Sunshine on Leith (song)

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"Sunshine on Leith"
Sunshine on Leith single cover.png
Single by the Proclaimers
from the album Sunshine on Leith
Released1988
Recorded1988
GenreRock
Length5:14[1]
LabelChrysalis
Songwriter(s)
  • Craig Reid
  • Charlie Reid
Producer(s)Pete Wingfield
The Proclaimers singles chronology
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"
(1988) 		"Sunshine on Leith"
(1988) 		"I'm on My Way"
(1989)

"Sunshine on Leith" is a ballad by Scottish folk rock duo the Proclaimers.[2] Released in 1988, it is the title-track and second single from their album Sunshine on Leith.

In popular culture[]

"Sunshine on Leith" is played frequently at Easter Road Stadium by Edinburgh-based football team Hibernian F.C., of whom the band are supporters.[3]

Reception[]

Critical reception[]

Bill Wyman of the Chicago Reader commented that the song, which he thought to be "a cross between a hymn and an Eagles tune", "genuinely reaches," describing the track as a "'I'm in love and happy to ever have been born' tearjerker".[4]

Accolades[]

In June 2018, "Sunshine on Leith" was voted the UK's favourite football anthem as part of the "Football Anthems World Cup" by Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 6.[2]

The song featured on the BBC Radio 4 series Soul Music on 15 December 2020.[5]

Allusions[]

A 2018 interview by The Courier revealed that Craig Reid opined "Sunshine on Leith" to be the "best [song] he's ever written".[6]

Charts[]

Chart (1988) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[7] 41

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[8] Silver 200,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References[]

  1. ^ Demalton, Tom. "Sunshine On Leith - The Proclaimers". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Watson, Amy. "Sunshine on Leith voted UK's favourite football anthem". The Scotsman. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Singing twins bring sunshine to Leith". The Scotsman. Johnston Publishing. 4 May 2002. Retrieved 13 October 2013. The Best Of album, due for release in the UK on May 13, features 20 songs drawn from the duo’s 15-year career, including Sunshine On Leith, their famous anthem which is regularly played at Easter Road, home of their beloved Hibernian Football Club.
  4. ^ Wyman, Bill (27 April 1989). "The Proclaimers--Sunshine on Leith - Music Review". Chicago Reader. Chicago Reader. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Sunshine on Leith". Soul Music. BBC Radio 4. 15 December 2020.
  6. ^ Alexander, Michael (11 August 2018). "Interview with The Proclaimers: Why new album title track 'Angry Cyclist' is a metaphor for our times". The Courier. The Courier. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  8. ^ "British single certifications – Proclaimers – Sunshine on Leith". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
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