Sale of the Century (song)

"Sale of the Century" is a 1996 song by Britpop band Sleeper, written by the band's vocalist/guitarist Louise Wener and drummer Andy Maclure. In Europe, "Sale of the Century" was the second single to be released from their second album The It Girl in 1996 and became the group's first top ten hit on the UK Singles Chart.[1]

"Sale of the Century"
Single by Sleeper
from the album The It Girl
Released22 April 1996
GenreBritpop
Length4:35
LabelIndolent
Songwriter(s)Louise Wener and Andy MacLure
Producer(s)Stephen Street
Sleeper singles chronology
"What Do I Do Now?"
(1995)		 "Sale of the Century"
(1996)		 "Nice Guy Eddie"
(1996)

Louise Wener said of the protagonist of "Sale of the Century": "Love makes you a little insane, yet rationality always kicks in. Dreamy persistence fascinates me, but so does powerlessness, ruined lives, and people who can't or don't get what they want."[2]

"Sale of the Century" was backed with "Atomic", the band's cover of the Blondie hit single, recorded for the Trainspotting soundtrack.

Single release

In the United States, Arista positioned "Sale of the Century" as the lead-off single for the North American release of the album, submitting a radio edit of the track to alternative radio.[3] Billboard magazine were quick to point out that the single and the band were distinctive from other Britpop acts by not borrowing from The Beatles.[3] "Like all great Top 40 gems, this song has wit, lyrical power, melodic beauty, and a muscular backbeat", Larry Flick wrote in his Billboard review for "Sale of the Century", adding that the song was "one of the most thrilling summer singles for years".[3] "Sale of the Century" preceded the release of The It Girl, which impacted stores across North America on June 18, 1996.[2]

Track listings

Comprehensive Charts
Chart (1996) Peak
position
Scotland Singles (The Official Charts Company)[4] 13
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[5] 10
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References
  1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 507. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. White, Timothy (1996-05-04). "Sleeper: Nobody Does "It" Better". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  3. Flick, Larry (1996-07-06). "Reviews & Previews: Singles; Rock". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  4. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100; 28 April 1996 - 04 May 1996". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  5. "Official Singles Chart Top 100; 28 April 1996 - 04 May 1996". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
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