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He's on the Beach

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in 1995: "We were friends, really. I met him a couple of years ago, and we hung out a bit in various countries, whenever we happened to be in the same one. He was a big fan of "He's on the Beach," and he told me about that before he recorded it. I was quite flattered really, and I was more flattered
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wrote, "All usual ingredients are here - sometime bittersweet but ultimately optimistic lyric, hefty, pacey backbeat, just the right amount of memorable jangling and those trebly harmonised vocals. A tribute to lost love? A yearning for sunnier climes? A summer hit? All these, and more..." Anne
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described it as "a minor classic" and one of MacColl's "very best singles" and "finest performances". He described the lyrics as "a wistful but ultimately uplifting story", which MacColl "sings with a mix of joy and resignation that's sublime." In 2017, Kevin Wuench of the
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in 1985, "A bit of sunshine would do the single a lot of good. It's a summer single and I'm sure people will rush out and buy it if the clouds cleared. The single has no hidden depths, it's just about a bloke out in Australia enjoying himself."
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wrote, "Bright summery guitars and distinctive Kirsty vocals mark this driving pop song. In a similar style to her massive hit "A New England", although lacking such memorable hook, it should be a minor hit." Paul Massey of
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stated: " could also multi-track her crystal-clear voice into gorgeous cushions of pop perfection (check out the harmonies on her own "He's on the Beach")." In a retrospective review of the song, Stewart Mason of
1284: 366: 369:" or any version of "He's on the Beach". These songs turn on her youthful enthusiasm at a time when she made everything gallop along at a rapid, rhythmically simple clip." Patrick Davitt of 1513: 318:
wrote, "Even though Kirsty wrote this herself it sounds very much like "A New England" - lots of shiny guitars above which a million Kirsty MacColls breathlessly sing the tune."
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described the song as "excellent pop", "whose jangly guitar pop supports one of many crystal sweet vocals and the lovely harmony vocals that are all over this album."
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gave the song a 6 out of 10 rating and stated, "This sounds almost exactly like "A New England" - the only difference being it doesn't have Bragg's masterful lyrics."
1189: 744: 230:" reached the UK top ten earlier in the year, "He's on the Beach" did not repeat the same commercial success. It failed to make an appearance in the top 100 of the 1231: 216:"He's on the Beach" was inspired by a friend of MacColl's named Terry, who emigrated to Australia and sent postcards to her. Speaking of the song, MacColl told 1354: 634: 1508: 1263: 1105: 1375: 1210: 334:
commented, "Snazzy pop, but much too like "A New England" I'm afraid. A disappointment from someone as talented as Kirsty." Frank Edmonds of the
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commented, "It's even better than "A New England", more bouncy and with a chorus that stays in your brain after just one listen." Chris Heath of
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commented: "The single did not chart even if her home country, but that doesn't diminish the great pop song and its scenic video."
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In 1995, MacColl performed an acoustic version of "He's on the Beach" as part of a four-track session for
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and produced by Fiona O'Mahoney. It received "heavy action" on the pan-European
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Davitt, Patrick (13 March 1995). "Collection showcases smart, stylish pop".
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Newcomb, Brian Q. (24 March 1995). "Golden 'oldies': MacColl looks back".
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Pick, Steve (10 March 1995). "'Galore': Looking back at Kirsty MacColl".
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because he's a really good songwriter and has quite a good voice."
287: 1083: 1087: 234:, stalling outside at number 109. The song received airplay on 204:. It was written by MacColl and Gavin Povey, and produced by 601:
The Rough Guide to Rock - Rough Guides (Firm) - Google Books
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wrote: "This is the first time I've heard her version of "
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Smith, Robin (8 June 1985). "News: Kirsty on the beach".
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There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis
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in 1987. She returned as a solo artist with her album
1027:"He's on the Beach - Kirsty MacColl | Song Info" 200:, released on 10 June 1985 as a non-album single by 1448: 1427: 1255: 1181: 1121: 927:Massey, Paul (15 June 1985). "CitySound: Singles". 173: 124: 110: 94: 82: 66: 58: 46: 35: 21: 263:. It was later included on her compilation album 876:Lambert, Anne (15 June 1985). "Single reviews". 409:released a version of the song on their single " 343:In a review of MacColl's 1995 compilation album 959:Printz, Larry (11 March 1995). "Disc reviews". 792:: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ( 576: 574: 1232:A New England: The Very Best of Kirsty MacColl 1048:"A happier time and place with Kirsty MacColl" 1099: 942:Edmonds, Frank (14 June 1985). "Soundscene". 782:(booklet). Kirsty MacColl. UK. 2005. KMCDVD1. 460:"He's on the Beach" (Extended Version) - 8:06 8: 1514:Song recordings produced by Steve Lillywhite 859:Smith, Graham K. (15 June 1985). "Singles". 285:channel. MacColl also performed the song on 743:: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ( 378:In a 2001 career retrospective on MacColl, 1106: 1092: 1084: 581:Smith, Robin (6 July 1985). "Beach Baby". 474: 238:and was added to many A or B lists across 27: 18: 196:" is a song by British singer-songwriter 1355:Don't Come the Cowboy with Me Sonny Jim! 910:Smith, Jerry (22 June 1985). "Singles". 629: 627: 405:In 1993, American alternative rock band 893:Heath, Chris (2 July 1985). "Singles". 505: 291:, which was broadcast on 24 June 1985. 277:The song's music video was directed by 34: 785: 736: 722:12:00AM GMT 20 Dec 2000 (2000-12-20). 7: 759:"What Do Pretty Girls Do? (1998 CD)" 226:Although MacColl's previous single " 299:On its release, Graham K. Smith of 1218:From Croydon to Cuba: An Anthology 780:From Croydon To Cuba... The Videos 530:MacColl, Jean (November 6, 2014). 14: 1239:All I Ever Wanted: The Anthology 827:– via World Radio History. 711:– via World Radio History. 680:– via World Radio History. 558:"Interviews 1985 - On the Beach" 533:My Kirsty - End of the Fairytale 1509:Songs written by Kirsty MacColl 1025:Song Review by Stewart Mason. 1005:"No Depression - Google Books" 1: 598:(Firm), Rough Guides (2003). 421:" as a duet with MacColl for 16:1985 single by Kirsty MacColl 466:"Please, Go to Sleep" - 2:28 450:"Please, Go to Sleep" - 2:28 1278:Keep Your Hands off My Baby 692:"I.L.R. Stations - Airplay" 359:-esque". Steve Pick of the 1535: 1225:The Best of Kirsty MacColl 819:. 14 July 1985. p. 32 703:. 29 June 1985. p. 13 463:"He's on the Beach" - 5:22 447:"He's on the Beach" - 3:32 672:. 22 June 1985. p. 8 661:"Airplay Action: Radio 1" 546:– via Google Books. 536:. Kings Road Publishing. 186: 178: 169: 132: 26: 1204:What Do Pretty Girls Do? 1190:The Essential Collection 929:Aberdeen Evening Express 635:"Gallup Top 200 Singles" 331:Aberdeen Evening Express 266:What Do Pretty Girls Do? 1299:You Still Believe in Me 1246:See That Girl 1979–2000 1074:St. Louis Post-Dispatch 976:St. Louis Post-Dispatch 428:St. Louis Post-Dispatch 362:St. Louis Post-Dispatch 355:described the song as " 240:Independent Local Radio 1390:Can't Stop Killing You 839:"TV Pop Diaries: 1985" 649:– via ukmix.org. 1519:Stiff Records singles 1439:Fairytale of New York 244:Fairytale of New York 157:Fairytale of New York 54:"Please, Go to Sleep" 1504:Kirsty MacColl songs 1362:Walking Down Madison 841:. tvpopdiaries.co.uk 417:would later record " 269:, released in 1998. 1165:Tropical Brainstorm 1130:Desperate Character 788:cite AV media notes 425:. MacColl told the 180:"He's on the Beach" 22:"He's on the Beach" 349:, Larry Printz of 295:Critical reception 128:singles chronology 1481: 1480: 1376:All I Ever Wanted 1327:He's on the Beach 1271:You Caught Me Out 1151:Electric Landlady 587:. pp. 22–23. 497: 496: 194:He's on the Beach 190: 189: 165: 164: 148:He's on the Beach 1526: 1466:Steve Lillywhite 1449:Related articles 1411:Mambo de la Luna 1211:The One and Only 1108: 1101: 1094: 1085: 1078: 1077: 1069: 1063: 1062: 1060: 1059: 1044: 1038: 1037: 1035: 1034: 1022: 1016: 1015: 1013: 1012: 1001: 995: 994: 986: 980: 979: 971: 965: 964: 961:The Morning Call 956: 950: 949: 939: 933: 932: 924: 918: 917: 907: 901: 900: 890: 884: 883: 873: 867: 866: 856: 850: 849: 847: 846: 835: 829: 828: 826: 824: 812: 808:"Music on video" 804: 798: 797: 791: 783: 776: 770: 769: 767: 766: 761:. Kirsty MacColl 755: 749: 748: 742: 734: 732: 731: 724:"Kirsty MacColl" 719: 713: 712: 710: 708: 696: 688: 682: 681: 679: 677: 665: 657: 651: 650: 648: 646: 631: 622: 621: 619: 618: 595: 589: 588: 578: 569: 568: 566: 565: 560:. Kirsty MacColl 554: 548: 547: 527: 521: 520: 510: 489:UK Singles Chart 475: 352:The Morning Call 232:UK Singles Chart 206:Steve Lillywhite 134: 133: 119:Steve Lillywhite 115: 99: 78: 77: 73: 51: 31: 19: 1534: 1533: 1529: 1528: 1527: 1525: 1524: 1523: 1484: 1483: 1482: 1477: 1444: 1423: 1418:In These Shoes? 1264:They Don't Know 1251: 1177: 1117: 1112: 1082: 1081: 1071: 1070: 1066: 1057: 1055: 1052:Tampa Bay Times 1046: 1045: 1041: 1032: 1030: 1024: 1023: 1019: 1010: 1008: 1003: 1002: 998: 991:The Leader-Post 988: 987: 983: 973: 972: 968: 958: 957: 953: 945:Bury Free Press 941: 940: 936: 926: 925: 921: 909: 908: 904: 892: 891: 887: 875: 874: 870: 858: 857: 853: 844: 842: 837: 836: 832: 822: 820: 810: 806: 805: 801: 784: 778: 777: 773: 764: 762: 757: 756: 752: 735: 729: 727: 721: 720: 716: 706: 704: 694: 690: 689: 685: 675: 673: 663: 659: 658: 654: 644: 642: 633: 632: 625: 616: 614: 612: 597: 596: 592: 580: 579: 572: 563: 561: 556: 555: 551: 544: 529: 528: 524: 512: 511: 507: 502: 482: 473: 439: 413:". Lead singer 402: 393:Tampa Bay Times 372:The Leader-Post 337:Bury Free Press 321:Jerry Smith of 297: 275: 214: 160: 151: 142: 111: 105: 95: 75: 71: 70: 47: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1532: 1530: 1522: 1521: 1516: 1511: 1506: 1501: 1496: 1486: 1485: 1479: 1478: 1476: 1475: 1468: 1463: 1458: 1452: 1450: 1446: 1445: 1443: 1442: 1434: 1432: 1425: 1424: 1422: 1421: 1414: 1407: 1400: 1393: 1386: 1379: 1372: 1365: 1358: 1351: 1344: 1337: 1330: 1323: 1316: 1309: 1302: 1295: 1288: 1281: 1274: 1267: 1259: 1257: 1253: 1252: 1250: 1249: 1242: 1235: 1228: 1221: 1214: 1207: 1200: 1193: 1185: 1183: 1179: 1178: 1176: 1175: 1168: 1161: 1154: 1147: 1140: 1137:Kirsty MacColl 1133: 1125: 1123: 1119: 1118: 1115:Kirsty MacColl 1113: 1111: 1110: 1103: 1096: 1088: 1080: 1079: 1064: 1039: 1017: 996: 981: 966: 951: 934: 919: 902: 885: 868: 851: 830: 799: 771: 750: 714: 683: 652: 641:. 13 July 1985 623: 610: 590: 570: 549: 542: 522: 504: 503: 501: 498: 495: 494: 491: 485: 484: 479: 472: 469: 468: 467: 464: 461: 457: 456: 452: 451: 448: 444: 443: 438: 435: 434: 433: 407:The Lemonheads 401: 400:Cover versions 398: 296: 293: 274: 271: 213: 210: 198:Kirsty MacColl 188: 187: 184: 183: 176: 175: 171: 170: 167: 166: 163: 162: 153: 144: 130: 129: 126:Kirsty MacColl 122: 121: 116: 108: 107: 103:Kirsty MacColl 100: 92: 91: 86: 80: 79: 68: 64: 63: 60: 56: 55: 52: 44: 43: 41:Kirsty MacColl 33: 32: 24: 23: 15: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1531: 1520: 1517: 1515: 1512: 1510: 1507: 1505: 1502: 1500: 1497: 1495: 1492: 1491: 1489: 1473: 1469: 1467: 1464: 1462: 1459: 1457: 1454: 1453: 1451: 1447: 1440: 1436: 1435: 1433: 1431: 1426: 1419: 1415: 1412: 1408: 1405: 1401: 1398: 1394: 1391: 1387: 1384: 1380: 1377: 1373: 1370: 1366: 1363: 1359: 1356: 1352: 1349: 1345: 1342: 1338: 1335: 1331: 1328: 1324: 1321: 1320:A New England 1317: 1314: 1310: 1307: 1303: 1300: 1296: 1293: 1292:See That Girl 1289: 1286: 1282: 1279: 1275: 1272: 1268: 1265: 1261: 1260: 1258: 1254: 1248: 1247: 1243: 1241: 1240: 1236: 1234: 1233: 1229: 1227: 1226: 1222: 1220: 1219: 1215: 1213: 1212: 1208: 1206: 1205: 1201: 1199: 1198: 1194: 1192: 1191: 1187: 1186: 1184: 1180: 1174: 1173: 1169: 1167: 1166: 1162: 1160: 1159: 1155: 1153: 1152: 1148: 1146: 1145: 1141: 1139: 1138: 1134: 1132: 1131: 1127: 1126: 1124: 1122:Studio albums 1120: 1116: 1109: 1104: 1102: 1097: 1095: 1090: 1089: 1086: 1075: 1068: 1065: 1053: 1049: 1043: 1040: 1028: 1021: 1018: 1006: 1000: 997: 992: 985: 982: 977: 970: 967: 962: 955: 952: 948:. p. 14. 947: 946: 938: 935: 930: 923: 920: 916:. p. 15. 915: 914: 906: 903: 898: 897: 889: 886: 881: 880: 872: 869: 864: 863: 862:Record Mirror 855: 852: 840: 834: 831: 818: 817: 809: 803: 800: 795: 789: 781: 775: 772: 760: 754: 751: 746: 740: 725: 718: 715: 702: 701: 693: 687: 684: 671: 670: 662: 656: 653: 640: 636: 630: 628: 624: 613: 611:9781858284576 607: 603: 602: 594: 591: 586: 585: 584:Record Mirror 577: 575: 571: 559: 553: 550: 545: 543:9781784182595 539: 535: 534: 526: 523: 518: 517: 516:Record Mirror 509: 506: 499: 492: 490: 487: 486: 480: 478:Chart (1985) 477: 476: 470: 465: 462: 459: 458: 454: 453: 449: 446: 445: 441: 440: 437:Track listing 436: 430: 429: 424: 420: 416: 412: 411:Big Gay Heart 408: 404: 403: 399: 397: 395: 394: 388: 383: 382: 381:No Depression 376: 374: 373: 368: 364: 363: 358: 354: 353: 348: 347: 341: 339: 338: 333: 332: 326: 325: 319: 317: 316: 311: 310: 304: 303: 302:Record Mirror 294: 292: 290: 289: 284: 280: 272: 270: 268: 267: 262: 257: 255: 254: 249: 245: 241: 237: 233: 229: 228:A New England 224: 221: 220: 219:Record Mirror 211: 209: 207: 203: 202:Stiff Records 199: 195: 185: 181: 177: 172: 168: 158: 154: 149: 145: 140: 139:A New England 136: 135: 131: 127: 123: 120: 117: 114: 109: 104: 101: 98: 97:Songwriter(s) 93: 90: 87: 85: 81: 69: 65: 61: 57: 53: 50: 45: 42: 38: 30: 25: 20: 1499:1985 singles 1461:Ewan MacColl 1326: 1244: 1237: 1230: 1223: 1216: 1209: 1202: 1195: 1188: 1182:Compilations 1170: 1163: 1158:Titanic Days 1156: 1149: 1142: 1135: 1128: 1073: 1067: 1056:. 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Index


Single
Kirsty MacColl
B-side
Label
Stiff
Songwriter(s)
Kirsty MacColl
Producer(s)
Steve Lillywhite
Kirsty MacColl
A New England
Fairytale of New York
"He's on the Beach"
Kirsty MacColl
Stiff Records
Steve Lillywhite
Record Mirror
A New England
UK Singles Chart
BBC Radio 1
Independent Local Radio
Fairytale of New York
The Pogues
Kite
BBC Radio 1
What Do Pretty Girls Do?
Nick Morris
Music Box
Wogan

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