Orpheus (David Sylvian song)

"Orpheus" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Sylvian, released on 3 May 1988 as the second single from his fourth studio album Secrets of the Beehive (1987). The song evokes the myth of Orpheus.^[2]

"Orpheus"
Single by David Sylvian
from the album Secrets of the Beehive
B-side	"Mother and Child"
Released	3 May 1988 (1988-05-03)[1]
Recorded	1987, London and Bath, England; Chateau Miraval, Le Val, France; Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, The Netherlands
Genre	Art rock
Length	4:46
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	David Sylvian
Producer(s)	Steve Nye, David Sylvian
David Sylvian singles chronology
"Let the Happiness In" (1987) "Orpheus" (1988) "Pop Song" (1989)

Formats and track listing

All songs written by David Sylvian

European 7" single (VS 1043)

1. "Orpheus" – 4:46
2. "Mother and Child" – 3:09

European 12" single (VST 1043)

1. "Orpheus" – 4:46
2. "Mother and Child" – 3:09
3. "The Devil's Own" – 3:08

Personnel

• David Sylvian – vocals, acoustic guitar, synths
• Ryuichi Sakamoto – piano, synths
• Steve Jansen – drums
• Danny Thompson – double bass
• Phil Palmer – slide guitar
• Mark Isham – flugelhorn
• Brian Gascoigne – orchestral arrangement

Accolades

Year	Publication	Country	Article	Rank
2005	Süddeutsche Zeitung	Germany	1020 Songs 1955–2005 [3]	*
2008	Luca Sofri	Italy	2,978 Songs You Can't Live Without [4]	*
2017	Rumore	Italy	Top 300 Songs of All Time [5]	96

(*) designates unordered lists.