"Wherever You Will Go" is a song by American band the Calling. It was released on May 22, 2001, as the first single from their debut studio album, Camino Palmero (2001). It remains their most successful hit, peaking at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Adult Top 40 for 23 weeks, tied for the third-longest-running number one in the chart's history, along with Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer" (2023). Outside the United States, the song topped the music charts of Italy, New Zealand, and Poland, reached number three in the United Kingdom, peaked at number five in Australia, and became a top-10 hit in several European countries.
Background and writing Songwriter Aaron Kamin talked about "Wherever You Will Go" in a radio interview. He said: "At the time my grandmother's best friend had passed away and she left behind a husband of 50 or more years and I was at the funeral and afterwards I just started thinking of what it would be like to be him and have your whole life change so dramatically and not for the best in a matter of moments. Somebody that you live and grow with and are one with, just to be gone, is crazy and I figured all he ever thinks about probably is finding a way to get back to her or be with her or make sure she's alright or something like that. That was the sentiment behind that."
According to Kamin, "Wherever You Will Go" was overlooked until it was heard by Kathy Nelson, who was president of film music for the Walt Disney Motion Picture Group at the time. "Kathy apparently said, 'That song is a fucking monster. I need it in this movie I'm working on,'" Kamin told Billboard. The film in question was Coyote Ugly (2000). Lead singer Alex Band also said that after the track's inclusion in Coyote Ugly, Ron Fair, manager of A&R at RCA Records, invited the Calling to make an album.
Music video Two videos were shot for this song. The first was set in Mexico. The other version, which is more popular, was directed by Gregory Dark, and has the band performing in the concrete channel of the Los Angeles River, while a teenage soap opera plays in the foreground. A teenage girl gets her boyfriend's name tattooed on her shoulder, but when she finds him cheating with another girl, she flies into a rage, destroying most of his belongings. At the end of the video, she is seen with a new boyfriend (male model and then-fledgling actor Drew Fuller) with a flower tattoo covering the name, as her jealous ex watches her from his car. The group's lead singer, Alex Band, can also be seen in some scenes singing in the foreground of some of the storyline, such as when the girl is seen destroying the belongings.
Track listings
US 7-inch single A. "Wherever You Will Go" – 3:28 B. "Adrienne" – 4:30
UK CD single "Wherever You Will Go" (radio edit) – 3:28 "Lost" – 3:48 "Wherever You Will Go" (acoustic) – 3:24 "Wherever You Will Go" (director's cut video) – 3:26
UK cassette single "Wherever You Will Go" – 3:28 "Lost" – 3:48 "Wherever You Will Go" (acoustic) – 3:24
European CD single "Wherever You Will Go" (radio edit) – 3:28 "Lost" – 3:48
European limited-edition maxi-CD single "Wherever You Will Go" – 3:28 "Nothing's Changed" – 4:04 "Lost" – 3:48 "Wherever You Will Go" (video) – 3:26
Australian CD single "Wherever You Will Go" – 3:28 "Nothing's Changed" – 4:04 "Lost" – 3:48
Credits and personnel Credits are adapted from the UK CD single liner notes.
Studios Recorded at Cherokee Studios (Hollywood, California) Mixed at Image Recording (Hollywood, California)
Personnel
Alex Band – writing, vocals Aaron Kamin – writing, guitar, sitar, mandolin, loops, percussion Matt Laug – drums, percussion Bob Glaub – bass Ron Fair – synth strings Satnam Ramgotra – tabla, percussion Paul Mirkovich – additional keys Marc Tanner – production David Thoener – recording Marc Greene – recording Tiago Becker – recording assistance Valente Torres – recording assistance Chris Lord-Alge – mixing Matt Silva – mixing assistance
Charts
Weekly charts +Chart (2001–2002)PeakpositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan)20Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)4Colombia (Notimex)3Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)6Europe (European Hit Radio)2France Airplay (SNEP) 5Greece (IFPI)18Latvia (Latvijas Top 40)6Netherlands Airplay (Music & Media)13Poland (Nielsen Music Control)1Romania (Romanian Top 100)10 Airplay (Music & Media)9Spain Airplay (Top 40 Radio)33UK Airplay (Music Week)14US Top 40 Tracks (Billboard)3
+Chart (2011)PeakpositionIreland (IRMA)42
+Chart (2025)PeakpositionPhilippines (Philippines Hot 100)81
Year-end charts +Chart (2001)PositionUS Adult Top 40 (Billboard)53US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)73
+Chart (2002)PositionAustralia (ARIA)45Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)69Brazil (Crowley)5Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)119Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)3Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)42Europe (European Hit Radio)10France (SNEP)56Ireland (IRMA)52Italy (FIMI)9Latvia (Latvijas Top 50)52Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)96New Zealand (RIANZ)7Sweden (Hitlistan)60Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)35Taiwan (Hito Radio)90UK Singles (OCC)59UK Airplay (Music Week)39US Billboard Hot 1005US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)39US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)1US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)4US Top 40 Tracks (Billboard)3US Triple-A (Billboard)23
+Chart (2003)PositionUS Adult Top 40 (Billboard)64
+Chart (2011)PositionUK Singles (OCC)164
Certifications
Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesMay 22, 2001RCAAugust 27, 2001Hot adult contemporary radioSeptember 25, 2001Contemporary hit radioAustraliaMarch 11, 2002CDNew ZealandMarch 18, 2002EuropeJune 17, 2002United KingdomJune 24, 2002
Charlene Soraia version
The song was covered by English singer-songwriter Charlene Soraia for use in a Twinings advert in the United Kingdom. It was released in the UK as a digital download on September 30, 2011. On October 9, 2011, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 20 and peaked at number three two weeks later. It served as the lead single from Soraia's debut studio album, Moonchild (2011).
Music video A music video for the song was uploaded to YouTube on October 3, 2011, at a total length of three minutes and thirty-eight seconds. The video shows Soraia in the studio performing the song.
Track listing Digital download "Wherever You Will Go" – 3:17 "Lightyears" – 3:03
Charts Weekly charts +Chart (2011–2014)PeakpositionUK Streaming (OCC)81
Year-end charts +Chart (2011)PositionUK Singles (OCC)51Chart (2012)PositionUK Singles (OCC)147
Certifications
Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.United KingdomSeptember 30, 2011Digital downloadPeacefrog
In popular culture The song was featured in the 2000 film Coyote Ugly in the scene where Violet first sees Kevin. The Calling performs the song live.
In 2001, the CBS network used the song and video to promote the debut of The Guardian.
The song was used in a commercial promoting the National Hockey League's 2001 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The song was featured in the 2003 British comedy-drama film Love Actually during a scene in which Colin (Kris Marshall) participates in an orgy with a group of Wisconsinite girls shortly after arriving in the United States.
The song plays during the final scenes of the series finale of Saving Grace.
The song plays in Smallville during the final scene of the episode "Metamorphosis" (Season 1 episode 2).
The song was parodied in Mad TV by several of the cast playing the Calling, Scott Stapp of Creed, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, and Ray Charles, making fun of how all the singers' voices sound the same and they accuse each other of getting famous by imitating them.
This song is also featured in the popular South Korean drama I'm Sorry, I Love You, starring So Ji-sub and Im Soo-jung, and its soundtrack as well.
A cover of this song is also featured in the movie Unravel: A Swiss Side Love Story.
In JK Rowling's Cormoran Strike series, the song is used for Robin Ellacott's first dance with Matthew Cunliffe at their wedding in Lethal White. In the TV adaptation, the song is also played at their wedding reception.
References