Always the Sun
Encyclopedia
"Always the Sun" is a song by The Stranglers
, first released as a single in October 1986, the second single from the album Dreamtime
. A remixed version was released as a single in December 1990. Both versions were top thirty hits in the UK.
. However, it was a hit throughout Europe (#15 in France, #16 in Ireland) and nearly broke the Stranglers in America
due to radio play. The song also reached #21 in Australia.
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 Hugh felt that CBS was somewhat to blame for this poor position.
During the song, after Hugh sings "Who has the fun? Is it always a man with a gun?" Hugh takes out a gun and shoots a badge which then shatters.
Similarly, after Hugh sings "Who gets the job of pushing the knob?" he presses a button and a blinding white light engulfs the screen. The video ends as the band walk up stairs, over a small mountain-like obstacle into the sunlight. Hugh was involved in making the music video for Always the Sun, off-screen as well as on-screen. When the video was finished the rest of the band thought it was terrible, leading to a conflict between Hugh and the rest of the band.
The cover of the single (depicted on this page) shows The Stranglers band logo and the famous Aztec Sun Calendar Wheel glyph on a black background.
12 Single
Double 7" Single
's departure from the band in 1990, Epic Records decided to release a greatest hits compilation. To promote this compilation, a remix of "Always the Sun" was released as a single in December 1990. 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 number 29, one place higher than the original. Hugh 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 very little of the original recordings.
12" Single
CD Single
in February 1988. Another live version recorded by the band after Cornwell and Jet Black had left the band was included on the 1993 album Stranglers in the Night
.
The Stranglers
The Stranglers are an English punk/rock music group.Scoring some 23 UK top 40 singles and 17 UK top 40 albums to date in a career spanning five decades, the Stranglers are the longest-surviving and most "continuously successful" band to have originated in the UK punk scene of the mid to late 1970s...
, first released as a single in October 1986, the second single from the album Dreamtime
Dreamtime (The Stranglers album)
Dreamtime is an album released by The Stranglers in 1986. The title track was inspired by a belief of the aboriginal peoples of Australia - called Dreamtime. This album appears to be a natural evolution from Aural Sculpture; it contains a mixture of upbeat and thoughtful tracks and includes the...
. A remixed version was released as a single in December 1990. Both versions were top thirty hits in the UK.
1986 single
"Always the Sun" was released in October 1986 in four different formats: a seven-inch single, shaped seven-inch picture disc, tewlve-inch single, and as a double seven-inch single pack.Reception
Despite radio play and much hype, it only reached number 30 in the UK singles chartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. However, it was a hit throughout Europe (#15 in France, #16 in Ireland) and nearly broke the Stranglers in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
due to radio play. The song also reached #21 in Australia.
Hugh Cornwell
Hugh Cornwell
Hugh Alan Cornwell is an English musician and songwriter, best known for being the vocalist and guitarist for the punk/new wave group, The Stranglers, from 1974 to 1990.-Career:...
mentioned in his book The Stranglers Song by Song that he thought it could have been as big as "Golden Brown
Golden Brown
"Golden Brown" is a song by the English rock band The Stranglers. It was released as a 7" single in December 1981 in the US and in January 1982 in the UK, on Liberty...
". 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 Hugh felt that CBS was somewhat to blame for this poor position.
Video
The video for Always the Sun show the Stranglers performing in a dark room, all on separate small stages with Hugh on the ground.During the song, after Hugh sings "Who has the fun? Is it always a man with a gun?" Hugh takes out a gun and shoots a badge which then shatters.
Similarly, after Hugh sings "Who gets the job of pushing the knob?" he presses a button and a blinding white light engulfs the screen. The video ends as the band walk up stairs, over a small mountain-like obstacle into the sunlight. Hugh was involved in making the music video for Always the Sun, off-screen as well as on-screen. When the video was finished the rest of the band thought it was terrible, leading to a conflict between Hugh and the rest of the band.
The cover of the single (depicted on this page) shows The Stranglers band logo and the famous Aztec Sun Calendar Wheel glyph on a black background.
Track listings
7" Single/7" shaped picture disc- "Always the Sun" 4:04
- "Norman Normal" 4:30
12 Single
- "Always the Sun (Hot Mix)" 4:04
- "Norman Normal" 4:30
- "Souls"
Double 7" Single
- "Always the Sun" 4:04
- "Norman Normal" 4:30
- "Nice In Nice"
- "Since You Went Away"
Charts
| Chart (1986/87) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 30 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 16 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 42 |
| French Singles Chart | 15 |
Issue with "Big In America"
The two tracks from the 7-inch single were reissued in December 1986 as half of a double 7-inch release of the band's next single, "Big In America".Sunny Side Up Mix
Following Hugh CornwellHugh Cornwell
Hugh Alan Cornwell is an English musician and songwriter, best known for being the vocalist and guitarist for the punk/new wave group, The Stranglers, from 1974 to 1990.-Career:...
's departure from the band in 1990, Epic Records decided to release a greatest hits compilation. To promote this compilation, a remix of "Always the Sun" was released as a single in December 1990. The remix consisted of extra guitar work from new guitarist John Ellis
John Ellis
-Politics:* Sir John Ellis, 1st Baronet , British Member of Parliament for Mid Surrey 1884–1885, Kingston 1885–1892* John Ellis , Irish Fianna Fáil politician...
and a slight variation in the music, although Hugh Cornwell
Hugh Cornwell
Hugh Alan Cornwell is an English musician and songwriter, best known for being the vocalist and guitarist for the punk/new wave group, The Stranglers, from 1974 to 1990.-Career:...
's original vocals were still used.
Like the original, the single got good airplay but this time peaked at number 29, one place higher than the original. Hugh 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 very little of the original recordings.
Track listings
7" Single/cassette single- "Always the Sun (Sunny Side Up Mix)" 3:56
- "Burnham Beeches" 3:40
12" Single
- "Always the Sun (Long Hot Sunny Side Up Mix)"
- "Burnham Beaches"
- "Straighten Out"
CD Single
- "Always the Sun (Sunny Side Up Mix)"
- "Nuclear Device" (live)
- "All Day and All of the Night" (live)
- "Punch and Judy" (live)
Charts
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 29 |
Other versions
A live version of the song was included on the album All Live and All of the NightAll Live and All of the Night
All Live and All of the Night is a live album by The Stranglers.In the fall of 1986 The Stranglers played their first concerts for two years. By now the band were into their ninth studio album, Dreamtime, and had added a horn-section to the live presentation. The concerts from which tracks were...
in February 1988. Another live version recorded by the band after Cornwell and Jet Black had left the band was included on the 1993 album Stranglers in the Night
Stranglers In the Night
Stranglers in the Night opened the recording career of the Stranglers MK II, with Paul Roberts on vocals and John Ellis on guitar. It was also the first release on the band's own record label, "Psycho", in 1992. The band returned to a purer, less "produced" sound; the horns have departed and the...
.