Sunshine Reggae

Last updated
"Sunshine Reggae"
Single by Laid Back
from the album Keep Smiling
ReleasedJuly 1983
Genre Reggae
Length4:16 / 4:08 (different single editions)
6:35 (12" single)
Songwriter(s)
  • Tim Stahl
  • John Guldberg
Music video
"Sunshine Reggae" on YouTube

"Sunshine Reggae" is a song written and recorded by Danish electronic music duo Laid Back. It was originally released as a single in July 1983 and released on their second album Keep Smiling (1983). As an international summer hit of 1983, it is the band's most successful song.

Contents

Reception and versions

"Sunshine Reggae" reached number one in Germany and Austria in September 1983. It peaked at number three in Italy, [1] four in the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium), and number nine in Switzerland. It was surprisingly popular in South America. [2] Its popularity was further increased by a film named after the song, Sunshine Reggae in Ibiza , which premiered in November 1983.

The song appeared in various single versions released by Metronome Records, Polydor Records, Sire Records, CBS and Atlas Records. [3] The song was also released in different versions as a 12" maxi single with a length of about 6:30 minutes.

In the music video, band members are bored office workers who fantasize about a South Sea beach, where they perform the song, have fun, and play music with the locals. The video was recorded in Sri Lanka.

In the US, the single's B-side song, "White Horse", became more successful. It was released as a single and went on to spend three weeks at number one on the Dance Charts. [4] [5]

Charts

Chart (1983)Peak
position
Argentina (CAPIF) [6] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [7] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [8] 4
Canada (RPM) [9] 46
Italy ( Musica e dischi ) [10] 3
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [11] 4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [12] 9
Uruguay (CUD)1
West Germany (Official German Charts) [13] 1

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [14] Gold50,000^
Germany (BVMI) [15] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

A version by The Nips (this was the name of an Italian studio production, and not to be confused with the Nips from the UK) peaked at number three in Switzerland in 1983. [16] In 2000, the version by Laid Back vs. Funkstar De Luxe peaked at number 68 in Germany. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nightshift (song)</span> 1985 song by the Commodores

"Nightshift" is a 1985 song by the Commodores and the title track from their album of the same name. The song was written by lead singer Walter Orange in collaboration with Dennis Lambert and Franne Golde as a tribute to soul/R&B singers Jackie Wilson and Marvin Gaye, both of whom died in 1984. The song was released as the album's first single in January 1985 by Motown Records. "Nightshift" was recorded in 1984 and became the Commodores' first hit after Lionel Richie's departure from the group.

"Winchester Cathedral" is a song by the New Vaudeville Band, a British novelty group established by the song's composer, Geoff Stephens, and was released in late 1966 by Fontana Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cry Wolf (A-ha song)</span> 1986 single by A-ha

"Cry Wolf" is a song by Norwegian band A-ha, released as the second single from their second studio album, Scoundrel Days (1986).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Time (Whigfield song)</span> 1995 single by Whigfield

"Big Time" is a song by Italian Eurodance project Whigfield, which was fronted by Danish-born singer Sannie Charlotte Carlson. It was written by Annerley Gordon, Alfredo Larry Pignagnoli, Davide Riva and Paul Sears and produced by Pignagnoli and Riva. The song was released in July 1995 by X-Energy Records as the fifth single from her debut album, Whigfield (1995). For the British market, the song was released as a double A-side single with "Last Christmas", a cover of the English duo Wham!, and reached number 21 on the UK Singles Chart. In other countries, "Big Time" peaked within the top 10 in Canada and was a top-20 hit in Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep On Running (The Real Milli Vanilli song)</span> 1990 single by Milli Vanilli / The Real Milli Vanilli

"Keep on Running" is a song credited to German pop group Milli Vanilli before and during the lip-synching scandal and later credited to The Real Milli Vanilli after. It was released in 1990 and peaked at number two in Austria, number four in Germany, number six in Italy and number eight in Switzerland. The song was also released in France, but failed to enter the singles chart, as did "Too Late ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Could You Be Loved</span> 1980 single by Bob Marley and the Wailers

"Could You Be Loved" is a 1980 song by Jamaican reggae band Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was released as the first single from their twelfth and last album, Uprising (1980), and is also included on their greatest-hits album Legend (1984). It was written in 1979 on an aeroplane while The Wailers were experimenting on guitar. In the middle of the song, background singers quote a verse from Bob Marley's first single "Judge Not": "The road of life is rocky; And you may stumble too. So while you point your fingers, someone else is judging you". Instruments used on the original record of this song are guitars, bass, drums, acoustic piano, the Hohner clavinet and an organ, as well as the Brazilian cuíca. "Could You be Loved" was very successful on the charts in Europe, peaking within the top 10 in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. Additionally, it was a top 20 hit in Sweden and West Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Coke</span> 1990 single by Dr Alban

"No Coke" is a song recorded by Sweden-based musician and producer Dr Alban. It was originally released as the B-side of the 12" version of his debut single "Hello Afrika" and became the second single off his debut album, Hello Afrika (1990). Released in November 1990, the song was a hit in several European countries and reached number-one in Sweden. To date, it is one of Dr Alban's most successful songs, along with "It's My Life" and "Sing Hallelujah". It was produced by Denniz Pop, who recorded the song's signature bassline using a Roland Juno-106 synthesizer. The song is performed in English and the lyrics describe a tragic event outside Alban's nightclub Alphabet Street in Stockholm. In November 2017, it was the topic at SVT:s Hitlåtens historia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eins, Zwei, Polizei</span> 1994 single by Mo-Do

"Eins, Zwei, Polizei" is a 1994 song recorded by Italian dance musician Mo-Do and was released as the debut single from his first and only album, Was Ist Das? (1995). The song got its inspiration from "Der Kommissar" by Austrian singer Falco and "Da Da Da" by German band Trio, both released in the early 1980s. It was co-produced by Claudio Zennaro and Fulvio Zafret, and achieved great success in many European countries. "Eins, Zwei, Polizei" reached number-one in Austria, Germany and Italy. Giuseppe Capotondi directed the music video for the song. It has since been remixed and re-released several times. In 1995, it was remixed by DJ XTC of Chile. In 2000, it was re-released in a remix by Maurizio Ferrara, in 2008 with remixes by German DJ Blutonium Boy and Floorfilla, and in 2019 the song was reworked by Dutch-Turkish DJ Ummet Ozcan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel</span> 1976 single by Tavares

"Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" is a disco song written by Freddie Perren and Keni St. Lewis. It was recorded by the American band Tavares in 1976. It was released as the first single from their fourth album, Sky High! (1976), and was split into two parts: the first part was 3 minutes and 28 seconds in length, while the second part was 3 minutes and 10 seconds. "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" was re-released in February 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salomé (song)</span> 1999 single by Chayanne

"Salomé" is a Latin pop/dance song written by Estéfano, produced by Ronnie Foster and performed by the Puerto Rican singer Chayanne. It was the third single released from the studio album Atado a Tu Amor (1998), nominated to the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album. The song was a success in Spain where it peaked at number one. It was certified gold in France and reached 12th position in the French charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer Is Crazy</span> 1996 single by Alexia

"Summer Is Crazy" is a song by Italian singer Alexia, released as the second single from her debut studio album, Fan Club (1997). Co-written by Roberto Zanetti and Alexia, the song was very successful, reaching number one on the Italian Singles Chart and becoming a Top 5 hit in both Finland and Spain. This was the first of two Alexia singles to feature radio jingles of the track on the CD. The song would also be featured as a B-side on the UK editions of "Gimme Love" in 1998, although due to a misprint, writing credits went only to Alexia.

"To Be a Lover" is a song written by William Bell and Booker T. Jones originally as "I Forgot to Be Your Lover", but best known as a cover by Billy Idol on his third studio album Whiplash Smile (1986). As the album's lead single, it became Idol's second top ten hit in the US, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point of No Return (Centory song)</span> 1994 single by Centory

"Point of No Return" is a song by German Eurodance group Centory, released by EMI Records in August 1994 as the lead single from the group's only album, Alpha Centory (1994). It features Durron Maurice Butler, known as Turbo B from Snap!, who also co-wrote the lyrics. Alex Trime and Sven "Delgado" Jordan produced the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fotoromanza</span> 1984 single by Gianna Nannini

"Fotoromanza" is a song composed by Gianna Nannini, Conny Plank and Raffaella Riva and performed by Gianna Nannini. The single peaked at first place for four consecutive weeks in September 1984 on the Italian hit parade. It won the 1984 edition of Festivalbar and also won "Vota la Voce", a musical event organized by the magazine TV Sorrisi e Canzoni. The music video of the song was directed by the Academy Award winner Michelangelo Antonioni.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felicità</span> 1982 single by Al Bano and Romina Power

"Felicità" is a song by Italian-American duo Al Bano and Romina Power, released in 1982. It was an international commercial success and remains arguably their best-known song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take It to the Limit (Centory song)</span> 1994 single by Centory

"Take It to the Limit " is a song by German Eurodance group Centory. It was released on 28 October 1994 as the second single from their only album, Alpha Centory (1994), and was a notable hit in Europe. The song peaked within the top 20 in Finland and was a top 30 hit in Austria, France, Germany and Italy. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 68, while reaching number eight on the European Dance Radio Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flesh for Fantasy</span> 1984 single by Billy Idol

"Flesh for Fantasy" is a song by Billy Idol, released in 1984 as the third single from his 1983 studio album Rebel Yell. It reached No. 5 in New Zealand, No. 11 in Germany, No. 20 in Switzerland, and No. 29 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Voices (Ann Lee song)</span> 1999 single by Ann Lee

"Voices" is a 1999 song recorded by British Italian-based singer Ann Lee. As the follow-up to her successful hit "2 Times", it was co-written by Lee with Marco Soncini and Paul Sears, and released on her debut album, Dreams (1999). The single was a moderate success in Europe, peaking within the top 10 in the Czech Republic, Denmark and Spain. Additionally it reached the top 20 in Austria, Belgium and Scotland. In 2000, it peaked at number 27 on the UK Singles Chart. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 55 in November 1999. The accompanying music video for "Voices" sees Ann Lee performing in a forest, among giant mushrooms.

Italian Italo disco duo Righeira have released four studio albums, eight compilation albums, one extended play (EP), 14 singles and three music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ballet Dancer (song)</span> 1984 single by the Twins

"Ballet Dancer" is a song by German synth-pop duo the Twins, released as both a 7" and 12" single from their third studio album, A Wild Romance (1983). The band's best selling single, it peaked at No. 19 in their home country of Germany, and at No. 10 in Switzerland, and No. 3 in Italy.

References

  1. "Musica e dischi". Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Laid Back".
  2. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 66.
  3. "Official German Charts" . Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003. Record Research. p. 150.
  5. Chris Gerard. "The 100 Best Alternative Singles of the 1980s".
  6. "Cash Box - International Best Sellers" (PDF). worldradiohistory.com. Cash Box. 16 June 1984. p. 32.
  7. "Laid Back – Sunshine Reggae" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  8. "Laid Back – Sunshine Reggae" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  9. "RPM Top 50 Singles - March 31, 1984" (PDF).
  10. "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Laid Back".
  11. "Laid Back – Sunshine Reggae" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  12. "Laid Back – Sunshine Reggae". Swiss Singles Chart.
  13. "Offiziellecharts.de – Laid Back – Sunshine Reggae" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  14. "Canadian single certifications – Laid Back – Sunshine Reggae". Music Canada . Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  15. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Laid Back; 'Sunshine Reggae')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  16. "The Nips - Sunshine Reggae". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  17. "Official German Charts" . Retrieved 2019-03-09.