Beyond the Reef

"Beyond The Reef" is a song written by Canadian Jack Pitman in Hawaii in 1948. It was first performed by Hawaiian artist Napua Stevens in 1949.

For the 1980 American film, see Beyond the Reef (film).

"Beyond The Reef"
Song by Napua Stevens
Songwriter(s)	Jack Pitman

Although Pitman was living in Hawaii when he wrote it, "Beyond the Reef" does not contain any Hawaiian language words or any mention of Hawaii.[1] It is a slow song in the key of C major with a 2-5-1 progression with D minor, G major and C major. It features the steel guitar as do many of the hapa-haole songs written during this period.

Notable cover versions

• Bing Crosby recorded the song on 5 September 1950[2] and Crosby's recording reached No. 26 on the Billboard pop chart.[3]
• Elvis Presley recorded his version of the song on 27 May 1966[4][5] but this recording was only released on a boxset in 1980/1.[6]
• The Ventures also recorded the song[7] on their third album, Another Smash, in September 1961.[8]
• George Greeley recorded an instrumental version of the song in 1960 on his Warner Bros.album, The Most Beautiful Music of Hawaii.
• Andy Williams released a version on his 1959 album, To You Sweetheart, Aloha.
• Vic Damone included the song on his 1962 album Strange Enchantment.[9]
• Burl Ives included the song on his 1965 album On the Beach at Waikiki.[10]
• Marty Robbins included the song on his 1957 album Song of the Islands.[11]

References

1. Hopkins, Jerry (February 2007). Aloha Elvis. Bess Press. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-57306-273-2.
2. "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
3. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 112. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
4. Prigozy, Ruth; Raubicheck, Walter (November 2007). Going my way: Bing Crosby and American culture. University Rochester Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-1-58046-261-7. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
5. David Neale (2003). Roots of Elvis. iUniverse. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-595-29505-0.
6. Cotten, Lee (1985). All shook up: Elvis day-by-day, 1954–1977. Pierian Press.
7. Halterman, Del (2009). Walk-Don't Run – The Story of the Ventures. Lulu.com. p. 287. ISBN 978-0-557-04051-3.
8. "Sandcastle V.I. – The Fabulous Ventures – U.S. Discography". Retrieved 29 March 2011.
9. "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
10. "Discogs,com". Discogs,com. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
11. "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved 19 September 2016.

External links

• Elvis and Hawaiian music
• Elvis recording on YouTube