Distant Sun

"Distant Sun" is a song by Australian band Crowded House, released in September 1993 by Capitol Records as the first single from their fourth studio album, Together Alone (1993). The song gave the band another top-20 hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 19, but fell shy of the mark in Australia, reaching number 23. It was a top-five hit in Canada and New Zealand, reaching numbers four and five, respectively. In March 1994, a remixed version of "Distant Sun" was released in the United States, reaching number 26 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The regular mix was not released as a single in the US and was only available on the album.

A live version of "Distant Sun" was included on the single for "Locked Out", another single from Together Alone; this version was recorded at Hammersmith Apollo, England on 12 November 1993. In 2005, a tribute album titled She Will Have Her Way was created featuring a collection of Neil and Tim Finn's songs reinterpreted by female singers; "Distant Sun" was performed by New Zealand singer-songwriter Brooke Fraser. Fraser's version is mostly similar to the original version, but the key was changed to suit her voice, and she omitted the line "Like a Christian fearing vengeance from above".

Track listings
As the lead single from Together Alone, "Distant Sun" was released in various versions internationally. All songs, including B-sides, were written by Neil Finn unless otherwise noted.

Note: All live tracks were recorded at The Town & Country Club, London on 9 and 10 November 1991.
 * Australian CD single
 * 1) "Distant Sun" – 3:50
 * 2) "Walking on the Spot" (live) – 2:55
 * 3) "When You Come" (live) – 6:23
 * 4) "Skin Feeling" (Paul Hester) – 3:56
 * 5) "Weather with You" (live) – 5:26

Disc one
 * UK CD single
 * 1) "Distant Sun" – 3:51
 * 2) "This Is Massive" (Hester) – 3:55 (live)
 * 3) "When You Come" – 6:16 (live)

Disc two Note: All live tracks were recorded at The Roxy, Los Angeles, 26 February 1987. "Distant Sun" and "Walking on the Spot" are from the Together Alone album.
 * 1) "Distant Sun" – 3:51
 * 2) "Walking on the Spot" – 2:54
 * 3) "Throw Your Arms Around Me" (Hunters & Collectors cover; written by Mark Seymour) – 3:54 (live)
 * 4) "One Step Ahead" – 3:52 (live)


 * Holland CD single
 * 1) "Distant Sun"
 * 2) "Don't Dream It's Over" (live at the King Biscuit Flower Hour, 24 March 1987)

Note: All B-sides recorded live at The Roxy, Los Angeles, 26 February 1987 except "Walking on the Spot" which is the Together Alone album version.
 * Netherlands CD single
 * 1) "Distant Sun" – 3:51
 * 2) "Walking on the Spot" – 2:54
 * 3) "Throw Your Arms Around Me" (Hunters & Collectors cover; written by Seymour, Archer, Crosby, Falconer, Howard, Miles, Waters) – 3:54 (live)
 * 4) "One Step Ahead" – 3:52 (live)

Note: Live tracks were recorded at Munich, Germany, 12 December 1993.
 * US CD single
 * 1) "Distant Sun" (remix version) – 3:45
 * 2) "Pineapple Head" – 3:54 (live)
 * 3) "Locked Out" – 3:38 (live)