Searchlight (album)

Searchlight is the sixth studio album released by Scottish Celtic rock band Runrig. The album was released on 25 September 1989 by Chrysalis Records.^[2] It spawned one single, "News from Heaven", which reached number ninety on the UK Singles Charts.

Searchlight
Studio album by Runrig
Released	1989
Recorded	Castlesound Studios, Pentcaitland, Scotland / Great Linford Manor, Milton Keynes, England
Genre	Celtic rock, pop
Length	49:12
Label	Chrysalis
Producer	Richard Mainwaring
Runrig chronology
The Cutter and the Clan (1987) Searchlight (1989) The Big Wheel (1991)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Record Mirror	[1]

Release and promotion

The album was released on 25 September 1989 via Chrysalis in the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain. In 1990, Runrig performed the albums only single "News From Heaven" live on the BBC Children in Need broadcast.^[3] In 2014, Searchlight was included on a 5 CD Box released by the band under Chrysalis, along with four of the bands other studio albums – The Cutter and the Clan, The Big Wheel, Amazing Things and Mara.^[2]

Following its release, Searchlight was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on 12 October 1989. It was later awarded a Gold certification from the BPI, indicating sales of over 100,000 copies, on 1 January 1991.^[4]

News from Heaven

"News from Heaven"
Single by Runrig
from the album Searchlight
B-side	"Smalltown"
Released	September 1989
Studio	Castlesound Studios, Edinburgh, Scotland
Label	Chrysalis – CHS 12 3404
Runrig singles chronology
"Protect and Survive" (1988) "News from Heaven" (1989) "Every River" (1989)

News from Heaven is a 1989 single released in September 1989 as the lead single from Searchlight. The single marked the second appearance of the band on the UK Top 100 Singles Charts following its peak at number ninety on the week of 16 September 1989. It remained on the UK Singles Charts for two weeks.^[5]

The release of "News from Heaven" marked one of the first releases by the band since they signed with new record label, Chrysalis Records. The bands spokesperson confirmed that Runrig were already in talks to sign with Chrysalis Records in late 1988 and early 1989 before Runrig were scheduled to appear on stage during Aural Sects Rock Week.^[6]

In 1990, Runrig performed "News from Heaven" on the television broadcast by the BBC for Children in Need.^[7] "News from Heaven" was added to the groups setlist for concerts in 1989, beginning with a concert at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow on 27 September 1989. Part of the song served as the opening of the bands concert in November 1989 at Un Año De Rock Madrid, Spain.^[8]

Track listing

Album

All songs written by Calum Macdonald and Rory Macdonald.

1. "News from Heaven" - 3:36
2. "Every River" - 4:46
3. "City of Lights" - 4:25
4. "Èirinn" (Ireland) - 4:55
5. "Tìr A' Mhurain" (Land of the Marram Grass) - 3:54
6. "World Appeal" - 2:20
7. "Tear Down These Walls" - 4:08
8. "Only the Brave" - 3:58
9. "Sìol Ghoraidh" (The Genealogy of Goraidh) - 5:21
10. "That Final Mile" - 3:07
11. "Smalltown" - 4:02
12. "Precious Years" - 4:46

Lead single

Vinyl, 12", single (UK)

1. "News from Heaven"
2. "Smalltown"
3. "Chi Mi'n Tir / I See the Land" (composed by D.J. McCuish)
4. "Times They Are A-Changin" (composed by Bob Dylan)

CD single (UK)

1. "News from Heaven"
2. "Smalltown"
3. "Chi Mi'n Tir / I See the Land" (composed by D.J. McCuish)
4. "Times They Are A-Changin" (Composed by Bob Dylan)

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM (Australia)

1. "News from Heaven"
2. "Smalltown"

Chart performance

Album charts

Chart (1989)	Peak position
UK Albums (OCC)[9]	11

Singles charts

Chart (1989)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)[10]	90

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[11]	Gold	100,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

Runrig

• Iain Bayne - drums, percussion
• Malcolm Jones - guitars, mandolin, accordion
• Calum Macdonald - percussion
• Rory Macdonald - vocals, bass guitar
• Donnie Munro - lead vocals
• Peter Wishart - keyboards