"Rayon de soleil" (English: "Ray of Sunshine") is the name of a 2008 song recorded by the African singer William Baldé. It was his debut single and was released in July 2008 from his album En Corps étranger. It achieved success, becoming a number-one hit in France and Belgium.
Chart performances In France, the song was announced as the "uncontested summer hit of 2008"."Tops : William Baldé détrône Nâdiya et Enrique !", Chartsinfrance, Thierry Cadet, July 9, 2008 Chartsinfrance.net (Retrieved July 9, 2008) The single went straight to number 1 in France with 22,135 sales,"Disques : Baldé détrône Iglesias, Coldplay devant Voulzy", Ozap, Antoine Masson, July 9, 2008 Ozap.com (Retrieved July 9, 2008) and stayed there for other eight non-consecutive weeks. In its sixth week, 23,298 copies were sold, which is to date the second best weekly sales of the year for a number-one hit in France."Status Quo aux sommets des charts français", Chartsinfrance, Thierry Cadet, August 13, 2008 Chartsinfrance.net (Retrieved August 13, 2008) It remained in the top 50 for 17 weeks and in the top 100 for 24 weeks. It was the second best-selling single of the year, behind "Tired of Being Sorry (Laisse le destin l'emporter)".
It achieved a minor success in Switzerland, peaking at #24 in its fourth week. It also topped the chart in its eighth week in Belgium (Wallonia) and remained in the top 40 for 22 weeks.
As sign of popularity, the song and the music video were included on the famous double compilation NRJ Music Awards 2009.
Track listings CD single "Rayon de soleil" — 3:39 "Yönn-gui" — 5:08 "Rayon de soleil" (video)
Digital download "Rayon de soleil" (single version) — 5:02 "Rayon de soleil" (album version) — 4:26
Charts and sales
Peak positions Chart (2008)PeakpositionBelgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart"Rayon de soleil", Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved August 1, 2008)1Eurochart Hot 1005French Digital ChartFrench Digital Chart Ifop.com (Retrieved July 9, 2008)2French Singles Chart"Rayon de soleil", French Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved July 9, 2008)1Swiss Singles Chart"Rayon de soleil", Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch (Retrieved July 9, 2008)24
Year-end charts Chart (2008)PositionBelgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart2008 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved December 26, 2008)23Eurochart Hot 10031French Airplay Chart78French Digital Chart19French Singles Chart2008 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved January 28, 2009)2
References