The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore
Encyclopedia
"The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" is the name of a song written by Bob Crewe
and Bob Gaudio
. It was originally released as a single by Frankie Valli
in 1965
on the Smash
label and has been recorded by numerous artists since, including The Walker Brothers
, Cher
, and Keane.
' s Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart
but not making the Hot 100 itself. Although it was recorded in a Four Seasons
recording session (with the other group members at that time), it was Valli's first official "solo" single in over a decade.
, The Walker Brothers
released their remake as a single. Retitled "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore", this version met with much greater success than Valli's. It topped the UK Singles Chart
and also became their highest rating song on the Billboard Hot 100
chart in the U.S., where it peaked at #13. The single also hit the top 10 in the Netherlands.
In 2010, the Walker Brothers version was used in the promotional trailer for the AMC television series The Walking Dead
.
, Cher
released her remake as the fourth official European single
from her twenty-second album It's a Man's World. The song went to #26 on the UK Singles Chart
. Her version was used in the X-Files episode "The Post-Modern Prometheus
."
Formats and track listings
UK CD Maxi-Single (WEA 071 CD)
Official versions
, the British group Keane recorded a special version of this song. Unlike the original version, Tim Rice-Oxley
, pianist and composer of Keane, changed the guitar
for piano
. He also takes the lead vocals in the second chorus, like the original version. The single was selected in summer 2004 by readers of the NME
and first released as a download-only single in September 2004. The song was given for download to the War Child
foundation website and one thousand vinyl copies given as a gift to some fans of Keane, who had supported and helped the band. The numbered copies each included a handwritten note by Tim Rice-Oxley
, composer of the band and signed by the other two members, thanking them for their support.
Track listing
Other notable artists who recorded this song include Jules Shear
, Long John Baldry
, Clarence Clemons
, The Ides of March, The Lettermen
(for their 1970 album Reflections), and Robson and Jerome.
The song also features prominently in the 1991 bittersweet romance film Truly, Madly, Deeply
, starring Alan Rickman
and Juliet Stevenson
, with Rickman singing and playing the main riff on the bass strings of his cello. The singing of the song is a game the couple often played. The choice of this song in particular, given the events in the film, emphasize the poignancy of the lyric especially well.
Bob Crewe
Bob Crewe is an American songwriter, dancer, singer, manager, record producer and fine artist. He is known for producing, and co-writing with Bob Gaudio, a string of Top 10 singles for The Four Seasons...
and Bob Gaudio
Bob Gaudio
Robert John "Bob" Gaudio is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer, and the keyboardist/backing vocalist for The Four Seasons.-Early career:...
. It was originally released as a single by Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli is an American musician, most famous as frontman of The Four Seasons. He is well-known for his unusually powerful falsetto singing voice...
in 1965
1965 in music
-Events:*January 4 – Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is sold to CBS for $13 million.*January 12 – Hullabaloo premieres on NBC. The first show included performances by The New Christy Minstrels, comedian Woody Allen, actress Joey Heatherton and a segment from London in which Brian Epstein...
on the Smash
Smash Records
Smash Records is an American record label. It was founded in 1961 as a subsidiary of Mercury Records by Mercury executive Shelby Singleton and run by Singleton with Charlie Fach. Fach took over after Singleton left Mercury in 1966...
label and has been recorded by numerous artists since, including The Walker Brothers
The Walker Brothers
The Walker Brothers were an American 1960s and 1970s pop group, comprising Scott Engel , John Walker , and Gary Leeds...
, Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
, and Keane.
Frankie Valli original
The single achieved only limited success, charting on BillboardBubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100...
but not making the Hot 100 itself. Although it was recorded in a Four Seasons
The Four Seasons (group)
The Four Seasons are an American rock and pop band who became internationally successful in the mid-1960s. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame has stated that the group was the most popular rock band before The Beatles...
recording session (with the other group members at that time), it was Valli's first official "solo" single in over a decade.
The Walker Brothers version
In 19661966 in music
-Events:*January 3 – Hullabaloo shows promotional videos of The Beatles songs "Day Tripper" and "We Can Work it Out".*January 8 – Shindig! airs for the last time on ABC, with musical guests the Kinks and the Who...
, The Walker Brothers
The Walker Brothers
The Walker Brothers were an American 1960s and 1970s pop group, comprising Scott Engel , John Walker , and Gary Leeds...
released their remake as a single. Retitled "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore", this version met with much greater success than Valli's. It topped the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and also became their highest rating song on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart in the U.S., where it peaked at #13. The single also hit the top 10 in the Netherlands.
In 2010, the Walker Brothers version was used in the promotional trailer for the AMC television series The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead (TV series)
The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series developed for television by Frank Darabont and based on the ongoing comic book series, The Walking Dead, by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard...
.
Cher version
In the summer of 19961996 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
, Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
released her remake as the fourth official European single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from her twenty-second album It's a Man's World. The song went to #26 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. Her version was used in the X-Files episode "The Post-Modern Prometheus
The Post-Modern Prometheus
"The Post-Modern Prometheus" is the fifth episode of the fifth season of the American science fiction television series The X-Files. It was written and directed by series creator Chris Carter and aired in the United States on November 30, 1997 on the Fox network...
."
Formats and track listings
UK CD Maxi-Single (WEA 071 CD)
- "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" (Trevor HornTrevor HornTrevor Charles Horn CBE is an English pop music record producer, songwriter, musician and singer. He was born in Houghton-le-Spring in north-east England....
Remix) - "Not Enough Love in the WorldNot Enough Love in the World"Not Enough Love in the World" is the name of a song written by Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, and Benmont Tench.- Song information :Henley included it on his 1984 album Building the Perfect Beast. It was released as a single in 1985 and became a top forty hit on the Billboard Hot 100...
" (Sam Ward Remix) - "Paradise Is HereParadise Is Here"Paradise Is Here" is a song written by Paul Brady and available on his 1987 album Primitive Dance. The song was also recorded by Tina Turner, for her album Break Every Rule, and Cher for her twenty-second album It's a Man's World....
"
Official versions
- Main Version (5:15)
- Demo Mix (4:51)
- Junior's White Label Remix (9:55)
- Trevor Horn Remix (4:03)
Charts
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 26 |
Keane version
In 20042004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
, the British group Keane recorded a special version of this song. Unlike the original version, Tim Rice-Oxley
Tim Rice-Oxley
Timothy James Rice-Oxley , is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known as co-founder, the principal composer and pianist, backing vocalist of piano rock band Keane.-Life and career:...
, pianist and composer of Keane, changed the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
for piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. He also takes the lead vocals in the second chorus, like the original version. The single was selected in summer 2004 by readers of the NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
and first released as a download-only single in September 2004. The song was given for download to the War Child
War Child (charity)
War Child is a non-governmental organisation founded in the UK 1993, which focuses on providing assistance to children in areas of conflict and post-conflict. They use their film and entertainment background to raise money for aid agencies operating in former Yugoslavia...
foundation website and one thousand vinyl copies given as a gift to some fans of Keane, who had supported and helped the band. The numbered copies each included a handwritten note by Tim Rice-Oxley
Tim Rice-Oxley
Timothy James Rice-Oxley , is an English multi-instrumentalist, best known as co-founder, the principal composer and pianist, backing vocalist of piano rock band Keane.-Life and career:...
, composer of the band and signed by the other two members, thanking them for their support.
Track listing
- "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore"
- "Your Eyes Open" (Mo Mental Remix)
Other versions
- Jay and the AmericansJay and the AmericansJay and the Americans was a pop music group popular in the 1960s. Their initial lineup consisted of John "Jay" Traynor, Howard Kane , Kenny Vance and Sandy Deanne , though their greatest success on the charts came after Traynor had been replaced as lead singer by Jay Black.-Early years:They were...
released a cover version on their 1966 album, Livin Above Your Head. - Neil DiamondNeil DiamondNeil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present....
, American pop music icon, recorded this song for his 1979 album September MornSeptember Morn (album)September Morn is an album by Neil Diamond released in 1979 as an update of Neil Diamond's 1960s roots, with a disco version of the Motown classic "Dancing in the Street" and a remake of "I'm a Believer".- Track listing :-Personnel:...
. - British singer David EssexDavid EssexDavid Essex OBE is an English musician, singer-songwriter and actor. Since the 1970s, Essex has attained nineteen Top 40 singles in the UK , and sixteen Top 40 albums...
released a cover of this song on his album Living in England. - In 19811981 in musicSee also:* Timeline of musical eventsThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1981.-January–April:*January 10 – A revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance opens at Broadway's Uris Theatre, starring Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith.*January 24 –...
, Nielsen/PearsonNielsen/PearsonNielsen/Pearson was an American adult contemporary band that recorded three albums between 1978 and 1983. Their single "If You Should Sail" reached #38 in 1980, and they reached #56 in 1981 with their cover version of "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine ."...
released their remake as a single. It became their last Hot 100 hit, peaking at #56. - Recorded by Russell HitchcockRussell HitchcockRussell Charles Hitchcock is an Australian musician and one half of the group Air Supply. He formed the group after meeting Englishman Graham Russell in 1975 on the set of a production of Jesus Christ Superstar....
of Air SupplyAir SupplyAir Supply is an Australian soft rock duo, consisting of Graham Russell as guitarist and singer-songwriter and Russell Hitchcock as lead vocalist. They had a succession of hits worldwide, including eight Top Ten hits in the United States, in the early 1980s...
in 1990 for his first solo album.
Other notable artists who recorded this song include Jules Shear
Jules Shear
Jules Mark Shear is a US singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in Pittsburgh in 1952. Although he has had only one minor hit as a performer , he has recorded almost 20 albums to date...
, Long John Baldry
Long John Baldry
John William "Long John" Baldry was an English and Canadian blues singer and a voice actor. He sang with many British musicians, with Rod Stewart and Elton John appearing in bands led by Baldry in the 1960s. He enjoyed pop success in the UK where Let the Heartaches Begin reached No...
, Clarence Clemons
Clarence Clemons
Clarence Anicholas Clemons, Jr. , also known as The Big Man, was an American musician and actor. From 1972 until his death, he was a prominent member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, playing the tenor saxophone. He released several solo albums and in 1985, had a hit single with "You're a...
, The Ides of March, The Lettermen
The Lettermen
The Lettermen are an American male pop music vocal trio. The Lettermen's trademark is close-harmony pop songs with light arrangements. The group started in 1959...
(for their 1970 album Reflections), and Robson and Jerome.
The song also features prominently in the 1991 bittersweet romance film Truly, Madly, Deeply
Truly, Madly, Deeply
Truly, Madly, Deeply is a 1990 film made for the BBC's Screen Two series.-Overview:The film was written and directed by Anthony Minghella and stars Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman. Minghella said he wrote the script specifically as “a vehicle for [Stevenson] to express all her talents...
, starring Alan Rickman
Alan Rickman
Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman is an English actor and theatre director. He is a renowned stage actor in modern and classical productions and a former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company...
and Juliet Stevenson
Juliet Stevenson
Juliet Anne Virginia Stevenson, CBE is an English actor of stage and screen.- Early life :Stevenson was born in Kelvedon, Essex, England, the daughter of Virginia Ruth , a teacher, and Michael Guy Stevenson, an army officer. Stevenson's father was in the army and was posted to a new place every...
, with Rickman singing and playing the main riff on the bass strings of his cello. The singing of the song is a game the couple often played. The choice of this song in particular, given the events in the film, emphasize the poignancy of the lyric especially well.