On this day September 16 1985, The Waterboys released their third studio album This Is the Sea. Often regarded as the pinnacle of their “Big Music” era, the record delivered sweeping arrangements, poetic lyrics, and a grand sense of scale that set it apart from their earlier work.
The album featured the enduring single The Whole of the Moon, which became one of the band’s signature songs, along with tracks like Don’t Bang the Drum and The Pan Within. With its layered instrumentation and spiritual themes, the album earned critical acclaim and broadened The Waterboys’ audience internationally.
80s insight: This Is the Sea reflected the ambition of 80s alternative rock, where bands sought to create music that felt epic, emotional, and transcendent. The Waterboys’ achievement cemented their influence on both folk rock and alternative movements to follow.
The album featured the enduring single The Whole of the Moon, which became one of the band’s signature songs, along with tracks like Don’t Bang the Drum and The Pan Within. With its layered instrumentation and spiritual themes, the album earned critical acclaim and broadened The Waterboys’ audience internationally.
80s insight: This Is the Sea reflected the ambition of 80s alternative rock, where bands sought to create music that felt epic, emotional, and transcendent. The Waterboys’ achievement cemented their influence on both folk rock and alternative movements to follow.
