You Stole the Sun from My Heart
"You Stole the Sun from My Heart" is a song by Manic Street Preachers, released as the third single from the album This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours. All three members of the band—James Dean Bradfield, Sean Moore, and Nicky Wire—share the writing credits.[2] The song reached number five on the UK Singles Chart and number two in Iceland.
"You Stole the Sun from My Heart" | ||||
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Single by Manic Street Preachers | ||||
from the album This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours | ||||
Released | 8 March 1999 | |||
Genre | Rock[1] | |||
Length | 4:20 | |||
Label | Epic | |||
Composer(s) | ||||
Lyricist(s) | Nick Jones | |||
Producer(s) | Mike Hedges | |||
Manic Street Preachers singles chronology | ||||
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Background and content
Wire has described the music as a mix of New Order and Nirvana: "something you might be able to go along with if you really do the audio equivalent of squinting – and explained that the drum loop (yes, more drum machines) was sampled by Moore from the sound of a pinball machine, of all things".[3]
In allusion to the sound of "You Stole the Sun from My Heart" Marc Burrows of Drowned In Sound proclaimed it "the most straightforward rocker here" and "catchy to the point of irritating".[1]
The lyric concerns Nicky Wire's dislike of touring. He has said that as much as he enjoys being on stage, he hates the routine of travelling, soundchecks, hotels and the homesickness it causes.[2]
The song title is namechecked in a later Manic Street Preachers single, "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough".[4] It was included on the 2002 compilation Forever Delayed.[4]
Release
CD one contains a live version of The Clash's "Train in Vain" and the B-side "Socialist Serenade". The single was released on 8 March 1999 in the United Kingdom and reached number five on the UK Singles Chart, spending 12 weeks in the top 100.[5] In Australia, "You Stole the Sun from My Heart" spent one week on the ARIA Singles Chart in April 1999, peaking at number 97.[6] The single also peaked at number two in Iceland, number 20 in Ireland, and number 94 in the Netherlands,[7][8][9] achieving a peak of number 24 on the Eurochart Hot 100.[10] At the 2000 Brit Awards, "You Stole the Sun from My Heart" was nominated from "Best British Single" but failed to win the prize.[11]
Music video
The video presents a dark/light contrast where the band plays in a room in front of a huge ornate feature window. Outside the weather rapidly alternates between stormy and sunny. Rabbits and animated birds also make an appearance.[3]
Track listings
All music was written by James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore except where indicated. All lyrics were written by Nick Jones except where indicated.
CD1
- "You Stole the Sun from My Heart" – 4:20
- "Socialist Serenade" – 4:14
- "Train in Vain" (Live) (music and lyrics: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones) – 3:17 (recorded live at the Newcastle Arena on 14 December 1998)
CD2
- "You Stole the Sun from My Heart" – 4:20
- "You Stole the Sun from My Heart" (David Holmes' A Joyful Racket Remix) – 5:12
- "You Stole the Sun from My Heart" (Mogwai Remix) – 6:09
Cassette
- "You Stole the Sun from My Heart" – 4:20
- "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" (Live) – 4:48 (recorded live at Cardiff International Arena on 21 December 1998)
Charts
Chart (1999) | Peak position |
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Australia (ARIA)[6] | 97 |
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[10] | 24 |
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[7] | 2 |
Ireland (IRMA)[8] | 20 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] | 94 |
Scotland (OCC)[12] | 5 |
UK Singles (OCC)[5] | 5 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United Kingdom (BPI)[13] | Silver | 200,000![]() |
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References
- Burrows, Marc (13 April 2018). "The Fangasm: This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours by Manic Street Preachers". Drowned In Sound. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- "This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours". Select. IPC Media. January 1999.
- "You Stole the Sun from My Heart".
- Power, Martin (17 October 2010). Manic Street Preachers. Omnibus Press.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- "ariaNET The Chart! Top 100 Singles Week Commencing 19th April 1999". ARIA. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
- "Íslenski Listinn (30.4–7.5. 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 30 April 1999. p. 14. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – You Stole the Sun from My Heart". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Manic Street Preachers – You Stole the Sun from My Heart" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16 no. 13. 27 March 1999. p. 10. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- "1999". brits.co.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- "British single certifications – Manic Street Preachers – You Stole the Sun from My Heart". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 April 2019.