Don't Look Back into the Sun explained

Don't Look Back into the Sun
Cover:	Libertines-DontLookBackIntoTheSun.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	the Libertines
Released:	^[1]
Genre:	Garage rock
Length:	2:58
Label:	Rough Trade
Producer:	Bernard Butler
Prev Title:	Time for Heroes
Prev Year:	2003
Next Title:	Can't Stand Me Now
Next Year:	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.^[2] "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 United Kingdom featuring a re-recording of "Death on the Stairs" produced by Bernard Butler. 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 an 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.

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 five in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever, one place ahead of the Libertines' "Time for Heroes".^[3] In October 2011, NME placed it at number 71 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".^[4]

In popular culture

"Don't Look Back into the Sun" was used on the re-cap for some episodes of the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey, as well as at the end of the first episode of The Inbetweeners,^[5]

Track listings

7-inch

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)

Personnel

The Libertines

• Carl Barât – guitar, vocals
• Pete Doherty – vocals
• John Hassall – bass
• Gary Powell – drums

Additional personnel

• Bernard Butler - guitar, production

Notes and References

1. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 27. 16 August 2003. 8 September 2021.
2. http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/2003.htm
3. Web site: The Greatest Indie Anthem Ever revealed. NME. 3 May 2007. 8 September 2020.
4. Web site: 150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years . NME . 10 January 2012.
5. Web site: 22 March 2010 . The Inbetweeners - Music - series 1 episode 1 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130330084427/http://www.e4.com/inbetweeners/music-s1ep1.html . 30 March 2013 . 10 January 2012 . E4.com.