"Water on Glass" is the third single by British singer Kim Wilde from her self-titled album.

"Water on Glass"
Single by Kim Wilde
from the album Kim Wilde
B-side"Boys"
Released17 July 1981
RecordedThe Record Plant Sausalito CA winter 1981
GenreRock, new wave
Length3:29 (Album Version)
3:36 (7" Version)
LabelRAK
Songwriter(s)Ricky Wilde, Marty Wilde
Producer(s)Ricky Wilde
Kim Wilde singles chronology
"Chequered Love"
(1981)
"Water on Glass"
(1981)
"Cambodia"
(1981)

A slightly different version of the song was featured on Wilde's eponymous debut album. It was released in the UK, Ireland and The Netherlands only with the non-album track "Boys" on the B-side. The song was also the first track by Kim Wilde to appear on a Billboard chart, reaching #53 on the Top 60 Rock Tracks on 15 May 1982.

The song is about tinnitus, a medical condition that causes ringing in the ears.[1]

Critical reception

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"Water on Glass" made a big impression on David Hepworth of Smash Hits: "What's the best track on the album? This one? O.K., whack it out single-shaped. Ricky's deck is as full of well practised tricks as ever; shimmering synths slip 'n' slide round a knuckle full of beat while Kim's perfectly detached vocal drags the chorus in like a trouper."[2]

Track listing

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UK / Netherlands 7" single [1981]

  1. "Water On Glass" [Single Version] - 3:36
  2. "Boys" - 3:16

Charts

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Chart (1981–1982) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[3] 10
UK Singles (OCC)[4] 11
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[5] 53

References

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  1. ^ Water on Glass at songfacts.com
  2. ^ Hepworth, David (6–19 August 1981). "Kim Wilde: "Water on Glass"" (PDF). Smash Hits. Vol. 3, no. 15. Peterborough: EMAP National Publications, Ltd. p. 26. ISSN 0260-3004. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via World Radio History.
  3. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Water on Glass". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Kim Wilde: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Kim Wilde Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
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