On The Beach

Album: On The Beach (1986)
Charted: 12
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The beach in question is in Formentera, an island off the coast of Spain. "That's where me and my wife became me and my wife," Rea said in a Songfacts interview. "Yeah, I was 'between the eyes of love.' It's a lovely island."

    Rea and his wife, Joan, have been a couple since 1968.
  • This single was in hot rotation on VH1 in 1986 (one year after the network launched), which helped it get attention in the United States, where Rea is known mostly for his debut single, "Fool If You Think It's Over." It remains a favorite song among his fans. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
  • The song originally peaked at #57 in Rea's native UK in 1986. Two years later a re-released version titled "On the Beach (Summer '88)" did rather better reaching #12.
  • The German Electronica music duo York enjoyed some success on the dance floor in 2000 with a tune also titled "On The Beach," which heavily sampled this song. Italian DJ Mauro Picotto's "CRW edit" helped propel their trance single to #4 on the UK chart.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?