Insomnia Faithless Extended Version

[Fito Coulter]

Insomnia" is a song by British musical group Faithless. Released as the band's second single, it became one of their most successful. It was originally released in 1995 and reached number 27 on the UK Singles Chart, topping the UK Dance Chart in the process. When re-released in October 1996, the song achieved a new peak of number three in the United Kingdom and topped the charts of Finland, Norway, and Switzerland, as well as the American and Canadian dance charts. It also featured on Faithless's 1996 debut album, Reverence.

The album version is nearly nine minutes long and contains some lyrics not able to be broadcast on the radio edit due to their explicit content. Maxi Jazz changed the opening line from "I only smoke weed when I need to" to "Deep in the bosom of the gentle night" due to pressure from MTV.[3] It also contains some bells chiming at the start of the song (sampled from a BBC Sound Archive disc)[3] not generally known by the club-going public as many people know the Monster Mix or the Monster Mix Radio Edit. The beginning of the Moody Mix of the song also features a sample from Biosphere's "Novelty Waves" (1994).[4] The version present on the album Reverence is an edit that combines the Moody Mix and the Monster Mix, meaning the sample is also present on the album version. The Monster Mix was the mix featured on Faithless' greatest hits album Forever Faithless, with the original edit being the work of Radio Victory's Bill Padley.[5] This edit was picked up by BBC Radio 1 upon release in 1995 and became a small UK Top 40 hit, with the Cheeky label's recording being licensed through Champion Records at the time. After the song gained popularity in continental Europe, Pete Tong campaigned for a re-release: Cheeky/Champion chose to hold back the re-issue so it arrived in shops on the same day as the Spice Girls' "Say You'll Be There", so it would be placed in racks alongside it.[3] The song charted at number 3 in the UK, appearing two places below the aforementioned Spice Girls single, while also topping the UK Dance charts. The song also went on to top the US Hot Dance Club Play chart. The Moody Mix featured on some of the singles was also on the Reverence / Irreverence release.

Justin Chadwick from Albumism described the song as a "frenetic yet melodic ode to late night restlessness and sleep-deprived reveries", adding it as "phenomenal".[6] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "This single serves as a fine peek into the project, giving listeners a taste of urgent dance rhythms, a complex and infectious pop melody, and vocals that are notches above the typical vamps heard on club-originated records."[7] Complex said that Faithless' "Insomnia" "spoke to a number of ravers out there who lived for the night/weekend and, sadly, the drugs that kept them partying to the break of dawn (and beyond). Insomnia was and is real for the raver massive, and Faithless brought those vibes to song perfectly."[8] Gerry Kiernan commented on the song in the 2010 book 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, "Unleashed in an era of uplifting "handbag" house", "Insomnia" crept with nocturnal stealth through rave culture into suburban bedrooms. As its title suggested, this climatic, hands-in-the-air dance anthem was not one to put on before bedtime."[9] Tim Jeffery from Music Week's RM Dance Update rated it four out of five, writing, "Following very much in the style of its predecessor with all the Rollo production hallmarks including the piercing organ and synth riffs and a bouncy bassline. As with the debut, there's also the half speed section in the middle to incorporate the rap and vocals which aren't as instant as 'Salva Mea' but grow on you. With the formula now established, this one may fare better commercially."[10] Ben Turner from Muzik noted that "it has soul, grace, emotion and a distinctly dark, melancholic side. Happy house has never been challenged in this way."[11]

"Insomnia" was very successful on the charts on several continents, becoming one of the group's biggest hits to date. In Europe, it reached number-one in Finland, Norway and Switzerland. Additionally, it managed to climb into the Top 10 also in Austria, Belgium (number 2), Denmark, France, Germany (number 2), Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it hit number 3. In the UK, "Insomnia" also peaked at number 3 in its second run on the UK Singles Chart, on 20 October 1996.[12] But on the UK Dance Chart, it was an even bigger hit, peaking at number-one. Outside Europe, the single reached the top spot on the RPM Dance Chart in Canada and the Billboard Dance Club Songs in the United States. On the Billboard Hot 100, it went to number 62. In Oceania, it reached number 16 in Australia and number 39 in New Zealand. The song earned a gold record in Australia, Belgium, France and Switzerland, a platinum record in Germany and Norway, and a triple platinum record in the UK, with sales and streams of 1,800,000 units. After Maxi Jazz's December 2022 death, "Insomnia" charted at number four on the UK Singles Downloads Chart.[13]

A music video was made to accompany the song. It was directed by British director Lindy Heymann[14] and partially set on the Aylesbury Estate in south London.[citation needed] The video was uploaded to YouTube in July 2015, and as of June 2022, it has got more than 100 million views.[15][relevant?]

"Insomnia" was remixed and rereleased in 2005 after the re-entry of the 1996 single into the UK Singles Chart at number 48. This was partly because of Faithless releasing their greatest hits album. The remix was not used on the greatest hits with the Monster Mix being the version which featured on the album. The remixed version reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart.

In 2015, Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii released a remix titled "Insomnia 2.0 (Avicii Remix)". The track was released on 24 July 2015 and reached the German charts.[78] It was also featured on the Faithless 2.0 release in Avicii extended remix and Avicii radio exit remix formats (as well as the 1995 Monster Mix). "Insomnia 2.0" also went to number one on the US Dance chart.[79]

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