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"Anna Sun"
Song
B-side"anywayican"

"Anna Sun" is a song recorded by American alternative rock band Walk the Moon, originally for their 2010 album I Want! I Want!. The song was written by band members Adrian Galvin, Nick Lerangis, Nicholas Petricca and Adam Reifsnyder. It was included on the band's 2012 major-label debut album, Walk the Moon.[1] It was released as a commercial single on February 7, 2012.

"Anna Sun" peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Alternative chart and number 20 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart.[2]

Song history

Written by lead vocalist Nicholas Petricca and New York-based singer/songwriter Nick Lerangis towards the end of their college career, the song is named after their professor (see here and here) from Kenyon College and is meant to symbolize youth. "It's about college, about maintaining that little bit of being a kid," Petricca said. "Don't be afraid to play."[3]

The band's self-released album I Want! I Want! was recorded by Chris Schmidt and Ben Cochran at Soap Floats Recording Studio in their hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Composition

"Anna Sun"
A 31-second sample of "Anna Sun" where the chorus is played.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Universal Music Publishing Group, "Anna Sun" is written in the time signature of common time, with a moderate tempo of 72 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of B♭ major and the melody spans a tonal range of G4 to B♭5.[4]

Reception and accolades

"Anna Sun" received positive reviews from critics. In their review of the Walk the Moon album, Dani Beck and Derrick Robertson called the song "sunny, easy, carefree electronic pop" and noted that it was one of the few highlights in a mostly negative album review.[5] Dulce Rosales of recultured.com noted that while "the lyrics are somewhat repetitive, the simplicity helps hook listeners and causes them to sing along even after a single listen."[6] Brian Benton of MVRemix.com was critical on the length of the song, saying that "it’s five and a half minutes long, when it could be just as effective in three."[7]

"Anna Sun" was named the song of the summer in a 2011 Esquire article "30 Summer Songs Every Man Should Listen To".[8] Additionally, the single was also named song of the summer by MTV and Seventeen,[9] as well as one of the best songs of the year by Amazon.[10]

Chart performance

"Anna Sun" first appeared on Billboard's Hot Singles Sales chart at number seven on March 10, 2012.[11] On March 24, 2012, the song debuted at number thirty-nine on the Alternative Songs chart. [12] It reached its peak at number ten on July 21, 2012 after spending 18 weeks on the chart.[13] Despite this, the song never charted on the Rock Airplay chart.

Similarly, "Anna Sun" entered the Hot Rock Songs chart at number forty-six on April 14, 2012.[14] On August 4, 2012, the song peaked at number twenty, giving Walk the Moon their first top twenty hit on the chart.[15] "Anna Sun" managed to obtain some success on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, peaking at number eighteen on September 15, 2012.[16] The song experienced its highest peak on the Adult Alternative Songs chart, reaching number three on October 27, 2012. [17]

Outside the United States, the song became a minor hit on the UK Singles Chart, debuting at number eighty-two on its first week. It also appeared on Belgium's Ultratip Flanders chart, where it reached number eight.[18] On Billboard's Mexico Ingles Airplay chart, the song peaked at number forty-six.[19]

Music video

Production

"We wanted to get it out there and make a music video people could watch again and again."

—Patrick Meier discussing his goal for the "Anna Sun" music video.[20]

The music video for "Anna Sun" was directed and produced by Patrick Meier of Contrast Productions.[20] It was recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio and was filmed from August 31-September 1, 2010.[21]

The video includes original choreography from Kim Popa, the executive director of the local Cincinnati based dance troupe Pones Inc.[22] After meeting with the band, she decided that the vibe should be "the intangible feeling of being a kid...then maintaining that whimsy into adulthood."[20] Popa said that she was inspired by ceremonial African dances as well as Michael Jackson moves from her childhood when designing the dance moves.[20] At one point during the video, dancers can be seen wearing bodysuits and leotards, reminiscent of 80s aerobics.

According to bassist Kevin Ray, the first half of the video was shot 22 times. However, only the third take was used.[23]

Synopsis

A screenshot from the "Anna Sun" music video

The video begins with a 2 and a half minute long take, shot inside the Mockbee building in the brewery district of Cincinnati.[20] The camera follows lead singer Petricca as he walks through the labyrinth of rooms, encountering numerous partiers. At one point during the shot, Petricca plays the keytar. Eventually, Petricca finds a room full of dancers before engaging in a group dance. After the dance, Petricca opens a door, which leads him to a different outdoor location.

The second part of the video consists of jump cuts between Petricca singing while directly looking at the camera and more party goers, covered in face paint, preparing for battle. including a young boy, presumably a younger version of Petricca. The partiers prepare for battle, before they eventually continue partying. At the end of the video, the young boy runs back to the door that was used to transport Petricca to the new location. The boy paints the word Anna along with a drawing of a sun on the door.

Petricca noted that, the tradition of wearing face paint during their live performances evolved from the video.[24]

Reception

MTV Hive called the video a "hilariously choreographed, neon-colored and awesomely shot in one take" production.[25]

Usage in media

Track listing

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Walk the Moon.[36]

Locations
Personnel
  • Nick Petricca – vocals, keyboards, percussion, songwriting
  • Kevin Ray – bass, vocals, songwriting
  • Sean Waugaman – percussion, vocals, ray-gun, songwriting
  • Eli Maiman – guitar, vocals, songwriting
  • Adrian Galvin – songwriting
  • Nick Lerangis – songwriting
  • Adam Reifsnyder – songwriting
  • Chris Robinson – songwriting
  • Ben Allen – production
  • TJ Elias – assistant engineer
  • Will Thrift – assistant engineer
  • Mark Needham – mixing
  • Will Brierre – mixing assistant
  • Stephen Marcussen – mastering

Charts

References

  1. ^ Montgomery, James (2013-09-25). "Walk The Moon Letting 'Anna Sun' Set On New Album". MTV News. Retrieved 2015-06-15.
  2. ^ "Walk The Moon Billboard Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  3. ^ "WALK THE MOON on Last Call with Carson Daly 4/1/11". YouTube. 2011-04-05. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
  4. ^ "Digital Sheet Music – Walk the Moon – Anna Sun". Universal Music Publishing Group. MusicNotes.com. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  5. ^ Beck, Dani (8 October 2012). "They're drifting between The Killers and Two Door Cinema Club in a sea of meaningless tunes with no depth whatsoever". DIY. DIY. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  6. ^ Rosales, Dulce. "Music Review: Walk the Moon - Self-Titled Major Label Debut". recultured. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  7. ^ Benton, Brian. "Walk the Moon – Walk the Moon album review". MVRemix. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  8. ^ "Walk the Moon – Summer Songs 2011". Esquire. 2010-07-30. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
  9. ^ "You Voted Walk The Moon's 'Anna Sun' As The Official Song Of The Summer!". MTV. 2012-05-30. Retrieved 2015-06-22.
  10. ^ "The Best Songs of 2012: Amazon Picks". Amazon. Retrieved 2015-06-22.
  11. ^ a b "Hot Singles Sales: Mar 10, 2012 - Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help) (subscription required)
  12. ^ "Top Alternative Songs Chart: Mar 24, 2012 - Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2015. (subscription required)
  13. ^ "Alternative Songs – The Week of July 21, 2012". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  14. ^ "Top Rock Songs Chart: Apr 14, 2012 - Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2015. (subscription required)
  15. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – The Week of August 4, 2012". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  16. ^ a b "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Sep 15, 2012 - Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help) (subscription required)
  17. ^ "Adult Alternative Songs – The Week of October 27, 2012". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  18. ^ "100 Ultratip 04/08/12". Ultratip. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  19. ^ a b "Mexico Ingles Airplay: Aug 18, 2012 - Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help) (subscription required)
  20. ^ a b c d e "The Boys of Summer". Soapbox Cincinnati. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  21. ^ "Walk the Moon ANNA SUN Music Video *IMPORTANT INFO* - Please Read!!". Facebook.
  22. ^ "Pones Inc Staff". Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  23. ^ "What Inspired Walk the Moon's One-Shot Wonder "Anna Sun"?". Fuse TV. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  24. ^ Gokhman, Roman (8 June 2012). "Interview: Walk The Moon discuss growing up and having the "song of the summer" two years in a row". The Bay Bridged. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Jill Menze (2011-04-22). "Walk the Moon Get Their Neon Kicks | MTV Hive". Read.mtvhive.com. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
  26. ^ "Vampire Diaries Music – Episode 3.01 – The Birthday – Song List - Vampire Diaries Spoilers and News". Vampirediariesonline.com. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  27. ^ Jones, Lauren. "ATP! ESSENTIAL LISTENING: WALK THE MOON". Alter the Press!. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  28. ^ Vain, Madison (6 April 2015). "Stream The Griswolds' Acoustic EP -- exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Times Inc. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  29. ^ "Anna Sun - Single by Joey Graceffa". iTunes. Retrieved 2015-06-28.
  30. ^ James, Nicole (30 April 2013). "Hoodie Allen & Kina Grannis Perform New Collabo "Make It Home" & Walk the Moon's "Anna Sun"". Fuse. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  31. ^ "Anna Sun – Single by WALK THE MOON". iTunes Store (NZ). Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  32. ^ "Anna Sun – Single by WALK THE MOON". iTunes Store (GB). Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  33. ^ "Walk the Moon - Anna Sun - Amazon.com Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  34. ^ "Anna Sun – EP by WALK THE MOON". iTunes Store (NZ). Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  35. ^ "Anna Sun (Remixes) – EP von WALK THE MOON". iTunes Store (DE). Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  36. ^ Walk the Moon (inlay cover). Walk the Moon. RCA Records. 2012.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  37. ^ "Walk the Moon – Anna Sun" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  38. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  39. ^ "Walk the Moon Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  40. ^ "Walk the Moon Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  41. ^ "2012 Year End Charts - Top Billboard Adult Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2015. (subscription required)
  42. ^ "2012 Year End Charts - Top Billboard Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  43. ^ "2012 Year End Charts - Top Billboard Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
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