The Return of Pan
| "The Return of Pan" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Waterboys | ||||
| from the album Dream Harder | ||||
| B-side | "Karma" | |||
| Released | May 1993[1] | |||
| Length | 4:19 | |||
| Label | Geffen | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Mike Scott | |||
| Producer(s) | Mike Scott, Bill Price | |||
| The Waterboys singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"The Return of Pan" is a song from Scottish-Irish folk rock band The Waterboys, released as the lead single from their sixth studio album Dream Harder. It was written by Mike Scott, and produced by Scott and Bill Price. The song reached No. 24 in the UK and No. 10 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.[2][3] A music video, directed by Jeff Stein, was filmed to promote the single.[4]
"The Return of Pan" is the Waterboys' second ode to the Greek deity, following "The Pan Within" from 1985's This Is the Sea.[5] In 1996, Scott described the song as "mischievous".[6]
Critical reception
Upon release, Larry Flick of Billboard described the song as a "tough, well-produced track that neatly balances raucous electric guitars with the Celtic folk the band has long made a specialty."[7] Randy Clark of Cash Box commented: "This single from the upcoming Waterboys album could have just as easily appeared on an Al Stewart record. Just add a bigger beat and a lengthy, screaming guitar solo."[8]
In a review of Dream Harder, CD Review commented: ""The Return of Pan" finds [Scott] singing about mythological gods and although romanticism is neat stuff, it's most effective when shaded with a touch of reality."[9] Audio noted the song "point[s] to Scott's fondness for other kinds of supreme beings".[10]
Formats
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Return of Pan (LP Version)" | 4:19 |
| 2. | "Karma" | 2:47 |
| No. | Title | Note | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Return of Pan (LP Version)" | 4:19 | |
| 2. | "Karma" | 2:47 | |
| 3. | "Mister Powers" | 7:00 | |
| 4. | "The Return of Pan (Demo Version)" | Hidden track | 1:14 |
Charts
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM Top 100 Singles[11] | 64 |
| Irish Singles Chart[12] | 28 |
| UK Singles Chart[2] | 24 |
| US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks[3] | 10 |
Personnel
- Mike Scott - vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboard, percussion
- Chris Bruce - lead guitar, rhythm guitar
- Scott Thunes - bass
- Carla Azar - drums
- Sugar Blue - harmonica on "Karma"
- Production
- Mike Scott - producer of "The Return of Pan", "Karma" and "Mister Powers"
- Bill Price - producer, recording and mixing on "The Return of Pan" and "Karma"
- Niko Bolas - recording and mixing on "Mister Powers"
- Other
- Matt Mahurin - illustration
- Frank Olinsky - art direction
References
- ^ "The Waterboys". Mikescottwaterboys.com. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
- ^ a b "WATERBOYS | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
- ^ a b Billboard. "The Waterboys The Return Of Pan Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
- ^ "Billboard". 1993-06-12. p. 74. Retrieved 2019-01-19 – via Internet Archive.
waterboys return of pan.
{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help) - ^ "Ireland-Related Featured Articles - Google Books". Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
- ^ "Interview: Mike Scott (Bring 'Em All In, 1995) | Peter T. Chattaway". Patheos.com. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
- ^ "Billboard". 1993-05-22. p. 110. Retrieved 2019-01-19 – via Internet Archive.
waterboys return of pan.
{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help) - ^ Cash Box magazine - May 15, 1993 - Pop Singles: Reviews - page 13
- ^ "CD Review - Google Books". Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
- ^ "Audio - Google Books". Books.google.co.uk. 2011-09-17. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
- ^ "Item: 1404 - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
- ^ http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement