"26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" is a popular song by the 1950s and 1960s pop band The Four Preps. The band's biggest hit, it reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, number six on the Billboard R&B chart,[2] and number 11 in Canada in 1958.[3] The song sold over a million copies[4] and the group appeared on several television shows, including The Gisele MacKenzie Show (March 15, 1958) and The Ed Sullivan Show.
| "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by The Four Preps | ||||
| from the album The Four Preps | ||||
| B-side | "It's You" | |||
| Released | 1957 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 2:31 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Bruce Belland, Glen Larson[1] | |||
| The Four Preps singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Credits
edit- Conductor [Orchestra]: Lincoln Mayorga (tracks: B)
- Writers: Bruce Belland, Glenn Larson*
History
editAt the age of 15, the band's lead singer Bruce Belland broke his ankle and took up the ukulele to pass the time while recuperating. He learned four chords, which ended up becoming the song's opening music. The chorus was developed some time later when, while body surfing at a California beach, Belland's friend said he could see Santa Catalina 26 miles away.[5] The main theme is summed up in the last line in the refrain, stating that Santa Catalina is "the island of romance", with the word "romance" repeated four times.
Cover versions
editThe song was covered by Dent May on his album Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele.[6]
Influences
editThe song served as an influence to Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson, as well as Jimmy Buffett.[5] Neil Peart, lyricist/drummer of the band Rush, recalls that it is one of the first pop music songs that he remembers listening to as a child, stating "I heard that song many times that year (1958). The chorus echoes readily in memory, with its lilting shuffle."[7]
In popular culture
editThe song was one of many California-related songs played throughout "Sunshine Plaza" in the original Disney California Adventure.[8]
The song was featured playing on a radio in the opening scene of Bad Times at the El Royale.[9]
References
edit- ^ "secondhandsongs.com". secondhandsongs.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ "Artist Search for "the four preps"". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-08-28.
- ^ "CHUM Hit Parade - February 17, 1958".
- ^ "Catalina Island". Long Beach Press-Telegram. July 6, 2007. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
- ^ a b "'26 Miles (Santa Catalina)' The Four Preps | 1957". LA Times. 2007-07-15. Retrieved 2016-08-28.
- ^ "26 Miles (Santa Catalina) - Dent May Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele". AllMusic.
- ^ "Magnetic Mirages". NeilPeart.net. August 2007. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
- ^ "Sunshine Plaza". Theme Park Music. Archived from the original on 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2016-08-28.
- ^ Frazier, Adam (2018-10-11). "Review: Goddard's 'Bad Times at the El Royale' is Nothin' But a Good Time". FirstShowing. First Showing LLC. Retrieved 2018-10-14.
... "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" by The Four Preps plays ...
