Sweet Lullaby

"Sweet Lullaby" is a song by French world music/ethnic electronica musical group Deep Forest that originally appeared on their eponymous album. The song gained popularity in 1992 and 1993 when it was released as a single, becoming a Top 30 hit in many European and Oceanian countries. In 1994, it was re-released in remixed versions.

"Sweet Lullaby"
Single by Deep Forest
from the album Deep Forest
B-side"Remix"
Released10 March 1992
GenreWorld/Ethnic electronica
Length3:55
LabelEpic, Dance Pool
Songwriter(s)Eric Mouquet
Michel Sanchez
Producer(s)Dan Lacksman
Deep Forest singles chronology
"Sweet Lullaby"
(1992)		 "Deep Forest"
(1993)
Music video
Sweet Lullaby on YouTube

Song information

The song is based around a traditional Baegu lullaby from the Solomon Islands called "Rorogwela", and uses a vocal sample of a woman called Afunakwa[1] singing, originally recorded by ethnomusicologist Hugo Zemp in 1970 and later released by UNESCO as part of their Musical Sources collection.[2] The lyrics refer to a young orphan being comforted by his older brother despite the loss of their parents.[3]

For a time, Australian television network SBS used the song as its theme. It was also used by German television broadcaster RTL as the closing theme to their coverage of UEFA Champions League football during the 1994–1995 season.

Parts of the song are sampled in the 2000 trance hit "Komodo", by Mauro Picotto.[4]

In 2008, American Internet celebrity Matt Harding traveled to the Solomon Island of Malaita to search for Afunakwa, the woman who is thought to be the performer of "Rorogwela" on Zemp's recording. According to Harding's follow-up video Where the Hell is Afunakwa?, Afunakwa had died in 1998.[5]

The track and its creators have come under criticism for their unauthorized appropriation of musical recordings.[6][1]

Critical reception

James Hunter from Vibe described the song as "an eager pop confection of continental synths and excellent singing from "the rain forest pygmies of Africa"."[7] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "This is one of those great projects that has created a long top-shelf life on its own. Now that the 2-year-old "Sweet Lullaby" has finally run its course, Epic is focusing on the act's self-titled track, running it through the remix mill with sterling results. Myriad versions are included to ensure chances for consumption at several formats, ranging from mainstream club to crossover radio."[8] Dave Sholin from Gavin Report said it's "haunting and captivating", adding, "it needs more than one listen."[9] Music & Media called the song a "mellow floater".[10]

Chart performance

The debut single for the group, "Sweet Lullaby" was a success for Deep Forest, reaching #3 in Norway,[11] #7 on the Australian ARIA Charts,[12] #10 on the British charts, #78 on the U.S. Billboard Top 100, and the Top 20 in France, Iceland and Switzerland.

Music video

The music video, directed by Indian director Tarsem Singh, was also nominated for several awards at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards.[13] The video consists of a little girl riding a tricycle in front of iconic scenes from around the globe (e.g. Moscow, Barcelona, New York City, the Great Wall of China, Varanasi, and other locations), juxtaposing images from her journey with parallel snippets of nobility performing similar actions.

Track listings
CD single
  1. "Sweet Lullaby" (original mix)
  2. "Sweet Lullaby" (ambient mix)
CD maxi
  1. "Sweet Lullaby" (original mix) – 3:55
  2. "Sweet Lullaby" (remix) – 6:08
  3. "Sweet Lullaby" (nature's dancing mix) – 6:01
  4. "Sweet Lullaby" (natural trance mix) – 6:32
  5. "Sweet Lullaby" (ambient mix) – 3:47
12" maxi
  1. "Sweet Lullaby" (nature's dancing mix) – 5:58
  2. "Sweet Lullaby" (remix) – 6:10
  3. "Sweet Lullaby" (natural trance mix) – 6:32
  4. "Sweet Lullaby" (ambient mix) – 3:46
7" single
  1. "Sweet Lullaby" – 3:54
  2. "Forest Hymn" (edit) – 3:49
CD single - Promo
  1. "Sweet Lullaby" (first single original mix) – 3:55
  2. "Deep Forest" – 5:34
  3. "Desert Walk" – 5:15
12" maxi - Remixes
  1. "Sweet Lullaby" (round the world mix) – 6:58
  2. "Sweet Lullaby" (DJ EFX's tribal as a mofo mix) – 4:40
  3. "Sweet Lullaby" (the riot mix) – 6:51
  4. "Sweet Lullaby" (digit's wet dream mix) – 4:25
  5. "Sweet Lullaby" (Q-bass mix) – 5:57
  6. "Sweet Lullaby" (the downstream mix) – 5:57
  7. "Sweet Lullaby" (bonus a la EFX) – 3:08

Charts

References
  1. http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2004/11/23/turmeric-pygmies-and-piracy/
  2. "A Sweet Lullaby For World Music". Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2016.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. "Deep Forest Lyrics and Meanings". Archived from the original on January 13, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2016.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. http://www.whosampled.com/sample/29090/Mauro-Picotto-Komodo-(Save-a-Soul)-Deep-Forest-Sweet-Lullaby/
  5. Where the Hell is Afunakwa? on YouTube
  6. Hafstein, Valdimar T. (2004). "The Politics of Origin: Collective Creation Revisited". Journal of American Folklore. 117 (465): 300–315. doi:10.1353/jaf.2004.0073. S2CID 145691975.
  7. "Single File". Vibe. March 1, 1994. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  8. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  9. Sholin, Dave (January 14, 1994). "Gavin Picks: Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 42. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  10. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. December 19, 1992. p. 10. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  11. Steffen Hung. "norwegiancharts.com - Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  12. Steffen Hung. "australian-charts.com - Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby". australian-charts.com. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  13. "Rock On The Net: 1994 MTV Video Music Awards". rockonthenet.com. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  14. "Lescharts.com – Deep Forest – Sweet Lullaby" (in French). Les classement single.
  15. "Offiziellecharts.de – Deep Forest – Sweet Lullaby". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  16. "Swisscharts.com – Deep Forest – Sweet Lullaby". Swiss Singles Chart.
  17. "Australian-charts.com – Deep Forest – Sweet Lullaby". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  18. Canadian dance peak RPM Magazine
  19. "Charts.nz – Deep Forest – Sweet Lullaby". Top 40 Singles.
  20. Billboard allmusic.com (Retrieved April 14, 2009)
  21. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. February 26, 1994. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  22. "Offiziellecharts.de – Deep Forest – Sweet Lullaby (Remix '94)". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  23. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Deep Forest" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  24. "Dutchcharts.nl – Deep Forest – Sweet Lullaby" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  25. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (03.03.1994 - 09.03.1994)" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  26. Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved April 14, 2009)
  27. "Norwegiancharts.com – Deep Forest – Sweet Lullaby". VG-lista.
  28. UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved April 14, 2009)
  29. "Single top 100 over 1994" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
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