The Sparrows and the Nightingales explained

The Sparrows and the Nightingales
Cover:The Sparrows and The Nightingales single cover.jpg
Caption:CD version cover
Type:single
Artist:Wolfsheim
Album:No Happy View
B-Side:It's All the Rage
Released:15 July 1991
Genre:Synthpop
Length:10:23
Label:Strange Ways
Producer:Carlos Peron
Next Title:It's Not Too Late (Don't Sorrow)
Next Year:1992

"The Sparrows and the Nightingales" is the debut single by Wolfsheim. Written by Peter Heppner and Markus Reinhardt, it was featured on their album No Happy View.

Although the original release did not chart, the song has been covered by several artists, with the 1999 version by Mark 'Oh versus John Davies charting in the German Media Control charts for 14 weeks, peaking at number 14.[1]

Wolfsheim single

The original Wolfsheim release of the song did not chart, but was a club hit and was widely available on various compilations.

Reinhardt says the lyric was inspired by The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, "wegen der 'lautmalerischen Spannung' zwischen Raubtier und Geborgenheit gereizt." ("in the 'onomatopoeic tension' between predator and security.")[2]

Track listing

Mark 'Oh versus John Davies version

The Sparrows and the Nightingales
Cover:Mark'Oh Vs.John Davies - The Sparrows and The Nightingales.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Mark 'Oh
Album:Rebirth
Released:May 10, 1999
Recorded:Studi'Oh for Randy Recordings
Length:27:42
Producer:Claus Hägele
Marko Albrecht
Prev Title:The Team On Tour
Prev Year:1998
Next Title:Your Love
Next Year:1999

In 1999, Mark 'Oh versus John Davies covered the song for the album Rebirth. The single peaked at number 14 on the Media Control Charts, staying in the chart for 14 weeks.

Track listing

[5]

  1. "The Sparrows and the Nightingales" (Short Mix) (3:15)
  2. "The Sparrows and the Nightingales" (Long Mix) (5:11)
  3. "The Sparrows and the Nightingales" (Oliver Lieb Main Mix) (6:27)
  4. "The Sparrows and the Nightingales" (D.V. Remix) (6:02)
  5. "The Sparrows and the Nightingales" (Oliver Lieb Club Mix) (6:27)

Other versions

German gothic metal band Scream Silence covered the song in 2000.[6]

The electronic band The Echoing Green covered the song on the 2004 edition of their album The Winter of Our Discontent.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mark 'Oh vs. John Davies - The Sparrows And The Nightingales. hitparade.ch. 6 March 2014.
  2. Web site: Ohne Führer und Vaterland. Christoph. Kutzer. German. Without a guide and country. taz.de. 23 April 2003. 10 March 2014.
  3. http://www.discogs.com/Wolfsheim-The-Sparrows-And-The-Nightingales/release/176161 Wolfsheim – The Sparrows And The Nightingales
  4. http://www.discogs.com/Wolfsheim-The-Sparrows-And-The-Nightingales/release/2337455 Wolfsheim – The Sparrows And The Nightingales
  5. http://www.discogs.com/Mark-Oh-vs-John-Davies-The-Sparrows-And-The-Nightingales/release/228502 Mark´Oh Discogs Profile
  6. http://www.screamsilence.de/ Scream Silence Official Site