Whale (song)
{{Infobox song
| name = Whale
| cover =
| alt =
| caption = UK single release
| type = single
| artist = Catatonia
| album =
| B-side = You Can
| released = 1994
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Alternative rock
| length =
| label = Rough Trade Records
| writer = Cerys Matthews, Mark Roberts
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Bleed
| next_year = 1995
}}
"Whale" is the debut single by Welsh band Catatonia, released in 1994 as a non-album release on the Rough Trade label. It later appeared on the compilation album The Sublime Magic of Catatonia, and was re-recorded for Catatonia's first studio album, Way Beyond Blue.
Recording and release
A Welsh-language version of the song, "Gwe", was recorded as a session for Radio Cymru on 8 April 1993, and subsequently released in 1995 on an Ankst compilation album.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2653437-Various-Triskedekaphilia-Sesiynau-Heno-Bydd-Yr-Adar-Yn-Canu-Sessions/image/SW1hZ2U6NDYxNzgyNA==|title=Various – Triskedekaphilia - Sesiynau "Heno Bydd Yr Adar Yn Canu" Sessions|date=1995 |publisher=Discogs|access-date=2022-06-04}} (cover notes)
The English-language "Whale" was first released as part of the Rough Trade record club for new bands, formed by Rough Trade Records.{{sfn | Owens | 2000 | p=92}} The release was recorded at the Cabin Recording Studios in Coventry. The location was chosen as band member Paul Jones was familiar with it, and Rough Trade had indicated that they would only release the single in September 1994; the band had only been informed of this the month prior.{{sfn | Owens | 2000 | p=93}}
The single was chosen from several recorded at the studio, with "You Can" as the b-side.{{sfn | Owens | 2000 | p=93}} "Whale" was later re-released as part of the compilation album, The Sublime Magic of Catatonia.{{cite web|last1=Thompson|first1=Dave|title=The Sublime Magic of Catatonia|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-sublime-magic-of-catatonia-mw0000980381|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=17 April 2016}} Following a re-recording at Townhouse Studios, with production by Paul Sampson, "Whale" formed part of Catatonia's first studio album, Way Beyond Blue.{{cite web|title=Catatonia – Way Beyond Blue|date=30 September 1996 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Catatonia-Way-Beyond-Blue/release/689183|publisher=Discogs|access-date=17 April 2016}}
Reception
Notes
{{reflist|30em}}
References
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite book |last1=Owens|first1=David|title=Cerys, Catatonia and the Rise of Welsh Pop |year=2000 |publisher=Ebury Publishing |location=London|isbn=978-0-0918-7412-4}}
{{refend}}
{{Catatonia}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whale}}
Category:Catatonia (band) songs
Category:Rough Trade Records singles
Category:Songs written by Cerys Matthews
Category:Songs written by Mark Roberts (singer)
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