Home | Songs By Year | Songs from 1990


Sunshine on a Rainy Day

Buy Sunshine on a Rainy Day now from Amazon

First, read the Wikipedia article. Then, scroll down to see what other TopShelfReviews readers thought about the song. And once you've experienced the song, tell everyone what you thought about it.

Wikipedia article




{{Infobox song

| name = Sunshine on a Rainy Day

| cover = Zoe-sunshine on a rainy day s.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Zo

| album = Scarlet Red and Blue

| B-side =

* 1990: "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (accapella)

* 1991: "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (original)

| released = 1990

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Pop

| length = 4:17

| label =

* M&G

* Polydor

| writer =

* Martin Glover

* Zo Pollock

| producer = Youth

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Lightning

| next_year = 1991

| misc =

}}

"'Sunshine on a Rainy Day'" is a 1990 song by British pop singer and songwriter Zo, released as the first single from her debut album, 'Scarlet Red and Blue' (1991). It reached number four on the UK Singles Chart in September 1991 and also charted within the top 40 in Ireland, Sweden and Zimbabwe, where it reached number-one. Two different music videos were produced to promote the single. In 2008, Zo re-recorded the song with her folk band Mama. This version is available on their debut CD, 'Crow Coyote Buffalo'.

Background



The song was originally released at the end of 1990, when it only managed to reach number 53 on the UK Singles Chart. The following year, English record producer Mark 'Spike' Stent remixed the track and re-released it on 12 August 1991. This version reached number four on the same chart and became Zo's biggest hit. It was the 18th best-selling single of 1991. The track was used in UK advertisements for the Amiga 500 computer, which added to its popularity.

Critical reception



Larry Flick from 'Billboard' wrote, "Photogenic British lass steps from out of left field with a percussive, midtempo gem on which she often comes across like a smoky Sophie B. Hawkins. Soft, syncopated hip-hop-derived beats support acoustic strumming, subtle electric chords, and flower-child lyrical prose. Track starts from a simple, sparse point, and builds to a rousing tambourine-shaking climax. Fueled with multiformat appeal." Randy Clark from 'Cashbox' described it as a "brooding club track" James Hamilton from 'Music Week' called it a "Tom's Diner inspired hypnotic folksy singalong roller, a real "sleeper" last autumn, now slightly remixed." A reviewer from 'NME' said the song is "a must for this summer" and "a certain Top 10 in the current climate". Sophie Lawrence reviewed the song for 'Smash Hits', commenting, "It's a bit Belinda Carlisle-ish." She added, "I love it. It's really folky. She's got a brilliant voice. That's a record I'd definitely go out and buy." Another editor, Mark Frith stated that "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" has become "an anthem of unparalleled exuberance".

Track listings



* '7-inch single (1990)'

:A. "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (7-inch version)

:B. "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (accapella mix)

* 'CD single (1990)'

# "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (7-inch version)

# "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (Mellow Mix)

# "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (accapella mix)

* '7-inch and cassette single (1991)'

# "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (7-inch radio mix 1991)

# "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (original 7-inch mix 1990)

Charts



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



Christine Anu version



In May 2000, Australian singer-songwriter Christine Anu released a version of the song as the first single from her second studio album, 'Come My Way'. The song peaked at number 26 on the Australian Singles Chart and remained in the top 50 for 15 weeks.

Track listing

* 'Australian CD single'

# "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (radio mix)

# "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (Wicked Beat Sound System Mix)

# "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (Scotia Nostre Mix)

Charts



Other versions



*In 1994, Naomi Campbell covered the song on her album, 'babywoman'.

*The song was covered by Emma Bunton on her debut solo album 'A Girl Like Me' in 2001.

*A version by dance artists Ed Real & Mark Richardson was released in 2003 on Nukleuz Records.

*Happy hardcore versions include "Sunshine" by Slipmatt and Eruption, and "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" by DJ Stompy.

References



Category:1990 debut singles

Category:1990 songs

Category:1991 singles

Category:2000 singles

Category:British pop songs

Category:Christine Anu songs

Category:Emma Bunton songs

Category:Mushroom Records singles

Category:Number-one singles in Zimbabwe

Category:Polydor Records singles

Category:Songs written by Youth (musician)

Buy Sunshine on a Rainy Day now from Amazon

<-- Return to songs from 1990



This work is released under CC-BY-SA. Some or all of this content attributed to http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1107337451.