Ocean Spray (song)

"Ocean Spray"
Single by Manic Street Preachers
from the album Know Your Enemy
Released	4 June 2001
Format	CD, cassette
Recorded	2000
Genre	Alternative rock, indie rock
Length	4:11
Label	Epic
Writer(s)	James Dean Bradfield
Producer(s)	Dave Eringa
Manic Street Preachers singles chronology
"So Why So Sad" (2001) "Ocean Spray" (2001) "Let Robeson Sing" (2001)

"Ocean Spray" is a song by the Manic Street Preachers, which was released as a single on 4 June 2001, the third single to be released from the album Know Your Enemy. James Dean Bradfield wrote both lyrics and music for the song.^[1] It reached number 15 in the UK Singles Chart.^[2]

Background

The song is inspired by the cranberry juice drink that James would take in to his mother Sue whilst she was in hospital undergoing treatment for cancer, eventually dying from the disease. It also featured the first recorded lyric written by James. Drummer Sean Moore played a trumpet solo on the song. The CD included "Groundhog Days", "Just A Kid", and an "Ocean Spray" video, whereas the cassette had "Little Trolls".^[3]

"Ocean Spray" also represents a high point in the visibility of the Manics photographer Mitch Ikeda, who both speaks the opening Japanese dialogue - which translates to “you have very beautiful eyes… such beautiful eyes”. It also is the first time a Manics song was written by one person only, James Dean Bradfield wrote the lyrics and music to "Ocean Spray".^[4]

Release

The song reached number 15 in the UK Singles Chart on 16 June 2001^[2] and spent nevertheless 8 weeks in the UK charts after being released.^[2]

A performance was recorded for that week's Top of the Pops. However it wasn't aired (possibly due to lower charting position than had been expected) but a short clip of the performance was still shown (without sound) in the show's top 20 countdown that week. The full performance was however finally shown in full several years later on an episode of Top of the Pops 2.^[1]

Track listing

All music written and composed by Nick Jones, James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore. Except "Ocean Spray"; music by James Dean Bradfield and lyrics by James Dean Bradfield.

Enhanced CD one

1. "Ocean Spray" - 4:11
2. "Groundhog Days" - 3:52
3. "Just A Kid" - 3:36
4. "Ocean Spray" - 4:12 (video-clip)

Enhanced CD two

1. "Ocean Spray" - 4:11
2. "Ocean Spray" (Live At Teatro Karl Marx, Havana, 17 February 2001) - 4:08
3. "Ocean Spray" (Kinobe Remix) - 6:33
4. "Ocean Spray" (Medicine Remix) - 4:16
5. "Ocean Spray" (Live from Havana) - 4:08 (video-clip)

Cassette

1. "Ocean Spray" - 4:02
2. "Little Trolls" - 3:39
3. "Ocean Spray" (Ellis Island Sound Remix) - 4:12

Charts

UK Chart Performance

References