Man Overboard (Do-Re-Mi song)

"Man Overboard" is a single by Australian rock/pop group Do-Ré-Mi which was released by Virgin Records in June 1985.[1][2] The 7" vinyl version has three tracks, which were written by lead vocalist Deborah Conway, drummer Dorland Bray, bass guitarist Helen Carter and guitarist Stephen Philip.[3][4] "Man Overboard" made its first appearance on the 1982 EP The Waiting Room and was re-worked and released as a single in 1985 to become a surprise top 5 hit.[5] It is the first Australian hit to include lyrics referring to anal humour, penis envy and pubic hair;[1] it also had no chorus.[6][7][8] The single version was produced and engineered by Gavin McKillop.[1]

"Man Overboard"
7" single cover
Single by Do-Ré-Mi
from the album Domestic Harmony
A-side"Man Overboard"
B-side"Fish Tank", "Black Crocodiles"
ReleasedJune 1985
Format7" vinyl
RecordedSydney
May 1985
GenreNew wave
Length4:08
LabelVirgin Records
Songwriter(s)Deborah Conway, Dorland Bray, Helen Carter, Stephen Philip
Producer(s)Gavin MacKillop
Do-Ré-Mi singles chronology
"Man Overboard"
(1985)		 "Idiot Grin"
(1986)

Background

Do-Ré-Mi had formed in Sydney in 1981 when Deborah Conway (lead vocals) and Dorland Bray (drums, percussion, backing vocals), both previously in Melbourne-based group The Benders, joined Helen Carter (bass, backing vocals) ex-Friction.[4] Stephen Philip (guitar), ex-Thought Criminals, was initially a studio musician for their debut EP, Do-Ré-Mi which released in August 1982.[1] Phillip was asked to join formally with Do-Ré-Mi.[2] They returned to the studio almost immediately and recorded The Waiting Room EP which was released in January 1983. "Man Overboard" had its first appearance on this EP but was later re-worked and released as a single in June 1985 and peaked at No. 5 on the Australian singles charts.[5] Lyrical content included references to anal humour, penis envy and pubic hair, which was a first for an Australian chart hit.[1] In 2001, Carter recalled the problems Do-Ré-Mi had with their record company over "Man Overboard" for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV series Long Way to the Top.

There was a real hit-maker mentality ... people would say 'It can't be a hit – it doesn't have a chorus... You're talking about pubic hair, oh my God!'[9]

— Helen Carter, 2001

Track listing

All tracks were written by Deborah Conway, Dorland Bray, Helen Carter and Stephen Philip.[3]

  1. "Man Overboard" – 4:08
  2. "Fish Tank" – 2:43
  3. "Black Crocodiles" – 3:12

Personnel

Do-Ré-Mi members

  • Dorland Bray – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Helen Carter – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Deborah Conway – lead vocalist
  • Stephen Philip – guitar

Recording details

  • Producer, engineer – Gavin MacKillop

Cover versions

References
  1. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Do-Ré-Mi'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2. Archived from the original on 30 September 2004. Retrieved 15 October 2008.
  2. Nimmervoll, Ed. "Do-Ré-Mi". HowlSpace – The Living History of Our Music (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived from the original on 27 July 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  3. "Australasian Performing Right Association". APRA. Archived from the original on 5 December 2007. Retrieved 14 October 2008. Note: requires user to input song title e.g. MAN OVERBOARD
  4. Holmgren, Magnus. "Do-Ré-Mi". Australian Rock Database. Passagen.se (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  5. Kruger, Debbie (14–20 July 2004). "Once more with feeling". Melbourne Weekly Bayside Magazine. debbiekruger.com. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  6. "Long Way to the Top article on Helen Carter". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  7. "Deborah Conway Official website". Deborah Conway. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  8. Harris, Anna (30 January 2004). "Deborah Conway – still alive and brilliant". Archived from the original on 14 May 2006. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
  9. "Helen Carter video interview for Long Way to the Top". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 October 2008.
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