Release and Reception
"The Sun Always Shines on T.V." was released in autumn 1985, becoming the second successful single from Hunting High and Low and one of the band's most recognizable and popular songs. The song peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also went Top 5 in Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, in the band's home country of Norway, and it reached number one in Ireland and on the British Singles Chart which was bigger chart position there, than "Take On Me".
Tim DeGravine of Allmusic later wrote of the song,
"The Sun Always Shines on T.V." is just as thrilling (as "Take on Me"). Starting as a sad ballad, it explodes into something much more, as chugging guitars and operatic synths keep pace with Harket's evocative vocal stylings. If ever a 1980s song qualified as Wall of Sound, "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." would be it."
None of the versions released on the single were available on the band's album. The single mix was shortened down to 4:30, while the 12" featured an extended mix and instrumental version mixed by Steve Thompson. The b-side, "Driftwood" is a non-album track produced by the band.
There are two versions of the extended mix. The first one is 8:25, while the second, rarer one is 7:09 and starts with a slow piano intro.
Read more about this topic: The Sun Always Shines On T.V.
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