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Sunshine on Leith (song)

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"Sunshine on Leith"
Single by the Proclaimers
from the album Sunshine on Leith
Released1988
Recorded1988
GenreCountry Rock, Country
Length5:14[1]
LabelChrysalis
Songwriter(s)
  • Craig Reid
  • Charlie Reid
Producer(s)Pete Wingfield
The Proclaimers singles chronology
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"
(1988)
"Sunshine on Leith"
(1988)
"I'm on My Way"
(1989)

"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.

"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

  1. ^ Demalton, Tom. "Sunshine On Leith - The Proclaimers". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b Watson, Amy. "Sunshine on Leith voted UK's favourite football anthem". The Scotsman. Retrieved 13 January 2020.[dead link]
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ Wyman, Bill (27 April 1989). "The Proclaimers--Sunshine on Leith - Music Review". Chicago Reader. Chicago Reader. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Sunshine on Leith". Soul Music. BBC Radio 4. 15 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  7. ^ "British single certifications – Proclaimers – Sunshine on Leith". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  8. ^ 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.