On the Beach (Chris Rea song)
"On the Beach" | ||||
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Single by Chris Rea | ||||
from the album On the Beach (1986 version) and New Light Through Old Windows (1988 version) | ||||
B-side |
"If Anybody Asks You" (1986 version) "I'm Taking the Day Out" (1988 version) | |||
Released |
May 1986[1] July 1988[2] | |||
Format | 7", 12", cassette single, CD single | |||
Length | 3:28 | |||
Label |
Magnet (1986 release) WEA (1988 release) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Chris Rea | |||
Producer(s) |
Chris Rea, David Richards (1986) Rea, Jon Kelly (1988) | |||
Chris Rea singles chronology | ||||
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"On the Beach" is a song by British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, released in 1986 as the second single from his eighth studio album On the Beach.[3] It was written by Rea, and produced by Rea and David Richards.[1] "On the Beach" reached No. 57 in the UK.[4]
Later in 1988, Rea re-recorded "On the Beach" for his album New Light Through Old Windows,[5] with the new version being released as a single.[2] Produced by Rea and Jon Kelly, it reached No. 12 in the UK and No. 18 in Ireland.[4][6] In 1989, it reached No. 9 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[7]
"On the Beach" was inspired by the Spanish island Formentera off the coast of Ibiza. Speaking to Songfacts, Rea said: "That's where me and my wife became me and my wife. That's what it's about. Yeah, I was "between the eyes of love." It's a lovely island if ever you're in Europe."[8]
Critical reception
In a retrospective review of the On the Beach album, Rob Caldwell of AllMusic described the song as the "standout track", adding that the original version was "the most evocative, a little slower and more meditative than [the] others." He recommended the song further by selecting it as an AMG Pick Track.[3] Mike DeGagne, in an AllMusic review of New Light Through Old Windows commented that the song, along with "Let's Dance", "represent a lean toward a more commercial sound".[5]
Use in other media
In June 2000, the German dance music team York sampled the guitar riff for their track O.T.B (On The Beach). It went on to peak at #4 in the UK singles chart, and sold over 200,000 copies. Rea himself played guitar with them for their performance of the track on Top of the Pops.
Track listing
Original release
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1988 release
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Chart performance
- 1986 release
Chart (1986) | Peak position |
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Dutch Singles Chart[9] | 34 |
French Singles Chart[10] | 48 |
UK Singles Chart[4] | 57 |
- 1988 release
Chart (1988-89) | Peak position |
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Irish Singles Chart[6] | 18 |
UK Singles Chart[4] | 12 |
US Billboard Adult Contemporary[7] | 9 |
Personnel
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References
- 1 2 "Chris Rea - On The Beach (Special Remix) / If Anybody Asks You - Magnet - UK - MAG 294". 45cat. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- 1 2 "Chris Rea - On The Beach Summer '88 / I'm Taking The Day Out - WEA - UK - YZ 195". 45cat. 2014-10-03. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- 1 2 AllMusic Review by Rob Caldwell. "On the Beach - Chris Rea | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- 1 2 3 4 "CHRIS REA | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- 1 2 AllMusic Review by Mike DeGagne (1988-10-17). "New Light Through Old Windows: The Best Of Chris Rea - Chris Rea | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- 1 2 Jaclyn Ward. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- 1 2 Billboard. "Chris Rea On The Beach Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- ↑ "Chris Rea : Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts.com. 2017-09-19. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- ↑ Steffen Hung. "Chris Rea - On The Beach". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- ↑ Steffen Hung. "Chris Rea - On The Beach". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2018-04-14.