around with big egos or attitudes
13:06
I mean, maybe back in the day there was moments. Yeah, that was our shyness, by the way
13:10
because we were shy and humble. It might've been taken as arrogance, but it wasn't
13:13
So anybody out there that might've been offended, please come back. You single out soon
13:18
You album tour tickets and all that. Yeah. But yeah, no, I think we're just grateful that we're still doing it
13:25
Still doing it, man. Still doing it. It's great. Hi, I'm Simon Will. I'm Anthony Costa
13:29
I'm Duncan James. And here's Lou. And here's Lou Laurie. Here, somewhere
13:34
And we're three members of the band Blue. We just want to say thank you so much for all the support over the years
13:39
Yes, and if you want to find out what we're doing, which, by the way, is our 25th anniversary
13:43
and we've got a tour, we've got an album, and it's coming up, but it's at Official Blue, right across social media platforms
13:48
And we've got a brand new single out. Check it out. It's called One Last Time. Thank you for your support. We love you
13:51
Bang on. Bye. Bye
#Celebrities & Entertainment News