Wikipedia

Offshore (song)

"Offshore" is a song by English electronic music producer Chicane, released on 9 December 1996 by Xtravaganza as the lead single from his debut album, Far from the Maddening Crowds (1997). The song reached number five in the United States on Billboard's Dance Club Play chart, number 12 in Ireland and number 14 in the United Kingdom. A bootleg by Australian DJ Anthony Pappa was given an official release in 1997 titled "Offshore '97". This version peaked at number 17 in the UK.

"Offshore"
Single by Chicane
from the album Far from the Maddening Crowds
B-side"Disco Citizens Remix"
Released9 December 1996 (1996-12-09)[1]
StudioModena One (United Kingdom)
Genre
Length6:58 (original)
  • 9:23 (Disco Citizens remix)
LabelXtravaganza
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Nick Bracegirdle
  • Leo Elstob
Chicane singles chronology
"Offshore"
(1996) 		"Sunstroke"
(1997)
Alternative cover
2012 re-release cover

"Offshore" is a lush, multi-layered, early Trance track, the original of which features sweeping synth chords and a reflective balearic theme, elements of which are reminiscent of the Tangerine Dream track, "Love on a Real Train". The main synth-hook which gives "Offshore" its uplifting breakdown however is based on Don Henley's 1985 hit, "The Boys of Summer".[2]

Critical reception

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A reviewer from Music Week described 'Offshore' as "Dreamhouse with real excitement."[3] Brad Beatnik from the RM Dance Update praised the track and rated it five out of five, writing, "A monstrously huge trancey house tune, this one goes on for ever, coasting on waves of lush sounds. [...] The original is the sort of dreamy track Jose Padilla would kill to include on his Cafe Del Mar albums. An absolute stunner."[4] David Sinclair from The Times said, "Eerie techno track you can dance and chill to simultaneously."[5]

Music video

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The accompanying music video for "Offshore" was directed by Julien Berton.[6]

Impact and legacy

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In 2018, Mixmag ranked 'Offshore' among "The 15 Best Mid-90s Trance Tracks", noting that it was "providing some much needed respite from England's summer heartbreak at the European Championships. The producer has proven to be a deft hand at crafting trance anthems and 'Offshore' is a prime example. The best bit occurs when the urgent 4x4 beat flows into soft breaks, a technique he also deploys in his 1999 corker 'Saltwater'."[7]

Track listing

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  • European CD single
  1. "Offshore" (Disco Citizens Edit) – 4:27
  2. "Offshore" (Original Version) – 6:58
  3. "Offshore" (Disco Citizens Remix) – 9:23
  • German CD single
  1. "Offshore" (Radio Edit) – 3:07
  2. "Offshore" (Original Version) – 6:58
  3. "Offshore" (Disco Citizens Remix) – 9:23
  4. "Offshore" (Disco Citizens Edit) – 4:27

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[20] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

"Offshore '97"

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"Offshore '97"
 
Single by Chicane with Power Circle
from the album Far from the Maddening Crowds
B-side"Red Skies"
Released1 September 1997 (1997-09-01)
Length3:52
LabelXtravaganza
Songwriter(s)
Chicane singles chronology
"Sunstroke"
(1997) 		"Offshore '97"
(1997) 		"Lost You Somewhere"
(1997)

"Offshore" was re-released on 1 September 1997 as "Offshore '97". A bootleg was created by Australian DJ Anthony Pappa who made a mashup of "Offshore (Disco Citizens Mix)" with the vocals from the Power Circle song "A Little Love, a Little Life". Originally a bootleg (mixed by Dave Seaman on Renaissance: The Mix Collection Part 4) it was turned into an official release, credited to "Chicane with Power Circle". The song peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart.

The vocalist was Louise Burton, wife of Daniel Mays. "Offshore '97 (Anthony Pappa Bootleg Mix)" also appeared on Far from the Maddening Crowds.

Track listings

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  • European CD single
  1. Chicane with Power Circle – "Offshore '97" (Anthony Pappa Bootleg Mix) (R&D Edit) – 3:52
  2. Chicane – "Red Skies" (Edit) (Nick Bracegirdle) – 7:36
  3. Chicane – "Offshore" (Disco Citizens Edit) (Nick Bracegirdle) – 4:27
  4. Chicane – "Offshore" (A Man Called Adam Remix) (Nick Bracegirdle) – 9:04
  • UK 12-inch vinyl
  1. Chicane – "Red Skies" (Original Mix)
  2. Chicane With Power Circle – "Offshore '97" (Salt Tank Pacific Storm Edit)
  3. Chicane With Power Circle – "Offshore '97" (Anthony Pappa Bootleg Mix)

Charts

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"Armin van Buuren & AVIRA vs. Chicane"

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In 2022, Armin van Buuren & AVIRA create the remake "Offshore" with Chicane in album compilation "A State Of Trance 2022".[25]

References

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  1. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 7 December 1996. p. 41. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  2. ^ "CHICANE Interview". 3 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 23 November 1996. p. 24. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  4. ^ Beatnik, Brad (9 November 1996). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 9. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  5. ^ Sinclair, David (7 December 1996). "Singles; Best of other sounds around". The Times.
  6. ^ "Chicane Offshore VIVA VHS". YouTube. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  7. ^ Ball, James (22 June 2018). "The Best Mid-90s Trance Tracks". Mixmag. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 1–3. 18 January 1997. p. 21. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Chicane – Offshore" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  10. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Offshore". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 6 June 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Chicane".
  12. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 8, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Chicane – Offshore" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  14. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  15. ^ "Chicane – Offshore". Swiss Singles Chart.
  16. ^ a b "Chicane: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  17. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Chicane Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  19. ^ "The RM Club Chart of the Year 96" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 11 January 1997. p. 8. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  20. ^ "British single certifications – Chicane – Offshore". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  21. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 38. 20 September 1997. p. 12. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  22. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  24. ^ "The Club Top 100 of 1997" (PDF). Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental insert). 10 January 1998. p. 5. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  25. ^ Armin van Buuren & AVIRA vs Chicane - Offshore [Visualizer], retrieved 13 May 2022
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