Wonderful Shadow Explained

Wonderful Shadow
Cover:	Tanita Tikaram Wonderful Shadow 1995 single cover.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Tanita Tikaram
Album:	Lovers in the City
Released:	1995
Label:	East West Records
Producer:	Tanita Tikaram
Prev Title:	I Might Be Crying
Prev Year:	1995
Next Title:	Yodelling Song
Next Year:	1995

"Wonderful Shadow" is a song by British singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram, which was released in 1995 as the second single from her fifth studio album Lovers in the City. The song was solely written and produced by Tikaram. "Wonderful Shadow" reached No. 198 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1995.^[1]

Background

Speaking to the Evening Herald in 1995, Tikaram said of the song: "It's about somebody who sees love in everything. They're absolutely abandoned. I have a sneaking desire to be that person. I know more people who are like that and I'm attracted to them, because I'm amazed at people who follow their own desire."^[2]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Music & Media wrote: "It might be hip to say Tanita is over, but it's not fair. Without being unfaithful to her roots she's steadily innovating her fragile music. The rhythm track underneath brings out the best in her."^[3] Music Week considered it a "brooding track" which is "accompanie[d] [by] a subtle dance beat" but added that it "somehow lacks the dynamism to make it a hit single".^[4]

In a review of Lovers in the City, Paul Robicheau of The Boston Globe noted the song was "set to a lazy dance beat". He also commented on the contrast between "I Might Be Crying" and "Wonderful Shadow", as they "explore both sides of romance".^[5] Out described the song as "sweet" and "well worth chasing Lovers in the City down [for]".^[6] Oliver P. Sweeney of Hot Press noted the song's "shuffly percussion".^[7] The Gavin Report considered the song to be the album's "centerpiece".^[8]

Track listing

CD single (Europe and UK release)

1. "Wonderful Shadow" – 6:10
2. "Have You Lost Your Way?" – 13:15
3. "Good Tradition" – 2:50

CD single (German #2 release)

1. "Wonderful Shadow" – 6:10
2. "Wonderful Shadow" (Reconstruction Version) – 6:27
3. "Out on the Town" – 2:50

CD single (German promo)

1. "Wonderful Shadow" (Edit) – 3:32
2. "Wonderful Shadow" (Original Version) – 6:10
3. "Have You Lost Your Way?" – 13:15
4. "Good Tradition" – 2:50

Personnel

Wonderful Shadow

• Tanita Tikaram – vocals
• Mark Creswell, Adam Kirk – guitar
• Stevie Williams – bass, percussion, drum programming
• The London Session Orchestra – strings
• Gavyn Wright – string arrangement, conductor

Production

• Tanita Tikaram – producer of "Wonderful Shadow", "Have You Lost Your Way?" and "Out on the Town"
• Peter Van Hooke, Rod Argent – producers of "Good Tradition"
• Steve Williams – producer of "Wonderful Shadow" (Reconstruction Version)
• Steve Price – engineer and mixing on "Wonderful Shadow"
• Tim Young – mastering on "Wonderful Shadow"

Other

• Farrington Associates – design
• Jean-Baptiste Mondino – photography

Notes and References

1. Web site: Chart Log UK: DJ T - Tzant . Zobbel.de . 2020-06-05.
2. News: Carr. Eamon. 31 January 1995. Shy Tanita changes into Elvis Herselvis. The Evening Herald. 19.
3. 6 May 1995. New Releases: Singles. Music & Media. 13.
4. Reviews: Singles . . 11 March 1995 . 10 . 0265-1548.
5. News: Robicheau. Paul. 6 July 1995. Recordings. The Boston Globe. 17.
6. Web site: Out - Google Books . 2011-05-09 . 2020-06-05.
7. Web site: Lovers in the City.
8. 31 March 1995. A3 New Releases. Gavin Report. 28.