Sing: The Power of Singing Aloud in an Increasingly Discordant World

Sacha Langton-Gilks

'Compelling and bursting with science, you'll be hard-pressed not to be inspired' Psychologies magazine


'A remarkable and precious book. Sing is a powerful blend of meticulous (but never stuffy) research and passionate (but never self-indulgent) grief memoir, interleaved with the glorious calls to 'Shower Work' which end each chapter. Sacha Langton-Gilks will make you smile, will make you wonder, may make you cry, but above all, she will make you sing' Anna Beer

'With intense passion, Langton-Gilks persuades us that, from joy to profound grief, from birth to death, singing is at the heart of what it is to be human . . . and that we should all do it, all of the time!' Richard Mainwaring

A celebration of the power of singing, drawing on the latest research on the many and varied health and social benefits. Perfect for fans of Breath by James Nestor, Wintering by Katherine May and Year of Wonder by Clemency Burton-Hill.


When was the last time you sang out loud Singing has always been a part of Sacha' Langton Gilks's life, both personally and professionally, and has got her through some of the darkest times in her life. As a singing teacher, she has seen first-hand the power that singing has to change people's lives.

It has been proven that people who regularly sing in a group have lower rates of depression and higher levels of wellbeing and life satisfaction than others. But with fewer people attending church or other religious institutions, and music budgets being slashed in schools, group singing is on the decline.

In this book, Sacha sets out to persuade the reader not just that everyone can sing, but also that they should. With new health benefits of singing emerging all the time, helping everything from memory loss to mood disorders, and from chronic pain to Long Covid, this book is a fascinating exploration of the power of song that will help you to find your voice again.