Sunshine on a Rainy Day

"Sunshine on a Rainy Day" is a song by British pop singer and songwriter Zoë, released as the first single from her debut album, Scarlet Red and Blue (1991). The song received positive reviews from music critics, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart in September 1991. It also charted within the top 40 in Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden and Zimbabwe, where it reached number-one. Two different music videos were produced to promote the single. One of them was filmed in India.[1] In 2008, Zoë re-recorded the song with her folk band Mama. This version is available on their debut CD, Crow Coyote Buffalo.

Not to be confused with Sunshine After the Rain.

"Sunshine on a Rainy Day"
Single by Zoë
from the album Scarlet Red and Blue
B-side
  • 1990: "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (a cappella)
  • 1991: "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (original)
ReleasedOctober 1990 (1990-10)
GenrePop
Length4:17
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Youth
Zoë singles chronology
"Sunshine on a Rainy Day"
(1990)		 "Lightning"
(1991)
Music video
"Sunshine on a Rainy Day" on YouTube

Background

The song was originally released in October 1990,[2] when it reached number 53 on the UK Singles Chart. The following year, English record producer Mark 'Spike' Stent remixed the track and re-released it on 12 August 1991.[3] This version reached number four on the same chart and became Zoë's biggest hit. It was the 18th best-selling single of 1991. The track was used in UK advertisements for the Amiga 500 computer, which added to its popularity. It was also on Capital Radio's A-list.[1]

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Photogenic British lass steps from out of left field with a percussive, midtempo gem on which she often comes across like a smoky Sophie B. Hawkins. Soft, syncopated hip-hop-derived beats support acoustic strumming, subtle electric chords, and flower-child lyrical prose. Track starts from a simple, sparse point, and builds to a rousing tambourine-shaking climax. Fueled with multiformat appeal."[4] Randy Clark from Cashbox described it as a "brooding club track".[5] James Hamilton from Music Week called it a "'Tom's Diner' inspired hypnotic folksy singalong roller, a real "sleeper" last autumn, now slightly remixed."[6]

Jack Barron from NME wrote, "'Sunshine on a Rainy Day' is an excellent anthem in every way being musically and lyrically direct. The tune builds from an acoustic beginning layering more guitars and harmonies into a fairy cake of a song. Written by Zoe and Youth and mixed by Andy and Ben Boilerhouse, it is touched with spirit and heart giving every indication on this tune that Zoe is destined to become a very bright star indeed."[1] Another editor felt the song is "a must for this summer" and "a certain Top 10 in the current climate".[7] Sophie Lawrence reviewed the song for Smash Hits, commenting, "It's a bit Belinda Carlisle-ish." She added, "I love it. It's really folky. She's got a brilliant voice. That's a record I'd definitely go out and buy."[8] Another editor, Mark Frith, stated that "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" has become "an anthem of unparalleled exuberance".[9]

Track listings
  • 7-inch single (1990)[10]
A. "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (7-inch version)
B. "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (a cappella mix)
  • CD single (1990)[11]
  1. "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (7-inch version)
  2. "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (Mellow mix)
  3. "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (a cappella mix)
  • 7-inch and cassette single (1991)[12][13]
  1. "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (7-inch radio mix 1991)
  2. "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (original 7-inch mix 1990)

Charts

Christine Anu version
"Sunshine on a Rainy Day"
Single by Christine Anu
from the album Come My Way
ReleasedMay 2000
GenrePop
Length3:50
LabelMushroom
Songwriter(s)
  • Martin Glover
  • Zoë Pollock
Producer(s)Stuart Crichton
Christine Anu singles chronology
"Now Until the Break of Day"
(1997)		 "Sunshine on a Rainy Day"
(2000)		 "Jump to Love"
(2000)

In May 2000, Australian singer-songwriter Christine Anu released a version of the song as the first single from her second studio album, Come My Way. The song peaked at number 26 on the Australian Singles Chart and remained in the top 50 for 15 weeks.

Track listing
  • Australian CD single[24]
  1. "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (radio mix)
  2. "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (Wicked Beat Sound System Mix)
  3. "Sunshine on a Rainy Day" (Scotia Nostre Mix)

Charts
Chart (2000) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[25] 26

Other versions

References
  1. Barron, Jack (27 October 1990). "Groove Check". NME. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  2. Now That's What I Call Music! 20 (UK CD compilation booklet). Virgin Records, EMI Records. 1991. CDS 798447 2, CD NOW 20.
  3. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 10 August 1991. p. 19.
  4. Flick, Larry (24 October 1992). "New & Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 43. p. 78. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  5. Clark, Randy (17 October 1992). "Music Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 5. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  6. Hamilton, James (17 August 1991). "Dance: Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 8. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  7. "Zoe - Sunshine on a Rainy Day Remix 1991" (PDF). Music Week. 10 August 1991. p. 15. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  8. Lawrence, Sophie (21 August 1991). "Review: Singles". Smash Hits. p. 41. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  9. Frith, Mark (19 February 1992). "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 54. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  10. Sunshine on a Rainy Day (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). Zoë. M&G Records, Polydor Records. 1990. MAGS 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. Sunshine on a Rainy Day (UK & European CD single disc notes). Zoë. M&G Records, Polydor Records. 1990. MAGCD 6, 877 953-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. Sunshine on a Rainy Day (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Zoë. M&G Records, Polydor Records. 1991. MAGS 14, 867 574-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Sunshine on a Rainy Day (UK cassette single sleeve). Zoë. M&G Records, Polydor Records. 1991. MAGCS 14, 867 574-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  15. "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 15 July 2015". Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015 – via Imgur.
  16. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 39. 28 September 1991. p. 29. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  17. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sunshine on a Rainy Day". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  18. Radio Luxembourg Singles, 15 September 1991
  19. "Zoë – Sunshine on a Rainy Day". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  20. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  21. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 24 August 1991. p. 20. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  23. "1991 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. 11 January 1992. p. 20.
  24. Sunshine on a Rainy Day (Australian CD single liner notes). Christine Anu. Mushroom Records. 2000. MUSH019522.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. "Christine Anu – Sunshine on a Rainy Day". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
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