Stevie at the Beach is the fifth studio album by Stevie Wonder, released in 1964 on Tamla Records. The album was Motown's attempt to position Stevie as a surf pop and teen idol crossover act, capitalizing on the Beach Boys-era craze for sunny, youth-oriented pop. Songs like "Castles in the Sand," "Beachstomp," and "Happy Street" leaned into a lighthearted summery aesthetic unusual for a Motown record. Stevie Wonder was 14 years old at the time of recording, and while the album is far from his best work, it demonstrates the extraordinary vocal presence he brought to any material. None of the songs were written by Wonder. The record is largely a footnote today, remembered mainly as evidence of just how different Stevie's career would have been without his eventual negotiation of creative control.
Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Castles in the Sand | Hal Davis, Marc Gordon, Mary O'Brien, Frank Wilson | Hal Davis, Marc Gordon, Mary O'Brien, Frank Wilson | Clarence Paul, Hank Cosby |
|
| 2 | Ebb Tide | Robert Maxwell, Carl Sigman | Robert Maxwell, Carl Sigman | Clarence Paul, Hank Cosby |
|
| 3 | Sad Boy | Dorsey Burnette, Gerald Nelson | Dorsey Burnette, Gerald Nelson | Clarence Paul, Hank Cosby |
|
| 4 | Red Sails in the Sunset | Hugh Williams, Jimmy Kennedy | Hugh Williams, Jimmy Kennedy | Clarence Paul, Hank Cosby |
|
| 5 | The Beachcomber | Arthur Wright | Arthur Wright | Clarence Paul, Hank Cosby |
|
| 6 | Castles in the Sand (Instrumental) | Hal Davis, Marc Gordon, Mary O'Brien, Frank Wilson | Hal Davis, Marc Gordon, Mary O'Brien, Frank Wilson | Clarence Paul, Hank Cosby |
|
| 7 | Happy Street | George Everette Hermic, Jule Styne | George Everette Hermic, Jule Styne | Clarence Paul, Hank Cosby |
|
| 8 | The Party at the Beach House | Frank Wilson | Frank Wilson | Clarence Paul, Hank Cosby |
|
| 9 | Hey Harmonica Man | Marty Cooper, Lou Josie | Marty Cooper, Lou Josie | Clarence Paul, Hank Cosby |
|
| 10 | Beachstomp | Hal Davis, Frank Wilson | Hal Davis, Frank Wilson | Clarence Paul, Hank Cosby |
|
| 11 | Beyond the Sea | Charles Trenet, Jack Lawrence | Charles Trenet, Jack Lawrence | Clarence Paul, Hank Cosby |
|
Data note: Track listing and credits sourced from Tamla Records. All compositions by Motown staff writers. Full track listing to be verified.