I may admit that most of my previous choices could be labelled
as too earnest or serious, but there is always a place for a classic pop song
in my life.
By the end of
the 1990s, few acts made better pop than All Saints, a more palatable girl
group alternative to the Spice Girls. Songs like "Never Ever", "I
Know Where's It At" and well-chosen cover versions, established them as a
high quality act.
Their
highpoint was 2000's "Pure Shores", a feel-good anthem of electronica
and freedom.
The band's
primary songwriter, Shaznay Lewis, was in Los Angeles generating ideas for the
next album, when she was approached to write a key song for upcoming movie
"The Beach", based on the Alex Garland novel. After just seeing a
rough cut of one scene with Leonardo DiCaprio swimming, she was inspired, and joined
forces with the producer William Orbit Orbit
brought his typical ambience soundscape, while Lewis supplied the pop
sensibility.
The song can
actually resemble the sea from that fabled beach. It starts quietly, with
ripples, hesitant and uncertain ("I'm intrigued, I'm unsure"). It is
a search for a personal paradise, an elusive beach or dream. An epic quest
across "water", "deserts", "moors" and "doors"
(ok, the last one doesn't test the human endurance as much) . It swells to the chorus,
before crashing like a wave ("Take me to my beach"). It is a song of
hope and inspiration, every day, they are getting nearer their goal ("I'm
moving, I'm coming").
The verses
and bridges are shared by Melaine Blatt and Lewis, with the Appleton sisters
sweet vocals joining in the chorus. The electronic backing shadowing them is
dreamy and irresistible.
"Pure
Shores" was a big hit instantly, reaching number 1 in the UK and the
second highest selling single in 2000. is now a radio soundtrack to summers. It
is also joins the select group of songs that did not feature its title in the
lyrics, like "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
and "Space Oddity".
All Saints
broke up shortly afterwards, and despite reunions, this is still their pop
perfection..
Hear Next -
All Saints produced great singles, so "All Hits" compilation is
the obvious choice.
