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Under the Boardwalk
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Wikipedia article
"'Under the Boardwalk'" is a pop song written by Kenny Young and Arthur Resnick and recorded by the Drifters in 1964. It charted at number four on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart on August 22, 1964. The song has since been covered by many other artists, with versions by Bette Midler, Sam & Dave, the Tom Tom Club, the Rolling Stones, Billy Joe Royal, The Beach Boys, Bruce Willis, Bad Boys Blue, John Mellencamp and Lynn Anderson all charting in the United States or overseas. The song ranked number 487 on 'Rolling Stone' list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004 and number 489 in 2010.
Premise
The lyric describes a tryst between a man and his beloved in a seaside town, who plan to privately meet "out of the sun" and out of sight from everyone else under a boardwalk. The instrumentation includes giro, triangle and violins. The song's chorus switches from a major to minor key.[ Allmusic entry] by Richie Unterberger The opening line of the song references the Drifters' prior hit "Up on the Roof", showing the occasional thermal weakness of the rooftop getaway and setting the stage for an alternate meeting location, under the boardwalk.
Also, the violins are heard playing the riff of "Up on the Roof", before the chorus.
History
The song was set to be recorded on May 21, 1964, but the band's lead singer, Rudy Lewis, died of a suspected heroin overdose the night before. Lewis had sung lead on most of their hits since the 1960 departure of Ben E. King, including "Up on the Roof". Rather than reschedule the studio session, the lead on "Under the Boardwalk" was given to the group's other lead vocalist, Johnny Moore, who had returned to the group in April 1963. The personnel on that recording included Ernie Hayes on piano, Everett Barksdale, Bill Suyker and Bob Bushnell on guitar, Milt Hinton on bass, Gary Chester on drums and George Devens on percussion.Gammond, Peter (1991). 'The Oxford Companion to Popular Music'. Oxford University Press, New York. p. 165. The last-minute move was a success, as the single, released on Atlantic Records, went to number four on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 charts and number one for three non consecutive weeks on 'Cashbox' magazine's R&B chart.
Cover versions
{{Infobox song
| name = Under the Boardwalk
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Lynn Anderson
| album = What She Does Best
| B-side = Turn the Page
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length =
| label = Mercury Records
| writer =
| producer =
| prev_title = Read Between the Lines
| prev_year = 1987
| next_title = What He Does Best
| next_year = 1988
}}
A cover of this song by the Rolling Stones was released the same year as the original version. Their version was released as a single only in Australia, South Africa and Rhodesia, and peaked at No. 1 in the first two (the song was the band's first No. 1 hit in Australia) and at No. 2 in Rhodesia. It appeared on their albums '12 X 5' and 'The Rolling Stones No. 2'. In 2007, it was included on the album 'Rhythms del Mundo Classics'.
In 1966, Los Apson released a Spanish-language version titled "Fue en un Caf", which was a hit in Latin America, reaching the top 5 in Mexico."[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1966/CB-1966-08-27.pdf Mexico]", 'Cash Box'. August 27, 1966. p. 77. Retrieved October 18, 2021.Martinez, Armando. "[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/67/RW-1967-08-05a.pdf Mexico Single Hit Parade]", 'Record World'. August 5, 1967. p. 43. Retrieved October 18, 2021.Ruiz, Ivhan A. "[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/68/RW-1968-03-09.pdf Nicaragua Single Hit Parade]", 'Record World'. March 9, 1968. p. 39. Retrieved October 18, 2021."[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1967/Billboard-1967-08-26.pdf Hits of the World]", 'Billboard'. August 26, 1967. p. 57. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
"Under the Boardwalk" has since been covered by many artists, including Bette Midler (number 26 in Australia), and the Tom Tom Club (whose version reached number 22 on the UK Singles Chart in 1982, becoming the first version of the song to chart in Britain). Versions by Billy Joe Royal, Bruce Willis (a number 2 success in the UK), and Lynn Anderson (number 24 on the Country chart) all reached the 'Billboard' charts.
John Mellencamp released the track as the B-side of his single "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.". In Australia, the single effectively became a double-A side when the B-side "Under the Boardwalk" received significant airplay and both tracks were listed together on the singles chart, reaching number 18. The track also reached number 19 on the 'Billboard' Top Rock Tracks chart.
In pop culture
In 2001, childrens music artist Bill Harley parodied the song as Down in the Backpacks for his 2001 preschool music album of the same name and this track was frequently played on SiriusXMs Kids Place Live radio station
Chart history
Weekly charts
'The Drifters' original version'Year-end charts
'Rolling Stones cover'
'Billy Joe Royal cover'
'Tom Tom Club cover'
'John Mellencamp cover'
'Bruce Willis cover'
'Lynn Anderson cover'
'Bette Midler cover'
See also
*1964 in music
References
Category:1964 singles
Category:Atlantic Records singles
Category:Decca Records singles
Category:Motown singles
Category:Billy Joe Royal songs
Category:The Drifters songs
Category:The Rolling Stones songs
Category:Bette Midler songs
Category:Lynn Anderson songs
Category:Number-one singles in Australia
Category:Number-one singles in South Africa
Category:Songs written by Kenny Young
Category:Tom Tom Club songs
Category:1964 songs
Category:Songs written by Artie Resnick
Category:Song recordings produced by Bert Berns
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