On the Beach (Chris Rea song)
1986 song by Chris Rea
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"On the Beach" is a song by British singer-songwriter Chris Rea that was 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. "On the Beach" reached No. 57 in the United Kingdom in 1986, and also charted in France and the Netherlands.
- "If Anybody Asks You" (1986)
- "I'm Taking the Day Out" (1988)
- 5:04 (album version)
- 4:20 (special remix)
- 6:02 (special extended remix)
| "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) | ||||
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| Released | May 1986[1] | |||
| Genre | Soft rock[2] | |||
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| Songwriter | Chris Rea | |||
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| Chris Rea singles chronology | ||||
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| "On the Beach" on YouTube | ||||
In 1988, Rea re-recorded "On the Beach" for his album New Light Through Old Windows and released it as a single.[4] Produced by Rea and Jon Kelly, it reached No. 12 in the UK and No. 18 in Ireland. In 1989, it reached No. 9 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Background
"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."[5]
Critical reception
Upon its release, Roger Holland of Sounds called "On the Beach" a "bland and fraudulently sincere miasma".[6] 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."[4]
Track listing
Original release7-inch single
7-inch single (alternative release)
2x 7-inch single (UK limited edition release)
7-inch single (US release)
7-inch single (US promo)
12-inch single
12-inch single (Italian promo)
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1988 release7-inch single
12-inch single
CD single
CD single (US promo)
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Personnel
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1986 version
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1988 version
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Charts
1986 release
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1988 release
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York version
| "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" | ||||
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 German maxi-single cover artwork | ||||
| Single by York | ||||
| from the album Experience | ||||
| Released | 1999 | |||
| Length | 3:36 (radio mix) | |||
| Label | Adrenalin | |||
| Songwriter | Chris Rea | |||
| Producer | CRW | |||
| York singles chronology | ||||
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In 1999, German dance music group York sampled the guitar riff for their track "O.T.B. (On the Beach)". In June 2000, it debuted and peaked at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks and sold over 200,000 copies to earn a silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Rea played guitar with York for their performance of the track on Top of the Pops. He also stated on British radio that he had intended to go to Ibiza with York for live promotions but was unable due to a recent heart attack.[citation needed]
Track listings
German maxi-CD single[15]
- "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Vocal Radio Mix) – 3:36
- "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Magic Marc's Radiomix) – 3:41
- "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Milk & Sugar Radio Version) – 3:40
- "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Hitch Hiker & Dumondt Radio Version) – 3:30
- "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Eivissa@night.mix) – 6:36
- "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Milk & Sugar's "Munich Is Burning" Club Mix) – 8:07
- "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Hitch Hiker & Dumondt Club Mix) – 8:10
Italian CD single[16]
- "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Basic Connection Edit) – 3:18
- "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Basic Connection Mix) – 6:40
- "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Hitch Hiker & Dumondt Club Mix) – 8:10
- "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Eivissa@Night.Mix) – 6:33
Belgian 12-inch single[17]
- A1. "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Milk & Sugar Club Mix) – 8:07
- A2. "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (CRW Mix) – 6:52
- B1. "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Original Mix) – 7:13
- B2. "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Hitch Hiker & Dumondt Club Mix) – 8:10
US 12-inch single[18]
- A1. "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (CRW Mix) – 6:40
- A2. "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" – 8:07
- B1. "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Eivissa@Night Mix) – 6:36
- B2. "O.T.B. (On the Beach)" (Hitch Hiker & Dumondt Club Mix) – 8:10
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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| United Kingdom (BPI)[29] | Silver | 200,000^ |
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^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||