Sunshine on Leith (song)
| "Sunshine on Leith" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by the Proclaimers | ||||
| from the album Sunshine on Leith | ||||
| Released | 1988 | |||
| Recorded | 1988 | |||
| Genre | Country Rock, Country | |||
| Length | 5:14[1] | |||
| Label | Chrysalis | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Pete Wingfield | |||
| The Proclaimers singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Sunshine on Leith" is a ballad by Scottish folk rock duo the Proclaimers.[2] Released in 1988, it is the title-track and second single from their album Sunshine on Leith. The song is a slow rock-ballad with country influences, as shown by the steel guitar and fiddle backing.
In popular culture
"Sunshine on Leith" is played frequently at Easter Road Stadium by Edinburgh-based football team Hibernian F.C., of whom the band are supporters.[3]
Reception
Critical reception
Bill Wyman of the Chicago Reader commented that the song, which he thought to be "a cross between a hymn and an Eagles tune", "genuinely reaches," describing the track as a "'I'm in love and happy to ever have been born' tearjerker".[4]
Accolades
In June 2018, "Sunshine on Leith" was voted the UK's favourite football anthem as part of the "Football Anthems World Cup" by Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 6.[2]
The song featured on the BBC Radio 4 series Soul Music on 15 December 2020.[5]
Charts
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 41 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[7] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Notable cover
"Sunshine on Leith" was recorded by David Tennant and the BBC Concert Orchestra for the charity album BBC Children in Need: Got It Covered, released in 2019.[8]
References
- ^ Demalton, Tom. "Sunshine On Leith - The Proclaimers". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
- ^ a b Watson, Amy. "Sunshine on Leith voted UK's favourite football anthem". The Scotsman. Retrieved 13 January 2020.[dead link]
- ^ "Singing twins bring sunshine to Leith". The Scotsman. Johnston Publishing. 4 May 2002. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
The Best Of album, due for release in the UK on May 13, features 20 songs drawn from the duo's 15-year career, including Sunshine On Leith, their famous anthem which is regularly played at Easter Road, home of their beloved Hibernian Football Club.
- ^ Wyman, Bill (27 April 1989). "The Proclaimers--Sunshine on Leith - Music Review". Chicago Reader. Chicago Reader. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ "Sunshine on Leith". Soul Music. BBC Radio 4. 15 December 2020.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – Proclaimers – Sunshine on Leith". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ Spierson, Pete (5 November 2019). "Got It Covered heading for No.1 spot in the UK's Official Album Chart for BBC Children in Need". BBC Children in Need. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
