Walk on the Ocean

Last updated

"Walk on the Ocean"
Walk Oceans.jpg
Single by Toad the Wet Sprocket
from the album fear
B-side "All in All"
ReleasedOctober 15, 1992
Genre Alternative rock [1] [2]
Length
  • 2:59 (album version)
  • 3:32 (single version)
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Glen Phillips, Todd Nichols
Producer(s) Gavin MacKillop
Toad the Wet Sprocket singles chronology
"Hold Her Down"
(1992)
"Walk on the Ocean"
(1992)
"I Will Not Take These Things for Granted"
(1993)

"Walk on the Ocean" is a song by American alternative rock group Toad the Wet Sprocket from their third studio album, Fear (1991). Two different versions of the song were released: the album version with a cold ending (timed at 2:59) and the single version with the chorus repeated until fade (timed at 3:32). Commercially, "Walk on the Ocean" peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 40 in Canada, New Zealand, and Norway.

Contents

Composition

The song was written after singer Glen Phillips and his wife were vacationing on Orcas Island in Washington's San Juan Islands after hanging "out at Doe Bay hot springs with a bunch of hippies." The lyrics were written as placeholders, but Phillips could not come up with anything better. "I wrote down literally the first thing that came across my mind. The lyric and the chorus, I have no idea what it means, unfortunately. Then I tried rewriting it and nothing ever really worked. I tried to make the chorus mean something, and eventually said, 'Well, it sounds like I know what I'm talking about.' So we just left it as is. It was the least-conscious, least-crafted lyric," he said. [3]

Track listings

US CD and cassette single [4] [5]

  1. "Walk on the Ocean" (single version) – 3:32
  2. "All in All" – 4:02
  3. "Walk on the Ocean" (album version) – 2:59

European CD and cassette single [6] [7]

  1. "Walk on the Ocean" (single version) – 3:32
  2. "All in All" – 4:02

Charts

Chart (1992–1993)Peak
position
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [8] 22
Germany (Official German Charts) [9] 67
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [10] 22
Norway (VG-lista) [11] 10
US Billboard Hot 100 [12] 18
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [13] 31
US Album Rock Tracks ( Billboard ) [14] 27
US Top 40/Mainstream ( Billboard ) [15] 10

Use in media

The song appears on the soundtrack of the 2013 American film Jobs . [16] The song appears on the soundtrack of the 2014 American film Adult Beginners . [17] The song appears on the soundtrack of the 2015 American television series Hindsight . [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toad the Wet Sprocket</span> American alternative rock band

Toad the Wet Sprocket is an American alternative rock band formed in Santa Barbara, California, in 1986. The band at the time consisted of vocalist/guitarist Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss, who stopped touring in 2017 and left the band in 2020. Guss was replaced by drummer Josh Daubin, who had been supporting them as their drummer on recent tours. They had chart success in the 1990s with singles that included "Walk on the Ocean", "All I Want", "Something's Always Wrong", "Fall Down", and "Good Intentions".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover</span> 1992 single by Sophie B. Hawkins

"Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins. Released in March 1992 as the first single from her debut album, Tongues and Tails (1992), the song achieved success in many countries worldwide; in the United States, it reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached the top 10 in six other countries, including Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, and Norway. In the United Kingdom, the single peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Hawkins' second-most successful song on that chart after "Right Beside You", which reached number 13 in 1994. There were made two different versions of the music video for the song, after the first version was banned from MTV for its erotic content.

<i>Fear</i> (Toad the Wet Sprocket album) 1991 studio album by Toad the Wet Sprocket

Fear is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Toad the Wet Sprocket. The album is their second album for Columbia Records, and was released on August 27, 1991. It became the first commercially successful album for the band, selling over a million copies and was certified platinum three years after release, on September 1, 1994. The album reached #49 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums in September 1992. Two of the album's singles charted in the US top 40, "All I Want" and "Walk on the Ocean" which peaked at #15 and #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Life Is a Highway</span> 1991 single by Tom Cochrane

"Life Is a Highway" is a song by Canadian musician Tom Cochrane from his second studio album, Mad Mad World (1991). The song became a number-one hit in Canada in late 1991. "Life Is a Highway" also peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 1992 and reached the top three in Australia and New Zealand the same year. The song was covered by Chris LeDoux for his 1998 album One Road Man and Rascal Flatts for the Cars soundtrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Man on the Moon (song)</span> 1992 single by R.E.M.

"Man on the Moon" is a song by American alternative rock band R.E.M., released in November 1992 as the second single from their eighth album, Automatic for the People (1992). The lyrics were written by lead singer Michael Stipe, and the music by drummer Bill Berry and guitarist Peter Buck. The song was well received by critics and reached number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 17 on the US Cash Box Top 100, number 18 on the UK Singles Chart, and number one in Iceland. It remains one of R.E.M.'s most popular songs and was included on the compilations In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 and Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Wild West (Will Smith song)</span> 1999 single by Will Smith

"Wild Wild West" is a song by American rapper and actor Will Smith from the 1999 film of the same name, in which he also starred. The song plays during the film's closing credits. The single samples Stevie Wonder's 1976 hit song "I Wish" and includes parts of the chorus from Kool Moe Dee's song of the same name. Kool Moe Dee re-performed the chorus for the song, and additional guest vocals are provided by Dru Hill. The album version of the song is introduced by a brief spoken-word interlude where Smith asks his infant son Jaden what song he should play next, interpreting Jaden's repeated non-verbal response as "Wild Wild West".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suck My Kiss</span> Song by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Suck My Kiss" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was released as the third single from their fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik. "Suck My Kiss" was released as an airplay single in the United States in 1991 and as a physical single in Australia and New Zealand the following year, reaching the top 10 in the two latter countries and peaking at number 15 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dare You to Move</span> 2004 single by Switchfoot

"Dare You to Move" is a single by American alternative rock band Switchfoot from their fourth studio album, The Beautiful Letdown (2003). The song was originally called "I Dare You to Move", and was on the album Learning to Breathe, but the band decided to remix it and put it on The Beautiful Letdown. This track received considerable radio airplay, and its accompanying music videos saw play on MTV, VH1, FUSE TV, and other mainstream channels. "Dare You to Move" was released to Christian radio on February 6, 2004, and sent to modern rock radio the following month. It peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Switchfoot's second top-20 single, surpassing the success of their breakthrough single, "Meant to Live", in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here Comes the Hotstepper</span> 1994 single by Ini Kamoze

"Here Comes the Hotstepper" is a song co-written and recorded by Jamaican dancehall artist Ini Kamoze. It was released as the lead single from his 1995 album of the same name as well as the soundtrack to the film Prêt-à-Porter. It is known for its "naaaa na na na naaaa..." chorus inspired by the Cannibal and the Headhunters version of "Land of 1000 Dances".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'd Die Without You</span> 1992 single by P.M. Dawn

"I'd Die Without You" is a song by American R&B duo P.M. Dawn, first appearing on the soundtrack of the 1992 film Boomerang, starring Eddie Murphy, and was one of several songs to chart from the album. Later, the song was released on the duo's second album, The Bliss Album...? (1993), as well as on their 2000 greatest hits collection, The Best of P.M. Dawn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Son of Mine</span> 1991 single by Genesis

"No Son of Mine" is a song by British rock group Genesis, released as the lead single from their 14th album, We Can't Dance (1991). The song reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was also a top-10 hit in several European countries and peaked atop Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart for five weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Little Respect</span> 1988 single by Erasure

"A Little Respect" is a song written and recorded by English synth-pop duo Erasure, released in September 1988. It was written by Vince Clarke and Andy Bell. The lyrics are a plea to a lover to show compassion and respect. The heavily synthesized instrumentation is accentuated by acoustic guitar and Bell's vocal falsetto in the chorus. It was their tenth single and was taken from their third studio album, The Innocents (1988). Known as one of their signature songs, the single reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and was Erasure's second consecutive top-20 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it made number 14, and reached number two on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chorus (Erasure song)</span> 1991 single by Erasure

"Chorus" is a song by English synth-pop duo Erasure, released in June 1991 as the first single from their fifth studio album of the same name (1991). Produced by Martyn Phillips and written by Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, the song features Clarke's electronic soundscapes and Phillips' computerised production. The single was released by Mute Records in the UK and Sire Records in the US. It peaked at number three in both Denmark and the UK, while reaching number four in Ireland. In the US, it peaked at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just the Two of Us (Will Smith song)</span> 1998 single by Will Smith

"Just the Two of Us" is a song by American rapper Will Smith. It was released as the fourth single from his debut solo studio album, Big Willie Style (1997), on July 20, 1998. The song was inspired by Bill Withers' and Grover Washington, Jr.'s love song of the same title; Smith's version samples and incorporates lyrics from the original. Instead of love between a couple, "Just the Two of Us" focuses on the relationship between a father and son. The song features Fuzzy and Sauce from the R&B group Somethin' for the People with Fuzzy providing the chorus and ad-libs, while Sauce is a credited as a producer on the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thought I'd Died and Gone to Heaven</span> 1992 single by Bryan Adams

"Thought I'd Died and Gone to Heaven" is a song by Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams from his sixth studio album, Waking up the Neighbours (1991). Penned by Robert Lange and Bryan Adams, the song became Adams' third chart-topper in his native Canada, reached No. 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at No. 8 in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fall Down (Toad the Wet Sprocket song)</span> 1994 single by Toad the Wet Sprocket

"Fall Down" is a song by alternative rock band Toad the Wet Sprocket from their fourth studio album, Dulcinea (1994). "Fall Down" was co-written by Glen Phillips and Todd Nichols. Released to US radio in April 1994, the song topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Canada, the song peaked at number 10 and ended 1994 as the country's 76th-most-successful single. The music video for the song was directed by Samuel Bayer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Want (Toad the Wet Sprocket song)</span> 1992 single by Toad the Wet Sprocket

"All I Want" is a song by American alternative rock band Toad the Wet Sprocket from their 1991 album, Fear. "All I Want" was Toad the Wet Sprocket's first successful song. It became one of their most well-known songs, reaching the top 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Walked Love</span> 1994 single by Exposé

"In Walked Love" is a song by the American girl group Exposé. Written by Diane Warren and produced by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero, the song can be found on the group's 1992 album Exposé, their third studio album. Lead vocals on the pop ballad were performed by Ann Curless. The song features Al Pitrelli as guest guitarist. In 1996, British singer Louise covered the song and reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart with her rendition.

"Good Intentions" is a song by American alternative rock band Toad the Wet Sprocket. It is included on both the band's album In Light Syrup and the Friends soundtrack, Friends Original TV Soundtrack. This version was recorded in January 1991 during the sessions for the band's third album fear but was not included because they felt it was too catchy and sounded like an obvious "hit single".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come Down</span> 1997 single by Toad the Wet Sprocket

"Come Down" is a song by American alternative rock band Toad the Wet Sprocket, released as the first single from their fifth studio album, Coil (1997), in April 1997. The song peaked at number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart and number 38 on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart.

References

  1. Harris, Vincent (September 12, 2018). "How Toad the Wet Sprocket Navigates the Age of Nostalgia". Post and Courier. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  2. McDonnel, Brandy (May 11, 2018). "Toad the Wet Sprocket to play OKC summer show". The Oklahoman. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  3. MacIntosh, Dan (January 8, 2014). "Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket : Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  4. Walk on the Ocean (US CD single liner notes). Toad the Wet Sprocket. Columbia Records. 1992. 38K 74706.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. Walk on the Ocean (US cassette single sleeve). Toad the Wet Sprocket. Columbia Records. 1992. 38T 74706.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. Walk on the Ocean (European CD single liner notes). Toad the Wet Sprocket. Columbia Records. 1992. COL 658462 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. Walk on the Ocean (European cassette single sleeve). Toad the Wet Sprocket. Columbia Records. 1992. 658462 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1748." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  9. "Toad the Wet Sprocket – Walk on the Ocean" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  10. "Toad the Wet Sprocket – Walk on the Ocean". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  11. "Toad the Wet Sprocket – Walk on the Ocean". VG-lista. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  12. "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard . January 30, 1993. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  13. "Hot Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 8. February 20, 1993. p. 77.
  14. "Mainstream Rock Airplay" . Billboard. November 21, 1992. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  15. "Pop Airplay" . Billboard. January 30, 1993. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  16. Jobs Soundtrack
  17. Adult Beginners Soundtrack
  18. Hindsight Soundtrack