Black Sunshine
Encyclopedia
"Black Sunshine" is a song initially featured on the album La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol. 1
by White Zombie which was used as a promo single in 1992 and 1993. The song can also be found on Rob Zombie's Past, Present & Future
and the greatest hits album The Best of Rob Zombie.
, called "Black Sunshine". Iggy Pop
recorded the spoken word vocal intro and outro of the song "Black Sunshine" as well as playing the character of a writer in the video shot for the song. He is singled out for special thanks in the liner notes of album. The audio sample "I work on this baby the same way, trying to get maximum performance." is taken from the 1965 movie Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
. Also, the lyrics contain the words "to the devil a daughter comes", most likely a reference to the movie To the Devil a Daughter
. It is in 6/4 time with a tempo of 135 beats per minute.
Iggy Pop's spoken intro is as follows:
"Gripping the wheel, his knuckles went white with desire! The wheels of his Mustang exploding on the highway like a slug from a .45
. True death: 400 horsepower
of maximum performance piercing the night... This is Black Sunshine."
of the song, which was filmed in black and white, features the band playing in the basement of an old dilapidated house. The animated characters Beavis and Butthead provided support for the band by "reviewing" the video during the episode "Home Improvement". Iggy Pop also plays the character of a writer in the video.
La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol. 1
Some pressings of the CD incorrectly divide tracks 12 and 13, beginning track 13 at 3:31 of "Grindhouse ."-"Welcome to Planet Motherfucker/Psychoholic Slag":"Welcome to Planet Motherfucker/Psychoholic Slag" is the first track on the album...
by White Zombie which was used as a promo single in 1992 and 1993. The song can also be found on Rob Zombie's Past, Present & Future
Past, Present & Future
Lyrics1 Richard Raymond Finch, Harry Wayne Casey2 Lionel B. Richie, Ronald LaPread, Walter Orange, Milan Williams, Thomas McClary, William King3 Jeffrey Hyman, John Cummings, Douglas Colvin, Thomas Erdelyi...
and the greatest hits album The Best of Rob Zombie.
Music and lyrics
The song is about a racing car, a Ford MustangFord Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
, called "Black Sunshine". Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
recorded the spoken word vocal intro and outro of the song "Black Sunshine" as well as playing the character of a writer in the video shot for the song. He is singled out for special thanks in the liner notes of album. The audio sample "I work on this baby the same way, trying to get maximum performance." is taken from the 1965 movie Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! is a 1965 exploitation film directed by Russ Meyer, who also wrote the script with Jack Moran. It stars Tura Satana, Haji, and Lori Williams....
. Also, the lyrics contain the words "to the devil a daughter comes", most likely a reference to the movie To the Devil a Daughter
To the Devil a Daughter
To the Devil... A Daughter is a 1976 horror film made by Hammer Film Productions, taken from the novel of the same name by Dennis Wheatley, directed by Peter Sykes. It stars Richard Widmark, Christopher Lee, Honor Blackman, Nastassja Kinski and Denholm Elliott...
. It is in 6/4 time with a tempo of 135 beats per minute.
Iggy Pop's spoken intro is as follows:
"Gripping the wheel, his knuckles went white with desire! The wheels of his Mustang exploding on the highway like a slug from a .45
.45 Colt
The .45 Colt cartridge is a handgun cartridge dating to 1872. It began as a black powder revolver round developed for the Colt Single Action Army revolver, but is offered as a magnum level handgun hunting round in modern usage. This cartridge was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873 and served as the...
. True death: 400 horsepower
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
of maximum performance piercing the night... This is Black Sunshine."
Reception
The song was released as a single after Thunder Kiss '65 initially failed to receive attention on U.S. radio. It became a minor success, charting at #39 on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks. However, the song has gone on to be a fan favorite and is still played live with Zombie's solo act as well as appearing on his greatest hits albums.Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
of the song, which was filmed in black and white, features the band playing in the basement of an old dilapidated house. The animated characters Beavis and Butthead provided support for the band by "reviewing" the video during the episode "Home Improvement". Iggy Pop also plays the character of a writer in the video.
First single track listing (1992)
- "Black Sunshine (LP version)" - 4:48
- "Thunder Kiss '65 (Swingers Lovers mix)" - 4:46
- "Thunder Kiss '65 (Swinging Lovers extended mix)" - 6:10
Second single track listing (1992)
- "Black Sunshine (LP version)" - 4:48
- "Black Sunshine (Indestructible 'Sock It to Me' Psycho-Head mix)" - 4:58
Third single track listing (1993)
- "Black Sunshine (edit)" - 3:55
- "Black Sunshine (LP version)" - 4:48
Appearance in popular culture
- It is covered by band Lesser Known for the White Zombie tribute albumTribute albumA tribute album is a recorded collection of cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions. Its concept may be either various artists making a tribute to a single artist, a single artist making a tribute to various artists, or a single artist making a tribute to another single artist.There...
Super-Charger HellSuper-Charger HellSuper-Charger Hell is a tribute album dedicated to groove metal band White Zombie.-Track listing:# "I Am Legend" - 5:06 # "Grindhouse " - 3:45 # "Blood, Milk and Sky" - 5:58...
in 2000. - Cover version,in which car motor noises used in the intro are more intelligible,is featured in 2007 music video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of RockGuitar Hero III: Legends of RockGuitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is a music video game, the third main installment in the Guitar Hero series, and the fourth title overall...
. - Since 17th February 2009,master recording is downloadable content for Rock Band seriesRock BandRock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
music video game series,but audio samples are omitted. - "Black Sunshine Indestructible "Sock It To Me" Psycho-Head Mix" is featured in 2000 movie Wings of the Crow.
Charts
| Chart | Peak | |
|---|---|---|
| Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Mainstream Rock Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
39 |