Sunchyme

"Sunchyme"
"Sunchyme"
Single by Dario G
from the album Sunmachine
B-side	"Chyme"
Released	15 September 1997
Genre	House
Length	3:54
Label	Eternal
Songwriters	Paul Spencer; Scott Rosser; Stephen Spencer; Nick Laird-Clowes; Gilbert Gabriel;
Producer	Peter Oxendale
Dario G singles chronology
Music video
	"Sunchyme" on YouTube

"Sunchyme" is the debut single of British electronic music trio Dario G. It was released on 15 September 1997 by Eternal Records as the lead single from their debut studio album, Sunmachine (1998), although early editions were stated to be from an album named Super Dario Land. The song heavily samples the track "Life in a Northern Town" by dream pop band the Dream Academy.

The song reached top-five positions in many European music charts. It also topped the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart following its American release in May 1998. In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart whilst Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" was at number one. This was the largest difference in sales between a number-one and number-two song on the chart.^{[citation needed]}

The song was featured in a dance montage in the final episode of the series Derry Girls.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "Import enthusiasts are already well-aware of this spunky, Euro-splashed instrumental, which draws its hook from Dream Academy's 1985 hit 'Life in a Northern Town'. First heard several months ago on the U.K.'s Eternal Records, this track is already making the rounds on crossover radio stations and mix shows." He concluded with that it "has the juice to become a massive top 40 hit."^[3] A reviewer from Music Week gave "Sunchyme" a score of four out of five, noting that "this catchy, uplifting house track is already attracting heavy airplay from Radio One and Capital, and is guaranteed to cross over into chart success."^[4]

Music Week editor Alan Jones praised it as "a gem, with the potential to go to the very top."^[5] Tim Jeffery from the Record Mirror Dance Update rated the song with five out of five, naming it "unashamed pop dance at its simplest and best". He added, "It'll have virtually everyone wincing and complaining that it's nothing to do with the "proper" dance scene while they observe entire clubs with their hands raised, belting out the chorus and generally going potty. Love it or loath [sic] it, you'll be hearing this from now until Christmas, and even beyond."^[6] In 2025, Classic Pop magazine ranked "Sunchyme" number 11 in their list of "Top 20 80s Sampling Hits".^[7]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Sunchyme" features a tribe of African people having their bodies covered with colourful paint to portray the animals of their native land (as well as tigers, which are not native to Africa). Later, they jump into a river to wash away the paint. At the 18th BRIT Awards ceremony, the music video was nominated for the Brit Award for British Video of the Year, but lost to "Never Ever" by All Saints.^[8]

Track listings

UK, US, and Australian CD single^[9]^[10]

"Sunchyme" (radio edit) – 3:54
"Sunchyme" (original) – 8:28
"Chyme" – 3:39

UK cassette single^[11]

"Sunchyme" (radio edit) – 3:54
"Chyme" – 3:39
"Sunchyme" (The Boy Dunne Good edit) – 4:23

UK 12-inch single^[12]

A. "Sunchyme" (original) – 8:28

AA. "Sunchyme" (remapped by Coloured Oxygen) – 12:28

European CD single^[13]

"Sunchyme" (radio edit) – 3:54
"Sunchyme" (original) – 8:28

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1997–1998)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[14]	22
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[15]	4
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[16]	5
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)^[17]	15
Belgium Dance (Ultratop Flanders)^[18]	6
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)^[19]	3
Denmark (IFPI)^[20]	2
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[21]	4
France (SNEP)^[22]	28
Germany (GfK)^[23]	3
Hungary (Mahasz)^[24]	1
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)^[25]	21
Ireland (IRMA)^[26]	3
Italy (Musica e dischi)^[27]	11
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)^[28]	6
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[29]	8
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[30]	17
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[31]	4
Scotland (OCC)^[32]	2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[33]	41
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[34]	2
UK Singles (OCC)^[35]	2
UK Dance (OCC)^[36]	3
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)^[37]	1
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)^[38]	1
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)^[39]	7

Year-end charts

Chart (1997)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[40]	48
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)^[41]	76
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[42]	40
Germany (Media Control)^[43]	44
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[44]	90
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[45]	100
UK Singles (OCC)^[46]	19

Chart (1998)	Position
Canada Dance (RPM)^[47]	40
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[48]	97
Germany (Media Control)^[49]	76
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[50]	29
US Dance Club Play (Billboard)^[51]	28
US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)^[52]	44

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)^[53]	Gold	35,000^{^}
Belgium (BRMA)^[54]	Gold	25,000^*
Germany (BVMI)^[55]	Platinum	500,000^{^}
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[56]	Gold	5,000^*
United Kingdom (BPI)^[57]	Platinum	600,000^‡
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone. ^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 13 September 1997. p. 33. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
^ Pereira, Natalie (8 April 2017). "Tritonal samples '80s house track on new single, 'Hey MaMaMa'". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
^ Flick, Larry (11 April 1998). "Reviews & Previews: Singles – New & Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 15. p. 88. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 6 September 1997. p. 49. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
^ Jones, Alan (30 August 1997). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
^ Jeffery, Tim (16 August 1997). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 16. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
^ O'Brien, Jon (14 April 2025). "Top 20 80s sampling hits". Classic Pop. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
^ "BBC News | UK | Nominations for 1998 Brit Awards". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
^ Sunchyme (UK & Australian CD single liner notes). Dario G. Eternal Records. 1997. WEA 130CD, 3984-20468-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Sunchyme (US CD single liner notes). Dario G. Kinetic Records. 1997. 9 17207-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Sunchyme (UK cassette single sleeve). Dario G. Eternal Records. 1997. WEA 130C.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Sunchyme (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Dario G. Eternal Records. 1997. WEA 130T.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Sunchyme (European CD single liner notes). Dario G. Eternal Records. 1997. 3984-21109-9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ "Dario G – Sunchyme". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
^ "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
^ "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
^ "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in French). Ultratop 50.
^ "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3499." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
^ "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 20 December 1997. p. 79 – via Google Books.
^ "Hits of the World: Eurochart Hot 100 (IFPI/Nielsen Marketing Research) 12/27/97". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. Nielsen Business Media. 27 December 1997. p. 61. ISSN 0006-2510.
^ "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in French). Le classement de singles.
^ "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 1–3. 17 January 1998. p. 14. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (30.10 '97 – 6.11. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 31 October 1997. p. 26. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sunchyme". Irish Singles Chart.
^ "Hits of the World – Italy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 41. 11 October 1997. p. 60. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
^ "Major Market Airplay: Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 51. 20 December 1997. p. 23.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 46, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
^ "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
^ "Dario G – Sunchyme". Top 40 Singles.
^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
^ "Dario G – Sunchyme". Singles Top 100.
^ "Dario G – Sunchyme". Swiss Singles Chart.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
^ "Dario G Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
^ "Dario G Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
^ "Dario G Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 1997" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
^ "Rapports annuels 1997" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
^ "1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 52. 27 December 1997. p. 7. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1996" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1997". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
^ "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
^ "RPM's Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1998". RPM. Retrieved 14 February 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1998" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 51. 19 December 1998. p. 8. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1997" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1998" (in German). Retrieved 14 February 2019.
^ "The Year in Music 1998: Hot Dance Club-Play Singles". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. 26 December 1998. p. YE-54.
^ "The Year in Music 1998: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. 26 December 1998. p. YE-55.
^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1998". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dario G; 'Sunchyme')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Dario G – Sunchyme". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
^ "British single certifications – Dario G – Sunchyme". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 January 2021.

[1] "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 13 September 1997. p. 33. Retrieved 15 May 2021.

[2] Pereira, Natalie (8 April 2017). "Tritonal samples '80s house track on new single, 'Hey MaMaMa'". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved 15 May 2021.

[3] Flick, Larry (11 April 1998). "Reviews & Previews: Singles – New & Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 15. p. 88. Retrieved 6 December 2020.

[4] "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 6 September 1997. p. 49. Retrieved 13 September 2022.

[5] Jones, Alan (30 August 1997). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved 22 August 2022.

[6] Jeffery, Tim (16 August 1997). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 16. Retrieved 16 August 2022.

[7] O'Brien, Jon (14 April 2025). "Top 20 80s sampling hits". Classic Pop. Retrieved 23 June 2025.

[8] "BBC News | UK | Nominations for 1998 Brit Awards". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 June 2024.

[9] Sunchyme (UK & Australian CD single liner notes). Dario G. Eternal Records. 1997. WEA 130CD, 3984-20468-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[10] Sunchyme (US CD single liner notes). Dario G. Kinetic Records. 1997. 9 17207-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[11] Sunchyme (UK cassette single sleeve). Dario G. Eternal Records. 1997. WEA 130C.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[12] Sunchyme (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Dario G. Eternal Records. 1997. WEA 130T.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[13] Sunchyme (European CD single liner notes). Dario G. Eternal Records. 1997. 3984-21109-9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[sc_Australia_Dario_G-14] "Dario G – Sunchyme". ARIA Top 50 Singles.

[sc_Austria_Dario_G-15] "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.

[sc_Flanders_Dario_G-16] "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.

[sc_Wallonia_Dario_G-17] "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in French). Ultratop 50.

[sc_Flanders_Dance_Dario_G-18] "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 21 January 2021.

[sc_Canadadance_-19] "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3499." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 14 February 2019.

[20] "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 20 December 1997. p. 79 – via Google Books.

[21] "Hits of the World: Eurochart Hot 100 (IFPI/Nielsen Marketing Research) 12/27/97". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. Nielsen Business Media. 27 December 1997. p. 61. ISSN 0006-2510.

[sc_France_Dario_G-22] "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in French). Le classement de singles.

[sc_Germany_Dario_G-23] "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.

[24] "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 1–3. 17 January 1998. p. 14. Retrieved 4 May 2018.

[25] "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (30.10 '97 – 6.11. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 31 October 1997. p. 26. Retrieved 2 October 2019.

[sc_Ireland2_-26] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sunchyme". Irish Singles Chart.

[27] "Hits of the World – Italy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 41. 11 October 1997. p. 60. Retrieved 14 February 2020.

[28] "Major Market Airplay: Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 51. 20 December 1997. p. 23.

[sc_Dutch40_-29] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 46, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 14 February 2019.

[sc_Dutch100_Dario_G-30] "Dario G – Sunchyme" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.

[sc_New_Zealand_Dario_G-31] "Dario G – Sunchyme". Top 40 Singles.

[sc_Scotland_-32] "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

[sc_Sweden_Dario_G-33] "Dario G – Sunchyme". Singles Top 100.

[sc_Switzerland_Dario_G-34] "Dario G – Sunchyme". Swiss Singles Chart.

[sc_UK_-35] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

[sc_UKdance_-36] "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.

[sc_Billboardbubbling100_Dario_G-37] "Dario G Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 February 2019.

[sc_Billboarddanceclubplay_Dario_G-38] "Dario G Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 February 2019.

[sc_Billboarddancesales_Dario_G-39] "Dario G Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 May 2021.

[40] "Jaaroverzichten 1997" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 14 February 2019.

[41] "Rapports annuels 1997" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 14 February 2019.

[42] "1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 52. 27 December 1997. p. 7. Retrieved 21 December 2019.

[43] "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1996" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 17 February 2018.

[44] "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1997". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 14 February 2020.

[45] "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 14 February 2019.

[46] "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.

[47] "RPM's Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1998". RPM. Retrieved 14 February 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.

[48] "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1998" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 51. 19 December 1998. p. 8. Retrieved 6 February 2020.

[49] "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1997" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 17 February 2018.

[50] "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1998" (in German). Retrieved 14 February 2019.

[51] "The Year in Music 1998: Hot Dance Club-Play Singles". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. 26 December 1998. p. YE-54.

[52] "The Year in Music 1998: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. 26 December 1998. p. YE-55.

[AustraliasingleCertRef-53] "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 September 2019.

[BelgiumsingleCertRef-54] "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1998". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 June 2019.

[GermanyDario_GSunchymesingleCertRef-55] "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Dario G; 'Sunchyme')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 20 June 2019.

[New_ZealandDario_GSunchymesingleCertRef-56] "New Zealand single certifications – Dario G – Sunchyme". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.

[United_KingdomDario_GSunchymesingleCertRef-57] "British single certifications – Dario G – Sunchyme". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 January 2021.

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v t e Dario G
Paul Spencer Scott Roser Stephen Spencer
Studio albums	Sunmachine In Full Colour Hola
Singles	"Sunchyme" "Carnaval de Paris" "Sunmachine" "Voices" "Dream to Me" "Say What's on Your Mind" "Carnaval 2002" "Heaven Is Closer (Feels Like Heaven)" "Ring of Fire" "Game On" "We Got Music" "Cry" "Hola" "Real Love x Sunchyme" "Keep On Lovin"
Featured albums	Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album

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