Unforgiven (D:Ream song)

Last updated
"Unforgiven"
D Ream-Unforgiven 1993.jpg
Original 1993 release
Single by D:Ream
from the album D:Ream On Volume 1
Released19 July 1993 (1993-07-19) [1]
Genre
Length3:32
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
D:Ream singles chronology
"U R the Best Thing"
(1992)
"Unforgiven"
(1993)
"Things Can Only Get Better"
(1993)
Music video
"Unforgiven" on YouTube

"Unforgiven" is a song by Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, released in July 1993 by labels Magnet and FXU as the third single from their debut album, D:Ream On Volume 1 (1993). Written by band members Peter Cunnah and Al MacKenzie, it was produced by the group with Tom Frederikse. It peaked at number 29 in the UK and number ten in Portugal. [3] After the success of the singles "U R the Best Thing" and "Things Can Only Get Better", "Unforgiven" was re-released in 1994. A music video was also produced to promote the single.

Contents

Critical reception

Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote that "a harmonica whirls prominently through this alternative electro pop/dance song, and wails towards the end like the one featured in the Once Upon The West film". [2] The reviewer also felt that "although it already peaked in the UK, this throbbing, head-bobbing track is infectious and could go far on the Continent." [4] Andy Beevers from Music Week gave it four out of five, calling it "another big, bold song that looks like following both "U R the Best Thing" and "Things Can Only Get Better" into the Top 40. Their own mix has a Balearic flavour with its wailing harmonica." [5] In an retrospective review, Pop Rescue remarked that "this is quite a downbeat mellow track", complimenting the vocals by Linda Duggan as "big". They also noted "a little harmonica line." [6] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update described it as "sombre humming but bright harmonica washed cantering". [7]

Track listings

  1. "Unforgiven" (7-inch D•Reamix) – 3:32
  2. "Unforgiven" (Sine 7-inch edit) – 4:00
  3. "Unforgiven" (12-inch D•Reamix) – 7:20
  4. "Unforgiven" (Leftfield Hands mix) – 7:02
  5. "Unforgiven" (EMF 7-inch mix) – 4:35
  6. "Unforgiven" (Leftfield Hard mix) – 8:58
  1. "Unforgiven" (7-inch D•Reamix) – 3:32
  2. "Unforgiven" (Sine 7-inch edit) – 4:00
  3. "Unforgiven" (12-inch D•Reamix) – 7:20
  4. "Unforgiven" (Sine dub) – 9:07
  5. "Unforgiven" (Leftfield Hands mix) – 7:20
  6. "Unforgiven" (Leftfield Hard mix) – 8:58

Charts

Chart (1993)Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [8] 65
Portugal (AFP) [3] 10
UK Singles (OCC) [9] 29
UK Airplay (ERA) [10] 51
UK Dance ( Music Week ) [11] 4
UK Club Chart ( Music Week ) [12] 7

Related Research Articles

D:Ream is a Northern Irish/English pop & dance group. They had a UK No. 1 hit with "Things Can Only Get Better" in 1994. Eight more top 40 hits followed, including "U R the Best Thing" and "Shoot Me with Your Love". Their two 90s studio albums reached the UK top five.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Love (The Prodigy song)</span> 1993 single by the Prodigy

"One Love" is a song by British electronic music act the Prodigy, released on 4 October 1993 by XL Recordings as the first single from the act's second album, Music for the Jilted Generation (1994). The song peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart and number five on the UK Dance Singles Chart. It was also a top 30 hit in Sweden and Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Things Can Only Get Better (D:Ream song)</span> 1993 single by D:Ream

"Things Can Only Get Better" is a song by Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, released in 1993 by Magnet Records and FXU as the second single from the group's debut album, D:Ream On Volume 1 (1993). It was written by Peter Cunnah and Jamie Petrie, and took several months to reach the top of the UK Singles Chart. Originally a club hit, pop success took much longer for the song—initially, it reached only number 24 on the chart in January 1993. Band member Al Mackenzie left later that year, and remaining member Cunnah took the band in a more pop-friendly direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Open Up (Leftfield song)</span> 1993 single by Leftfield

"Open Up" is a song by British electronic duo Leftfield featuring John Lydon. It was released as a single on 1 November 1993 by Hard Hands label. The single reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, number one on the Music Week Dance Singles chart and number 39 in both Australia and New Zealand. NME reported in their 18 September 1993 issue, "This is the record that people have always wanted Lydon to do." In 2014, the same publication ranked "Open Up" at number 444 on their list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". A black-and-white music video was produced to promote the single, directed by British director Lindy Heymann.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Night in Heaven</span> 1993 single by M People

"One Night in Heaven" is a song by British band M People, released as their sixth overall single and the first single from their second album, Elegant Slumming (1993). Written by band members Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, and produced by the band, the song was released on 14 June 1993 by Deconstruction Records. It was successful in Europe, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart. In Iceland, it reached number five, while peaking at number 26 on the Eurochart Hot 100. Its accompanying music video was filmed in Barcelona, Sitges and Montserrat in Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hymn (Moby song)</span> 1994 single by Moby

"Hymn" is a song by American electronica musician Moby. It was released on May 1994 by Mute Records as the first single from the musician's third studio album, Everything Is Wrong (1995). The single version, which was radically remixed from the album original and retitled "Hymn ", peaked at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart and number three in Finland. A 33-minute ambient remix was also released, titled as "Hymn.Alt.Quiet.Version". The accompanying music video for "Hymn" was directed by English director Walter Stern, featuring Moby performing with silver bodypaint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoot Me with Your Love</span> 1995 single by D:Ream

"Shoot Me with Your Love" is a song by Northern Irish music group D:Ream, released in June 1995 by Magnet and FXU as the first single from their second album, World (1995). Co-written by frontman Peter Cunnah with Tim Hegarty, the song was the first of a three-single UK Top 40 run in 1995 for the band and also the highest peaking, reaching number seven on the UK Singles Chart and number three on the UK Dance Singles Chart. The follow-ups, "Party Up the World" and "The Power ", reached number 20 and 40, respectively. A music video was also produced to promote the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm So into You</span> 1992 single by SWV

"I'm So into You" is a song by American R&B vocal trio SWV from their debut studio album, It's About Time (1992). Written and produced by Brian Alexander Morgan, the song was released in January 1993 by RCA Records as the second single from the album. It was commercially successful, becoming their first top-10 single in the United States, peaking at number six on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. It also reached number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales and streaming figures exceeding 1,000,000 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Love I Lost</span> 1973 single by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

"The Love I Lost" is a song by American R&B group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Group member Teddy Pendergrass sang lead vocals. Originally written as a ballad by Philly soul songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the song was transformed into a funk song and features drummer Earl Young. It was released from the Black & Blue album in late 1973 and sold more than a million copies. In the 21st century, the track has been the subject of extended re-edits by notable remixers Tom Moulton, Theo Parrish, and Dimitri From Paris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out</span> 1993 single by Freak Power

"Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out" is a song by Norman Cook's acid jazz group Freak Power, released in October 1993 by Island Records and 4th & Broadway as the debut single from their first album, Drive-Thru Booty (1994). The song features a smooth jazz sound and the baritone vocals of lead singer Ashley Slater. The single originally charted at number 29 in the United Kingdom. However, two years later, the song was used in the popular Levi's advertisement "Taxi", and it was re-released on 6 March 1995. This time, the single was a success, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart and becoming the group's only top-20 hit. The song was also a moderate hit in western Europe and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)</span> 1993 single by Sub Sub

"Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)" is a song by British dance music act Sub Sub, released on 29 March 1993 by independent label Rob's Records as the second single from their debut album, Full Fathom Five (1994). It features Temper Temper's Melanie Williams on vocals. The song was the act's biggest single, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the UK Dance Singles Chart; it became one of many dance singles in 1993 to cross over into mainstream popularity in the UK. In the accompanying music video, Jimi Goodwin plays bass, Jez Williams plays keyboards and percussion, and Jez' twin brother Andy Williams plays keytar. After struggling to repeat the success of the single, and after a fire destroyed the band's Ancoats studio in 1996, the group eventually reformed with a radically different sound as Doves in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glory Box</span> 1995 single by Portishead

"Glory Box" is a song by English electronic band Portishead, released on 2 January 1995 by Go! Beat as the third and final single from their debut album, Dummy (1994). It samples "Ike's Rap II" by Isaac Hayes and peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. Additionally, the song was a top 10 hit in Iceland, while entering the top 20 in France, Ireland and Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Why (D Mob song)</span> 1994 single by D Mob

"Why" is a song by British music producer and remixer D Mob featuring singer-songwriter Cathy Dennis. It was released by FFRR as the fourth single from Dennis's second album, Into the Skyline (1992), a full year after her previous single from the album. In the UK, it reached number 23 on the UK Singles Chart, number seven on the UK Dance Singles Chart and number one on the UK Club Chart, making it the most successful single from the album. "Why" was dedicated in memory of Philip Hall, who died in December 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Bit of Heaven</span> 1993 single by Lisa Stansfield

"Little Bit of Heaven" is a song by British singer-songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield from her third album, So Natural (1993). It was released by Arista Records as the second proper single in the United Kingdom on 29 November 1993 and in other European countries in March 1994. The song was written by Stansfield and her husband, Ian Devaney, and produced by Devaney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U R the Best Thing</span> 1992 single by D:Ream

"U R the Best Thing" is the debut single of Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, included on their first album, D:Ream On Volume 1 (1993). Originally a club hit released in 1992, the song has been remixed and re-released twice: in 1993 and in 1994. The 1994 version, also known as the Perfecto mix, was most successful peaking at number three in Scotland, number four on the UK Singles Chart and number six in Ireland. It also peaked at number 13 on the Eurochart Hot 100. The 1993 version reached number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US. There were made three different music videos to promote the single; the 1994 version was directed by Marcus Nispel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blame It on Me (D:Ream song)</span> 1994 single by D:Ream

"Blame It on Me" is a song by Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, released in August 1994 by Magnet, FXU and Warner Music UK as the sixth and last single from the group's debut album, D-Ream On Volume 1 (1993). The song is written by frontman Peter Cunnah and features backing vocals by Jamie Petrie and Linda Duggan. Produced by Tom Frederikse, "Blame It on Me" received favorable reviews from music critics, peaking at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart and number 15 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ain't No Man (Dina Carroll song)</span> 1992 single by Dina Carroll

"Ain't No Man" is a song by British singer-songwriter Dina Carroll. After singing on two singles with British dance production duo Quartz, she was relaunched as a solo artist with the song, which was released in June 1992 by A&M and 1st Avenue Records as the first single from the singer's debut album, So Close (1993). Lyrically, the song is sung from the view of a woman singing to her man, telling him that there ain't no man that makes her feel like he do. Carroll told in an 1992 interview, "We wanted an anthemic, memorable song. For some reason, Nigel [Lowis] brought up 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough', and that idea evolved into 'Ain't No Man'." The song was well received among music critics and peaked at number 16 in the UK charts, number 26 in the Netherlands and number 63 in Germany. Its music video was directed by Pedro Romhanyi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everybody Gonfi-Gon</span> 1994 single by Two Cowboys

"Everybody Gonfi-Gon" is a song by Italian Eurodance project Two Cowboys. It was released in June 1994 as the project's debut single. Drawing comparisons to other string-driven country-dance hits at the time, including The Grid's "Swamp Thing" and "Cotton Eye Joe" by Rednex, "Everybody Gonfi-Gon" became a hit single as well, reaching number two in Finland and Iceland and peaking within the top 10 in Austria, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shine On (Degrees of Motion song)</span> 1992 song by Degrees of Motion

"Shine On" is a song by American house music project Degrees of Motion, featuring vocals by Biti Strauchn and Kit West. It was originally released in July 1992 as a single from their album, Degrees Of Motion (1991), peaking at number 43 on the UK Singles Chart. Following a re-release in March 1994, it charted higher, peaking at number eight on the same listing. It also reached number one on the UK Dance Singles Chart same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want You (Juliet Roberts song)</span> 1994 single by Juliet Roberts

"I Want You" is a song by English singer-songwriter Juliet Roberts, released in March 1994 by Cooltempo as the second single from the singer's debut album, Natural Thing (1994). Originally released as a double A-side with her song "Again", it was then released as its own single following the success of its predecessor, "Caught in the Middle", in 1994. Co-written by Roberts with Nathaniel Pierre Jones, it was produced by Dancin' Danny D and peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song also reached number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Europe, it charted in the UK, where it peaked at number 28 on the UK Singles Chart, but was more successful on the UK Dance Singles Chart, reaching number three in October 1994. The accompanying music video for the song was directed by American filmmaker and comic artist Antoine Fuqua.

References

  1. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . 17 July 1993. p. 19.
  2. 1 2 "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 10, no. 32. 7 August 1993. p. 7. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 10, no. 50. 11 December 1993. p. 24. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  4. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 10, no. 36. 4 September 1993. p. 13. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  5. Beevers, Andy (17 July 1993). "Market Preview: Dance" (PDF). Music Week . p. 8. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  6. "Review: "On Vol. 1" by D:Ream (CD, 1994)". Pop Rescue. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  7. Hamilton, James (24 July 1993). "Djdirectory" (PDF). Music Week, Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 2. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  8. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 10, no. 33. 14 August 1993. p. 15. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  10. "Airplay 100" (PDF). Hit Music . 7 August 1993. p. 17. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  11. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 31 July 1993. p. 22. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  12. "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 24 July 1993. p. 4. Retrieved 10 May 2023.