Sunny Came Home

Last updated

"Sunny Came Home"
Sunny Came Home US artwork.png
US and Australian CD artwork
Single by Shawn Colvin
from the album A Few Small Repairs
B-side "What I Get Paid For"
ReleasedJune 24, 1997 (1997-06-24)
Studio Shelter Island
Genre Folk rock [1]
Length4:24
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) John Leventhal
Shawn Colvin singles chronology
"Get Out of This House"
(1996)		"Sunny Came Home"
(1997)		"You and the Mona Lisa"
(1997)
Music video
"Shawn Colvin - Sunny Came Home" on YouTube

"Sunny Came Home" is a folk-rock song by American musician Shawn Colvin. It is the opening track on her 1996 concept album, A Few Small Repairs , and was released as a CD and cassette single on June 24, 1997. In the United Kingdom, the song was released in July 1997 but did not chart until a re-release in May 1998.

Contents

"Sunny Came Home" was a commercial success, reaching number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 to become Colvin's first entry and first top-10 single on the chart. In Canada, the song peaked at number three, while in Iceland, it reached number 20. The song was also a critical success, winning both Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Song of the Year and was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Background and composition

It was the last song to be written, or for me to put lyrics to, on that record. I had already chosen the cover of the record, which was a painting by a dear friend of mine, Julie Speed. And there’s a woman, obviously, with a match. A lit match, and what appears to be a huge fire in the background ― in the far, far, background ― and I thought, why don’t you write a story about her?

Shawn Colvin,in an interview about the song [2]

Shawn Colvin was inspired to write the lyrics of "Sunny Came Home" by the painting she had chosen for the album cover, which shows a woman with a lit match in her hand. [2] The song is written in the key of B minor (with its chorus in D major) in common time with a tempo of 84 beats per minute. [3] Colvin's vocals span from F♯3 to B4 in the song. [4]

Chart performance

"Sunny Came Home" is Colvin's only hit, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for four weeks. [5] [6] Colvin's record label did not plan to release the track as a retail single until it became an airplay favorite on contemporary hit radio as well as adult contemporary and adult alternative radio stations.[ citation needed ] "Sunny Came Home" also became a major hit in Canada, reaching number three on the RPM Top Singles chart for two weeks and peaking atop the RPM Adult Contemporary chart for three weeks. [7] [8] Outside North America, the song became a moderate hit, peaking at number 29 in the United Kingdom, number 44 in Australia and number 90 in Germany. [9] [10] [11]

Awards

At the 1998 Grammy Awards, it was named Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard interrupted the Grammy Awards presentation by protesting Puff Daddy beating his group, Wu-Tang Clan, for Best Rap Album that year, saying "Wu-Tang is for the children. We teach the children. You know what I mean?", while Colvin was about to receive her award. [12]

Track listings

All songs were written by Shawn Colvin and John Leventhal unless otherwise noted.

Charts

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref(s).
United StatesFebruary 4, 1997 Contemporary hit radio Columbia [32]
June 24, 1997
  • CD
  • cassette
 [33] [34]
United KingdomJuly 28, 1997
  • CD1
  • cassette
 [35]
August 4, 1997CD2 [36]
United Kingdom (re-release)May 18, 1998
  • CD
  • cassette
 [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Building a Mystery</span> 1997 single by Sarah McLachlan

"Building a Mystery" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan from her fourth studio album, Surfacing (1997). At a live performance, Sarah explains the song as being "basically about the fact that we all... have insecurities to hide, and we often do that by putting on a facade." She also goes on to say that "unfortunately, if we just be who we are, that's usually the more attractive and beautiful thing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angel (Sarah McLachlan song)</span> 1998 single by Sarah McLachlan

"Angel" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan. The song first appeared on McLachlan's fourth studio album, Surfacing, in 1997 and was released as the album's fourth and final single in September 1998. The lyrics are about the death of musician Jonathan Melvoin (1961–1996) from a heroin overdose, as McLachlan explained on VH1 Storytellers. It is sometimes mistitled as "In the Arms of an Angel". or "Arms of the Angel".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Knew I Loved You</span> 1999 single by Savage Garden

"I Knew I Loved You" is a song by Australian pop duo Savage Garden, released through Roadshow Music and Columbia Records as the second single from their second and final studio album, Affirmation (1999). The song was created as an attempt to replicate the composition of Savage Garden's previous single "Truly Madly Deeply". The track was serviced to US adult contemporary and top 40 radio in September 1999 and was issued commercially in Australia on 28 September 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home (Sheryl Crow song)</span> 1997 single by Sheryl Crow

"Home" is a song from American musician Sheryl Crow's 1996 self-titled album. Written and produced by Crow, the folk ballad was released as the final single from the album on October 6, 1997, and was later included on her greatest hits album The Very Best of Sheryl Crow (2003). "Home" was released commercially only in Europe. It became Crow's ninth top-40 hit in both Canada and the United Kingdom, peaking at numbers 40 and 25, respectively. A black-and-white music video directed by Samuel Bayer was made for the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everyday Is a Winding Road</span> 1996 single by Sheryl Crow

"Everyday Is a Winding Road" is the second single from American singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow's 1996 eponymous album. Neil Finn, lead singer of Crowded House, provides backing vocals. Paul Hester, another member of Crowded House, was the inspiration for the song. The single was issued in the United Kingdom in November 1996 and was released in the United States the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Headlight</span> 1997 single by the Wallflowers

"One Headlight" is a song by American rock band the Wallflowers. The song was written by lead singer Jakob Dylan, and produced by T Bone Burnett. It was released in January 1997 as the second single from the band's second studio album, Bringing Down the Horse (1996).

<i>A Few Small Repairs</i> 1996 studio album by Shawn Colvin

A Few Small Repairs is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin. It was released on October 1, 1996, by Columbia Records. On September 15, 2017, Columbia/Legacy Recordings released a 20th anniversary edition of the album on CD, vinyl and digital formats. In addition to the original album being newly remastered, seven previously-unreleased live tracks were included.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breathe (Faith Hill song)</span> 1999 single by Faith Hill

"Breathe" is a song written by Stephanie Bentley and Holly Lamar and recorded by American country music artist Faith Hill. Warner Bros. Records released it on October 4, 1999, as the first single from Hill's fourth album of the same name (1999). The song was produced by Byron Gallimore and Hill. "Breathe" became Hill's seventh number one on the Hot Country Songs chart in the United States, spending six weeks at number one. It also peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 2000. Despite not peaking at number one, it was the number-one single of 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want You (Savage Garden song)</span> 1996 single by Savage Garden

"I Want You" is a song by Australian pop duo Savage Garden, originally released in Australia on 27 May 1996 as the lead single from their eponymous debut album, Savage Garden (1997). The single reached number one in Canada and peaked at number four in Australia and on the US Billboard Hot 100. Much of the song's chart success in the US was the result of Rosie O'Donnell playing the song on several episodes of The Rosie O'Donnell Show. In the United Kingdom, the single was issued twice, achieving its highest peak of number 11 during its initial release in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">To the Moon and Back (Savage Garden song)</span> 1996 single by Savage Garden

"To the Moon and Back" is a song by Australian pop duo Savage Garden, released in Australia on 4 November 1996 as the second single from their self-titled 1997 album. It was the follow-up to their first hit "I Want You", and won the 1997 ARIA Music Award for Song of the Year. The song became the band's first number-one single in their native country, reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, and peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Kiss (Faith Hill song)</span> 1998 song by Faith Hill

"This Kiss" is a song by American country music singer Faith Hill from her third studio album Faith. It was written by Beth Nielsen Chapman, Robin Lerner and Annie Roboff, and produced by Hill and Byron Gallimore. It was released on February 23, 1998, as the album's first single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barely Breathing</span> 1996 single by Duncan Sheik

"Barely Breathing" is a song by American singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik from his eponymous debut studio album (1996). It was released as the lead single from the album on September 18, 1996, by Atlantic Records. Sheik is the sole writer of the song, while production was helmed by Rupert Hine. The song became a chart hit in North America in early 1997, receiving several accolades in the years following its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lullaby (Shawn Mullins song)</span> 1998 single by Shawn Mullins

"Lullaby" is a song by American rock singer Shawn Mullins from his fourth studio album, Soul's Core (1998). It was released in August 1998 and is Mullins' most successful song to date, reaching number one on the US Billboard Adult Top 40, number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, and number nine on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also found success abroad, reaching number nine on the UK Singles Chart, number five in Australia, and number two in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?</span> 1997 single by Paula Cole

"Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" is a song by American singer Paula Cole. It was released on March 25, 1997, as the lead single from her second studio album, This Fire. The song is Cole's only top-ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number eight, and was her first top-ten hit in Canada, where it reached number seven. It was additionally a critical success, earning nominations for three Grammy awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nobody Knows (Tony Rich song)</span> 1995 single by Tony Rich

"Nobody Knows" is a song by R&B singer Tony Rich from his 1996 debut album, Words. Released as his debut single on November 7, 1995, the song peaked at number two on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts. It also became a hit in several other countries, topping the Irish Singles Chart and reaching number two in Australia and Canada, number four in the United Kingdom, and the top 20 in the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden. Rich received a nomination for the 1997 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Difference (The Wallflowers song)</span> 1997 single by The Wallflowers

"The Difference" is a song by American rock band the Wallflowers. It was released in 1997 as the third single from their second album, Bringing Down the Horse (1996). The song spent eight weeks at number three on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and peaked at number five on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 1998. "The Difference" also peaked at number 12 in Canada, topping the RPM Alternative 30 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crazy for This Girl</span> 2000 single by Evan and Jaron

"Crazy for This Girl" is the debut single of American pop rock duo Evan and Jaron, released on July 24, 2000. It is from their self-titled debut album. It peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Billboard Adult Top 40. It also became a hit in Canada, Italy and New Zealand, reaching number nine on the Italian Singles Chart, number 35 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, and number 45 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart. The song was included on the second volume on the soundtrack of The WB's television drama Dawson's Creek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Know (Dionne Farris song)</span> 1995 single by Dionne Farris

"I Know" is a song by American R&B singer Dionne Farris. Written by Milton Davis and William DuVall, it was released in January 1995 as the first single from Farris' debut album, Wild Seed – Wild Flower (1994). The song was a hit in Farris's native United States, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending 10 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Top 40/Mainstream chart, becoming that ranking's most successful song of 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Didn't We (Richard Harris song)</span> 1968 song by Richard Harris

"Didn't We" is a song recorded by Irish singer and actor Richard Harris for his debut studio album, A Tramp Shining (1968). It was written and produced by Jimmy Webb and originally served as the B-side to Harris' 1968 single "MacArthur Park". "Didn't We" was then distributed as the record's single by Dunhill Records, also in 1968. A traditional pop song, Harris sings about his life in the past. Commercially, it charted at lower positions of both the United States and Canada, and in the higher ranks of their Adult Contemporary component charts. Harris featured "Didn't We" on several of his greatest hits albums, including The Richard Harris Collection: His Greatest Performances from 1973. That same year, the song was reissued as a promotional single paired alongside his 1971 single "My Boy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As Long as It Matters</span> 1996 single by Gin Blossoms

"As Long as It Matters" is a song by American power pop band Gin Blossoms. It was released in July 1996 via A&M Records as the third single from their third studio album, Congratulations I'm Sorry (1996). The song was written by Phillip Rhodes, Jesse Valenzuela, and Robin Wilson and produced by John Hampton and the band.

References

  1. ↑ "Here is a List of Every GRAMMYs Song of the Year Winner Ever". CBS Interactive. February 9, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Crum, Maddie (September 28, 2016). "'Sunny Came Home' Singer Shawn Colvin Explains Her '90s Anthem". HuffPost . Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  3. ↑ BPMDatabase.com. "BPM Database – Search". www.bpmdatabase.com. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  4. ↑ Leventhal, John (January 6, 2014). "Shawn Colvin "Sunny Came Home" Sheet Music in B Minor (transposable) – Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Shawn Colvin Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  6. 1 2 "Shawn Colvin Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  7. 1 2 "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3259." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  8. 1 2 "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3303." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  9. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  10. 1 2 "Shawn Colvin – Sunny Came Home". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  11. 1 2 "Shawn Colvin – Sunny Came Home" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Grammy Gold – The Bastard Interrupts the Show". Time. February 28, 2009. Archived from the original on February 9, 2009. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  13. ↑ Sunny Came Home (US CD single liner notes). Shawn Colvin. Columbia Records. 1997. 38K 78528.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ Sunny Came Home (US cassette single sleeve). Shawn Colvin. Columbia Records. 1997. 38T 78528.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ Sunny Came Home (UK CD1 liner notes). Shawn Colvin. Columbia Records. 1997. 664802 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ Sunny Came Home (UK CD2 liner notes). Shawn Colvin. Columbia Records. 1997. 664802 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ Sunny Came Home (UK cassette single sleeve). Shawn Colvin. Columbia Records. 1997. 664802 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ Sunny Came Home (European CD single liner notes). Shawn Colvin. Columbia Records. 1996. COL 664778 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ Sunny Came Home (Australian CD single liner notes). Shawn Colvin. Columbia Records. 1996. 664699 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (5.6. '97 – 11.6. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). June 6, 1997. p. 16. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Shawn Colvin Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Shawn Colvin Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Shawn Colvin Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  25. ↑ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM . Retrieved June 4, 2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
  26. ↑ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Retrieved June 4, 2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
  27. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1997". Archived from the original on June 11, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  28. ↑ "The Year in Music 1997: Hot Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. YE-82. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  29. ↑ "The Year in Music 1997: Hot Adult Top 40 Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. YE-83. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Best of '97: Top 40/Mainstream Singles". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 5, no. 52. December 28, 1997. p. 38.
  31. ↑ "Best of '97: Triple A Tracks". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 5, no. 52. December 28, 1997. p. 28.
  32. ↑ "New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1182. January 31, 1997. p. 38. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Sunny Came Home / What I Get Paid for". Amazon . Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Sunny Came Home". Amazon. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  35. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . July 26, 1997. p. 29.
  36. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. August 2, 1997. p. 27.The source mislabels the second CD (664802 5) as a 12-inch vinyl.
  37. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. May 16, 1998. p. 35. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.