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Martha and the Muffins — Echo Beach
Album: Metro Music
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2206









Released: 1980
Length: 3:27
Plays (last 30 days): 2
I know it's out of fashion
And a trifle uncool
But I can't help it
I'm a romantic fool
It's a habit of mine
To watch the sun go down
On Echo beach, I watch the sun go down

From nine till five I have to spend my time at work
The job is very boring, I'm an office clerk
The only thing that helps pass the time away
Is knowing I'll be back at Echo Beach some day

On a silent summer evening
The sky's alive with light
Building in the distance
Surrealistic sight
On Echo Beach
Waves make the only sound
On Echo Beach
There's not a soul around

From nine till five I have to spend my time at work
The job is very boring, I'm an office clerk
The only thing that helps pass the time away
Is knowing I'll be back at Echo Beach some day

Echo Beach
Far away in time
Echo Beach
Far away in time
Comments (239)add comment
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 chinaski wrote:

Wow! Wonderful to hear this again. Thanks Bill!  The old WHFS in Bethesda Maryland used to give M&M a lot of airplay. I saw M&M in concert at the old original 9:30 Club in D.C. in 1982. Those were the days.


HFS--great station. Didn't know it was based in Bethesda (not exactly hipville). I'm not sure when it stopped broadcasting--haven't listened to FM radio in 20 years. 

According to the band thumbnail, they're still playing. Wow! 
 natius wrote:

Stranglers in Canada!


Well done!
I still have this LP.
"Background. Echo Beach, as mentioned in the song, does not refer to a real beach,
but rather a symbolic notion of somewhere the narrator would rather be,
somewhere "far away in time". The song was created while Gane was
working checking wallpaper for printing faults."
 robghall wrote:

One of my all-time favourite songs.
My mood improves dramatically every time I hear it start playing.



same here :-)
Wow! RP does it again! Takes me back to WHFS and WGTB and the D.C. music scene of the late '70's early 80's where I got to seem them play at the original 9:30. Thanks RP!
Tip of the hat to the mention of Bob Here from WHFS in earlier comments. 
Get yer dance on..
Wow... weird to think that I must have been about 12 when I heard this one hit the late-night alternate radio airwaves on some long forgotten Boston radio station.
 Zep wrote:

With this being from 1980, it really is far away in time. 



yes. i wish it would have been left there, too.
I hope she got back there. 
Great stuff 
 oldman wrote:

Still think Bill is Bob Here
Sounds so much alike 


If Bill where Bob Here we would have a lot more Dead.  
With this being from 1980, it really is far away in time. 
Bay City Roller vibes
 dingusbother wrote:

Ha!  Bob Here was my fav 'HFS DJ!   Bill does an equally excellent job!  

BTW: Check out this .... hopefully coming out soon.  https://feastyourearsthefilm.c...


Still coming soon.

I remember one night Bob Here was talking about how, when you're in the shower, if you turn the water temp up so it's as hot as you can stand it and let it hit in the back of your head just below your skull, it kind of numbs your whole body. Kind of a spiritual experience. I still do that when I'm not in a hurry.

RIP Bob. Thanks for all the great music.

 robghall wrote:

One of my all-time favourite songs.
My mood improves dramatically every time I hear it start playing.



I agree takes me back to my chico state days
One of my all-time favourite songs.
My mood improves dramatically every time I hear it start playing.
Martha and the Muffins

Are they in any way related to Mike and the Mechanics? ;)
Funny, but now this song is "far away in time".   Still fun to visit.
Love that sax solo.
I had no idea this band name was taken!
42 years old and still knocking it out of the park! (The song, not me, I'm older... and still knocking it out )
Love that PSD feature!
 idiot_wind wrote:

this predates the go gos and maybe pretenders



Pretenders debut self-titled album - which is specTACular IMO, came one year before Echo Beach.  Love em both though.
Ah, the kinder, gentler gateway New Wave... 
When I moved to Canada from Southern California I brought my LP's with me.  My new neighbor Ron heard I like to spin records in the farm shop. He brought over a bin of his records and a few local beers.  We're about the same age.  In his bin was a near mint copy of Martha and the Muffins Echo Beach.  I knew the song from the old KROQ in Pasadena.  On the cover of the LP is a map which I'd never seen up close.  If you look closely you'll see its a map of the waterfront of Toronto on Lake Ontario.   "(Echo Beach is) a large outdoor concert space with a real sand beach, general admission & views of downtown (Toronto)."  

Back in the day Martha and Muffins were hip to me because they were part of the music scene in 80's LA. I didn't realize until Ron and I were well into the beer that the song was about the music scene in Canada.
 stevesaw wrote:


Women Around the World at Work
Black Stations/White Stations
Danceparc
This is the Ice Age

just to get started...

They did not get the recognition they deserved.




If you dig, you see what happened to some of them... This was a debut for Daniel Lanois as a rock music producer.  Jocelyne Lanois - the bass player - is the sister of Dan and Bod (passed a few months ago) Lanois.  And Echo Beach had to be Hanlan's Point; a one kilometre officially recognized as Clothing Optional urban paradise. It's one of only two clothing optional beaches in Canada, the other being Wreck Beach in Vancouver.  Echo Beach...


this predates the go gos and maybe pretenders
 nicknt wrote:

They made just one good song, but very good. 



Women Around the World at Work
Black Stations/White Stations
Danceparc
This is the Ice Age

just to get started...

They did not get the recognition they deserved.


I started as an office clerk in 1981, filing land titles. It was very boring, so this song was our theme song that kept us sane.
Such a good song, among so many others
They made just one good song, but very good. 
1980. Oh my!
 oldman wrote:

Should always be followed with "I Wanna Be A Lifeguard" by Blotto
IMHO 



Used to date a girl who, when drunk, would start wailing, 

"I-I-I... Wanna be a rock star .. Rock star!"

I had no idea where it came from until I heard Blotto. 
This is a mighty-good song!
Yeaah! Oh the joys of WHFS in the mid to late - 70s. They made my musical universe from scratch, and it's lasted these 50+ years. Thanks RP for continuing in their footsteps.
 oldman wrote:

Still think Bill is Bob Here
Sounds so much alike 


The reason you can tell that's not is he does not use Bob's extended (20 minute?) intro/outro. 

I spent many nights burning my fingers playing with electronics while listening to Bob. I understand that they let him go because took too much time off to see the Dead. 
Nice Post Punk Pop piece but it def owes a debt to Lene Lovich, Lucky Number, which really soars above this imitation
During my college years living in Toronto Martha frequently played at a few smaller halls.  There was a big dance scene at the time, ppl went nuts for this song!
Oh. This band. A nice little ditty, but only a taste of their heights, reached in their "middle period" trio of albums: This Is the Ice Age, Danceparc and Mystery Walk. Every one of those albums sports classic Daniel Lanois produced gems. I'd highly recommended throwing a few of those on the turntable.
Thei nailed just one song but it's very good.
Ya can't sit still with this playing. 
Canggu Bali  https://photos.app.goo.gl/n4DS...
Love it. Part of the scene from my Toronto days. A friend of mine was involved in managing the band and some hanging-out happened. I finally bought a new copy of the album recently - good stuff. 
Ah yes! M&M! Last saw them at the old original 9:30 club on F street back in the day. And yes as was commented earlier there are indeed many old WHFS / WGTB listeners in here from the great 70's-80's music scene era of DC. 

Hah, whaddya know, scrolling back in the comments here I see that I posted something like what I just did five years ago. 
Could have sworn I heard an unplugged version somewhere, not sure if it was a cover or if it was performed by M + M.  Both the studio and unplugged versions sound great.
One of the best pop song ever to come out of Canada. It certainly signaled the emergence of "New Wave" in Canada in my humble opinion. 
173 people voted this 3 or less {#Stupid} 

(Forum software says this emoji means "stupid" - but I've always read it as "Scratching Head in Disbelief", which is certainly the case here!)

Let me guess - ¿These people also don't like chocolate, petting zoos, kittens, fresh air, mountain streams, hot spas, massage therapy, sunsets, red wine in front of a log fire, deep sleep in a comforable bed, Halle Berry? 
my body will never tire of this tune
So, so overplayed on Canadian radio in the 80s. Forgive me, I have to PSD.
such a good song
 wychwoods wrote:
"From nine till five I have to spend my time at work
The job is very boring, I'm an office clerk"

One of the great lines!  The rhyme of 'work' with 'clerk' doesn't work in UK English, but the song makes up for that.

Solid 10.
 
I mean, how could you rate it any lower?
"From nine till five I have to spend my time at work
The job is very boring, I'm an office clerk"

One of the great lines!  The rhyme of 'work' with 'clerk' doesn't work in UK English, but the song makes up for that.

Solid 10.
 bluematrix wrote:



"Echo Beach, as mentioned in the song, does not refer to a real beach, but rather a symbolic notion of somewhere the narrator would rather be, somewhere "far away in time". The song was created while Gane was working checking wallpaper for printing faults"


 
Always wondered if it was a reference to Bon Echo Provincial Park in Ontario?
Haven't heard this in so long.  Thanks guys!
One of the earliest gigs I went to, seeing MatM at Electric Ballroom, Camden Town... such a cool saxophonist!
 oldman wrote:

Still think Bill is Bob Here
Sounds so much alike 
 
Yes, but no long intro.  I used to listen to him Saturday nights (all night) and burn my fingers working with circuit boards. Great, Crazy days. 
 SmackDaddy wrote:


Newport Beach CA was referred to as Echo Beach in the 80's by a surf company called Quicksilver. My guess is that is the reference.
 


"Echo Beach, as mentioned in the song, does not refer to a real beach, but rather a symbolic notion of somewhere the narrator would rather be, somewhere "far away in time". The song was created while Gane was working checking wallpaper for printing faults"


It's a jaunty little ditty, all right. I can't help but give it an 8.
Just need to follow this up with The Vapour Turning Japanese and i will be a very happy chappie taking me back to school discos filled with promise...
Thanx!!
 Bat wrote:

Blotto.  Wow, that's a blast from the past.

I was at school in Albany, NY from '75 - '82 (with a year off in the middle).

Blotto was a big local band at the time.  Saw them many times. 

As much a comedy troupe as a serious band.  Kind of like the Austin Lounge Lizards.

Sort of like the Ramones from about the same time each member had their "family" name, so as memory serves me you had Cheese Blotto, Sargent Blotto and Lee Harvey Blotto.
 

I saw Blotto once at the old Wax Museum in DC, around '84.  They were fantastic and hysterical!  
 oldman wrote:

Still think Bill is Bob Here
Sounds so much alike 
 

Ha!  Bob Here was my fav 'HFS DJ!   Bill does an equally excellent job!  

BTW: Check out this .... hopefully coming out soon.  https://feastyourearsthefilm.c...
I'ma be NICE and stuff, cuz it's CHICKS.
Yeah.

{#Crown}
Love it
That short sax hook has always been just exactly right to me, perfect.
Stranglers in Canada!
 oldman wrote:
Should always be followed with "I Wanna Be A Lifeguard" by Blotto
IMHO 

 
Blotto.  Wow, that's a blast from the past.

I was at school in Albany, NY from '75 - '82 (with a year off in the middle).

Blotto was a big local band at the time.  Saw them many times. 

As much a comedy troupe as a serious band.  Kind of like the Austin Lounge Lizards.

Sort of like the Ramones from about the same time each member had their "family" name, so as memory serves me you had Cheese Blotto, Sargent Blotto and Lee Harvey Blotto.
I really needed to check that she wasn't saying "on Ecko, bitch!".
 oldman wrote:
Should always be followed with "I Wanna Be A Lifeguard" by Blotto
IMHO 

 
Oh hell yeah. And maybe Mimi on the Beach by Jane Siberry.
This was Carole’s favourite song. Thanks for the influence you had on my life and the fun we had together Carole. If there's any justice in this universe you are lying in the sun on heavens version of Echo Beach buckled with laughter at this soppy post!
 laup wrote:
Had a Friday night jam band that was a lot of fun , didn't put much work into it , but man this was one of my favorites to do ,,, sax solo was a kazoo of course! Love this song because that  , listened intently when Martha was interviewed on CBC before she died. she said something like how this song brought so much joy to people and how happy that made her feel ,, true for me
 
She died? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Johnson_(singer) Wiki says no. . . (as of today)

But thanks for the story, and yes, what a splendid tune to do. . . with a kazoo.
 
Had a Friday night jam band that was a lot of fun , didn't put much work into it , but man this was one of my favorites to do ,,, sax solo was a kazoo of course! Love this song because that  , listened intently when Martha was interviewed on CBC before she died. she said something like how this song brought so much joy to people and how happy that made her feel ,, true for me
Before reading comments, I decided to do some detective work and locate what areas is the map on the cover showing. Toronto {#Propeller}
 ScottishWillie wrote:

It was also a big hit in the UK

 
And in Germany.
Miss you, girl.

Still one of my favorite summer songs.  My cottage is North of Toronto and on rainy days I would spend hours scouring maps of the area for a real place called Echo Beach.  I was 10 years old and it was a great activity while listening to this on cassette over and over again.  I was so thrilled when I actually found that it was on the lake next to ours and only about 10 minutes away.

{#Bananajumprope}


So great to hear M+M's here. Thanks, Bill!
Great 80's tune...kinda schmucky but what the hell?



                                 Well now that was thoroughly ridiculous {#Stupid}  


 
Should always be followed with "I Wanna Be A Lifeguard" by Blotto
IMHO 
Somehow missed this in the 80's, but I'm not disappointed. This blows. 
 Far wrote:
You probably had to be in the Canadian scene, though I remember being in a club in Brisbane Australia in 1986 and the Aussies went nuts when the DJ put this on!  Muffins, Rough Trade, Max Webster and Restless Virgins...
 
It was also a big hit in the UK
Always loved this; not exactly sure why.  Perhaps because of the flatness of the voice in a song despairing the monotony of daily life especially resonates. With the glimmer of hope. Something like that. 
Very reminiscent of Blondie! I vaguely recall this; always thought it was something by Debbie Harry and her group — same punkish era
Wow.... that takes me back!
Ha! I (almost) forgot this. Thanks Bill for help me remember {#Dancingbanana_2}
 jmsmy wrote:
How did I miss this K-LOL

 
Klein is music town?  It must have changed a lot.  Well, except for Lyle.

Klein '77.
Yup. I agree.   Can't wait until Bill plays Women at Work or another goodie, Daddy Sold The Cottage 

randb75307 wrote:

Great to hear some 'ol Torontonian music



 


These folks were a blast. Saw them live several times.
How did I miss this K-LOL

Great to hear some 'ol Torontonian music


So goooood. So far away in time...
{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana} OH YEAH my Fab Song from the 80ties!!!! {#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}
{#Dancingbanana}PPPPPOOOOOOOOGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! {#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}

You can find so much of their material to stream on YouTube or navigate to the martha and the muffins website https://marthaandthemuffins.com/#records_metromusic.html
where you'll see their albums listed. Upon selecting one you can click on one of the albums underlined songs to stream all the underlined tracks from each album. I've included the link to their first album so you can launch the first song and let the songs underlined there play and all the rest of their albums underlined tracks play in chronological order. Hearing those songs again will take you back for sure...far away in time. {#Wink}  What do you do after all the M&M songs play out? I dunno, go find some MOEV to stream like I did?
Wow! Wonderful to hear this again. Thanks Bill!  The old WHFS in Bethesda Maryland used to give M&M a lot of airplay. I saw M&M in concert at the old original 9:30 Club in D.C. in 1982. Those were the days.
Oh, jeeze, this reminds me of summer family road trips when it would play on the AM radio station.
Saw them at McMaster in Hamilton in the early 70's how lucky I am!!!  A Hamilton Ontario Band!!
love it. great band name too.
You probably had to be in the Canadian scene, though I remember being in a club in Brisbane Australia in 1986 and the Aussies went nuts when the DJ put this on!  Muffins, Rough Trade, Max Webster and Restless Virgins...
How about "This is the Ice Age" or "Women Around the World at Work"?
How did you ever find this song?

 A rock group manager gave me a Martha and the Muffins album in the late 70s or early 80s and I never bothered to give it more than one spin.

Now I'll have to go look for the old but unused vinyl record and see if "Echo Beach" is on it.
Brilliant.
 Sloggydog wrote:
Look those of you that think this is no good are obviously entitled to your own opinion, I just wanted to point out that it's wrong.

 
....and you are absolutely right.  One of the better songs from the 80's and it makes me smile.
Look those of you that think this is no good are obviously entitled to your own opinion, I just wanted to point out that it's wrong.
Good stuff - thanks for playing it!
My room-mate Kenny the punk architect* had this album.  Always liked this song, and hearing it all these years later reminds me of him.

*He was an architecture major, and listened to punk and new wave while drawing buildings.
Another bit of time travel, canuck style...  I have to confess to owning an awful lot of this stuff... 
Makes the day better for hearing this classic.
This song and "You sold the cottage" sum up an era in Ontario. Add in the Tragically Hip and the Northern Pikes and its a generational wrap !
Not heard this for some time. Nice tune, takes me back a bit! 
 Jelani wrote:
This somehow reminds me of Romeo Void's "Never say Never". 

 
God, that was 'orrible. As much as some people here hate "Echo Beach", "Never Say Never" was orders of magnitude worse. 

Always have a soft spot for this song. A time-warp to a different time. 
I have not rated this song, but it sounds somewhat like a protracted echo fart, which is not that bad...
This needs to be followed by "I Wanna Be a Lifeguard" by Blotto 
I have this single on vinyl. Very nostalgic. But quite understand why some people don't "get It". It's a nostalgic thing. Being thrown back to the 80s and all that. Yep. I know. That makes me old. Ish. Nice to hear it again anyway. Just out of the blue like that.
 
Yuck, bad memories of the 80's...
 Zep wrote:

Lots of old WHFS listeners in these boards.



 
Still think Bill is Bob Here
Sounds so much alike 
Is there any way you can delete this? Isn't it a bit repetitive, tive, tive, tive.....


This is the correct artwork and the name of the LP it is from is Metro Music released in 1980....
Good heavens. I hope I never hear this again.