Insomnia (Faithless song)


"Insomnia" is a song recorded by British musical group Faithless. Released as the band's second single, it became one of their most successful. It was originally released in 1995 and reached number 27 on the UK Singles Chart, topping the UK Dance Chart in the process. When re-released in 1996, the song achieved a new peak of number three in the United Kingdom and topped the charts of Finland, Norway, and Switzerland, as well as the American and Canadian dance charts. It also featured on Faithless's debut 1996 album Reverence.
"Insomnia" was voted by Mixmag readers as the fifth greatest dance record of all time in 2013. It was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry in 2019.

Content

The song features Maxi Jazz singing as an insomniac while he struggles to sleep. The subject is resonant with fans of dance music, as stimulant use is common in club/rave culture, and insomnia is a common side effect. The insomniac is also rather destitute.

Release

The album version is nearly nine minutes long and contains some lyrics not able to be broadcast on the radio edit due to their explicit content. It also contains some bells chiming at the start of the song not generally known by the club-going public as many people know the Monster Mix or the Monster Mix Radio Edit. The Monster Mix was the mix featured on Faithless' greatest hits album Forever Faithless. The song topped the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart. The Moody Mix featured on some of the singles was also on the Reverence / Irreverence release.

Critical reception

Justin Chadwick from Albumism described the song as a "frenetic yet melodic ode to late night restlessness and sleep-deprived reveries", adding it as "phenomenal". Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "This single serves as a fine peek into the project, giving listeners a taste of urgent dance rhythms, a complex and infectious pop melody, and vocals that are notches above the typical vamps heard on club-originated records." Complex said that Faithless' "Insomnia" "spoke to a number of ravers out there who lived for the night/weekend and, sadly, the drugs that kept them partying to the break of dawn. Insomnia was and is real for the raver massive, and Faithless brought those vibes to song perfectly." Muzik noted that "it has soul, grace, emotion and a distinctly dark, melancholic side. Happy house has never been challenged in this way."

Music video

The music video of "Insomnia" was directed by Lindy Heymann.

Impact and legacy

DJ Magazine ranked it number 14 in their list of "Top 100 Club Tunes" in 1998.
MTV Dance placed "Insomnia" at number 22 in their list of "The 100 Biggest 90's Dance Anthems Of All Time" in November 2011.
It was voted by Mixmag readers as the fifth "Greatest Dance Record of All Time" in 2013.

Track listing

1995 UK release and 1996 UK CD 1
  1. "Insomnia" – 03:34
  2. "Insomnia" – 03:36
  3. "Insomnia" – 08:38
  4. "Insomnia" – 10:40
  5. "Insomnia" – 07:18
1995 European release
  1. "Insomnia" – 04:37
  2. "Insomnia" – 03:33
  3. "Insomnia" – 10:55
  4. "Insomnia" – 08:38
  5. "Insomnia" – 10:42
  6. "Insomnia" – 07:19
1996 Scandinavian release
  1. "Insomnia" – 03:36
  2. "Insomnia" – 03:38
  3. "Insomnia" – 08:41
  4. "Insomnia" – 10:45
  5. "Insomnia" – 07:18
1996 Italian release
  1. "Insomnia" – 03:34
  2. "Insomnia" – 03:36
  3. "Insomnia" – 08:38
  4. "Insomnia" – 10:40
  5. "Insomnia" – 07:18
1996 UK CD 2
  1. "Insomnia" – 03:53
  2. "Insomnia" – 07:16
  3. "Insomnia" – 07:58
  4. "Insomnia" – 07:38
1996 European release
  1. "Insomnia" – 03:53
  2. "Insomnia" – 03:37
  3. "Insomnia" – 07:16
  4. "Insomnia" – 07:58
  5. "Insomnia" – 07:38
  6. "Insomnia" – 08:35
1997 US release 1
  1. "Insomnia" – 03:33
  2. "Insomnia" – 07:56
  3. "Insomnia" – 08:34
  4. "Insomnia" – 08:49
  5. "Insomnia" – 07:35
  6. "Insomnia" – 03:51
1997 US release 2
  1. "Insomnia" – 03:33
  2. "Insomnia" – 08:43
  3. "Insomnia" – 07:23
  4. "Reverence" – 05:20
  5. "Don't Leave" – 05:53

    Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart Peak
position
Greece 17
Ireland Dance 3

Year-end charts

Chart Position
Australia 87
Canada Dance/Urban 4
Europe 76
France 61

Certifications

2005 mix

"Insomnia" was re-mixed and re-released in 2005 after the re-entry of the 1996 single into the UK Singles Chart at number 48. This was partly because of Faithless releasing their greatest hits album. The re-mix was not used on the greatest hits with the Monster Mix being the version which featured on the album. The re-mixed version reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart.

CD1

  1. "Insomnia" – 03:22
  2. "Insomnia" – 03:36

    CD2

  3. "Insomnia" – 03:22
  4. "Insomnia" – 09:52
  5. "Insomnia" – 08:03
  6. "Insomnia" – 08:35

    Version 2.0 by Avicii

In 2015, Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii released a remix titled "Insomnia 2.0 ". The track was released on 24 July 2015 and reached the German charts. It was also featured on the Faithless 2.0 release in Avicii extended remix and Avicii radio exit remix formats. "Insomnia 2.0" also went to number one on the US Dance chart.

Mike Candys and Jack Holiday version

In 2009, Swiss DJs Mike Candys and Jack Holiday recorded a remix of the song. It was released in September 2009 as their debut single and charted throughout Europe.

Track listing

;CD maxi – Europe
  1. "Insomnia" – 3:31
  2. "Insomnia" – 4:41
  3. "Insomnia" – 4:39

    Chart performance