In the Shadows (song)

Not to be confused with In the Shadows (album).

"In the Shadows"
Single by the Rasmus
from the album Dead Letters
B-side	"If You Ever"
Released	10 January 2003 (2003-01-10)
Length	4:19
Label	Playground Music Scandinavia Dynasty
Songwriter(s)	Aki Hakala Eero Heinonen Pauli Rantasalmi Lauri Ylönen
Producer(s)	Mikael Nord Andersson Martin Hansen
The Rasmus singles chronology
"Heartbreaker/Days" (2002) "In the Shadows" (2003) "In My Life" (2003)
Audio sample
"In the Shadows" file help

"In the Shadows" is a song by Finnish alternative rock band the Rasmus, included on the group's fifth studio album Dead Letters . Released in Finland in January 2003, the single achieved considerable chart success throughout Europe and Oceania, including the United Kingdom, where it reached No. 3, and New Zealand, where it topped the chart. The song was nominated for the Kerrang! Award for Best Single in 2004.

Composition

"In the Shadows" is written in the key of F♯ minor. ^[1] The chorus is based on the "millennial whoop" vocal pattern, and is considered the earliest XXI century example of this tool in popular music. ^[2] The "whoop" did exist before, but only became ubiquitous after "In the Shadows".

Music videos

There are four different music videos for the song: the Finnish version, the European version, the American version, and a fourth, simplified version. A new version of the song, co-written by and featuring Ukrainian rap group Kalush Orchestra, is accompanied by a music video. ^[3]

Finnish version

Widely known as Bandit Version, directed in Helsinki on 13 December 2002, ^[4] shows the Rasmus performing on a stage that resembles a helipad, and are in the process of stealing from a bank when the police arrive unexpectedly. Lauri Ylönen is almost caught, but manages to grab onto the safe-door, which is being dragged behind the tow-car that the group uses for the robbery, and goes skidding down the road. He falls off and runs into the woods where police dogs find him. Drummer Aki Hakala then ushers him into the car where Lauri makes his lucky escape and the car drives off. The video was included in the soundtrack of Finnish movie Pahat pojat and footage from the film was used in the video.

European version

This is the most famous version of music video, also known as the Crow Version. The band are placed on a stage in a nondescript location and perform the song. Around the room there are crows flying around, who later break through the small rectangular windows. Towards the end, one crow breaks a light on the ceiling with its wings and the band performs in a shower of sparks. In the end, the band transforms into feathers.

US and UK version

In the video, directed by Philipp Stölzl in Bucharest, Romania, the band are performing a concert in what looks to be an old Victorian mansion. During the verses, a maid is seen constantly busy serving the masters of the house in what appears to be the past of the mansion. The maid sees (lead singer) Lauri and the concert in mirrors on the walls, which causes her to become distracted, making mistakes and dropping trays. Eventually, while despairing over her errors in her room, she sees Lauri and all the fans in her mirror, while the master of the house is approaching with somebody else, possibly the head maid, presumably to reprimand the new maid. Lauri tugs her through the mirror in her room to where they are performing. She then finishes watching the concert. It concludes with the master of the house and the others entering to find the maid's room empty.

Fourth version

The Rasmus are seen performing in a plain-looking room, similar in appearance to where they perform in the "Crow" version.

Kalush Orchestra version

The group released a new version of the song, titled "In the Shadows of Ukraine" and featuring Ukrainian rap group Kalush Orchestra. The music video for this version is directed by Leonid Kolosovskyi. ^[5]

Track listings

Scandinavian maxi-CD single ^[6]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"In the Shadows"	4:18
2.	"In the Shadows" (revamped)	3:03
3.	"First Day of My Life" (acoustic demo)	3:11

European CD single ^[7]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"In the Shadows"	4:18
2.	"In the Shadows" (revamped)	3:03

UK limited-edition 7-inch picture disc ^[8]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"In the Shadows"
2.	"If You Ever"

UK CD single ^[9]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"In the Shadows"
2.	"Everything You Say"
3.	"Days"
4.	"In the Shadows" (video)

US CD single ^[10]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"In the Shadows"	4:18
2.	"Guilty"	3:42
3.	"In the Shadows" (video)	3:54

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2003–2004) Peak position Australia (ARIA) [11] 23 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [12] 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [13] 6 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [14] 4 Bolivia (Notimex) [15] 1 Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 ( Radio & Records ) [16] 19 Chile (Notimex) [15] 1 CIS Airplay (TopHit) [17] 46 CIS Airplay (TopHit) [18] Remix 7 Czech Republic (IFPI) [19] 22 Denmark (Tracklisten) [20] 6 Ecuador (Notimex) [15] 5 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [21] 6 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [22] 1 France (SNEP) [23] 6 Germany (GfK) [24] 1 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) [25] 1 Hungary (Dance Top 40) [26] 4 Ireland (IRMA) [27] 7 Italy (FIMI) [28] 2 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [29] 5 Netherlands (Single Top 100) [30] 6 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [31] 1 Paraguay (Notimex) [15] 1 Peru (Notimex) [15] 3 Romania (Romanian Top 100) [32] 70 Russia Airplay (TopHit) [33] 31 Russia Airplay (TopHit) [34] Remix 3 Scotland (OCC) [35] 3 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [36] 2 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [37] 2 UK Singles (OCC) [38] 3 UK Rock & Metal (OCC) [39] 1 Chart (2022–2024) Peak position Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100) [40] 64 UK Singles Downloads (OCC) [41] 46 Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) [42] 56 Weekly chart performance for "In the Shadows of Ukraine" Chart (2022) Peak position Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) [43] 30

Year-end charts Chart (2003) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [44] 9 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [45] 99 CIS (TopHit) [46] 64 CIS (TopHit) [46] Remix 9 Germany (Official German Charts) [47] 10 Italy (FIMI) [48] 27 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [49] 16 Netherlands (Single Top 100) [50] 43 Russia Airplay (TopHit) [51] 48 Russia Airplay (TopHit) [51] Remix 5 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [52] 4 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [53] 10 Chart (2004) Position Australia (ARIA) [54] 90 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [55] 75 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [56] 24 CIS (TopHit) [57] Remix 164 France (SNEP) [58] 28 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) [59] 26 Italy (FIMI) [60] 17 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [61] 18 Russia Airplay (TopHit) [62] Remix 137 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [63] 71 UK Singles (OCC) [64] 22 2022 year-end chart performance for "In the Shadows" Chart (2022) Position Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) [65] 139

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Finland (Musiikkituottajat) [66]	Gold	5,955 [66]
Germany (BVMI) [67]	Platinum	300,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) [68]	Gold	5,000*
Sweden (GLF) [69]	Gold	15,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [70]	Gold	20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [71]	Gold	400,000‡
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
Finland	10 January 2003	CD	Playground Music Scandinavia Dynasty	[4]
Germany	30 June 2003		Playground Music Scandinavia Dynasty Motor Music Universal	[24]
United Kingdom	5 April 2004	7-inch vinyl CD	Playground Music Scandinavia Dynasty Motor Music Island Universal	[72]
Australia	3 May 2004	CD		[73]

In popular culture

"In the Shadows" was released for Guitar Hero: World Tour as downloadable content. It is available as either a single track or as part of the European Track Pack 03 alongside "Break It Out" by Vanilla Sky and "C'est comme ça" by Les Rita Mitsouko. The song was also unlockable in Guitar Rock Tour . ^[74]

References

1. Lauri, Ylönen; Eero, Heinonen; Aki, Hakala; Pauli, Rantasalmi (8 January 2007). "In the Shadows". Musicnotes.com. MN0055803. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
2. The Millennial Whoop: the melodic hook that’s taken over pop music Archived 5 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine | Pop and rock | The Guardian
3. bleistiftrocker.de, Sonja / (21 October 2022). "Kalush Orchestra und The Rasmus veröffentlichen neue Version von "In The Shadows"". bleistiftrocker.de (in German). Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
4. "Events". therasmus.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2003. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
5. Skinner, Tom (21 October 2022). "Kalush Orchestra team up with The Rasmus on 'In The Shadows Of Ukraine'". NME. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
6. In the Shadows (Scandinavian maxi-CD single liner notes). The Rasmus. Playground Music Scandinavia, Dynasty. 2003. PGMCDS 21.
7. In the Shadows (European CD single liner notes). The Rasmus. Motor Music. 2003. 06024 9811045 4.
8. In the Shadows (UK limited 7-inch picture disc). The Rasmus. Motor Music, Island Records, Playground Music Scandinavia, Universal Records. 2003. MCS 40351, 981 820-7.
9. In the Shadows (UK CD single liner notes). The Rasmus. Universal Records, Playground Music Scandinavia, Motor Music, Island Records, Dynasty. 2003. MCSXD 40351, 981 820-5.
10. In the Shadows (US CD single liner notes). The Rasmus. Interscope Records. 2003. INTR26091-2.
11. "The Rasmus – In the Shadows". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
12. "The Rasmus – In the Shadows" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
13. "The Rasmus – In the Shadows" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
14. "The Rasmus – In the Shadows" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
15. "Belinda aumenta su popularidad" (in Spanish). El Siglo de Torreón. 24 May 2004. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
16. "R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1555. 14 May 2004. p. 27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
17. The Rasmus — In the Shadows. TopHit. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
18. The Rasmus — In the Shadows. TopHit. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
19. "Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden 14/2004" (in Czech). IFPI ČR. Archived from the original on 5 April 2004. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
20. "The Rasmus – In the Shadows". Tracklisten. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
21. "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 116, no. 17. 24 April 2004. p. 49. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
22. "The Rasmus: In the Shadows" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
23. "The Rasmus – In the Shadows" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
24. "The Rasmus – In the Shadows" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
25. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
26. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
27. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – In the Shadows". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
28. "The Rasmus – In the Shadows". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
29. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 42, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
30. "The Rasmus – In the Shadows" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
31. "The Rasmus – In the Shadows". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
32. "Arhiva romanian Top 100 – Editia 37, saptamina 29.09–05-10, 2003" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 14 May 2005. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
33. "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Nov 20, 2003". TopHit . Retrieved 23 April 2024.
34. "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Feb 5, 2004". TopHit . Retrieved 23 April 2024.
35. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
36. "The Rasmus – In the Shadows". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
37. "The Rasmus – In the Shadows". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
38. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
39. "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
40. "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 09.11.2024–15.11.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS . Retrieved 18 November 2024.
41. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
42. "Ukraine Airplay Chart for 2022-03-25." TopHit. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
43. "Ukraine Airplay Chart for 2022-12-09." TopHit. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
44. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2003" (in German). Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
45. "Jaaroverzichten 2003" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
46. "Top Radio Hits Global Chart: 2003". TopHit. Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
47. "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2003" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
48. "Top of the Music – Mix e Singoli" (PDF) (in Italian). FIMI. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 May 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
49. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2003". Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
50. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2003" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Archived from the original on 19 September 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
51. "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2003". TopHit. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
52. "Årslista Singlar, 2003" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
53. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2003" (in German). Archived from the original on 30 December 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
54. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2004". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
55. "Jaaroverzichten 2004" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
56. "Rapports annuels 2004" (in French). Ultratop. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
57. "Top Radio Hits Global Chart: 2004". TopHit. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
58. "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2004" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
59. "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2004" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
60. "Mix e singoli" (PDF) (in Italian). FIMI. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 May 2006. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
61. "End of Year Charts 2004". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
62. "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2004". TopHit. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
63. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2004" (in German). Archived from the original on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
64. "The Official Singles Chart 2004" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
65. "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Annual Chart 2022". TopHit. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
66. "Rasmus" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
67. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Rasmus; 'In the Shadows')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved 2 June 2023.
68. "New Zealand single certifications – The Rasmus – In the Shadows". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 20 November 2024.
69. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2003" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011.
70. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('In the Shadows')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
71. "British single certifications – Rasmus – In the Shadows". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 8 March 2022.
72. "Key Releases: Singles". Music Week . 3 April 2004. p. 19.
73. "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 03/05/2004" (PDF). ARIA. 3 May 2004. p. 27. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2004. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
74. "Guitar Rock Tour". gameloft.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2011.

External links

• The Rasmus' official website
• Lyrics