The Sun Rising (song)

For other uses, see The Sun Rising (disambiguation).

"The Sun Rising" is a song by English electronic music group the Beloved. It was released in October 1989 by WEA as the second single from their second album, Happiness (1990). The song was written by group members Jon Marsh and Steve Waddington, and produced by Martyn Phillips.^[3] It became a club favourite and also was the group's first top 40 hit in the UK, peaking at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1989. In 1997, the song was re-released, reaching number 31 in the UK.

"The Sun Rising"
Single by The Beloved
from the album Happiness
B-side	"The Sun Rising (Eurovisionary)"
Released	14 October 1989
Recorded	1988–89
Genre	Ambient house ambient[1][2]
Length	4:59
Label	WEA
Songwriter(s)	Jon Marsh Steve Waddington
Producer(s)	Martyn Phillips
The Beloved singles chronology
"Your Love Takes Me Higher" (1989) "The Sun Rising" (1989) "Hello" (1990)
Music video
"The Sun Rising" on YouTube

Sample

The female vocal sample in "The Sun Rising" is from a song titled "O Euchari", sung by Emily Van Evera on the album A Feather on the Breath of God by Gothic Voices. The sample was not credited on the release of "The Sun Rising" single. An out-of-court settlement was reached between WEA and Gothic Voices' record label Hyperion Records for this omission.

Critical reception

In 2011, retrospectively, Jon O'Brien from AllMusic complimented the song as "gorgeous", remarking that it first introduced us to "the seductive whispering tones of frontman Jon Marsh and their unique fusion of Balearic beats and ethereal acid-house synths."^[4] Upon the release, Bill Coleman from Billboard praised "The Sun Rising" as a "brilliant" and "serene yet captivating house-inflected track".^[5] In 1990, another Billboard editor, Larry Flick, wrote, "Former U.K. club smash is given a deep, ambient house redressing that swirls, surrounds, and ultimately envelops the listener. Singer Jon Marsh's low-whisper vocals are a perfect complement."^[6] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "House meets early 70s Temptations. A haunting melody and an insistent rhythm."^[7] They also complimented it as "excellent new age/house".^[8]

Selina Webb from Music Week said, "The refrain comes courtesy of an ethereal chorister, adding to the dewy, other-world mood of this superb subterranean house track. Post-rave drive home music which marks the nearest Beloved have got to recapturing the style of their brilliant indie hit 'Forever Dancing'."^[9] Upon the 1997 re-release, Music Week gave "The Sun Rising" four out of five, adding, "A reissue that makes sense. This classic 1989 ambient house hit is reworked by Global Communications into a dreamy drum & bass track, which is already getting Kiss airplay."^[10]

Track listings

• 7" single

1. "The Sun Rising" — 4:59
2. "The Sun Rising" (Eurovisionary) — 3:37

• 12" single

1. "The Sun Rising" — 4:59
2. "The Sun Rising" (Gentle Night) — 2:47
3. "The Sun Rising" (Eurovisionary) — 5:09
4. "The Sun Rising" (Deeply Satisfying) — 5:31

• 12" remix single

1. "The Sun Rising" (Il Sole Sorge) — 4:51
2. "The Sun Rising" (Intensità) — 4:49
3. "The Sun Rising" (Danny's "Love Is..." Remix) — 4:29
4. "The Sun Rising" (Son Of The Rising House) — 5:20

• CD mini

1. "The Sun Rising" — 4:59
2. "The Sun Rising" (Eurovisionary) — 3:37
3. "The Sun Rising" (Adam & Eve's House Of The Rising Sun) — 5:16
4. "The Sun Rising" (Gentle Night) — 2:47

Charts

Chart (1989)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[11]	69
Ireland (IRMA) [12]	28
UK Singles (OCC)[13]	26

Chart (1997)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)[14]	31

Usage in media

In 1990, the song was used in a commercial for the breakfast cereal Alpen.

The song makes multiple appearances in the 2005 Channel 4 queer comedy-drama series Sugar Rush.

In 2020, the song was used in an advert for online clothing store Kaleidoscope.

References

1. Ankeny, Jason. "AllMusic Biography by Jason Ankeny". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
2. Masterton, James (30 August 1997). "Week Ending August 30th 1997". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
3. "The Beloved – Happiness". Martyn Phillips. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
4. O'Brien, Jon. "The Beloved – Sweet Harmony: The Very Best of the Beloved". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
5. Coleman, Bill (2 December 1989). "D-Mob's 'A L'il Bit Of This' Is A Slice Of Paradise" (PDF). Billboard. p. 25. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
6. Flick, Larry (13 October 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 79. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
7. "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 43. 28 October 1989. p. 24. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
8. "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 5. 3 February 1990. p. 16. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
9. Webb, Selina (14 October 1989). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 25. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
10. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 9 August 1997. p. 12. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
11. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 46. 18 November 1989. p. IV. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
12. "The Irish Charts - All There Is To Know: The Sun Rising". irishcharts.ie. IRMA. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
13. UK Singles Chart OfficialCharts.com (Retrieved March 14, 2012)
14. UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved March 14, 2012)