Words (The Christians song)

"Words" is a 1989 song recorded by the English band The Christians. It was the first single from their second album, Colour. Released in December 1989 in Ireland and UK and in the first months of 1990 in other European countries, the song was the first major international hit for the band.

"Words"
Single by The Christians
from the album Colour
B-side"Long Gone"
ReleasedDecember 1989
Recorded1989
Length7:17
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)Henry Priestman, (based on a melody by Seán Ó Riada, uncredited)
Producer(s)Laurie Latham
The Christians singles chronology
"Ferry Cross the Mersey"
(1989)		 "Words"
(1989)		 "I Found Out"
(1990)
Music video
"Words" on YouTube

Song information

The group adapted a famous refrain of Irish folk heritage, known as "Mná na hÉireann", written by Seán Ó Riada, which translates as "Women of Ireland". It has been recorded by The Chieftains and Kate Bush among many others.

According to expert of French charts Elia Habib, the song has a "sweet both melody and performance".[1]

The song's lyrics are written on the cover of the CD maxi and the vinyl.

This single had great success in France, although the group was not really known to the general public. The song achieved lesser success in the UK where it reached number 18 (as in Sweden) and was a failure in Germany.

In France, "Words" debuted at the bottom of the chart (Top 50) on March 10, 1990, but very quickly reached number 1, topping the chart for two weeks in May but managed to stay in the Top 10 for 11 weeks. It fell off the chart after its 19th week. Thus it was the best-selling single of the band in France. The song was also a big hit in Ireland and the Netherlands, reaching the Top 10 there.

Music video

The song's music video is notable for stunning landscape, and features Port Isaac, Doyden Castle (Port Quin), and Boscastle in Cornwall, England.

Track listings
  • CD maxi
  1. "Words" – 7:17
  2. "Long Gone" – 3:22
  3. "Funny Money" – 3:35
  • 7" single
  1. "Words" – 5:26
  2. "Long Gone" – 3:22

Charts

References
  1. Habib, Elia (2002). Muz hit.tubes (in French). Alinea Bis. p. 184. ISBN 2-9518832-0-X.
  2. Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved February 21, 2008)
  3. UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved August 6, 2008)
  4. "Single top 100 over 1990" (pdf) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
  5. "Words", Dutch Maga Top 100, French and Swedish singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved February 21, 2008)
  6. "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7 no. 51. 22 December 1990. p. 60. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 15 January 2020 – via American Radio History.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.