The Sun Goes Down (Thin Lizzy song)
{{Infobox song
| name = The Sun Goes Down
| cover = thesungoesdown.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Thin Lizzy
| album = Thunder and Lightning
| B-side = Baby Please Don't Go
| released = 22 July 1983{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1983/Music-Week-1983-07-23-I.pdf|title=Music Week}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Rock
| length = 6:19
| label = Vertigo
| writer = Darren Wharton, Phil Lynott
| producer = Thin Lizzy & Chris Tsangarides
| prev_title =
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"The Sun Goes Down" was a single released by Irish hard rock band Thin Lizzy, the last single to be released before they split in 1983. It is featured on the group's album from that year, Thunder and Lightning, and it has been referred to as a ballad.{{cite web | url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2012-12-21/the-who-live-in-texas-75-live-at-national-stadium-dublin/ | title=The Who and Thin Lizzy }}{{cite web | url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/top-30-best-thin-lizzy-phil-lynott-songs | title=The Top 30 Best Thin Lizzy & Phil Lynott Songs | date=20 August 2016 }}
Television performances
On 26 January 1983, the song was performed live for the first time during a concert in Hitchin, which was broadcast simultaneously on television and radio for the BBC's "Sight and Sound in Concert". This show also marked the debut of guitarist John Sykes.Alan Byrne, "Thin Lizzy: Soldiers of Fortune", Firefly, 2004{{rp|157}} Two days later, the band performed the song on the British TV music show The Tube, along with "Cold Sweat" and "The Boys Are Back in Town".{{cite web|url=http://www.thinlizzyguide.com/tv_radio/tvradio_ram.htm |title=Thin Lizzy on TV and radio 1980–84 |accessdate=1 July 2013 |publisher=Thin Lizzy Guide}}
Single
The song was written by Phil Lynott and Darren Wharton, and Lynott said at the time, "I think that one is a nice note to go out on. I can see it being played on the radio and fully believe it has great chart potential."{{rp|164}} The single entered the UK charts on 6 August 1983, reaching No. 52.
There was no official promotional video with the single as the record company had decided it was too expensive. The band began work on editing video clips of live performances to accompany the song but this was abandoned when it was clear that the single's chart performance did not merit the effort.{{rp|164}}
Cover versions
German heavy metal band Sinner covered "The Sun Goes Down" on their 1998 album The Nature of Evil.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/nature-of-evil-mw0000045990 |title=The Nature of Evil at Allmusic |accessdate=19 January 2014 |publisher=Allmusic}} They later covered the b-side to the single as well, "Baby Please Don't Go", on their Mask of Sanity album in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/mask-of-sanity-mw0000566823 |title=Mask of Sanity at Allmusic |accessdate=19 January 2014 |publisher=Allmusic}}
The song was also covered in 2009 by Jørn Lande (as Jorn) on his album Spirit Black and by Night Demon in 2022.
Personnel
- Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals
- Scott Gorham – lead and rhythm guitar
- John Sykes – lead and rhythm guitar
- Brian Downey – drums
- Darren Wharton – keyboards
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1983) !Peak |
| {{single chart|UK|52|date=19830731|rowheader=true|access-date=May 25, 2024}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{ThinLizzy}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sun Goes Down, The}}
Category:Songs written by Phil Lynott
Category:Vertigo Records singles
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