Don't Look Back into the Sun

"Don't Look Back into the Sun"
Single by The Libertines
Released	18 August 2003
Format	CD, 7"
Genre	Garage rock revival, surf rock
Length	2:58
Label	Rough Trade
Producer(s)	Bernard Butler
The Libertines singles chronology
"Time for Heroes" (2003) "Don't Look Back into the Sun" (2003) "Can't Stand Me Now" (2004)

"Don't Look Back into the Sun" is a song released by The Libertines as their fourth single. NME magazine awarded it single of the week upon its release.^[1] "Don't Look Back into the Sun" was released as a single only, therefore not appearing on any albums.

Release

The single was released in three versions in the UK featuring a re-recording of "Death on the Stairs" produced by Bernard Butler. The original version was released on Up the Bracket and was produced by Mick Jones. With "Death on the Stairs" present the single was sometimes labeled as "Don't Look Back into the Sun"/"Death on the Stairs".

In various territories "Don't Look Back into the Sun" was released as a EP combining various UK b-sides on a single CD. It was also released as a seven track EP in Japan, featuring the music video for the song "I Get Along" as the eighth track.

"Don't Look Back into the Sun" was featured in the 2005 film The Long Weekend.^[2] and on the intro for episodes of the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey. The song was also used at the end of the first episode of The Inbetweeners,^[3] as well as being used for Kill Your Darlings ending credits.

In 2007 it was covered by The View on the BBC Radio 1 Established 1967 album, with the song representing the year 2003.

Reception

In May 2007, NME magazine placed "Don't Look Back into the Sun" at number 5 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever, one place ahead of The Libertines' "Time for Heroes".^[4] In October 2011, NME placed it at number 71 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".^[5]

Track listing

7"

1. "Don't Look Back into the Sun" – 2:59
2. "Death on the Stairs" – 3:43
   • Re-recorded version

CD 1

1. "Don't Look Back into the Sun" – 2:59
2. "Death on the Stairs" – 3:43
   • Re-recorded version
3. "Tell the King" (Original Demo Version) – 3:44

CD 2

1. "Don't Look Back into the Sun" – 2:59
2. "Skint and Minted" (Demo) – 3:35
3. "Mockingbird" – 3:14

Spanish EP

1. "Don't Look Back into the Sun" – 2:59
2. "Death on the Stairs" – 3:43
   • Re-recorded version
3. "Tell the King" (Original Demo Version) – 3:44
4. "Skint and Minted" (Demo) – 3:35

Australian EP

1. "Don't Look Back into the Sun" – 2:59
2. "Death on the Stairs" – 3:43
   • Re-recorded version
3. "Tell the King" (Original Demo Version) – 3:44
4. "Skint and Minted" (Demo) – 3:35
5. "Mockingbird" – 3:14

Japanese EP

1. "Don't Look Back into the Sun" – 2:59
2. "Death on the Stairs" – 3:43
   • Re-recorded version
3. "Skint and Minted" (Demo) – 3:35
4. "General Smuts" (Demo) – 3:31
5. "Mr. Finnegan" (Demo) – 1:51
6. "7 Deadly Sins" (Demo) – 2:50
7. "Plan A" – 3:22
8. I Get Along (Music Video)

Chart performance

References