"Sex on the Beach" is a song by Dutch Eurodance group T-Spoon. It was released as a single in July 1997 and found chart success in several countries, peaking at number one in Japan, number two in the United Kingdom and number three in the Netherlands. In some countries they had to change the song's title to "Fun on the Beach", because of censorship.[1] In 2004, the song was released in a new version as "Sex on the Beach 2004". This version reached number 70 in the Netherlands.
Scottish newspaper Daily Record commented, "Is this a song about hypothermia or are we simply a nostalgic nation harking back to the nonexistent summer of sunshine?"[2] They also compared it to Aqua's "Barbie Girl".[3]
"Sex on the Beach" was successful on the charts in Europe, Japan[1] and New Zealand, and remains the group's biggest hit to date. It reached number one in Japan and made it to the top 10 in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.[4][5][6] In the latter nation, the single debuted at number two during its first week on the UK Singles Chart, on September 13, 1998.[6] On the UK Indie Chart, it peaked at number one, and on the Eurochart Hot 100, it rose to number 16.[7][8] Outside Europe, "Sex on the Beach" charted in both New Zealand and Australia, peaking at numbers six and 64, respectively.[9][4] It earned a gold record in both New Zealand and the UK.[10][11]