Walking on Sunshine (song)
Encyclopedia
"Walking on Sunshine" is a song written by Kimberley Rew
for Katrina and the Waves
' 1983 eponymous debut full-length album
. The re-recorded version was at first released on the band's 1985 self-titled album
as the album's second single
(see 1985 in music
) and reached No. 4 in Australia
, No. 9 in the United States
, and No. 8 in the United Kingdom
. It is the Waves' first U.S. top 40 hit, and their biggest success in the UK until "Love Shine a Light" (1997). Conceived of as a ballad, Katrina decided the better part of valor was to belt the song out.
Royalties from airplay and advertisements of "Walking on Sunshine" have been extremely high. Katrina and the Waves kept the publishing rights and the royalties that typically go to the songwriter have been divided among the band members, though Katrina Leskanich
was fired from the band in 1998. Estimates are that the song has earned $1 million per year for the ten years ending in 2010. According to a former employee of EMI
, "Walking on Sunshine was the crown jewel in EMI's catalog," and that it was one of EMI's biggest earners from advertisers.
2010 was the 25th anniversary of the release of "Walking on Sunshine" and a series of back-catalog re-releases and a re-recorded version of the track were released at the time. A free download of one of the tracks from Kimberley Rew's solo album Bible of Bop was given away in March 2010 from the band's website.
on a cloudy day, past an English prison, the Tower Bridge
, a cliff and Old St. Paul's
. She catches up with the others and feeds ducks (one of them eats the leftovers, referring to the Waves). Katrina returns home and cleans her face using cotton.
on their debut album Feelin' Sorry...For All the Hearts We've Broken
in 1997. In 1993, Clifford
, Gonzo the Great
, and Rizzo the Rat
covered the song for their 1993 Muppet
album Muppet Beach Party. In 2007, pop group Girl Authority
covered the song on Road Trip
. The song was also recorded by Dolly Parton
on her 1996 cover album Treasures
. In 2009, the song was also featured in a mash-up with "Halo
" (Beyoncé), on the TV Show Glee
.
Argentine
singer-songwriter Diego Torres
recorded a version of the song with lyrics in Spanish
named Por la vereda del sol for his album Tratar de Estar Mejor
(1994)
The Insyderz
, a Christian
ska
band, recorded a cover of Walking on Sunshine in 2001.
included a bluegrass version of "Walking on Sunshine" on her album of covers, Treasures
, stating in interviews to promote the album, as well as her CBS
TV special to promote the album, that she had long loved the song. In 1997, a dance remix of Parton's version was released.
produced a cover
of "Walking on Sunshine" for American
pop rock
duo Aly & AJ's debut album, Into the Rush
. The song was released as the album's fourth single
on June 22, 2005 (see 2005 in music
). It was also used to promote the film Herbie: Fully Loaded
, and makes an appearance on the movie soundtrack
. The single's video
features Aly & AJ performing, and is intercut with clips from the film Herbie: Fully Loaded. The song was shortened down to one minute and 55 seconds (1:55), as it is used for the video. This song was also featured in the 2010 film Ramona and Beezus
and the 2011 film Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure.
(2000), High Fidelity
(2000), Ask Max
(1986), The Secret of My Success (1987), Daddy Day Care
(2003), Bean (1997), Look Who's Talking
(1989), Moon
(2009), and Into the Wild Green Yonder
(2009). It was played in the five-minute trailer for Bye Bye Love
(1995). It has been played on the TV shows Gilmore Girls
, Prison Break
, Sports Night
, and The Drew Carey Show
. In television, it is the favorite song of the character Phillip J. Fry in the animated TV series Futurama
, appeared as part of a mash-up with Beyoncé
's song "Halo
" in the Glee
episode "Vitamin D
", and was a part of the Matthew Perry
TV series Mr. Sunshine. The song is also featured in the video game series Lego Rock Band
, Singstar
and Band Hero
. It appeared in the Mexican film Rock Mari, directed by Chava Cartas, where it is sung by Mariane Güereña and Arcelia Ramírez. On the 1996 re-release, percussion was supplied by the Norfolk based band Space Addicts. It was one of the songs covered by the Halifax choir in the 2011 Halifax ad campaign. A skit in the TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory
also featured the song.
The X Factor USA contestant Rachel Crow, sang the song but instead of "Walking on sunshine", the lyrics was changed by her mentor, Simon Cowel, to "You're my sunshine"; and the "And don't it feel good" verse was changed to "But you gotta go".
Kimberley Rew
Kimberley Rew is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as a member of Katrina and the Waves 1981 to 1999 and of Robyn Hitchcock's Soft Boys 1978 to 1981...
for Katrina and the Waves
Katrina and the Waves
Katrina and the Waves was an English pop rock band, best known for their 1985 hit "Walking on Sunshine" and their 1997 Eurovision Song Contest victory with the song "Love Shine a Light".-Pre-history: The Waves and Mama's Cookin' :...
' 1983 eponymous debut full-length album
Walking on Sunshine (Katrina and the Waves album)
Walking on Sunshine is the debut album by new wave band Katrina and the Waves, released in 1983. The album was only released in Canada, but now appears worldwide on the compilation Original Recordings 1983-1984....
. The re-recorded version was at first released on the band's 1985 self-titled album
Katrina and the Waves (album)
Katrina and the Waves is the third album by new wave band Katrina and the Waves, and the first released on a major label, released in 1985...
as the album's second single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
(see 1985 in music
1985 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1985.-January–March:*January 1 - The newest music video channel, VH-1, debuts on American cable. It is aimed at an older demographic than its sister station, MTV...
) and reached No. 4 in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, No. 9 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and No. 8 in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is the Waves' first U.S. top 40 hit, and their biggest success in the UK until "Love Shine a Light" (1997). Conceived of as a ballad, Katrina decided the better part of valor was to belt the song out.
Royalties from airplay and advertisements of "Walking on Sunshine" have been extremely high. Katrina and the Waves kept the publishing rights and the royalties that typically go to the songwriter have been divided among the band members, though Katrina Leskanich
Katrina Leskanich
Katrina Leskanich is an American singer and musician, long time resident of the United Kingdom. She is best known for being the lead singer and namesake of the pop band Katrina and the Waves.-Early life:...
was fired from the band in 1998. Estimates are that the song has earned $1 million per year for the ten years ending in 2010. According to a former employee of EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, "Walking on Sunshine was the crown jewel in EMI's catalog," and that it was one of EMI's biggest earners from advertisers.
2010 was the 25th anniversary of the release of "Walking on Sunshine" and a series of back-catalog re-releases and a re-recorded version of the track were released at the time. A free download of one of the tracks from Kimberley Rew's solo album Bible of Bop was given away in March 2010 from the band's website.
Music video
The music video depicts the band performing live at a United Kingdom concert. Katrina herself is either with or not with them, but either dancing in her apartment, or walking through Hyde ParkHyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
on a cloudy day, past an English prison, the Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name...
, a cliff and Old St. Paul's
Old St Paul's Cathedral
Old St Paul's Cathedral is a name used to refer to the medieval cathedral of the City of London which until 1666 stood on the site of the present St Paul's Cathedral. Built between 1087 and 1314 and dedicated to St Paul, the cathedral was the fourth church on the site at Ludgate Hill...
. She catches up with the others and feeds ducks (one of them eats the leftovers, referring to the Waves). Katrina returns home and cleans her face using cotton.
Covers
The song was covered by Jeffries Fan ClubJeffries Fan Club
Jeffries Fan Club was a southern California Third-wave ska band formed in 1996. The band released several albums on now-defunct Vegas Records before breaking up in 2001. The band played their final show January 6, 2001 at The Glasshouse in Pomona, which was later released on CD under the title...
on their debut album Feelin' Sorry...For All the Hearts We've Broken
Feelin' Sorry...For All The Hearts We've Broken
Feelin' Sorry...For All The Hearts We've Broken was the first album that Jeffries Fan Club released. A music video was made for the song "Milk".-Track listing:# "Goodbye Theme" – 4:11# "Milk" – 3:18# "Wish You Weren't Here" – 2:12...
in 1997. In 1993, Clifford
Clifford (Muppet)
Clifford is a Muppet character, performed by Kevin Clash. He is a violet-colored creature with multi-colored dreadlocks and big lips. Like many other Muppets, it is never specified what kind of creature he is, but it is speculated that he is in fact a catfish.He was created to be the bass guitar...
, Gonzo the Great
Gonzo the Great
Gonzo the Great is a puppet character, one of Jim Henson's Muppets. He was developed and performed by Dave Goelz. The character made his first appearance in a 1970 Christmas special entitled "The Great Santa Claus Switch". Known as a "Whatever" , he is considered one of The Frackles...
, and Rizzo the Rat
Rizzo the Rat
Rizzo the Rat is a Muppet, performed by Steve Whitmire. Rizzo first appeared in episode 418 of The Muppet Show, as one of a group of rats following Christopher Reeve around backstage. He can be seen mugging and reacting to practically every line of dialogue. He remained a scene-stealing background...
covered the song for their 1993 Muppet
The Muppets
The Muppets are a group of puppet characters created by Jim Henson starting in 1954–55. Although the term is often used to refer to any puppet that resembles the distinctive style of The Muppet Show, the term is both an informal name and legal trademark owned by the Walt Disney Company in reference...
album Muppet Beach Party. In 2007, pop group Girl Authority
Girl Authority
Girl Authority is an American pop girl group from Massachusetts.The group consists of nine girls, ranging in ages 11 to 16. The group was established in the summer of 2005 by the group's vocal coach/executive producer Samantha Hammel, Scott Billington and the CEO of Rounder Records John Virant.All...
covered the song on Road Trip
Road Trip (album)
Road Trip is the second album from Girl Authority. Unlike the first album, Road Trip is a mixture of cover songs and original songs performed by Girl Authority...
. The song was also recorded by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
on her 1996 cover album Treasures
Treasures (Dolly Parton album)
Treasures is a 1996 Dolly Parton album, made up of covers of rock and country hits from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. It was her 33rd studio album. Among the selections were work by Merle Haggard, Neil Young, Kris Kristofferson, Cat Stevens and Mac Davis...
. In 2009, the song was also featured in a mash-up with "Halo
Halo (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Halo" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce . Columbia Records released the song as the fourth single of the album, to mainstream radio in the United States on January 20, 2009. It was composed by Ryan Tedder, Evan Bogart, and...
" (Beyoncé), on the TV Show Glee
Glee (TV series)
Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
.
Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
singer-songwriter Diego Torres
Diego Torres
Diego Antonio Caccia Torres , is an Argentine Grammy Award-nominated pop singer and composer.-Biography:Diego Torres was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the son of Argentine singer Lolita Torres...
recorded a version of the song with lyrics in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
named Por la vereda del sol for his album Tratar de Estar Mejor
Tratar de Estar Mejor
Tratar de Estar Mejor is the second studio album by Argentine singer-songwriter Diego Torres, it was released on November 22, 1994 through RCA Records.-Track listing:# Tratar de Estar Mejor# Todo Cambia# Dame Una Razón# Aunque Quieras...
(1994)
The Insyderz
The Insyderz
The Insyderz are a Christian ska-punk band from Detroit, Michigan. They formed in 1996 and disbanded in 2005, but have recently reunited and are working on new music. The Insyderz are one of the "big three" bands which represented the Christian ska scene, alongside the Supertones and Five Iron Frenzy...
, a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
band, recorded a cover of Walking on Sunshine in 2001.
Dolly Parton cover
In 1996, Dolly PartonDolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
included a bluegrass version of "Walking on Sunshine" on her album of covers, Treasures
Treasures (Dolly Parton album)
Treasures is a 1996 Dolly Parton album, made up of covers of rock and country hits from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. It was her 33rd studio album. Among the selections were work by Merle Haggard, Neil Young, Kris Kristofferson, Cat Stevens and Mac Davis...
, stating in interviews to promote the album, as well as her CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
TV special to promote the album, that she had long loved the song. In 1997, a dance remix of Parton's version was released.
Aly & AJ cover
Matthew GerrardMatthew Gerrard
Matthew Gerrard is a Canadian record producer and songwriter. He has written hit singles by artists such as Nick Carter , Kelly Clarkson , Hilary Duff , Eden's Crush and Jesse McCartney...
produced a cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Walking on Sunshine" for American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pop rock
Pop rock
Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music...
duo Aly & AJ's debut album, Into the Rush
Into the Rush
Into the Rush is the debut studio album by American teen pop duo 78violet as Aly & AJ. The album was released on August 16, 2005 by Disney-owned label Hollywood Records. The album features fourteen tracks including the singles "Rush" and "Do You Believe in Magic"...
. The song was released as the album's fourth single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on June 22, 2005 (see 2005 in music
2005 in music
-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
). It was also used to promote the film Herbie: Fully Loaded
Herbie: Fully Loaded
Herbie: Fully Loaded is a 2005 American comedy film directed by Angela Robinson and produced by Robert Simonds for Walt Disney Pictures. It stars Lindsay Lohan as the youngest member of an automobile-racing family, Michael Keaton as her father, Matt Dillon as a competing racer, Breckin Meyer as...
, and makes an appearance on the movie soundtrack
Herbie: Fully Loaded (soundtrack)
Herbie Fully Loaded is the soundtrack album to the 2005 film of the same name, it was released on June 21, 2005. It includes Lindsay Lohan's third single, "First", and remakes of classic songs by Hollywood Records artists including Aly & A.J., Caleigh Peters, Ingram Hill and Josh Kelley, and big...
. The single's video
Music 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...
features Aly & AJ performing, and is intercut with clips from the film Herbie: Fully Loaded. The song was shortened down to one minute and 55 seconds (1:55), as it is used for the video. This song was also featured in the 2010 film Ramona and Beezus
Ramona and Beezus
Ramona and Beezus is a 2010 Fox-Walden film adaptation of the Ramona series of novels by Beverly Cleary. The film's title derives from Beezus and Ramona, the first of Cleary's Ramona books, though the plot is mostly based on the sequels, particularly Ramona Forever and Ramona's World.-Plot:The film...
and the 2011 film Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure.
Track listings
Release history
| Date | Country | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 22, 2005 | United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Promo CD | Hollywood Records Hollywood Records Hollywood Records is an American record label owned by Disney Music Group, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.-History:Hollywood Records was founded in 1989 by then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner with the idea of expanding the music operations of the company and to develop and promote... |
| Date | Country | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 6, 2006 | United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
Promo CD | Squirrel Records Squirrel Records Squirrel Records is a UK based record company based in Trumpington, Cambridgeshire, founded in 1994 by Simon Squirelle, former manager of 90's artists Candyman, The U-Krew, and the Funhouse presenter Pat Sharp.... |
Appearances in popular culture
The song is very popular in commercials and advertisers typically pay $150,000 to $200,000 per year to use the song. It has also been featured in several films, including American PsychoAmerican Psycho (film)
American Psycho is a 2000 cult thriller film directed by Mary Harron based on Bret Easton Ellis's novel of the same name. Though predominantly a psycho thriller, the film also blends elements of horror, satire, and black comedy...
(2000), High Fidelity
High Fidelity (film)
High Fidelity is a 2000 American comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Frears and starring John Cusack and the Danish actress Iben Hjejle. The film is based on the 1995 British novel of the same name by Nick Hornby, with the setting moved from London to Chicago and the name of the lead character...
(2000), Ask Max
Ask Max
Ask Max is a 1986 American film starring Jeff Cohen as Max Baxter a kid inventor. Max designs a bike that he sells to a toy company.-Cast:*Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as Himself*Kreag Caffey as The Coach*Byron Clark as Marcus*Christie Clark as Shelly Meyers...
(1986), The Secret of My Success (1987), Daddy Day Care
Daddy Day Care
Daddy Day Care is a 2003 American comedy film, starring Eddie Murphy. It was written by Geoff Rodkey and was directed by Steve Carr. It was released in theaters on May 9, 2003. It was produced by Revolution Studios and released by Columbia Pictures...
(2003), Bean (1997), Look Who's Talking
Look Who's Talking
Look Who's Talking is a 1989 romantic comedy film written and directed by Amy Heckerling and stars John Travolta and Kirstie Alley. Bruce Willis plays the voice of Mollie's son, Mikey. The film features George Segal as Albert, the illegitimate father of Mikey.-Plot:Mollie Jensen is an accountant...
(1989), Moon
Moon (film)
Moon is a 2009 British science fiction drama film about a man who experiences a personal crisis as he nears the end of a three-year solitary stint mining helium-3 on the far side of the Earth's moon. It is the feature debut of director Duncan Jones. Sam Rockwell stars as the employee Sam Bell, and...
(2009), and Into the Wild Green Yonder
Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder
Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder is the last of a series of four straight-to-DVD Futurama movies. The movie was written by Ken Keeler, based on a story by Keeler and David X. Cohen, and directed by Peter Avanzino. Guest stars include Phil Hendrie, Penn Jillette , Snoop Dogg and Seth...
(2009). It was played in the five-minute trailer for Bye Bye Love
Bye Bye Love (film)
Bye Bye Love is a 1995 American comedy-drama film that deals with the central issue of divorce. It was directed by Sam Weisman and written by Gary David Goldberg and Brad Hall...
(1995). It has been played on the TV shows Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls is an American family comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. On October 5, 2000, the series debuted on The WB and was cancelled in its seventh season, ending on May 15, 2007 on The CW...
, Prison Break
Prison Break
Prison Break is an American television serial drama created by Paul Scheuring, that was broadcast on the Fox Broadcasting Company for four seasons, from 2005 until 2009. The series revolves around two brothers; one has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, and the other devises an...
, Sports Night
Sports Night
Sports Night is an American television series about a fictional sports news show also called Sports Night. It focuses on the friendships, pitfalls, and ethical issues the creative talent of the program face while trying to produce a good show under constant network pressure...
, and The Drew Carey Show
The Drew Carey Show
The Drew Carey Show is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from 1995 to 2004. The show was set in Cleveland, Ohio, and revolved around the retail office and home life of "everyman" Drew Carey, a fictionalized version of the actor....
. In television, it is the favorite song of the character Phillip J. Fry in the animated TV series Futurama
Futurama
Futurama is an American animated science fiction sitcom created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening and David X. Cohen for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series follows the adventures of a late 20th-century New York City pizza delivery boy, Philip J...
, appeared as part of a mash-up with Beyoncé
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
's song "Halo
Halo (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Halo" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce . Columbia Records released the song as the fourth single of the album, to mainstream radio in the United States on January 20, 2009. It was composed by Ryan Tedder, Evan Bogart, and...
" in the Glee
Glee (TV series)
Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
episode "Vitamin D
Vitamin D (Glee)
"Vitamin D" is the sixth episode of the American television series Glee. The episode premiered on the Fox network on October 7, 2009. It was written by series creator Ryan Murphy and directed by Elodie Keene. In the episode, glee club director Will Schuester pits the male and female club members...
", and was a part of the Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry is Canadian-American television and film actor.Matthew Perry or Matt Perry may also refer to:*Matthew C. Perry , American naval officer who forcibly opened Japan to trade with the West...
TV series Mr. Sunshine. The song is also featured in the video game series Lego Rock Band
Lego Rock Band
Lego Rock Band is a music video game and part of the Rock Band series developed by Harmonix Music Systems, but also incorporates elements from other Lego video games as developed by Traveller's Tales. The game is published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and MTV Games...
, Singstar
SingStar
SingStar is a competitive music video game series for PlayStation consoles, developed by London Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. 23 English-language instalments of the series have been released for the PlayStation 2, and six versions for the PlayStation 3 have been released...
and Band Hero
Band Hero
Band Hero is a spinoff video game as part of the Guitar Hero series of music video games, released by Activision on November 3, 2009, for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS consoles...
. It appeared in the Mexican film Rock Mari, directed by Chava Cartas, where it is sung by Mariane Güereña and Arcelia Ramírez. On the 1996 re-release, percussion was supplied by the Norfolk based band Space Addicts. It was one of the songs covered by the Halifax choir in the 2011 Halifax ad campaign. A skit in the TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, both of whom serve as executive producers on the show, along with Steven Molaro. All three also serve as head writers...
also featured the song.
The X Factor USA contestant Rachel Crow, sang the song but instead of "Walking on sunshine", the lyrics was changed by her mentor, Simon Cowel, to "You're my sunshine"; and the "And don't it feel good" verse was changed to "But you gotta go".