Moonlight on Water

"Moonlight on Water"
Single by Kevin Raleigh
from the album Delusions of Grandeur
B-side"The Art of War"
Released1989
GenrePop
Length4:10
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Peter Coleman

"Moonlight on Water", also known as "Moonlight on Water (Sex on the Beach)", is a popular song written and composed by Steve Kipner, best known for writing Olivia Newton-John's "Physical", and Andy Goldmark. The song was originally recorded by Kevin Raleigh for his 1989 album Delusions of Grandeur and was released as a single. It reached No. 60 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on 24 June 1989.[1]

Charts

Chart (1989) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[1] 60

Laura Branigan version

"Moonlight on Water"
Single by Laura Branigan
from the album Laura Branigan
B-side"Reverse Psychology"
Released1990
Recorded1989
Length4:39
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Richard Perry
Laura Branigan singles chronology
"Come into My Life"
(1988) 		"Moonlight on Water"
(1990) 		"Never in a Million Years"
(1990)
Music video
"Moonlight on Water" on YouTube

The song was covered by Laura Branigan and was the first single taken from the self-titled album that she released in 1990. Her version was produced by Richard Perry. However, it was only a minor hit in the United States (reaching No. 59, one spot higher than Kevin Raleigh's version), where a music video for the song received little airplay. Branigan can be seen performing the song on her second videocassette and laserdisc concert release, Laura Branigan in Concert, which was filmed in 1990 at a tour stop in Atlantic City and initially televised as part of the syndicated TV series SRO: In Concert.

Critical reception

Bill Coleman from Billboard wrote, "Previewing the booming-voiced diva's new self-titled album is a sinfully fun popper reminiscent of earlier chart glories. Can't wait for the club remixes."[2]

Track listings

CD single[3]
No.TitleLength
1."Moonlight on Water" (Radio edit)3:54
2."Moonlight on Water"4:39
CD single (Japan)[3]
No.TitleLength
1."Moonlight on Water"4:39
2."Reverse Psychology"3:33
12" single[4]
No.TitleLength
1."Moonlight on Water" (12" mix)7:55
2."Moonlight on Water" (Sex on the Beach Dub)5:52
3."Moonlight on Water" (Radio remix)4:05

Charts

Chart (1990) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[5] 159
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) 83
Finland (Suomen virallinen singlelista)[6] 29
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 59
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard) 44
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles[8] 58

References

  1. ^ a b "Kevin Raleigh Songs - Top Songs / Chart Singles". Musicvf.com. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  2. ^ Coleman, Bill (March 10, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 91. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Laura Branigan - Moonlight on Water (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  4. ^ "Laura Branigan - Moonlight on Water (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  5. ^ "Response from ARIA re: Laura Branigan's ARIA chart history, received December 22, 2017". Imgur.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart. This only contains chart information from the commencement of the ARIA-produced chart in mid-1988.
  6. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Laura Branigan". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 37. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Laura Branigan Billboard Hot 100 History". Billboard.com. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  8. ^ "Cash Box" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. May 5, 1990. Retrieved July 18, 2022.