A Different Beat (song) explained

A Different Beat
Cover:	Boyzone A Different Beat.jpeg
Type:	single
Artist:	Boyzone
Album:	A Different Beat
B-Side:	Angel
Released:	^[1]
Length:	3:34 (radio edit)4:10 (album version)
Label:	Polydor
Producer:	Ray Hedges, Trevor Horn
Prev Title:	Words
Prev Year:	1996
Next Title:	Isn't It a Wonder
Next Year:	1997

"A Different Beat" is a song by Irish boy band Boyzone from their second studio album of the same name (1996). The song was written by Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy, Martin Brannigan, and Ray Hedges, and it was produced by Hedges with additional production by Trevor Horn on the radio edit. It was released as the album's second single on 2 December 1996 by Polydor Records, becoming their only UK number-one hit to be co-written by members of the group.

Critical reception

A reviewer from Music Week rated the song four out of five, describing it as a "dramatic epic, enriched by African chants".^[2] Gerald Martinez from New Sunday Times viewed it as "anthemic".^[3]

Track listings

• UK CD1 and Australian CD single^[4]

1. "A Different Beat" (radio edit) – 3:34
2. "Angel" – 3:45
3. "A Different Beat" (remix) – 6:10

• UK CD2^[5]

1. "A Different Beat" (radio edit) – 3:34
2. "Angel" – 3:45
3. "Key to My Life" (live at Wembley) – 4:12
4. "A Different Beat" (remix) – 6:10

• UK cassette and European CD single^{[6] [7]}

1. "A Different Beat" (radio edit) – 3:52 (3:24 on European CD)
2. "Angel" – 3:45

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996–1997)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[8]	18
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)^[9]	36
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)^[10]	8

Year-end charts

Notes and References

1. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 45. 30 November 1996. 5 July 2021.
2. Reviews: Singles . . 23 November 1996 . 24 . 5 October 2021.
3. Gerald. Martinez. Bryan Adams — unplugged wonder. New Sunday Times. 18 January 1998. 17. 21 October 2021.
4. A Different Beat. Boyzone. 1996. UK CD1 & Australian CD single liner notes. Polydor Records. 573205-2.
5. A Different Beat. Boyzone. 1996. UK CD2 liner notes. Polydor Records. 573207-2.
6. A Different Beat. Boyzone. 1996. UK cassette single sleeve. Polydor Records. 573204-4.
7. A Different Beat. Boyzone. 1996. European CD single liner notes. Polydor Records. 573204-2.
8. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 13. 51/52. 25. 21 December 1996. 27 August 2020.
9. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (16.1. '97 –22.1. '97). Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 16. 17 January 1997. 27 August 2020.
10. Web site: Tipparade-lijst van week 10, 1997. dutch. Dutch Top 40. 19 March 2023.
11. Top 100 Singles 1996. Music Week. 25. 18 January 1997.