Halcyon (Orbital song)
Encyclopedia
"Halcyon" is a song written and performed by Orbital
. The song features a backmasked
vocal sample by Kirsty Hawkshaw
from "It's a Fine Day
" by Opus III
(1992) (Hawkshaw played the mother who was 'under the influence' in the video, which was shot in the Hartnolls' home). Ed Barton, the composer of "It's a Fine Day", receives a co-writing credit for the track. This original form of the song is relatively uncommon; it first appeared on the Radiccio EP, and was only in the U.S. release as a single under its own name. It did not appear on a full-length album until the compilation Work 1989-2002
, and then only in its shorter "single edit".
On Orbital's second eponymous album
the track "Halcyon + on + on" appears, a slightly more upbeat and melodic remix
of the original song. In contrast to the original, the remix is far more widely known, and has been featured on several movie soundtracks (most notably Mortal Kombat
, Hackers
, CKY2K and Mean Girls
). The title of the remix is inspired by a contemporary advertising slogan used by the Ariston
washing machine company ("Ariston + on + on"). "Halcyon + on + on" is somewhat shorter than the original, at 9 minutes and 27 seconds long.
"Halcyon" is one of the mainstays of Orbital's live performances, in which it is frequently remixed with clips from Belinda Carlisle
's "Heaven is a Place on Earth
" and Bon Jovi
's "You Give Love a Bad Name
". On occasion (notably the group's 2004 "last ever" performance broadcast on BBC Radio 1
) it has also incorporated the chorus of "I Believe in a Thing Called Love
" by The Darkness.
In June 2009, Orbital released a two CD greatest hits compilation Orbital 20
, which included a number of new remixes, including a "remodel" of "Halcyon" by Tom Middleton
.
12", Radiccio 2
CD, Radiccio
CD, Radiccio 2
CD, Halcyon
Orbital (band)
Orbital are a British electronic dance music duo from Sevenoaks, England consisting of brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll. Their career initially ran from 1989 until 2004, but in 2009 they announced that they would be reforming and headlining The Big Chill, in addition to a number of other live shows...
. The song features a backmasked
Backmasking
Backmasking is a recording technique in which a sound or message is recorded backward on to a track that is meant to be played forward...
vocal sample by Kirsty Hawkshaw
Kirsty Hawkshaw
Kirsty Hawkshaw is a British dance/electronica/house/trance musician and songwriter. She is known for her participation as lead vocalist for the group Opus III, and her collaborative work with other musicians and producers....
from "It's a Fine Day
It's a Fine Day
"It's a Fine Day" is a song written by English poet and musician Edward Barton. It was originally recorded in 1983 by Jane, and later by Opus III for whom it was a major international hit in 1992.-Original recording by Jane:...
" by Opus III
Opus III
Opus III were a techno and house music group from England who had success on the UK Singles Chart and on the U.S. Dance charts. The group consisted of vocalist Kirsty Hawkshaw and producers/musicians Kevin 'The Fly' Dodds, Ian Munro and Nigel 'Spider' Walton...
(1992) (Hawkshaw played the mother who was 'under the influence' in the video, which was shot in the Hartnolls' home). Ed Barton, the composer of "It's a Fine Day", receives a co-writing credit for the track. This original form of the song is relatively uncommon; it first appeared on the Radiccio EP, and was only in the U.S. release as a single under its own name. It did not appear on a full-length album until the compilation Work 1989-2002
Work 1989-2002
Work 1989–2002 is a compilation album released by the British electronica duo Orbital in 2002, featuring a selection of singles and rare tracks from their career together...
, and then only in its shorter "single edit".
On Orbital's second eponymous album
Orbital (brown album)
Orbital 2 is the second album from British electronica duo Orbital. It is also known as the Brown Album to differentiate it from Orbital's 1991 debut album, which had a green cover...
the track "Halcyon + on + on" appears, a slightly more upbeat and melodic remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of the original song. In contrast to the original, the remix is far more widely known, and has been featured on several movie soundtracks (most notably Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat (film)
Mortal Kombat is a 1995 American action and adventure film directed by Paul Anderson. Based on the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games, the film was the first part of the Mortal Kombat film series...
, Hackers
Hackers (film)
Hackers is a 1995 American thriller film directed by Iain Softley and starring Angelina Jolie, Jonny Lee Miller, Renoly Santiago, Matthew Lillard, Lorraine Bracco and Fisher Stevens...
, CKY2K and Mean Girls
Mean Girls
Mean Girls is a 2004 American teen comedy-drama film directed by Mark Waters. The screenplay was written by Tina Fey and is based in part on the non-fiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman, which describes how female high school social cliques operate and the effect they can have...
). The title of the remix is inspired by a contemporary advertising slogan used by the Ariston
Indesit
Indesit Company, an Italian multinational company based in Fabriano, Ancona province, Italy, a leading appliance manufacturer in Europe.- History :...
washing machine company ("Ariston + on + on"). "Halcyon + on + on" is somewhat shorter than the original, at 9 minutes and 27 seconds long.
"Halcyon" is one of the mainstays of Orbital's live performances, in which it is frequently remixed with clips from Belinda Carlisle
Belinda Carlisle
Belinda Jo Carlisle is an American singer who gained worldwide fame as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go's, one of the most successful all-female bands and the first such group whose members wrote their own songs and played their own instruments...
's "Heaven is a Place on Earth
Heaven is a Place on Earth
"Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is the title of a song recorded by Belinda Carlisle, the lead singer of The Go-Go's. Written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley, and interpolating the aria "Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße der Ruh'" from Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio, it hit number one on the...
" and Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
's "You Give Love a Bad Name
You Give Love a Bad Name (song)
"You Give Love a Bad Name" is a song written by Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child, and Richie Sambora about a woman who has jilted her lover. Although originally written for the band Loverboy, the song was recorded by Bon Jovi...
". On occasion (notably the group's 2004 "last ever" performance broadcast on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
) it has also incorporated the chorus of "I Believe in a Thing Called Love
I Believe in a Thing Called Love
"I Believe in a Thing Called Love" is a 2003 single by the English rock band The Darkness. This was released as a single twice, the first time in August 2002 with "Love On The Rocks With No Ice" and "Love Is Only A Feeling." In September 2003, it was released as the third single off Permission to...
" by The Darkness.
In June 2009, Orbital released a two CD greatest hits compilation Orbital 20
Orbital 20
Orbital 20 is a compilation album by electronic music duo Orbital. It contains singles, album tracks and several new remixes. The release is Orbital's third hits collection; this one commemorating the 20th anniversary of the band's first release. The album is frequently, incorrectly, titled as...
, which included a number of new remixes, including a "remodel" of "Halcyon" by Tom Middleton
Tom Middleton
Tom Middleton is a prolific British recording artist, music producer, remixer and DJ.A classically trained pianist and cellist, Middleton worked in the early 1990s with Richard D. James , co-producing "En-Trance To Exit" on the Analogue Bubblebath EP for Exeter's influential Mighty Force Records...
.
1992, Radiccio (UK release)
12", Radiccio 1- Halcyon (11:07)
- The Naked And The Dub (11:51)
12", Radiccio 2
- The Naked And The Dead (6:23)
- Sunday (7:14)
CD, Radiccio
- Halcyon (11:07)
- The Naked And The Dead (6:23)
- Sunday (7:14)
CD, Radiccio 2
- Halcyon Edit (3:57)
- Halcyon (11:07)
- Deeper (6:58)
1992, Halcyon (US release)
12", Halcyon- Halcyon (11:05)
- The Naked And The Dub (11:51)
CD, Halcyon
- Halcyon (11:07)
- The Naked And The Dead (6:23)
- The Naked And The Dub (11:51)
- Sunday (7:10)
- Chime (Radio Edit) (3:15)
1993, Radiccio (Japan release)
CD, Radiccio- Halcyon Edit (3:52)
- Halcyon (11:09)
- Deeper (6:59)
- The Naked And The Dead (6:25)
- Sunday (7:13)
- The Naked And The Dub (11:53)
- Some versions of this CD repeats "The Naked And The Dead" instead of "The Naked And The Dub".