"The Riverboat Song" is a song by British band
Ocean Colour Scene
Ocean Colour Scene (often abbreviated to OCS) are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Solihull in 1989. They have had five top 10 albums including a number one in 1997. They have also achieved seventeen top 40 singles and six top 10 sin ...
. It is heavily influenced by
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are ci ...
's "
Four Sticks
"Four Sticks" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin from their untitled fourth album. The title reflects drummer John Bonham's performance with two sets of two drumsticks, totaling four.Dave Lewis (1994), ''The Complete Guide to the Mu ...
", from which it takes its main riff and a number of lyrics. The song is written in
swing time
In music, the term ''swing'' has two main uses. Colloquially, it is used to describe the propulsive quality or "feel" of a rhythm, especially when the music prompts a visceral response such as foot-tapping or head-nodding (see pulse). This sens ...
.
The single was popularised by
Radio 1 Radio 1 or Radio One most commonly refers to:
*BBC Radio 1, a music radio station from the BBC
** BBC Radio 1Xtra, a digital radio station broadcasting black music
*CBC Radio One, a talk radio station operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporatio ...
DJ Chris Evans, who played it frequently on his radio shows and to introduce guests on his television programme ''
TFI Friday
''TFI Friday'' is an entertainment show that was broadcast on Channel 4 television in the United Kingdom. It was produced by Ginger Productions, written by Danny Baker, and hosted by Chris Evans, for the first five series. The sixth series ...
''. As a result, having been released in February 1996, it reached number 15 on the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
, paving the way for the success of the next two singles, "
You've Got It Bad" and "
The Day We Caught the Train", as well as their album ''
Moseley Shoals
''Moseley Shoals'' is the second album by the British rock group Ocean Colour Scene which was released during the Britpop era. The album reached #2 in the UK charts, and amassed 92 weeks on chart, making it the band's most successful album in t ...
''. It also became a moderate hit in New Zealand, where it peaked at number 37.
Track listings
UK CD single
# "The Riverboat Song"
# "So Sad"
# "Charlie Brown Says"
UK 7-inch and cassette single
# "The Riverboat Song"
# "So Sad"
Credits and personnel
Credits are taken from the ''
Moseley Shoals
''Moseley Shoals'' is the second album by the British rock group Ocean Colour Scene which was released during the Britpop era. The album reached #2 in the UK charts, and amassed 92 weeks on chart, making it the band's most successful album in t ...
'' album booklet.
Studio
* Recorded and mixed at Moseley Shoals (Birmingham, England)
* Mastered at the Powerplant (London, England)
Personnel
*
Ocean Colour Scene
Ocean Colour Scene (often abbreviated to OCS) are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Solihull in 1989. They have had five top 10 albums including a number one in 1997. They have also achieved seventeen top 40 singles and six top 10 sin ...
– writing, production
**
Simon Fowler
Simon Geoffrey Fowler (born 25 May 1965 in Meriden, Warwickshire) is an English singer and acoustic guitarist, best known as the frontman of Ocean Colour Scene.
The Fanatics
Simon Fowler commenced his music career as the lead singer and songwr ...
– vocals, acoustic guitar
**
Steve Cradock – guitar, piano, vocals
**
Oscar Harrison
Oscar Lloyd Harrison (born 18 April 1965 in Birmingham) is a British musician who currently plays drums with Birmingham-based Ocean Colour Scene and the British ska band The Beat. He also plays piano and bass guitar, and occasionally sings le ...
– drums, piano, vocals
** Damon Minchella – bass guitar
*
Paul Weller
Paul John Weller (born John William Weller; 25 May 1958) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. Weller achieved fame with the punk rock/ new wave/mod revival band the Jam (1972–1982). He had further success with the blue-eyed soul m ...
– organ
*
Brendan Lynch – production
* Martin Heyes – engineering
* Tony Keach – assistant engineering
* Tim Young – mastering
Charts
Certifications
References
External links
OCS Single Details*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Riverboat Song, The
Ocean Colour Scene songs
1996 singles
1996 songs
MCA Records singles
Song recordings produced by Brendan Lynch (music producer)
Songs written by Damon Minchella
Songs written by Oscar Harrison
Songs written by Simon Fowler
Songs written by Steve Cradock