Sunshine on Leith (song)

"Sunshine on Leith"
Single by the Proclaimers
from the album Sunshine on Leith
Released31 October 1988[1]
Recorded1988
GenreRock, Celtic rock, ballad
Length5:14[2]
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.[3] Released in 1988, it is the title-track and second single from their album Sunshine on Leith (1988). It narrowly missed out on the UK Top 40 Singles Charts, peaking at number forty-one in the United Kingdom, and since its release, the song has become an unofficial anthem for Hibernian F.C..

Background

The song has been described as an "anthem of love" by the BBC who later claimed it has brought "communities together and touched lives" since its original release.[4] Since its release, "Sunshine on Leith" has become an unofficial club anthem for Scottish Premiership team Hibernian who often sing the song during matches. The song first began its association with the club during the Hands Off Hibs campaign in the 1990s in response to a proposed takeover of the club by the Hearts of Midlothian chairman Willie Mercer. The Proclaimers themselves were actively involved in the campaign and headlined at the rally which was organised on behalf of the campaign at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. As a result, the song has since been described as "a love song that has become a terrace anthem".[5]

Release and critical reception

"Sunshine on Leith" was released as the single from the album of the same name, released in October 1988. The song was produced by Pete Wingfield and written by both Craig and Charlie Reid.[6] Wingfield had previously worked with the Everly Brothers, with whom the Proclaimers were frequently compared; Reid described it as a "happy coincidence" and stated that Wingfield was hired because he had produced the Dexys Midnight Runners debut album Searching for the Young Soul Rebels (1980).[7]

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".[8]

Composition

"Sunshine on Leith" has become a prominent song for families to play during funeral services in the bands native Scotland, partly in course due to its lyrics such as "my heart is broken" and "my tears are drying, thank you". The Proclaimers claimed that the significance of the song at funeral services "is interesting" but claimed that they do not think the song has any ability to overtake "Angels" by Robbie Williams as being a popular choice for services.[9]

The songs composition has been described as " a Celtic-tinged ballad with truly heart-melting qualities".[10]

"Sunshine on Leith" is played frequently at Easter Road Stadium by Edinburgh-based football team Hibernian F.C., of whom the band are supporters.[11]

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.[3] The song featured on the BBC Radio 4 series Soul Music on 15 December 2020.[12]

Commercial performance

Chart (1988) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[13] 41

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[14] 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.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 50.
  2. ^ Demalton, Tom. "Sunshine On Leith - The Proclaimers". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b Watson, Amy. "Sunshine on Leith voted UK's favourite football anthem". The Scotsman. Retrieved 13 January 2020.[dead link‍]
  4. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Soul Music, Sunshine on Leith". BBC. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  5. ^ "The story behind how 'Sunshine On Leith' turned into Hibs' anthem". Belfast News Letter. 7 June 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  6. ^ Heim, Chris (9 March 1989). "Scots on the Rock". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  7. ^ Pilon, Bernard (19 July 1994). "Twins don't fit image". The Leader Post. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  8. ^ Wyman, Bill (27 April 1989). "The Proclaimers--Sunshine on Leith - Music Review". Chicago Reader. Chicago Reader. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  9. ^ Kyriazis, Stefan (19 March 2021). "Comic Relief: The Proclaimers Sunshine on Leith song, music and film". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  10. ^ "'Sunshine On Leith': Behind The Proclaimers' Dazzling Second Album". Dig!. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "Sunshine on Leith". Soul Music. BBC Radio 4. 15 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  14. ^ "British single certifications – Proclaimers – Sunshine on Leith". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  15. ^ 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.