Music Review: S Club 7 "Reach"

S Club 7

Reach

Album: 7

Year: 2000

          Jo O’Meara encourages her friends to try in the square “Reach.”

           A jaunty saxophone opens the single, setting a quaint tone. She puts her arm around her best friend who is sobbing. Her best friend says she can’t believe her teacher would be so hurtful. She tells her friend to not listen to teacher. Her best friend says she isn’t certain of herself anymore and wonders if she can actually do anything. (“When the world, leaves you feeling blue/You can count on me, I will be there for you/When it seems, all you hopes and dreams/Are a million miles away, I will reassure you.”)

            In the pre-chorus, she says she and her friends need each other more than ever. They are growing up and are going to be dealing with more responsibility. (“We've got to all stick together/Good friends, there for each other/Never ever forget that/I've got you and you've got me, so.”)

            In the chorus, she says they everything will happen for them if they just believe. (“Reach for the stars/Climb every mountain higher/Reach for the stars/Follow your hearts desire/Reach for the stars/And when that rainbow's shining over you/That's when your dreams will all come true.”)

                She says to not worry about what’s happened before and concentrate on the present. She and her friends need to do what they have to do. (“There's a place waiting just for you/Is a special place where your dreams all come true/Fly away swim, the ocean sea/Drive that open road, leave the past behind you.”)

             In the pre-chorus, she says it’s going to take work to achieve their dreams. Then, their dreams will magically appear. (“Don't stop gotta keep moving/Your hopes have gotta keep building/Never ever forget that/I've got you and you've got me, so.”)

              The chorus is sung again.

                In the bridge, she says to ignore the people who are saying no. They can do anything if they put their minds to it. (“Don't believe in all that you've been told/The sky's the limit you can reach your goal/No one knows just what the future holds/There ain't nothing you can't be/There's a whole world at your feet/I said reach/Climb every mountain (reach)/Reach for the moon (reach)/Follow that rainbow/And your dreams will all come true.”)

                  The chorus is sung again.

                   A final chorus is sung to end the single. (“Reach for the stars/Climb every mountain higher/Reach for the stars/Follow your hearts desire/Reach for the stars/And when that rainbow's shining over you/That's when your dreams will all come true/Reach for the stars/Climb every mountain higher.”)

              S Club 7’s cohesive vocals work both individually and together. However, ti’s Rachel Stevens is one who seems to be out of place. It’s as though she’s outgrown the group already. Even for their age, the single is too young for them.

               The naïve “Reach” is going to get smacked hard by reality one day and it won’t be a pretty sight.