Following Girls Aloud's formation on the ITV1 reality television show Popstars: The Rivals, "Sound of the Underground" was released 16 days later, on 16 December 2002.
Critically appreciated for its juxtaposition of surf guitar against electronic beats, "Sound of the Underground" was praised for its quality for both a girl group and a reality television act.
[7] The song has been described as "a mechanistic sashay of twangy surf guitar and sultry gang vocals – Girls Aloud explodes like a five-headed Kylie Minogue.
"Sound of the Underground" was one of sixty songs that Higgins and Cooper had written with the aim of launching their own girl group.
[13] A cover of One True Voice's single "Sacred Trust" appears on the special edition bonus disc of Girls Aloud's greatest hits album The Sound of Girls Aloud, alongside an extended performance version of "Sound of the Underground" which includes an instrumental breakdown.
Pete Waterman caused a media frenzy after accusing Girls Aloud of being unoriginal and not singing on "Sound of the Underground" (after they claimed it was better to release a new song than a cover as the A-side).
"[18] A review for Girls Aloud's debut album stated that the song has "become a pulsating pop classic with a modern, metallic beat, catchy chorus and just the right amount of sleaze.
"[19] The song was further described as "an enticing blend of spiky guitars and Fatboy Slim beats topped off with an irresistibly catchy chorus.
"[20] Michael Osborn said that "Sound of the Underground" offers "a fresh tune that has no intentions of following the road to seasonal schmaltzville".
[6] Peter Robinson wrote, "Instead of what would become the predictable 'victory lap' ballad, here was an upbeat attitude-soaked celebration of life, partying, and being young.
[36][37] In the song's fourth week on the Irish chart, "Sound of the Underground" managed to rise to number one, finally dethroning Eminem.
The video for "Sound of the Underground" was shot in an empty London warehouse, the Dimco Buildings, on 2 December 2002, just days after Girls Aloud's formation in the last week of competition of Popstars: The Rivals.
[42] Girls Aloud performed "Sound of the Underground" live for the first time on Popstars: The Rivals on 7 December 2002,[43] wearing coordinating pink-and-black outfits as seen on the single's music video.
The group wore all-white outfits during a performance that included lights and smoke as well as ad-libs referencing the number one.
[50] Girls Aloud began to promote the song's release across continental Europe, which involved appearances at Belgium's TMF Awards and on Germany's VIVA Interaktiv and the German version of Top of the Pops.
In the United Kingdom, Girls Aloud performed "Sound of the Underground" at the 2003 Disney Channel Kids Awards (where it was named Best Single), the Children in Need telethon, and once again at 2003's Top of the Pops Christmas special.
The song was slightly remixed for 2008's Tangled Up Tour, during which Girls Aloud performed it in the first section alongside male dancers.
"Sound of the Underground" was also included on 2009's Out of Control Tour; flames burst out of the stage as the group sang and danced.
During 2024's The Girls Aloud Show, the track was performed as the second song of the second act with pyrotechnics and scenes from the music video projected on the screens.
The single has also been performed at Girls Aloud's appearances at V Festival in 2006 and 2008, as well as their two nights supporting Coldplay at Wembley Stadium.
[53] In March 2023, it was reported that the band were to share unreleased tracks from the archives, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Sound of the Underground.