"On a Sunday Afternoon" is a song by American hip hop duo A Lighter Shade of Brown and the second single from their debut studio album, Brown & Proud (1990). Featuring singer Shiro Stokes and radio disc jockey Huggy Boy, it was produced by Jammin' James Carter. It is the group's most successful song, peaking at number 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one in New Zealand for two weeks; it is certified gold in the latter country.
| "On a Sunday Afternoon" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by A Lighter Shade of Brown featuring Shiro Stokes and Huggy Boy | ||||
| from the album Brown & Proud | ||||
| B-side | "A Sunday Afternoon Groove" | |||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 3:47 | |||
| Label | Pump | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Jammin' James Carter | |||
| A Lighter Shade of Brown singles chronology | ||||
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| Shiro Stokes singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "On a Sunday Afternoon" on YouTube | ||||
Background and content edit
Clif Richey, the manager of A Lighter Shade of Brown, wanted them to write a song with a vibe similar to that of "Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, which was a hit at the time, but about what their friends and family did at the park. As a result, the duo composed "On a Sunday Afternoon", in which they rap about topics such as "jamming the oldie tunes" and "kids playing on the merry-go-round".[1]
Samples edit
The song contains samples of "Groovin'" by the Rascals,[2] "Crystal Blue Persuasion" by Tommy James and the Shondells, "Papa Was Too" by Joe Tex and "La-La (Means I Love You)" by the Delfonics.
Music video edit
The music video was shot at Legg Lake Park in the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. It sees the duo rapping and cruising around in the parking lot.[1]
Track listings edit
US cassette single; UK and Australian CD single[3][4]
- "On a Sunday Afternoon" (radio mix) – 3:44
- "A Sunday Afternoon Groove" – 3:47
UK 7-inch single[5]
- A. "On a Sunday Afternoon" (radio mix) – 3:24
- B. "Brown & Proud" (featuring Chulo) – 3:45
UK 12-inch single[6]
- A1. "On a Sunday Afternoon" (Ozone mix) – 3:45
- B1. "On a Sunday Afternoon" (radio mix) – 3:24
- B2. "Brown & Proud" (featuring Chulo) – 3:45
Charts edit
Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
|
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[11] | Gold | 5,000* |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history edit
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1991 | Cassette | Pump | |
| United Kingdom | July 6, 1992 |
|
[12] |
References edit
- ^ a b Molina, Alejandra (August 1, 2016). "How Chicano rap group Lighter Shade of Brown remains timeless decades later". The Press-Enterprise. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ^ "Bobby Ramirez, DTTX From A Lighter Shade of Brown, Passes Away at 46". OC Weekly. July 20, 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ^ On a Sunday Afternoon (US cassette single sleeve). A Lighter Shade of Brown. Pump Records. 1991. 4KM-15186-4.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ On a Sunday Afternoon (UK & Australian CD single liner notes). A Lighter Shade of Brown. Pump Records. 1991. CDPU110.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ On a Sunday Afternoon (UK 7-inch single sleeve). A Lighter Shade of Brown. Pump Records. 1991. 7 PUM 010, 9070510.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ On a Sunday Afternoon (UK 12-inch single sleeve). A Lighter Shade of Brown. Pump Records. 1991. 12PUM010.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "LSOB feat. Shiro and Intro By Huggy Boy – On A Sunday Afternoon" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
- ^ "LSOB feat. Shiro and Intro By Huggy Boy – On A Sunday Afternoon". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
- ^ "Lighter Shade of Brown Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "End of Year Charts 1992". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – A Lighter Shade of Brown – On a Sunday Afternoon". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. July 4, 1992. p. 21.