"Beat Box" is an instrumental, experimental piece that implements sounds and noises (such as car key ignitions, falling drain water, and calliope music—most notably on the chorus) to ride the rhythm of the beat (a sample of drums played by Alan White of the progressive rock band Yes).
As a single, the song reached the lower regions of the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at no. 92. It was more popular with dance music and (particularly) hip hop audiences, and in February 1984 the song reached no. 1 on the American dance chart,[3] where it remained for two weeks.[4] "Beat Box" was a hit on the Black Singles chart, where it reached no. 10.[3] The US 7" single spent 5 weeks on the BillboardBubbling Under chart, starting 7 April 1984 and spending two weeks at no. 101, the chart's top position.[5]
Legacy
In 2019, Stephen Dalton of Record Collector included "Beat Box" in his guide to Horn's work, describing it as "a mechanised blast of musique concrete which later evolved into ... 'Close (To The Edit)'."[2]Simon Reynolds wrote that "Beat Box" was a popular song with breakdancers in the United States, where Art of Noise were frequently assumed to be a black group.[6]
"Diversion Six" also known as "Diversion Ten" and also known "Ambassador's Reel: Beat Box" (3:54) is a 7" edit of "Diversion One".
"Diversion Two" (6:02), often said to be a longer version of "Close (to the Edit)".
"Diversion Seven" (4:10), is an edit of "Diversion Two", originally released on the 1984 UK "Beat Box" 7" (ZTIS 108) and the compilation album Influence: Hits, Singles, Moments, Treasures....
"Diversion Three" and "Diversion Four" (6:49), remixes appearing on an NME cassette "Department of Enjoyment" (1984).
