Waterfront (song)

Last updated

"Waterfront"
Waterfront sm.jpeg
Single by Simple Minds
from the album Sparkle in the Rain
B-side "Hunter and the Hunted" (live)
Released14 November 1983 (1983-11-14) [1]
RecordedSeptember 1983 [2]
Genre Rock [3]
Length4:43
Label Virgin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Steve Lillywhite
Simple Minds singles chronology
"I Travel (2nd reissue)"
(1983)
"Waterfront"
(1983)
"Speed Your Love to Me"
(1984)

"Waterfront" is a song by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released as the first single from their sixth studio album, Sparkle in the Rain , in November 1983. "Waterfront" became a chart hit around the world, topping the New Zealand Singles Chart for two weeks during February 1984. It also reached number 13 on the UK Singles Charts, number 16 in Sweden, number 19 in Australia and number five in Ireland. Today, it is a live favourite.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Background and recording

Prior to the release of "Waterfront" as the first single from Simple Minds' forthcoming album Sparkle in the Rain in November 1983, the song had been premiered at a live gig a few months earlier and in a radio session for Kid Jensen. [4]

Composition

It features a bass line consisting of a single note (D) throughout. The version as released on 7-inch vinyl single differs from versions available on CD. The original single did not feature the repetitive bass-line that leads into the main body of the song but had a "one, two....one, two, three, four.." drumstick count-in by drummer Mel Gaynor.

The song originated from the one-note bassline Derek Forbes came up with. The lyrics were written by Jim Kerr. Inspired by him walking along River Clyde in summer 1983 watching the decline of the shipyard industry in his native Glasgow, the lyrics express a feeling of hope and rebirth. [5]

Music video

The music video features a shot of a live performance of the song to an invited audience at Barrowland's Ballroom in Glasgow on 20 November 1983, with additional black and white footage of the band on Renfrew Ferry and aerial shots of River Clyde. [6]

Track listings

7-inch single [7]

  1. "Waterfront" – 4:43
  2. "Hunter and the Hunted" (recorded live at the City Hall, Newcastle, 20 November 1982) – 6:00

12-inch single [8]

  1. "Waterfront" (extended version) – 5:48
  2. "Hunter and the Hunted" (recorded live at the City Hall, Newcastle, 20 November 1982) – 6:00

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1983–1984)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [9] 19
Ireland (IRMA) [10] 5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [1] 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [11] 16
UK Singles (OCC) [12] 13

Sales

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom100,436 [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simple Minds</span> Scottish rock band

Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977, becoming best known internationally for their song "Don't You " (1985), which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Other commercially successful singles include "Promised You a Miracle" (1982), "Glittering Prize" (1982), "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (1982), "Waterfront" (1983), "Alive and Kicking" (1985), "Sanctify Yourself" (1986), "Let There Be Love" (1991), "She's a River" (1995), and the UK number one single "Belfast Child" (1989).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strange Currencies</span> 1995 single by R.E.M.

"Strange Currencies" is a song by American rock band R.E.M. It was included on their ninth studio album, Monster (1994), and was released as the album's fourth single on April 18, 1995, by Warner Bros. Records. The song reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 47 in the United States. Like "Everybody Hurts" on R.E.M.'s previous album, it has a time signature of 6
8
. The song's music video was directed by Mark Romanek.

"From a Distance" is a song by American singer-songwriter Julie Gold, initially penned in 1985. Gold's friend Christine Lavin introduced the song to Nanci Griffith, who first recorded it for her 1987 album Lone Star State of Mind. A successful cover version by Bette Midler was released in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">There She Goes (The La's song)</span> 1988 single by the Las

"There She Goes" is a song by English rock band the La's, written by the band's frontman, Lee Mavers. First released in 1988, the song reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart when it was re-issued in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Kerr</span> Scottish singer

James Kerr is a Scottish musician and lead singer of the rock band Simple Minds. Commercially successful singles released by Simple Minds include "Don't You ", "Glittering Prize" (1982), "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (1982), "Waterfront" (1983) and "Alive and Kicking" (1985), as well as the UK number one single "Belfast Child" (1989).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walking in My Shoes</span> 1993 single by Depeche Mode

"Walking in My Shoes" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was released on 26 April 1993 by Mute and Sire as the second single from their eighth studio album, Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993). The song reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and matched the success of the previous single "I Feel You" on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it reached one. The B-side is "My Joy", the only exclusive B-side from the Songs of Faith and Devotion album, and is a rock track in the vein of "I Feel You".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irish Blood, English Heart</span> 2004 single by Morrissey

"Irish Blood, English Heart" is a song by British singer Morrissey, released as the lead single to his seventh studio album You Are the Quarry. His first new song in seven years, it was released on 12 April 2004 in the United States and on 10 May 2004 in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Flame (Cheap Trick song)</span> 1988 single by Cheap Trick

"The Flame" is a power ballad released in 1988 by the American rock band Cheap Trick as the first single from their tenth album, Lap of Luxury. It was written by songwriters Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham, and was produced by Richie Zito. "The Flame" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1988; it also reached number one in Australia and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radio (The Corrs song)</span> 1999 single by the Corrs

"Radio" is a song by Irish folk rock band the Corrs. It was released in October 1999 from the band's live album The Corrs Unplugged, recorded on 5 October 1999 during their appearance on MTV Unplugged, with "Dreams" from the same album as a B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wishing I Was Lucky</span> 1987 single by Wet Wet Wet

"Wishing I Was Lucky" is the debut single of Scottish band Wet Wet Wet, released as the lead single from their first album, Popped in Souled Out (1987). Recorded for £600 in Edinburgh, it was released in March 1987 and was their first hit, peaking at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 10 in Ireland. The following year, the song reached the top 20 in Belgium and the Netherlands, while in the United States, "Wishing I Was Lucky" became the group's first of two songs to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 58.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreams (The Cranberries song)</span> 1992 single by the Cranberries

"Dreams" is the debut single of Irish rock band the Cranberries. It was originally released in September 1992 by Island Records and later appeared on the band's debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (1993). The song reached the top 50 of the US Hot 100 and the top 30 of the UK Singles Chart in early 1994. A 1990 demo version was released in Ireland only in the summer of that year under their initial band name, the Cranberry Saw Us. At the end of the song, the backing vocals are sung by Mike Mahoney, ex-boyfriend of Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan. Three different music videos were made to promote the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's a River</span> 1995 single by Simple Minds

"She's a River" is the first single released from Scottish rock band Simple Minds' 11th studio album, Good News from the Next World. Written by band members Charlie Burchill and Jim Kerr, the song was inspired by Hermann Hesse's novel Siddhartha, a book about self-discovery. Released on 11 January 1995, "She's a River" reached number three in Canada and Italy, number seven in the Flanders region of Belgium, and number nine on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, it peaked at number six on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As Long as You Follow</span> 1988 single by Fleetwood Mac

"As Long as You Follow" is a song by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac. Performed by Christine McVie and written alongside her then-husband, Eddy Quintela, the song was one of two new tracks on the band's 1988 greatest hits album, along with "No Questions Asked". Lead guitarist Rick Vito singled out the guitar solo on "As Long as You Follow" as his best work with Fleetwood Mac.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dream of Me (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark song)</span> 1993 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Dream of Me (Based on Love's Theme)" is a song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released in July 1993 by Virgin Records as the second single from their ninth studio album, Liberator (1993). The song uses a sample from "Love's Theme", a 1973 instrumental piece recorded by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. It was remixed by Gregg Jackman for release as a single and reached the top 30 in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

<i>Sparkle in the Rain</i> 1984 studio album by Simple Minds

Sparkle in the Rain is the sixth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released on 6 February 1984 by record label Virgin in the UK and A&M in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everyday Now</span> 1989 single by Texas

"Everyday Now" is a song by Scottish band Texas. It was first recorded for the band's 1989 extended play (EP) of the same name and was released as a single on 24 July 1989 from their debut album, Southside (1989). The song debuted at number 58 on the UK Singles Charts and later peaked at number 44. The song has been described as "a bluesy ballad which drips with soul".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speed Your Love to Me</span> 1984 single by Simple Minds

"Speed Your Love to Me" is a song by Simple Minds, which was released as the second single from the album Sparkle in the Rain on 9 January 1984. It quickly reached number 20 in the UK Singles Chart, and remained in the charts for 4 weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Promised You a Miracle</span> 1982 single by Simple Minds

"Promised You a Miracle" is a 1982 song by Scottish band Simple Minds and was released as the first single from their fifth studio album New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84). It was the band's first chart hit in the UK, reaching #13 in the UK singles chart and charting for 11 weeks. Their previous nine UK singles yielded no Top 40 hits in that country although some had sold well in Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someone Somewhere in Summertime</span> 1982 single by Simple Minds

"Someone Somewhere In Summertime" is a song by Scottish rock band Simple Minds which was released as the third single from their fifth studio album New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) (1982). Written by the members of Simple Minds, it was released on 5 November 1982 by Virgin Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Escaping (song)</span> 1989 single by Margaret Urlich

"Escaping" is the debut solo single of New Zealand singer Margaret Urlich. The song was released in September 1989 by CBS and charted at number one for three weeks in the New Zealand singles chart, later reaching number 17 in Australia. It is the opening track on Urlich's debut album, Safety in Numbers (1989), and also features on her 1994 live album Live.

References

  1. 1 2 "Simple Minds – Waterfront". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  2. http://www.simpleminds.org/sm/songs/sessions.htm . Recorded just before the session on 11 September 1983.
  3. Evans, Richard (6 August 2024). "1983.1". Listening to the Music the Machines Make: Inventing Electronic Pop 1978-1983. Omnibus Press. p. 411. ISBN   978-1-915841-45-2.
  4. "Waterfront single". Dream Giver Redux.
  5. "Waterfront". Dream Giver Redux.
  6. "Waterfront video". Dream Giver Redux.
  7. Waterfront (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Simple Minds. Virgin Records. 1983. VS636.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Waterfront (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Simple Minds. Virgin Records. 1983. VS636-12.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  10. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Waterfront". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  11. "Simple Minds – Waterfront". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  13. "UK's Biggest Selling Singles of 1983 - Top 200 with sales (reuploaded)". 31 March 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.