What makes Portrait by The Walker Brothers notable?

Portrait is significant for its critical acclaim and enduring influence on pop music, frequently cited for its sophisticated arrangements and heartfelt lyrics. The album features 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore,' which became one of their signature songs and exemplified their ability to blend melancholic themes with orchestral pop sensibilities. Released on August 26, 1966, Portrait marked The Walker Brothers' transition into a more mature sound following their early success with hits like 'Make It Easy on Yourself.' At this point, the band was solidifying their identity in the pop music landscape, showcasing their vocal harmonies and emotional resonance while navigating the changing tides of the British Invasion.

How many songs are on Portrait?

Portrait has 24 tracks, running approximately 73 minutes.

Released 60 years ago

Portrait

The Walker Brothers · 1966

73 min · 24 tracks · pop music

Melancholic orchestral arrangements intertwine with lush harmonies, creating a hauntingly beautiful pop experience that captures the era's emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore — This track encapsulates the band's signature sound with its haunting melody and poignant lyrics about despair, making it a standout moment on the album.
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People Get Ready — A powerful cover that showcases the trio's vocal harmonies and adds a spiritual depth to the album, reflecting themes of hope amidst struggle.
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Hurting Each Other — This track highlights the emotional intensity of the group's delivery, with lyrics that resonate deeply about love and heartache, making it relatable and timeless.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

Portrait showcases sophisticated arrangements and strong vocal harmonies, marking a mature phase for The Walker Brothers.

What we noticed

The album features lush orchestral arrangements that dominate the sound, with strings and horns often taking center stage.
Vocal harmonies are layered, with each member contributing to create a rich, melancholic texture throughout the tracks.
Many songs utilize a slow to mid-tempo pace, which enhances the emotional weight of the lyrics and melodies.
The track 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore' stands out with its dramatic build-up and poignant delivery, encapsulating the album's overall mood.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 In My Room 2:35
2 Saturday’s Child 2:08
3 Just for a Thrill 3:36
4 Hurting Each Other 2:47
5 Old Folks 3:14
6 Summertime 4:32
7 People Get Ready 2:40
8 I Can See It Now 3:01
9 Where’s the Girl 3:14
10 Living Above Your Head 2:44
11 Take It Like a Man 2:31
12 No Sad Songs for Me 3:42
13 The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore 3:17
14 After the Lights Go Out 4:02
15 (Baby) You Don’t Have to Tell Me 2:29
16 My Love Is Growing 2:23
17 Another Tear Falls 2:28
18 Saddest Night in the World 2:14
19 Deadlier Than the Male 2:32
20 Archangel 3:45
21 Sunny 3:50
22 Come Rain or Come Shine 3:22
23 The Gentle Rain 2:45
24 Mrs Murphy 3:20

What to play next

Listen next

Introducing The Walker Brothers

1966

Go back to

The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore

1966

Full The Walker Brothers discography Artists like The Walker Brothers

pop music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata