Echo Beach

Album: Metro Music (1980)
Charted: 10
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • While Marc Gane was a student at the Ontario College of Art, he had a job one summer at a paint and wallpaper factory. It was so boring that he daydreamed a lot. While Echo Beach did not exist as a real location, it was a symbol of a place everyone wants to escape to when they're not where they want to be.
  • The inspiration was Sunnyside Beach on the shoreline of Lake Ontario in Toronto. Says Gane, "The lake and beach could have been in the middle of nowhere while the city behind became a 'surrealistic sight'." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Darryl - Cambridge, Canada, for above 2
  • This won the 1981 Juno Award for Single of the Year, tying with Anne Murray's "Could I Have This Dance." It reached #5 in Canada and was the Canadian new wave band's only significant international hit, though they had several other hits in their homeland. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England

Comments: 10

  • Wilson Martin from WinnipegMark Gane confirmed in multiple interviews, that “Echo Beach” was not a real or specific location, but simply represented a place of escape. Echo Beach in Toronto was named after the song, not the other way around.
  • David Malbuff from Strasburg VaI loved this song the first day I heard it on WHFS back in 1981, and love it to this day. Now, I have been told there is a "Echo Beach" concert venue on a real beach near Toronto. Was that venue inspired by this song, or has its location always been the "real" Echo Beach? Does anyone know?
  • Amanda from TorontoLove this song! I remember playing it all the time when it came out and it drove my dad nuts!! Lol
  • Paul Higgins from Fleet, Hampshire,uk.One of the most iconic songs of all time in the 80s,this is still the brilliant song as it is today brings back so many memories for me!
  • George from Vancouver, CanadaIt's quite possible there's a beach on Echo Lake in California & the song is inspired by it -- most lakes called Echo Lake are situated deep in the mountains, thus the name. How peaceful would that be, once people got over hollering to make echoes, of course!
  • George from Vancouver, CanadaKent: Only #1 in Portugal? Gee, how terrible a showing in a non-English country!
  • Brian from IrelandOne of the best songs ever written.
  • John from Windsor, OnGot hooked on this song the first time I heard it. Great song!
  • Andy from Norwich, United Kingdomin my opinion one of the most underated 80's song of all time
  • Kent from Toronto, CanadaThis really great tune, although a worldwide hit, seems only to have hit #1 in Portugal. (In their native Canada, the group reached #3 with this offering.)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.