Sea of Love (song)

"Sea of Love" is a song written by Philip Baptiste (better known as Phil Phillips) and George Khoury. It was the only top-40 chart song for Phillips, who never recorded another hit.[2]

For the National song, see Sea of Love (The National song).
"Sea of Love"
"Sea of Love" sheet music
Song by Phil Phillips
from the album Sea Of Love
Published1959
ReleasedJuly 1959
Recorded1959
Genre
Length2:30
LabelMercury Records
Songwriter(s)Phil Phillips, George Khoury

Background

Baptiste, who was working as a bellboy in Lake Charles, Louisiana, wrote "Sea of Love" for a love interest. He was introduced to local record producer George Khoury, who brought Baptiste into his studio to record the song. At Khoury's request, Baptiste took the stage name of Phil Phillips. The song, originally credited to Phil Phillips with The Twilights, was released on a small record label owned by Khoury, but due to its success was eventually leased to Mercury Records. Despite the song's success, Phillips claims that he has only ever received US$6,800 for recording it.[2]

Chart performance

Phil Phillips' 1959 recording of the song peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart[3] and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. "The Three Bells" by The Browns kept it from the No.1 spot.[4] In 1959 it sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[5]

Weekly charts
Phil Phillips
Chart (1959) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 2
US Billboard R&B[3] 1
US Cash Box Top 100[7] 2
Marty Wilde
Chart (1959) Peak
position
UK [8] 3
Del Shannon
Chart (1981–82) Peak
position
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[9] 28
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 33
US Billboard Adult Contemporary 36
US Cash Box Top 100 33
The Honeydrippers

Notable cover versions

The song has been covered by a number of artists since the first 1959 recording. Among the most notable versions are the following:

  • The song shares a title with, and features prominently in the plot-line of, the 1989 Harold Becker film Sea of Love starring Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin.[23]
  • Kraken Rum began using Sea of Love in commercials in 2014[24]

See also

References
  1. "What Is Swamp Pop Music?". ThoughtCo. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  2. Hamilton, Andrew. "Phil Phillips Biography". allmusic/Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 8th Edition (Billboard Publications), page 491.
  5. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. pp. 116–117. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  6. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  7. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, September 19, 1959
  8. "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 1959-10-01. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
  9. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1985-01-19. Retrieved 2019-02-07.
  10. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  11. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1985-01-19. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  12. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sea of Love". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  13. "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 1985-01-26. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
  14. Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications), page 289.
  15. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, January 12, 1985
  16. "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 1991-03-02. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
  17. "RPM's Top 100 Singles of 1985". RPM. Vol. 43 no. 16. 28 December 1985. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  18. Musicoutfitters.com
  19. Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 28, 1985
  20. "Chanel No. 5: La Star (1990)". IMDB.
  21. "Music: Top 100 Songs | Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard.com. 1985-01-05. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
  22. "Juno (2007)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
  23. "Sea of Love (1989)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
  24. The Kraken Rum: Black Ink on YouTube
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