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Offshore (song)

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"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
Songwriters
Producers
  • Nick Bracegirdle
  • Leo Elstob
Chicane singles chronology
"Offshore"
(1996) 		"Sunstroke"
(1997)
Alternative cover
2012 re-release cover

"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" 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

[edit]

A reviewer from Music Week described "Offshore" as "dream house 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

[edit]

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 listings

[edit]
  • 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

[edit]

Certifications

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

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

"Offshore '97"

[edit]
"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
Songwriters
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

[edit]
  • 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

[edit]

Armin van Buuren and AVIRA version

[edit]

In 2022, Dutch DJ and record producer Armin van Buuren and Canadian producer AVIRA released a new version of "Offshore" with Chicane, credited as "Armin van Buuren & AVIRA vs. Chicane". The single was released on 13 May 2022 by Armind.[26][27]

Armada Music described the version as a reimagining of one of Chicane's best-known classics, retaining the Balearic character of the 1996 original while updating it for a contemporary trance and progressive sound.[28] A State of Trance also presented the release as a tribute to the legacy of the genre.[29]

Nancy Gomez of EDMTunes wrote that the remake combined trance with deep melodic house and techno elements, while also noting AVIRA's progressive style and Chicane's beach-oriented sound.[30] The track was also featured in A State of Trance 2022, mixed by van Buuren.[30]

An official visualizer for the version was released on van Buuren's YouTube channel.[31]

Track listing

[edit]
  • Digital download / streaming[26]
  1. "Offshore" – 3:19
  2. "Offshore" (extended mix) – 6:30[32]

References

[edit]
  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. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. 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 on 21/12/1996 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  15. ^ "Chicane – Offshore". Swiss Singles Chart.
  16. ^ a b "Chicane Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  17. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart on 21/12/1996 – 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. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Offshore Chicane in the "Search:" field.
  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 on 13/9/1997 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart on 13/9/1997 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  24. ^ "Independent Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 27 September 1997. p. 38. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
  25. ^ "The Club Top 100 of 1997" (PDF). Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental insert). 10 January 1998. p. 5. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Offshore by Armin van Buuren & AVIRA vs Chicane". Qobuz. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  27. ^ "OUT NOW: Armin van Buuren & AVIRA vs Chicane – Offshore". Armin van Buuren. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  28. ^ "Offshore - Armin van Buuren & AVIRA vs Chicane". Armada Music. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  29. ^ "Out Now On ARMIND: Armin van Buuren & AVIRA vs Chicane – Offshore". A State of Trance. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  30. ^ a b Gomez, Nancy (13 May 2022). "Armin van Buuren, AVIRA & Chicane Join Together For 'Offshore'". EDMTunes. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  31. ^ Armin van Buuren & AVIRA vs Chicane - Offshore (Official Visualizer). YouTube. Armin van Buuren. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  32. ^ "Offshore (Extended Mix) by Armin van Buuren, AVIRA & Chicane". Apple Music. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
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