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Sun Is Up
Sun Is Up
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"Sun Is Up"
A naked Inna in a jacuzzi, lifting her right arm.
Single by Inna
from the album Hot[A] and I Am the Club Rocker
ReleasedOctober 2010
Genre
Length3:44
LabelRoton
Songwriters
Producers
  • Barac
  • Bolfea
  • Botezan
Inna singles chronology
"10 Minutes"
(2010)
"Sun Is Up"
(2010)
"Club Rocker"
(2011)

"Sun Is Up" is a song recorded by Romanian singer Inna for her second studio album, I Am the Club Rocker (2011), and also included on several versions of her debut album Hot (2009).[A] Written and produced by Play & Win members Sebastian Barac, Radu Bolfea and Marcel Botezan, the song was released in October 2010 as the first single from I Am the Club Rocker. "Sun Is Up" is a rave pop track, and was compared to Sabrina's "Boys (Summertime Love)" (1987) by one reviewer.

The track was received favorably, with music critics praising its composition and referring to it as a highlight on the album and in Inna's career. It won in the Best Song in the Balkans from Romania for 2010 category at the 2011 Balkan Music Awards, while also receiving nominations at the 2011 Radio România Actualităţi and Romanian Music Awards, and 2012 Radar Media Awards. To promote "Sun Is Up", an accompanying music video was shot by Alex Herron in late August 2010 in Marbella, Spain, and uploaded onto Inna's YouTube channel on 30 September 2010. She further promoted the recording through various live performances. Commercially, "Sun Is Up" reached the top 10 in several countries, while awarded certifications in Italy, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Background and composition

[edit]

In June 2010, Inna announced via her official website that two new songs, "Un Momento", a collaboration with Spanish singer Juan Magán, and "Sun Is Up", would be featured on an upcoming "Summer Hit Pack".[6] With the plans remaining unmaterialized, "Sun Is Up" was released in Romania in October 2010 as the first single from the singer's second studio album, I Am the Club Rocker (2011). Its cover artwork had been previously unveiled in August 2010; shot by Edward Aninaru, it shows Inna naked in a jacuzzi, lifting her right hand.[7] The French radio and digital release of the song followed in January 2011, the latter by label Roton.[8][9] In the United Kingdom, the track was featured on the British version of Inna's debut record Hot, made available on 5 June 2011.[1] It was also the closing song on the compilation Now That's What I Call Music! 79.[10]

A "Euro rave pop" song,[4] "Sun Is Up" was written and produced by Romanian trio Play & Win members Sebastian Barac, Radu Bolfea and Marcel Botezan.[11] During the track's refrain, Inna sings: "All the people tonight put your hands in the sky / Come on boy, come and get in / The rhythm music will take you high / What I'm feeling about you / I love you, don't know why / Everybody come and get in / The rhythm music will take you high."[12]

Reception and accolades

[edit]

Upon its release, "Sun Is Up" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. An editor from German radio station BB Radio commended the song as a highlight from I Am the Club Rocker, writing: "After just the first few seconds, the sun rises. The hit single from Inna simply puts you in a dance mood."[13][14] Paul Lester, writing for The Guardian, noticed similarities to Sabrina's "Boys (Summertime Love)" (1987),[4] while French website Musique Radio praised its rhythm and melody.[8] An editor of Pro FM listed the recording in their list of "16 hits with which Inna made history".[15] More negatively, Urban.ro noted that the singer was screaming during the song's chorus.[5] Fans of "Sun Is Up" include British group One Direction, who released a video of them on social media in January 2012 dancing and singing along to the track in their car while on their Up All Night Tour (2011–2012). In an accompanying message, they wrote: "Just incase you were wondering...this is what we do in the car...". An editor of Capital FM positively regarded the video, while resuming its plot: "While Louis and Zayn show off their best moves, Harry then turns the camera onto Liam Payne, who is doing some head bopping."[16][17]

Commercially, "Sun Is Up" experienced widespread success on record charts, reaching number one on Hungary's Dance Top 40 chart, Netherlands's Mega Dance Top 30 chart, the Swiss Romandy region[citation needed] and United Kingdom's dance chart.[18][19][20] In Romania, the track peaked at number two, while becoming the fifth Inna song to debut within the top 10 in France, ultimately reaching the same peak position.[21][22] Other top 10 positions were achieved in the Commonwealth of Independent States,[23] Switzerland,[24] Billboard's Dance/Mix Show Airplay component chart in the United States,[25] Mexico[25] and Lebanon.[26] "Sun Is Up" was awarded Gold certifications by the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) for shifting 15,000 copies in Italy and Switzerland,[27][28] while also receiving Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in the United Kingdom for 200,000 units.[29]

"Sun Is Up" won the Eurodanceweb Award in 2010, an online music contest, with 184 points, marking Romania's highest position in that competition. She was ranked in third place by the online voting, but she won following the decision of a jury panel consisting of various journalists, music producers, disc jockeys and radio stations.[30] The single also won Best Song in the Balkans from Romania for 2010 at the 2011 Balkan Music Awards,[31] while receiving nominations in the Pop/Dance Song of the Year, Best Dance and Song of the Year categories at the 2011 Radio România Actualităţi and Romanian Music Awards, and 2012 Radar Media Awards, respectively.[32][33][34]

Music video

[edit]

An accompanying music video for "Sun Is Up" was uploaded onto Inna's official YouTube channel on 30 September 2010,[35] preceded by the release of a making-of video on 30 August and a preview on 27 September 2010.[7][36] It was filmed by Alex Herron in Marbella, Spain on 24 August 2010.[36] The video begins with Inna walking cross a river in the middle of a forest, dressed up in green. This is followed by her getting ready for a photoshooting session with Tore Frisholm Jr. with various make-up artists. Subsequently, Inna is shown bathing and singing naked in a jacuzzi in front of a mountain area, as well as dancing at a party and being pictured by Frisholm privately. The clip continues in a similar way, closing with Frisholm and Inna standing close to each other at sunset.[35] The visual received notable airplay on Romanian television, peaking at number four on Media Forest's TV Airplay Chart in October 2010.[37]

Live performances

[edit]

The first live performance of "Sun Is Up" occurred at the 2010 Romanian Music Awards on 10 July 2010 in Craiova, Romania, in a medley with "Señorita" (2010), "10 Minutes" (2010) and "Amazing" (2009).[38] In 2011, Inna sang the song on several occasions, including as the opening act of her own Inna: Live la Arenele Romane gig in Bucharest on 17 May, where she arrived by helicopter "like a diva",[39] at the 2011 Balkan Music Awards on 4 June,[40] and at the ZDF-Fernsehgarten and The Dome 59 in Germany on 28 August and 31 August.[41][42] She also performed the song at the 2011 Romanian Music Awards in Brașov on 16 September,[43] and at French event Starfloor on 26 November at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in Paris.[44] Other notable performances outside of the single's promotion phase include during her Wow Session series on her YouTube channel on 16 March 2012,[45] and at the World Trade Center Mexico City in September 2012 and March 2016.[46][47]

Track listings

[edit]
  • Official versions[B]
  1. "Sun Is Up" (Play & Win Radio Edit Version) – 3:44
  2. "Sun Is Up" (Play & Win Extended Version) – 4:43
  3. "Sun Is Up" (UK Radio Edit Version) – 2:32
  4. "Sun Is Up" (Radio/Video Edit Version) – 3:11
  5. "Sun Is Up" (Cahill Radio Edit) – 3:25
  6. "Sun Is Up" (Cahill Club Remix) – 7:17
  7. "Sun Is Up" (Cahill Instrumental) – 7:11
  8. "Sun Is Up" (Kryder Remix) – 5:30
  9. "Sun Is Up" (Mico Short Radio Edit) – 3:27
  10. "Sun Is Up" (Mico Club Remix) – 6:05
  11. "Sun Is Up" (Odd Radio Edit) – 3:17
  12. "Sun Is Up" (Odd Club Remix) – 6:02
  13. "Sun Is Up" (The Perez Brothers Radio Edit) – 3:48
  14. "Sun Is Up" (The Perez Brothers Club Remix) – 4:18
  15. "Sun Is Up" (Dandeej Remix) – 7:02
  16. "Sun Is Up" (Ilario Estevez Remix) – 5:32
  17. "Sun Is Up" (Liam Keegan Remix) – 2:59
  18. "Sun Is Up" (Ivan Mateluna Empo Hybrid Remix) – 4:47

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Sun Is Up"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Italy (FIMI)[27] Gold 15,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[28] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[29] Gold 400,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release and radio history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Sun Is Up"
Region Date Format Label
Romania[8] October 2010 N/a N/a
France[8][9][85] January 2011 Radio airplay N/a
10 January 2011 Digital download Roton
28 February 2011 CD single Airplay
Germany[86] 27 May 2011 UMG
United States[87][88] 8 February 2011 Digital download Ultra
N/A 2011 Promotional CD single
United Kingdom[89][90] 8 February 2011 Digital download
N/A 2011 Promotional CD single 3Beat
Italy[91][92] 3 March 2011 Digital download DIY
N/A 2011 Enhanced CD

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
"Sun Is Up" is a dance-pop song by Romanian singer Inna, released on October 1, 2010, as the lead single from her second studio album, I Am the Club Rocker (2011). Written and produced by the Romanian production trio Play & Win—consisting of Sebastian Barac, Radu Bolfea, and Marcel Botezan—the track features electronic and house influences with lyrics encouraging partygoers to dance as the sun rises. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus contributed to its appeal in the European club scene, marking a pivotal moment in Inna's international breakthrough following her debut album Hot (2009). Commercially, "Sun Is Up" achieved significant success across , peaking at number one on the Bulgarian Singles Top 40 for two weeks and spending 16 weeks in total. It reached number two in on the Singles Top 100 for one week and amassed 27 weeks on the , while also hitting number three in on the Singles Top 100 for one week with a 30-week run. In the , the single peaked at number 15 on the Official Singles and number five on the Official Dance Singles , charting for 14 and 16 weeks respectively. Other notable peaks included number nine in the , number 17 in , and number 22 in , reflecting its broad regional popularity. The accompanying music video, directed by Alex Herron and filmed on August 24, 2010, in , , depicts performing on a and in urban settings, emphasizing themes of summer freedom and . Released on September 30, 2010, the video garnered millions of views and helped propel the song's visibility. "Sun Is Up" received critical acclaim for its infectious , winning the Best Song in the from for 2010 at the 2011 Balkan Music Awards and the Eurodanceweb Award, making the first Romanian artist to claim the latter honor. These accolades underscored the track's role in establishing as a leading figure in European during the early .

Background

Development and Announcement

Following the international breakthrough of her debut album Hot (2009), which topped charts in several Eastern European countries and garnered millions of YouTube views, Romanian singer and her label sought to expand her appeal to Western markets by emphasizing a sound for her sophomore effort. "Sun Is Up" emerged from this strategy, with initial development handled by the Romanian production trio —known for their work on Hot—during mid-2010 in . The songwriting and demo phases were completed by summer 2010, aligning with 's push for timely releases to capitalize on Inna's rising profile. Roton announced "Sun Is Up" as the lead single from Inna's upcoming second album in June 2010, marking a key step in her transition to global promotion; the track was promptly sent to Romanian radio stations for premiere later that month.

Album Inclusion

"Sun Is Up" first appeared on the UK edition of Inna's debut studio album Hot, released on 5 June 2011 by All Around the World, where it opened the track listing. This edition incorporated the track alongside remixes and other singles to align with international markets. The song served as the for Inna's second studio I Am the Club Rocker, which was released on 19 2011 in by . On the standard Romanian edition, "Sun Is Up" was positioned as track five. "Sun Is Up" was featured on numerous international versions of I Am the Club Rocker, including the French deluxe edition released in 2011, which added bonus tracks and remixes. Other regional releases, such as the German limited edition in January 2012, also included the song alongside extended mixes. Beyond studio albums, "Sun Is Up" has been included in various compilation releases, such as the 2013 deluxe edition of , Part 1. The track continued to appear in reissues and compilations through 2021, maintaining its presence in Inna's catalog on streaming platforms and physical formats.

Composition

Musical Style and Genre

"Sun Is Up" is classified as a pop and track with prominent influences, aligning with the glossy and catchy style prevalent in early 2010s electronic music. The song runs for a length of 3:44 and employs a standard verse-chorus form, where verses build rhythmic tension leading into an energetic dance drop during the chorus to heighten the club-oriented energy. Central to its production are pulsating synthesizers that drive the melody, a four-on-the-floor beat at 128 BPM providing a steady dance pulse, and electronic vocal effects including pitched-up, helium-like processing on the lead vocals for a playful, ethereal quality. These elements create an upbeat, immersive sound designed for and club environments. The track reflects broader club music trends in , particularly the Romanian popcorn subgenre, which blends , , and influences to produce high-energy, synth-heavy anthems popular in the region's scene.

Lyrics and Production

"Sun Is Up" was written by the Romanian production team , comprising Radu Bolfea, Marcel Botezan, and Sebastian Barac. The lyrics emphasize themes of empowerment, the vibrancy of , and , using the rising sun as a for new energy and the invitation to , as seen in lines like "Sun is up, move your body" and "I came up for this party." The song was recorded in 2010, with Inna delivering a solo vocal performance layered over electronic backing tracks developed by Play & Win. There are no guest features on the track, highlighting Inna's central role in the vocal arrangement. Production was led by Play & Win, incorporating synth-heavy instrumentation to drive the electronic dance sound, alongside auto-tune processing on Inna's vocals for a polished, high-energy effect typical of early 2010s club music.

Release

Formats and Dates

"Sun Is Up" was initially released as a digital download in Romania on 1 October 2010 through the local label Roton. This marked the song's debut as the lead single from Inna's second studio album, I Am the Club Rocker. The single's European rollout included a release in France on 28 February 2011 via Airplay Records. It was followed by a commercial release in the United Kingdom on 28 March 2011, available as both a CD single and digital download through 3Beat Records. In the United States, the digital release arrived in early 2011 under . The available formats included digital downloads across platforms and s, often containing remixes alongside the radio edit. These physical formats were primarily distributed in .
RegionDateFormatLabel
1 October 2010Digital download
28 February 2011, Digital downloadAirplay Records
28 March 2011, Digital download3Beat
Early 2011Digital download

Promotion and Marketing

The promotion of "Sun Is Up" commenced prior to its release with a teaser clip for the music video uploaded to Inna's official YouTube channel on September 27, 2010, generating early anticipation among fans. In Romania, the single was tied to Inna's 2010 club tours and television appearances to build local buzz, including a live medley performance featuring the track at the Romanian Music Awards broadcast that year. Internationally, promotion involved strategic partnerships with record labels such as 3Beat in the , which handled promo singles and radio edits, and in the United States, which distributed the track and video starting in early 2011. Significant resources were allocated in late 2010 for production in , , and submissions to international awards like the Eurodanceweb Award, which the song ultimately won.

Music Video

Production Details

The music video for "Sun Is Up" was directed by Alex Herron, known for his work on music videos for artists including . Filming took place in , , on August 24, 2010. The production utilized beach and urban settings in the area to capture the song's upbeat, summery vibe.

Content and Reception

The music video for "Sun Is Up" was uploaded to Inna's official YouTube channel by Roton Music TV on 30 September 2010. The video has amassed hundreds of millions of views across various official YouTube uploads as of November 2025, with the Universal Music France version alone exceeding 154 million views. The video's storyline centers on Inna engaging in carefree dancing sequences on sun-drenched beaches and within lively club settings, joined by a diverse ensemble of performers that underscores themes of liberation and communal celebration. Filmed in Marbella, Spain, these scenes capture the song's party-centric vibe through dynamic choreography and scenic backdrops. In terms of reception, the video saw significant airplay on Romanian television, peaking at number four on Media Forest's TV Airplay Chart in 2010.

Reception

Critical Reviews

Upon its release, "Sun Is Up" received positive reviews from music critics who praised its catchy hooks and infectious energy suitable for the dancefloor. recommended "Sun Is Up" as a track to download. The song was included on the 2011 100 Hits 2011. Critics offered mixed feedback on the lyrics, acknowledging their simplicity while commending the production's polish. characterized the track as generic Euro rave-pop with banal lyrics like "put your hands in the sky," but praised its catchy and fun qualities that evoke classic dance hits, alongside the album's overall glossy production. The song garnered endorsement from members of , who were seen dancing to it enthusiastically in a 2012 video. In , where the single originated, outlets provided generally favorable coverage.

Accolades

"Sun Is Up" achieved significant recognition in the community shortly after its release. The track won the Eurodanceweb Award in 2010, an annual online contest organized by Eurodance.com, garnering 184 points from 40 competing entries across and the Mediterranean and marking the first victory for a Romanian artist in the competition. At the 2011 Balkan Music Awards held in , , "Sun Is Up" secured the Best Song from category, contributing to Inna receiving three awards overall that evening, including Best Female Artist in the . The song also earned three nominations at the 2011 Romanian Music Awards, highlighting its domestic impact despite strong international success.

Commercial Performance

Chart Achievements

"Sun Is Up" achieved notable success on various European dance and singles charts following its release. The song topped the Dance Top 40 chart for six weeks, marking one of its strongest performances in the region. It also reached number one on the Mega Dance Top 30 and the Romandy Chart, and number five on the Dance Chart, underscoring its appeal in dance-oriented markets. In , it peaked at number two on the Singles Top 100, while in , it attained a number-two position on the Airplay Top 100. The track entered the top 10 in several countries on main singles charts, including (#1), (#2), (#3), and the (#9), as well as on regional/dance charts such as where it peaked at number 33 on the Singles Top 75, (Wallonia) at number five on the 50, and at number 26 on the Singles Top 100. These peaks contributed to its longevity, with the accumulating over 20 weeks in the European top 40 by mid-. On year-end charts, "Sun Is Up" ranked number 28 in for 2010 and number 45 in for 2011, highlighting its sustained popularity in key markets.

Certifications and Sales

"Sun Is Up" earned Gold certifications in several countries shortly after its release. In , the (FIMI) awarded it status for 15,000 units sold in 2011. Similarly, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in certified the single for 15,000 units in 2011. In the , the (BPI) initially certified "Sun Is Up" Silver for 200,000 units in 2011, which was later upgraded to for 400,000 units as of 2021, incorporating streaming equivalents. This upgrade reflects the song's sustained popularity on streaming platforms, with views contributing to the total since BPI began including them in certifications post-2016. By 2012, estimates indicated global sales exceeding 1 million units for the single, including approximately 300,000 uncertified units in . Despite its commercial success, "Sun Is Up" did not receive any certifications, though it achieved strong digital sales in Eastern European markets such as and .

Performances

Live Debuts

The world premiere of "Sun Is Up" took place at the 2010 Romanian Music Awards on 10 July 2010 in , , where performed the song as part of a medley with her earlier hits "Amazing" and "10 Minutes". The performance highlighted dynamic choreography that accentuated the track's upbeat rhythm, drawing significant attention to Inna's evolving stage style.

Notable Appearances

Inna performed "Sun Is Up" live at the Balkan Music Awards on June 4, 2011, held at Alexander Batenberg Square in , , accompanied by a live band setup that highlighted the song's energetic house production. The track was a staple in Inna's I Am the Club Rocker Tour, which ran from 2011 to 2012 and spanned over 20 cities across and , including performances in on March 20, 2011. "Sun Is Up" received television exposure through live appearances, such as on the French Music Tour in 2011, where it served as an encore during the stop, and promotional releases on in the . No major covers of the song by other artists have been documented, though it appeared in DJ mashups and sets at electronic music festivals.

Recent Performances

As of 2025, "Sun Is Up" remains a fixture in Inna's live sets, with notable performances including the in (August 2025), a show in (May 2025), and an appearance in (October 2025), showcasing its lasting appeal in the scene.

Track Listings

Standard Versions

The standard versions of "Sun Is Up" by Romanian singer primarily feature the original production by , consisting of the and extended mix, without alterations from treatments. The song was first released digitally in on September 30, 2010, by , featuring the "Sun Is Up ( )" at 3:44. Internationally, a digital single by in the United States on February 8, 2011, included the at 3:44 as at 320 kbps. This served as an early core release in . Physical CD singles were issued in multiple countries in 2011, such as the German edition by on May 27, 2011, which contains the at 3:44 and extended mix at 4:43. A UK promotional CDr single from 2010 by 3 Beat Blue featured the (3:44) and extended mix (4:43), alongside bonus tracks like "Hot (Lambretto Night Mix)." Other formats include a French enhanced CD single by Records (2011) and an Italian maxi-single by Entertainment (2011), both with the standard and extended mix. The original mix has been available on streaming platforms since , including 's "Sun Is Up - Single" release with the and extended mix. Runtime variations are minimal, with the full album version on I Am the Club Rocker () at 3:44, aligning closely with the .

Remix Editions

Several official remixes of "Sun Is Up" were produced to suit various club environments and international markets, expanding the track's dancefloor appeal beyond the standard 3:44 version featured on the primary release. The Extended Mix, crafted by the song's original production team, serves as an extended club version lasting 4:43, incorporating additional breakdowns and instrumental extensions to enhance DJ transitions and build energy in live sets. This was included on digital compilations and promo packs shortly after the single's launch. For the , the Mico Club Mix offers a variant with a slightly slower tempo around 120 BPM, emphasizing pulsating basslines and atmospheric layers for underground club play, clocking in at 6:05. It highlights a more introspective vibe compared to the original's upbeat energy. Other notable variants include the official video mix, a synced edit optimized for visual synchronization in the music video at 3:26. These remixes were bundled on the deluxe edition of I Am the Club Rocker and distributed in promo DJ packs to support club rotations across .

References

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