Always the Sun

"Always the Sun" is a song by English rock band The Stranglers, first released as a single on 6 October 1986, the second single from the album Dreamtime. A remixed version was released as a single on 24 December 1990. Both versions were top thirty hits in the United Kingdom.[1] "Always the Sun" was released in October 1986 in four different formats: a seven-inch single, shaped seven inch picture disc, twelve inch single, and as a double seven inch single pack.[2]

"Always the Sun"
Single by The Stranglers
from the album Dreamtime
B-side"Norman Normal"
Released6 October 1986
Recorded1985
GenreNew wave, pop rock
Length4:51 (Album Version)
4:05 (Single Version)
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Hugh Cornwell, Jean Jacques Burnel, Dave Greenfield, Jet Black
Producer(s)The Stranglers
The Stranglers singles chronology
"Nice in Nice"
(1986)		 "Always the Sun"
(1986)		 "Big in America"
(1986)

Reception

Despite radio play and much hype, it only reached #30 in the UK Singles Chart.[2][3] However, it was a hit throughout Europe (No. 15 in France,[4] No. 16 in Ireland[5]) and nearly broke The Stranglers in the United States due to radio play. The song also reached #21 in Australia.[6]

Hugh Cornwell mentioned in his book The Stranglers Song by Song that he thought it could have been as big as "Golden Brown". He recalls going to CBS for a midweek prediction on how the song would chart and was amazed at the bad news. He also wrote "We'd given CBS something great to work with and I could see in this guy's face that he knew he hadn't delivered", giving the impression that Cornwell felt that CBS was to blame for this poor position.

Video

The video for "Always the Sun" showed the Stranglers performing in a dark room, all on separate small stages with Hugh Cornwell on the ground. During the song, after Cornwell sings "Who has the fun? Is it always a man with a gun?" he takes out a gun and shoots the Aztec Sun Calendar Wheel, which then shatters.

The cover of the single (depicted on this page) shows The Stranglers band logo and the Aztec Sun Calendar Wheel glyph on a black background.

Track listings

7": Epic / SOLAR 1 (UK)
Side one
  1. "Always the Sun" - 4:04
Side two
  1. "Norman Normal" - 4:30

7": Epic / 34-06990 (US)
Side ons
  1. "Always the Sun" - 3:55
Side two
  1. "Mayan Skies" - 3:52

12": Epic / SOLAR T1 (UK)
Side one
  1. "Always the Sun (Hot Mix)" - 5:58
Side two
  1. "Norman Normal" - 4:30
  2. "Souls (Live) - 3:18

12" Promo: Epic / EAS 02573 (US)
Side one
  1. "Always the Sun (Hot Mix)" - 5:58
Side two
  1. "Always the Sun (LP Version)" - 4:48
  2. "Always the Sun (Single Edit)" - 4:00

Limited Edition Double 7": Epic / SOLAR D1 (UK)
Disc one
Side one
  1. "Always the Sun" - 4:04
Side two
  1. "Norman Normal" - 4:30
Disc two
Side one
  1. "Nice in Nice" - 3:44
Side two
  1. "Since You Went Away" - 2:52

Charts
Chart (1986–87) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] 21
France (SNEP)[4] 15
Irish Singles Chart[5] 16
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7] 42
UK Singles Chart[3] 30

Issue with "Big in America"

The two tracks from the seven inch single were reissued in December 1986, as half of a double seven inch release of the band's next single, "Big in America".[2]

Sunny Side Up Mix
"Always the Sun (Sunny Side Up Mix)"
Single by The Stranglers
from the album Greatest Hits 1977–1990
B-side"Burnham Beeches"
Released24 December 1990
Recorded1990
GenreRock, new wave
Length3:56
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Hugh Cornwell, Jean Jacques Burnel, Dave Greenfield, Jet Black
Producer(s)The Stranglers
The Stranglers singles chronology
"The Sweet Smell of Success"
(1990)		 "Always the Sun (Sunny Side Up Mix)"
(1990)		 "Golden Brown (remix)"
(1991)

Following Hugh Cornwell's departure from the band in August 1990, Epic Records decided to release a greatest hits compilation album. To promote this compilation, a remix of "Always the Sun" was released as a single on 24 December 1990, Christmas Eve.[2] The remix consisted of extra guitar work from new guitarist John Ellis and a slight variation in the music, although Hugh Cornwell's original vocals were still used.

Like the original, the single got good airplay, but this time peaked at #29, one place higher than the original.[3] Cornwell stated in his book Song By Song that he was not angered by the remix, asserting that he was privileged that Epic Records thought "Always the Sun" was good enough to be re-released, and feeling that the band changed little of the original recordings.

Track listings

7" Single/cassette single

  1. "Always the Sun (Sunny Side Up Mix)" 3:56
  2. "Burnham Beeches" 3:40

12" Single

  1. "Always the Sun (Long Hot Sunny Side Up Mix)"
  2. "Burnham Beaches"
  3. "Straighten Out"

CD Single

  1. "Always the Sun (Sunny Side Up Mix)"
  2. "Nuclear Device" (live)
  3. "All Day and All of the Night" (live)
  4. "Punch and Judy" (live)

Charts
Chart (1991) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[3] 29

Other versions

A live version of the song was included on the album All Live and All of the Night in February 1988.[2]

Cover versions
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References
  1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 535. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 155
  3. "Official Charts Company > Stranglers". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  4. "lescharts.com > The Stranglers dans les Charts Français" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  5. "The Irish Charts – All there is to know > Search results for 'Always the Sun'". Fireball Media. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  6. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 296. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. "dutchcharts.nl > The Stranglers – Always the Sun" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
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