Black Sunshine
| "Black Sunshine" | ||||||||||
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| Single by White Zombie | ||||||||||
| from the album La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One | ||||||||||
| Released | 1992-1993 | |||||||||
| Format | CD single | |||||||||
| Recorded | May, 1991 at 321 Studios, New York City | |||||||||
| Genre | Groove metal, alternative metal | |||||||||
| Length | 4:48 | |||||||||
| Label | Geffen | |||||||||
| Writer(s) |
Rob Zombie White Zombie | |||||||||
| Producer(s) | Andy Wallace | |||||||||
| White Zombie singles chronology | ||||||||||
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"Black Sunshine" is a song initially featured on the album La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One 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. A spoken word section was recorded by Iggy Pop for the intro and was used in the song's final cut.
Music and lyrics
The song is about a racing car, a Ford Mustang, 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 and 4/4 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."
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 video 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
In popular culture
- It is covered by band Lesser Known for the White Zombie tribute album Super-Charger Hell in 2000.
- Cover version in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.
- Since 17 February 2009, master recording is downloadable content for Rock Band series 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.
- Music video for Black Sunshine appears on the Beavis and Butt-head episode "Home Improvement"
Charts
| Chart | Peak | |
|---|---|---|
| Billboard Mainstream Rock | 39 | [1] |
References
- ↑ Billboard.com single charts for White Zombie