Hiroshima (song)

"Hiroshima" is an anti-war song performed by British band Wishful Thinking, written by David Morgan and produced by Lou Reizner, which tells about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The track was recorded at the Chappell Recording Studios in London in 1970.[1] It was first released in 1971 as a single from their album of the same name, but achieved commercial success only upon its re-release in 1978, when it peaked at No. 8 in West Germany, staying on the chart for 44 weeks. It was one of the best-selling singles of 1978 in West Germany.

"Hiroshima"
Single by Wishful Thinking
from the album Hiroshima
B-side"She Belongs to the Night"
Released1971
Length4:42
LabelGlobal, Atlantic
Songwriter(s)Dave Morgan
Producer(s)Lou Reizner
Wishful Thinking singles chronology
"Without a Place to Go"
(1970)		 "Hiroshima"
(1971)		 "Lu La Le Lu"
(1972)

Track listing
  • 7-inch single[2]
A. "Hiroshima" – 4:42
B. "She Belongs to the Night" – 2:47

Charts

Sandra version
"Hiroshima"
Single by Sandra
from the album Paintings in Yellow
B-side"La vista de luna"
Released29 January 1990 (1990-01-29)[5]
Length
  • 6:50 (album version)
  • 4:11 (single version)
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)David Morgan
Producer(s)Michael Cretu
Sandra singles chronology
"Around My Heart"
(1989)		 "Hiroshima"
(1990)		 "(Life May Be) A Big Insanity"
(1990)
Music video
"Hiroshima" on YouTube

German singer Sandra covered "Hiroshima" and released her version as a single in January 1990, with production by Michael Cretu. Sandra decided to cover the anti-war "Hiroshima" out of her concern about the political unrest happening in countries like Lebanon, China and Romania in the late 1980s.[6] It was the first song recorded for her fourth album Paintings in Yellow and was released as the LP's lead single in February 1990.[7]

Sandra's cover was commercially successful, particularly in Germany and Switzerland, where it reached the top five and remains one of Sandra's highest-charting singles. In Switzerland, it also peaked at No. 11 on the airplay chart.[8] The music video for the song was directed by Roland Willaert. The clip was released on Sandra's VHS video compilation 18 Greatest Hits in 1992[9] and the 2003 DVD The Complete History.[10]

In 1999, a remix of the song was released on Sandra's compilation My Favourites. The track was remixed again for her 2006 compilation Reflections.

Critical reception

Music & Media wrote, "A slow, moody number that is spoilt by the obviousness of the production but is, in fact, a charming song with a fine melody."[11]

Track listings
  • 7-inch single
A. "Hiroshima" – 4:11
B. "La vista de luna" – 3:44
  • 12-inch single
A. "Hiroshima" (extended version) – 6:44
B1. "Hiroshima" (dub mix) – 3:08
B2. "Heaven Can Wait" (US remix) – 7:11
  1. "Hiroshima" (single version) – 4:11
  2. "Hiroshima" (extended version) – 6:44
  3. "Hiroshima" (dub mix) – 3:08
  4. "Heaven Can Wait" (US remix) – 7:11

Charts

Other cover versions
  • In 1982, East German band Puhdys released a single with a German-language version of the song. The cover appeared on their album Computer-Karriere.
  • The song was also covered by German power metal band Freedom Call and included in the special edition of their first live album Live Invasion (2004).

References
  1. "WISHFUL THINKING Biography". www.wishfulthinking.de. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  2. "WISHFUL THINKING - Singles 70". www.wishfulthinking.de. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  3. "Offiziellecharts.de – Wishful Thinking – Hiroshima" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  4. "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1978" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  5. "Offiziellecharts.de – Sandra – Hiroshima" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  6. "Sandra". Artistspecial. Stockholm, Sweden. 4 May 1990. Nordic.
  7. "Previews – Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 5. Amsterdam. 3 February 1990. p. 16. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  8. "Playlist Report" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 18. Amsterdam. 5 May 1990. p. II. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  9. "18 Greatest Hits (The Video)". www.sandranet.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  10. "Sandra - The Complete History (DVD, DVD-Video, PAL, Compilation, Stereo)". www.discogs.com. 8 September 2003. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  11. "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 3 February 1990. p. 16. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  12. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 15. Amsterdam. 14 April 1990. p. IV. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  13. "Sandra – Hiroshima" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  14. "Sandra – Hiroshima". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  15. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 51. Amsterdam. 22 December 1990. p. 36. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  16. "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1990" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  17. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1990". www.swisscharts (in German). Retrieved 18 June 2019.
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