Bob Marley & the Wailers’ classic “Sun Is Shining” has reached a major milestone in the United Kingdom, earning Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for over 200,000 units in combined sales and streams. The data, tracked by the Official Charts Company, reaffirms the song’s enduring popularity across generations—over four decades after its original release and more than two decades after its explosive dance remix took Europe by storm.
First appearing on Marley’s Soul Revolution Part II (1971) and later African Herbsman (1973), “Sun Is Shining” was re-recorded for the 1978 Kaya album with a smoother, more meditative vibe. Despite its optimistic tone and spiritual resonance, the song remained a lesser-known gem during Marley’s lifetime. Only two live performances have been documented—both under special circumstances in 1978, including a spontaneous rendition at The Music Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts when the rain stopped.
The real breakthrough came in 1999, when Danish DJ and producer Funkstar De Luxe remixed the track into a genre-blending house anthem. Officially cleared by the Marley estate, the remix transformed “Sun Is Shining” into a global chart hit and club staple, bringing Marley’s message to a new generation of listeners.
In the UK, the remix debuted at #3 on the Official Singles Chart, making it Bob Marley’s highest-charting single in the country to date. It also hit #1 on the UK Indie Chart, featured on multiple year-end lists, and secured airplay and club chart success throughout the late ’90s.
But the UK wasn’t alone in embracing the track. Globally, “Sun Is Shining” became a certified hit in numerous territories:
France: Certified Gold by SNEP for over 250,000 units Belgium: Certified Gold for 25,000 units Sweden: Certified Gold for 15,000 units New Zealand: Certified Gold for 5,000 units (remix version), and an additional Gold (15,000 units) for the original United States: Reached #1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart Canada: Topped the RPM Dance/Urban Chart and peaked at #28 on the overall Top Singles Chart Iceland: Peaked at #1 Ireland, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, and Finland: All saw Top 10 placements Other Top 20 Peaks: Achieved in Austria, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands
The remix was featured in multiple formats, including a Radio De Luxe edit, ATB remixes, and an 8-minute Funkstar club mix—all of which helped extend its shelf life across dance floors and radio rotations worldwide.
