"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.
"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
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 release
7-inch single
"On the Beach (Special Remix)" – 4:20
"If Anybody Asks You" – 5:00
7-inch single (alternative release)
"On the Beach" – 5:03
"On the Beach (Special Remix)" – 4:20
2x 7-inch single (UK limited edition release)
"On the Beach (Special Remix)" – 4:20
"If Anybody Asks You" – 5:00
"Chris Rea Live" – 3:37 Live at the Hammersmith Odeon - London 2 May 1986
"Chris Rea Live" – 4:31 Live at the Hammersmith Odeon - London 2 May 1986
In 1999, German dance music group Yorksampled 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]
^ abO.T.B. (On the Beach) (German maxi-CD single liner notes). York. Adrenalin Records. 1999. ADR 667469 2, 6674692000.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^O.T.B. (On the Beach) (Italian CD single liner notes). York. No Colours Records. 2000. NC 22567-0095/2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^O.T.B. (On the Beach) (Belgian 12-inch single vinyl disc). York. Lightning Records. 2000. LR-2000-009.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^O.T.B. (On the Beach) (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). York. Radikal Records. 2000. RAD99041-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)