Castles in the Sky (song)

"Castles in the Sky" is a song by Belgian vocal trance act Ian Van Dahl and appearing on their debut album Ace. The vocalist is Belgian singer Marsha, who also wrote the song.[1] The single was released in Europe in May 2000, followed by a worldwide release in late 2000. The song was a modest success in mainland Europe, but was a major hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the Scottish Singles Chart for two weeks.

"Castles in the Sky"
Single by Ian Van Dahl featuring Marsha
from the album Ace
Released	1 May 2000
Recorded	1998
Genre	Eurodance, Trance
Length	3:46
Songwriter(s)	Erik Vanspauwen Christophe Chantzis Martine Theeuwen (known as Marsha)
Producer(s)	Erik Vanspauwen Christophe Chantzis
Ian Van Dahl singles chronology
"Castles in the Sky" (2000) "Will I?" (2001)

Background

Belgian singer-songwriter Martine D. J. Theeuwen, better known as Marsha, heard that brothers and musicians Erik and Geert Vanspauwen were looking for a vocalist with experience in dance music. After getting in touch, Marsha had a successful audition and began working with the brothers until Geert "felt he was no longer needed" and quit, leaving just Erik and Marsha. A year or so later, Christophe Chantzis joined the team and Marsha was given a demo that would ultimately become "Castles in the Sky". According to Marsha, "The vocal melody and the lyrics of 'Castles in the Sky' are mine. No co-writers, the lyrics were taken as I wrote them. Although Christophe hated the lyrics and the vocals of mine, which he thought interfered with the music too much (mind his Absolom remix without any vocals), A&S recordings took my version of 'Castles in the Sky' with my vocals and complete lyrics on it to MIDEM, the biggest European music conference held annually in Cannes, France. I immediately turned out to be a success as the song was signed for eight countries right then."[1]

Controversially, however, Marsha was axed from any live performances, as three dancers (including Cindy Mertens) took her place.[1]

Music video

There are two different videos for the song, both of which feature Cindy Mertens miming to Marsha's vocals. The first uses the regular radio edit, and shows a selection of dancers in an underground sewer. The second video uses the Peter Luts radio edit and features clips of an instrument being played amongst clips of the original video.

Track listing

1. "Castles In The Sky (Peter Luts Radio Edit)" 3:18
2. "Castles In The Sky (Radio Edit)" 3:49
3. "Castles In The Sky (Peter Luts Remix)" 7:15
4. "Castles In The Sky (Coast 2 Coast Remix)" 8:28
5. "Castles In The Sky (Wippenberg Remix)" 5:48
6. "Castles In The Sky (De Donatis Remix)" 7:06

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (2000) Peak position Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[2] 16 Chart (2001–2003) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[3] 57 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[4] 35 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[5] 17 Denmark (Tracklisten)[6] 18 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] 14 Germany (Official German Charts)[8] 43 Ireland (IRMA)[9] 13 Ireland Dance (IRMA)[10] 2 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[11] 28 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] 43 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[13] 14 Scotland (OCC)[14] 1 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[15] 13 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[16] 51 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[17] 90 UK Singles (OCC)[18] 3 UK Dance (OCC)[19] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[20] 91 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[21] 33 US Hot Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[22] 13

Year-end charts Chart (2001) Position Ireland (IRMA)[23] 56 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[13] 52 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[24] 22 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales United Kingdom (BPI)[25] Platinum 600,000 Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. ": : NRGmusic : : Ian Van Dahl : : Marsha Madness Interview : :". www.marsha.be. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
2. "Ultratop.be – Ian Van Dahl feat. Marsha – Castles in the Sky" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
3. Kent, David (2006). Australian Chart Book 1993-2005. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-45889-2.
4. "Ultratop.be – Ian Van Dahl – Castles in the Sky" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
5. "Ian Van Dahl Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
6. "Danishcharts.com – Ian Van Dahl feat. Marsha – Castles in the Sky". Tracklisten.
7. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 19 no. 34. 18 August 2001. p. 15. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
8. "Offiziellecharts.de – Ian Van Dahl feat. Marsha – Castles in the Sky". GfK Entertainment Charts.
9. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Castles in the Sky". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
10. "Top 10 Dance Singles, Week Ending 30 August 2001". GfK Chart-Track. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
11. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 37, 2001" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40
12. "Dutchcharts.nl – Ian Van Dahl feat. Marsha – Castles in the Sky" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
13. "Top of the Year 2001". Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 9 December 2002. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
14. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
15. "Spanishcharts.com – Ian Van Dahl – Castles in the Sky" Canciones Top 50.
16. "Swedishcharts.com – Ian Van Dahl feat. Marsha – Castles in the Sky". Singles Top 100.
17. "Swisscharts.com – Ian Van Dahl feat. Marsha – Castles in the Sky". Swiss Singles Chart.
18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
19. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
20. "Ian Van Dahl Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
21. "Ian Van Dahl Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
22. "Ian Van Dahl Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
23. "Ireland – Top Singles for 2001". Allcharts.org. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
24. "2001 UK Singles Chart" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
25. "British single certifications – Ian Van Dahl – Castles in the Sky". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 January 2021.