Sunset People Explained

Sunset People
Cover:Sunset_People_(Germany).jpg
Caption:Front sleeve of the German 7-inch vinyl release
Type:single
Artist:Donna Summer
Album:Bad Girls
B-Side:Our Love
Released:July 11, 1980
Recorded:1978–1979
Genre:
Length:
  • 6:27 (album version)
  • 3:55 (7" edit)
Label:Casablanca
Producer:
Prev Title:On the Radio
Prev Year:1979
Next Title:Our Love
Next Year:1980

"Sunset People" is a song by American singer Donna Summer from her seventh studio album Bad Girls (1979). It was released as a single in some countries in 1980.

Overview

Bad Girls, released on Casablanca Records in the US, had already produced several chart-topping singles for the disco star, but Summer had resigned from the label and taken a lawsuit against them. She had since signed to Geffen Records and was getting ready to release her first album with them (which had moved away from the disco sound). The single was not released in the North American market because of ongoing litigation.[1]

The song was also used for the unsold 1985 game show pilot called Split Decision hosted by Jim McKrell.

Critical reception

Stephen Holden, in his review of the album Bad Girls for Rolling Stone, noted a large social subtext in the song, which describes the whole truth about the nightmarish underside of the glamorous world of Hollywood, about the inhabitants of the Sunset Strip at night.[2]

Chart positions

Chart (1980)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Netherlands (Tipparade)[3] 14

Cover versions

The song was covered by E. G. Daily in 1985 for her debut album Wild Child.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Craig. McLean. Donna Summer: too hot to handle. The Telegraph. 13 June 2008. March 8, 2023.
  2. Stephen. Holden. Donna Summer: Bad Girls : Music Reviews. Rolling Stone. March 8, 2023. July 12, 1979. https://web.archive.org/web/20081013205421/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/donnasummer/albums/album/233978/review/5946581/bad_girls. October 13, 2008. dead.
  3. Web site: Tipparade-lijst van week 29, 1980. Dutch Top 40. nl. March 8, 2023.