THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

658-Katrina and the Waves-Walking on Sunshine.

1985-Number 8 single.

Best Bit-At 0.09. How would you like to own the rights to a song that earns approximately $1 million per year.

Katrina and the Waves were officially formed in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, in 1985, by Kimberley Rew, (songwriter, guitarist) Katrina Leskanich, (vocals) Vince de la Cruz, (bass) and Alex Cooper, (drums) they remained active through until the group was dissolved in 1999. The discography of Katrina and the Waves includes 10 studio Albums released between 1982-1997, and 33 singles (including re-releases) in that same time period, there are also six official compilation Albums available. In the UK, three of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Love Shine a Light’ peaking the highest at Number 3 in 1997. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, they have also charted within the top 40 on three occasions, with ‘Walking on Sunshine’ providing them with their biggest hit, when making Number 9 in 1985.

The primary songwriter for Katrina and the Waves was Kimberley Rew, who was born on December 3rd, 1951, in Bristol, England. Prior to co-founding Katrina and the Waves, he had been a member of the English Rock group ‘The Soft Boys,’ between 1978-1981, who played in the genres of ‘Alternative Rock,’ and ‘Neo-Psychedelia.’ Although they were critically acclaimed by many music critics, they were not commercially successful. Prior to co-forming Katrina and the Waves, Kimberley Rew released his first solo Album in 1982, and since 2000 he has issued a further 11 Albums, and one extended play. As well as writing ‘Walking on Sunshine’ he also wrote ‘Love Shine a Light,’ which when performed by Katrina and the Waves, went on to win the 1997 ‘Eurovision Song Contest,’ for the United Kingdom. Kimberley Rew also wrote, and recorded the original version of ‘Going Down to Liverpool,’ which when recorded by the all female American group ‘The Bangles,’ in 1985, reached Number 21 in Ireland, and Number 56 in the UK.

The lead singer of Katrina and the Waves was Katrina Leskanich, who was born on April 10th, 1960, in Topeka, Kansas, United States, her father who was a colonel in the United States Air Force, moved the family to England in 1976. Katrina started her music career in 1978 as a member of a ‘Pop’ covers band called ‘Mama’s Cookin’,’ which included her then boyfriend, and future Katrina and the Waves bassist Vince de la Cruz. In 1981 Kimberley Rew joined Mama’s Cookin’, and the group were re-named ‘Waves,’ in time Katrina would take over as the groups lead singer, leading to them re-naming themselves ‘Katrina and the Waves.’ After the groups break up, Katrina has gone on to release eight solo Albums, between 2004-2020, and six compilation Albums, she has also issued eight singles between 2006-2023. Katrina can also be heard singing backing vocals on the Natalie Imbruglia 1997 UK Number 2 hit single ‘Torn’ (see also best songs 938.)

‘Walking on Sunshine’ was written by Kimberley Rew, and in it’s original form in 1983, first appeared on Katrina and the Waves debut studio Album also called ‘Walking on Sunshine, the song, and it’s 1985 re-recording, were both produced by the veteran music producer Pat Collier, who has worked with dozens of artists over the years including ‘The Wonderstuff,’ ‘The House of Love,’ and ‘Robyn Hitchcock.’ In 1985 after signing with ‘Capitol Records,’ Katrina and the Waves re-recorded many of the songs from their first two studio Albums, for their third release called ‘Katrina and the Waves, and the tracks included a re-recording of ‘Walking on Sunshine,’ which has gone on to become one of the best money spinners of all time. According to a former employee at ‘EMI Records,’ ‘Walking on Sunshine’ is the crown in ‘EMI’s catalogue. Between 2000-2010, it became one of the most sought after songs with advertisers willing to pay up to $250,000 a time for the privilege.

Kimberley Rew has spoken about the song that changed his life,’I’d love to say Walking on Sunshine relates to a significant event in my life, like walking out of my front door, seeing a comet and being inspired, but it’s just a piece of simple fun, an optimistic song, despite us not being outstandingly cheery people. We were a typical young band, insecure and pessimistic. We didn’t have big hair, and didn’t look anything like a Motown-influenced group. We didn’t have any credibility or a fan base in awe of our mystique. We were a second-on-the-bill-at-a-festival-in-Germany pop band. But we had this song.’

‘I used to think maybe you loved me now, baby I’m sure, and I just can’t wait ’til the day when you knock on my door. Now every time I go for the mailbox, gotta hold myself down, ’cause I just can’t wait ’til you write me you’re coming around.’