Thirty years after it first changed the sound of British funk-pop, Jamiroquai are celebrating their iconic hit “Virtual Insanity” with a special anniversary vinyl release.

The band have announced Virtual Insanity: 30th Anniversary Edition, arriving on June 19 as a transparent yellow 12-inch vinyl. The release marks the first time the single has been pressed in the eye-catching format, with artwork inspired by the instantly recognisable original sleeve.

Originally released in 1996, “Virtual Insanity” became one of Jamiroquai’s defining songs and helped propel Travelling Without Moving into the record books as the best-selling funk album of all time. The single reached No. 3 in the UK, achieved platinum status and earned widespread international success.

The song also brought major accolades for frontman Jay Kay and the band, including a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance. Its groundbreaking music video, directed by Jonathan Glazer, won MTV Video of the Year and remains one of the most celebrated music videos of the era.

Despite arriving years before the streaming boom, “Virtual Insanity” has continued to find new audiences. The track has now surpassed half a billion streams worldwide and received another surge in popularity last summer when Jay Kay joined Dua Lipa on stage at Wembley Stadium for a surprise performance of the song.

Jay Kay originally conceived the track while visiting Sendai, Japan. Inspired by the contrast between the city’s quiet snow-covered streets and its vast underground urban spaces, he began writing lyrics that explored overpopulation, technology and environmental decline. Three decades later, the themes of the song feel more relevant than ever.

The anniversary release arrives as Jamiroquai prepare for a busy year ahead. The band are currently completing work on their long-awaited ninth studio album and will return to Japan this summer to headline both Tokyo and Osaka editions of Summer Sonic following a run of European festival dates.

The vinyl edition stays true to the original release. The A-side features the radio edit of “Virtual Insanity” alongside “Do You Know Where You’re Coming From”, while the B-side includes “Bullet” and the album version of “Virtual Insanity”.

Watch the story about the song below:

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.