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"Avalon"
Single by Roxy Music
from the album Avalon
B-side	"Always Unknowing"
Released	June 1982
Recorded	1981–1982
Genre	Lounge-rock synth-pop
Length	4:16
Label	Warner Bros. Reprise E.G.
Songwriter(s)	Bryan Ferry
Producer(s)	Rhett Davies Roxy Music
Roxy Music singles chronology
"More than This" (1982) "Avalon" (1982) "Take a Chance with Me" (1982)

"Avalon" is a 1982 song by the English rock band Roxy Music. It was released as the second single from their eighth and final studio album Avalon (1982). The single, with its B-side, "Always Unknowing", charted at No. 13 in the UK.

Recording

The song's distinctive backing vocals were performed by Haitian singer Yanick Étienne, whom Bryan Ferry encountered during the recording of the album. He heard her in the adjacent studio and invited her to contribute backing vocals to the recording.

Promotional video

The song's music video was directed by Ridley Scott and features the English actress Sophie Ward, daughter of actor Simon Ward. It was filmed in Mentmore Towers country house.

Personnel

• Bryan Ferry – lead vocals, keyboards
• Andy Mackay – saxophone
• Phil Manzanera – guitar
• Neil Hubbard – guitar
• Alan Spenner – bass guitar
• Andy Newmark – drums
• Jimmy Maelen – percussion
• Fonzi Thornton – backing vocals
• Yanick Étienne – backing vocals

Charts

Certifications

References

1. de Visé, Daniel. "Thirteen New Wave Album Classics". AllMusic. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
2. Sheffield, Rob (2004). "Roxy Music". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 705–706. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
3. EveryHit - Roxy Music - Avalon Archived 12 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 21 March 2011.
4. Mix Magazine - Roxy Music's "Avalon" Archived 22 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 23 February 2014.
5. ^ "Roxy Music - Singles - on". Vivaroxymusic.com. 15 June 1982. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
6. "Ridley Scott's Commercial & Music Video Work (1982-1984)". 14 March 2018.
7. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
8. "Roxy Music – Avalon" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
9. "irishcharts.ie search results". Retrieved 30 November 2019.
10. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 31, 1982" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
11. "Roxy Music – Avalon" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
12. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 12 September 1982. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
13. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
14. "Roxy Music – Avalon". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
15. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
16. "Roxy Music Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
17. "Offiziellecharts.de – Roxy Music – Avalon" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
18. "Roxy Music – Avalon" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
19. "Jaaroverzichten 1982". Ultratop. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
20. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1982". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
21. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1982". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
22. "British single certifications – Roxy Music – Avalon". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 September 2021.

External links

• "Avalon" at Discogs (list of releases)

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• 1982 singles
• 1982 songs
• Roxy Music songs
• Songs written by Bryan Ferry
• Warner Records singles
• Reprise Records singles
• E.G. Records singles
• 1980s rock song stubs