Vamos a la playa (Righeira song)

"Vamos a la playa" is a song by the Italian Italo disco duo Righeira, released in 1983 as the second single from their debut studio album, Righeira (1983). It was written by Johnson Righeira, the duo's lead vocalist and producer Carmelo La Bionda.[2] The song was the duo's only charting hit in the UK, peaking at number 53 on the UK Singles Chart. The single also went to number one in Italy as well as the Swiss Hitparade. On the Dutch Top 40, it got as high as number two, and on the Official German Charts it peaked at number three.

"Vamos a la playa"
Righeira wearing white shorts and sunglasses.
Single by Righeira
from the album Righeira
LanguageSpanish
B-side
  • "Vamos a la playa (Italian Version)"
  • "Playa Dub"
Released1983
GenreItalo disco[1]
Length
  • 3:39 (album version)
  • 3:40 (single version)
LabelCGD
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)La Bionda
Righeira singles chronology
"Tanzen mit Righeira"
(1983)		 "Vamos a la playa"
(1983)		 "No Tengo Dinero"
(1983)
Music video
"Vamos a la playa" on YouTube

Despite its ostensibly innocuous beach theme, the song actually talks about the explosion of an atomic bomb.[3]

Background and inspiration

Johnson Righeira came up with the melody for "Vamos a la playa" as he experimented on a keyboard.[4]

In 2017, Righi told Vice journalist Demented Burrocacao how he got the idea for his song:

Towards the end of 1981, we entered a cellar with these friends who had their studio, their rehearsal room, in preparation for a New Year's Eve performance we had to do at the Casablanca in Florence. I already had a rough draft of "Vamos a la playa", which developed from my first works that were influenced by the 1960s. I wanted to make a beach song that was post-atomic and that made extensive use of electronics. And there in that cellar, putting my hands haphazardly on a keyboard, it suddenly came to me – the chorus of "Vamos a la playa" started playing in my head ... I must say that it certainly was one of the most important moments of my life.[5]

Critical reception

Writing for Le journal minimal in 2022, journalist Emmanuelle Veil described the lyrics to "Vamos a la playa" as "acidic".[6] In Fond/Sound's appraisal of Righeira, writer Diego Olivas described "Vamos a la playa" as "one of the bleakest hits to ever soundtrack a summer".[7] In his song review for L'Humanité, Benjamin König described it as a "committed" recording. He added that "it doesn't just talk about sunbathing, but about the end of the nuclear world".[8] Gunter van Assche of De Morgen said that "Vamos a la playa" is "one of the most cynical summer tunes ever". He also comments that "it is a miracle that this melancholy vision of fear became a worldwide hit".[9]

Commercial performance

"Vamos a la playa" was released in the United Kingdom in 1983 and entered the UK Singles Chart at number 99, moving to its peak of number 53 the next month.[10] In Belgium, "Vamos a la playa" debuted at number 40 on the Ultratop chart on 13 August 1983 and reached a peak of number two.[11] In the Netherlands, "Vamos a la playa" debuted at number 15 on the Dutch Top 40 and reached a peak of two on 10 September 1983.[12] The song reached a peak of number three in Germany, where it remained for one week, before spending a total of 18 weeks on the chart.[13] On the Swiss Singles Chart, "Vamos a la playa" was one of the highest debuting songs on the issue dated 7 August 1983. After two weeks, the song reached the top of the chart for two weeks, becoming Righeira's first number-one single there.[14] According to Italian newspaper la Repubblica, "Vamos a la playa" has sold over three million copies worldwide.[15]

Music video

Reception and analysis

Arne Siegmund from Watson reviewed the video in 2018, and commented that the video combined "synthesizers, colourful ties and men dancing funny."[16]

Balázs Barbi pointed out the video for its depressing atmosphere through the apocalyptic vision that constituted it. The neon colours, reddened faces and the appearance of the two singers seemed to make "the video easier to interpret", she added.[17]

Live performances

On 1 May 2023, Johnson Righeira performed the song as part of the annual May Day concert at Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome.[18]

Cover versions and usage in media

Pierre Littbarski performed "Vamos a la playa" for the fifth season of singing television series The Masked Singer. He was eliminated from the competition in week two.[19]

Track listing and formats
  • Italian 7-inch single[20]
A. "Vamos a la playa" (Spanish Version) – 3:40
B. "Vamos a la playa" (Italian Version) – 3:40
  • Italian 12-inch single[21]
A1. "Vamos a la playa" (Spanish Version) – 5:09
A2. "Vamos a la playa" (Italian Version) – 3:39
B. "Playa Dub" – 6:34
  • German 7-inch single[22]
A. "Vamos a la playa" – 3:40
B. "Playa Dub" – 3:35
  • German 12-inch maxi-single[23]
A. "Vamos a la playa" – 5:07
B. "Playa Dub" – 7:00

Credits and personnel
  • Johnson Righeira – songwriter, vocals
  • Michael Righeira – vocals
  • Carmelo La Bionda – songwriter, producer
  • Michelangelo La Bionda – producer
  • Hermann Weindorf – co-producer, arranger
  • Berthold Weindorf – engineering, mixing
  • Ben Fenner – engineering, mixing
  • Atipiqa – cover art design

Credits and personnel adopted from the Righeira album and 7-inch single liner notes.[24][20]

Charts

TN'T Party Zone version
"Vamos a la playa '92"
Single by TN'T Party Zone
LanguageSpanish
Released1992
Genre
Length3:40
LabelStrictly Dance
Songwriter(s)
  • Johnson Righeira
  • Carmelo La Bionda
Producer(s)
TN'T Party Zone singles chronology
"No Tengo Dinero '92"
(1992)		 "Vamos a la playa '92"
(1992)		 "One Night in Bangkok"
(1993)

The song was covered by German duo TN'T Party Zone in 1992 as "Vamos a la playa '92".

The single reached No. 29 on the German Singles Chart.

Track listing and formats
  • German CD maxi-single[40]
  1. "Vamos a la playa '92" (Radio Version) – 3:40
  2. "Vamos a la playa '92" (Till N' Tiel Party Mix) – 6:04
  3. "Vamos a la playa '92" (Who Cares Trance Mix) – 5:10
  4. "Lost in Spain" (El Payo Guitarra Mix) – 4:18
  • German 12-inch promotional single[41]
A1. "Vamos a la playa" (Playa Goes Guitarra Mix) – 5:29
A2. "Vamos a la playa" (Vamos is a Rhythm Remix) – 5:40
B. "Get Into the Groove" (Tales of Dance Mix) – 6:04
  • German 12-inch maxi-single[42]
A. "Vamos a la playa '92" (Till N' Tiel Party Mix) – 6:04
B1. "Vamos a la playa '92" (Who Cares Trance Mix) – 5:10
B2. "Lost in Spain" (El Payo Guitarra Mix) – 4:18

Weekly charts
Chart (1992) Peak
position
Germany (Official German Charts)[43] 29

2001: Vamos a la playa
"2001: Vamos a la playa"
Righeira puts their hands on their hips and looks upwards to the left. They are wearing space suits, with Italian shoulder patches.
Single by Righeira
LanguageItalian
Released2001
GenreHouse
Length4:34
LabelSAIFAM
Songwriter(s)
  • Johnson Righeira
  • Carmelo La Bionda
Producer(s)
  • Righeira
  • Mauro Farina
Righeira singles chronology
"Ferragosto"
(1990)		 "2001: Vamos a la playa"
(2001)		 "La musica electronica"
(2007)

"2001: Vamos a la playa" is the re-packaged version of the original 1983 version of "Vamos a la playa", released as a single in 2001.

"2001: Vamos a la playa" was released in Italy and Germany in 2001.

Track listing and formats
  • Italian CD maxi-single[44]
  1. "Vamos a la playa" (Dance Movement Remix) – 4:34
  2. "Vamos a la playa" (Factory Team Happy Remix) – 5:15
  3. "Vamos a la playa" (Ottomix Version) – 5:36
  4. "Vamos a la playa" (DJ Gius Remix) – 6:46
  5. "Vamos a la playa" (Montefiori Cocktail Remix) – 4:19
  6. "Vamos a la playa" (Los Amigos Invisibles - Cuyagua's Mix) – 7:18
  7. "Vamos a la playa" (Le Hammond Inferno - Popskee Remix) – 6:51
  • Italian 12-inch single[45]
A1. "Vamos a la playa" (Dance Movement Remix) – 4:34
A2. "Vamos a la playa" (Ottomix Version) – 5:36
B1. "Vamos a la playa" (DJ Gius Remix) – 6:46
B2. "Vamos a la playa" (Le Hammond Inferno - Popskee Remix) – 6:51
  • German 12-inch single[46]
A1. "Vamos a la playa" (Le Hammond Inferno - Popskee Remix) – 6:51
A2. "Vamos a la playa" (Montefiori Cocktail Remix) – 4:19
B1. "Vamos a la playa" (Fluorescente Mix) – 5:13
B2. "Vamos a la playa" (Los Amigos Invisibles - Cuyagua's Mix) – 7:18

Credits and personnel
  • Writer: Johnson Righeira, Carmelo La Bionda
  • Production: Righeira
  • Co-production: Mauro Farina
  • Publication: La Bionda Music S.r.l.

See also

References
  1. Kringiel, Danny (27 April 2010). "Italo-Disco – Wammosallaplaia, ohououo!" (in German). Spiegel Online. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  2. "Righeira". Samigo.com (in Italian). Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  3. Conze, Eckart; Klimke, Martin; Varon, Jeremy, eds. (2017). Nuclear Threats, Nuclear Fear and the Cold War of the 1980s. Cambridge University Press. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-107-13628-1.
  4. "Trent'anni di Vamos A La Playa: la madre di tutti i tormentoni". la Repubblica. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  5. "Johnson Righeira, futurista". Vice. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  6. Veil, Emmanuelle (28 September 2022). "15 chansons anti-nucléaire, des années 1950 à nos jours". Le journal minimal (in French). Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  7. Olivas, Diego (3 July 2018). "Righeira: Righeira (1983)". Fond/Sound. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  8. König, Benjamin (16 July 2020). "Vamos a la playa… sous la bombe atomique". L'Humanité (in French). Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  9. van Assche, Gunter (17 March 2022). "U zong ze vast al mee, maar wist u dat deze 8 songs over kerndreiging gaan?". De Morgen (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  10. "Righeira: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  11. "Righeira – Vamos a la playa" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  12. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Righeira" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  13. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts – Offizielle Deutsche Charts". Offizielle Deutsche Charts (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  14. "Righeira – Vamos a la playa". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  15. Riccardi, Katia (8 August 2013). "Trent'anni di Vamos A La Playa: la madre di tutti i tormentoni". la Repubblica (in Italian). Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  16. Siegmund, Arne (15 September 2018). "'Asoziale Schaaaalker' – 9 Fangesänge und die Popsongs dahinter". Watson (in German). Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  17. Barbi, Balázs (2 March 2023). "Brutális dologról szól valójában a világ egyik legismertebb nyári slágere". Nők Lapja (in Hungarian). Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
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  19. Emmerich, Felicitas (23 October 2021). "Pierre Littbarski wurde als Hammerhai enttarnt!". Bunte (in German). Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  20. Vamos a la playa (Italian 7-inch single liner notes). Righeira. Compagnia Generale del Disco. 1983. INT 10457.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. Vamos a la playa (Italian 12-inch single liner notes). Righeira. Compagnia Generale del Disco. 1983. INT 15091.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. Vamos a la playa (German 7-inch single liner notes). Righeira. Teldec. 1983. 6.13872 AC.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. Vamos a la playa (German 12-inch maxi-single liner notes). Righeira. Teldec. 1983. 6.20226 AE.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. Righeira (LP, Vinyl, CD). Righeira. Compagnia Generale del Disco. 1983. INT 20385.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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  27. Danish Singles Chart 21 October 1983
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  33. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
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  40. Vamos a la playa '92 (German CD maxi-single liner notes). TN'T Party Zone. Strictly Dance. 1992. 7243 8 80108 2 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  41. Vamos a la playa (German 12-inch promotional single liner notes). TN'T Party Zone. Strictly Dance. 1992. 519209.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  42. Vamos a la playa '92 (The Remix) (German 12-inch maxi-single liner notes). TN'T Party Zone. Strictly Dance. 1992. 060-8 80108 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  43. "TN'T Party Zone – Vamos a la playa '92" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  44. 2001: Vamos a la playa (Italian CD maxi-single liner notes). Righeira. SAIFAM. 2001. SCL 005-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  45. 2001: Vamos a la playa (Italian 12-inch single liner notes). Righeira. SAIFAM. 2001. SCL 003.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  46. Vamos a la playa (2001) (German 12-inch single liner notes). Righeira. Frauenfunk Schallplatten. 2001. FF 005.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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