Let Your Dim Light Shine
Encyclopedia
Let Your Dim Light Shine is an album from 1995 from the band Soul Asylum
. Critically, it suffered in comparison to its predecessor, Grave Dancers Union
, the band's breakout release. It includes the hit "Misery," which was parodied by "Weird Al" Yankovic
as "Syndicated Inc." on his album Bad Hair Day
.
This was the first Soul Asylum album to list Sterling Campbell as the band's official drummer. He was listed as providing "percussion" on the previous album, even though he played on at least half of the tracks, including the big hit, "Runaway Train."
The album's title is derived from a line in the song "Promises Broken." Actress Trini Alvarado
provided backing vocals on three songs.
Dim Light was the least favorite album of the band, as Columbia, their label at the time, constantly interfered with their creative process.
The music video for "Just Like Anyone
" starred actress Claire Danes
.
For the Japanese release of Let Your Dim Light Shine, an additional track was added to the album. It was a cover of the Descendents
song "Hope". Note that "Bittersweetheart" fades out at 3:17, but the guitar feedback remains, therefore "Bittersweetheart" quickly segues into "String of Pearls". The running time of both songs equals about 8 minutes and 30 seconds long.
Singles - Billboard (North America)
Soul Asylum
Soul Asylum is an American alternative rock band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983.The band originally formed in 1981 under the name Loud Fast Rules, with the original line-up consisting of Dan Murphy, Dave Pirner, Karl Mueller and Pat Morley. The latter was replaced by Grant Young in...
. Critically, it suffered in comparison to its predecessor, Grave Dancers Union
Grave Dancers Union
Grave Dancers Union is the official sixth studio album by the American alternative rock band Soul Asylum, released in 1992...
, the band's breakout release. It includes the hit "Misery," which was parodied by "Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
as "Syndicated Inc." on his album Bad Hair Day
Bad Hair Day
Bad Hair Day is the 9th studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1996. This album was the third studio album self-produced by Yankovic. The musical styles on Bad Hair Day are built around parodies and pastiches pop and rock music of the mid 1990s, targeting alternative rock and hip-hop...
.
This was the first Soul Asylum album to list Sterling Campbell as the band's official drummer. He was listed as providing "percussion" on the previous album, even though he played on at least half of the tracks, including the big hit, "Runaway Train."
The album's title is derived from a line in the song "Promises Broken." Actress Trini Alvarado
Trini Alvarado
Trinidad "Trini" Alvarado is an American actress best known for her performances as Margaret "Meg" March in the 1994 film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women and Lucy Lynskey in the comedy/horror film The Frighteners...
provided backing vocals on three songs.
Dim Light was the least favorite album of the band, as Columbia, their label at the time, constantly interfered with their creative process.
The music video for "Just Like Anyone
Just Like Anyone (song)
"Just Like Anyone" is a 1995 song by American alternative rock band Soul Asylum from their seventh album, Let Your Dim Light Shine. Written by lead singer Dave Pirner and produced by the band with Butch Vig, the song was released as the album's second single. It entered the singles charts in Canada...
" starred actress Claire Danes
Claire Danes
Claire Catherine Danes is an American actress of television, stage and film. She has appeared in roles as diverse as Angela Chase in My So-Called Life, as Juliet in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, as Kate Brewster in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, as Yvaine in Stardust and as Temple Grandin in...
.
Track listing
All songs written by David Pirner unless noted otherwise.- "MiseryMisery (Soul Asylum song)"Misery" is a 1995 song performed by the Minneapolis rock band Soul Asylum. Although Let Your Dim Light Shine critically suffered in comparison to its predecessor, Grave Dancers Union, the single, "Misery", reached number 20 on The Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in...
" – 4:24 - "Shut Down" – 2:51
- "To My Own Devices" – 2:59
- "Hopes Up" – 3:45
- "Promises Broken" (MurphyDan MurphyDan Murphy is best known as the guitarist for the American band, Soul Asylum. He is also a member of Golden Smog.-History:...
, Perlman) – 3:14 - "Bittersweetheart" – 3:34
- "String of Pearls" – 4:56
- "Crawl" (Jordan, Pirner) – 4:00
- "Caged Rat" – 3:03
- "Eyes of a Child" – 3:35
- "Just Like AnyoneJust Like Anyone (song)"Just Like Anyone" is a 1995 song by American alternative rock band Soul Asylum from their seventh album, Let Your Dim Light Shine. Written by lead singer Dave Pirner and produced by the band with Butch Vig, the song was released as the album's second single. It entered the singles charts in Canada...
" – 2:47 - "Tell Me When" (Pirner, Samuels) – 3:42
- "Nothing to Write Home About" – 3:14
- "I Did My Best" – 3:46
For the Japanese release of Let Your Dim Light Shine, an additional track was added to the album. It was a cover of the Descendents
Descendents (band)
The Descendents are an American punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California. As of 2011, they have released six studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums and three EPs. The Descendents broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different musicians...
song "Hope". Note that "Bittersweetheart" fades out at 3:17, but the guitar feedback remains, therefore "Bittersweetheart" quickly segues into "String of Pearls". The running time of both songs equals about 8 minutes and 30 seconds long.
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | The Billboard 200 | 6 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "Misery" | The Billboard Hot 100 | 20 |
| 1995 | "Misery" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 2 |
| 1995 | "Misery" | Modern Rock Tracks | 1 |
| 1995 | "Just Like Anyone" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 11 |
| 1995 | "Just Like Anyone" | Modern Rock Tracks | 19 |
| 1996 | "Promises Broken" | The Billboard Hot 100 | 63 |
| 1996 | "Promises Broken" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 29 |
| 1996 | "Promises Broken" | Adult Contemporary | 29 |
Band members
- Dave PirnerDave PirnerDavid Anthony "Dave" Pirner is an American songwriter, singer, and producer best known for being the lead vocalist and frontman for the alternative rock/grunge band, Soul Asylum.-Biography:...
– vocals, guitar - Dan MurphyDan MurphyDan Murphy is best known as the guitarist for the American band, Soul Asylum. He is also a member of Golden Smog.-History:...
– guitar, vocals - Karl MuellerKarl MuellerKarl Mueller was an American rock musician. He was the bass player and a founding member of the Minneapolis Alternative Rock band, Soul Asylum....
– bass - Sterling CampbellSterling CampbellSterling Campbell in New York City, New York, is an American rock drummer who has worked with numerous high-profile acts. He rose to attention in 1986, touring with Cyndi Lauper on her her True Colors World Tour, in 1986, and in 1987, joined Duran Duran...
– drums & percussion