Tag: Japan 12″

Cyndi Lauper – She Bop (Japan 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984

B. Front Obi

A. Front

“She Bop” is a song by American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper, released as the third single from her debut studio album She’s So Unusual. It reached number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in September 1984. Worldwide, the song is her most commercially successful single after “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and “Time After Time”, and reached number 46 on the UK Singles Chart and number 6 on the ARIA Singles Chart. “She Bop” was her third consecutive Top 5 on the Hot 100.

The song was considered controversial, as it dealt with the subject matter of masturbation. It was also included on the Parents Music Resource Center’s “Filthy Fifteen” list, due to its sexual lyrics; this led to the creation of the Parental Advisory sticker. (Other songs on the “Filthy Fifteen” list included tracks by Madonna, Prince, and AC/DC.) In an interview on The Howard Stern Show, Lauper stated that she recorded the vocals of the song while nude.

Lauper said she wanted little kids to think the song was about dancing, and to understand the real meaning as they got older. It could receive airplay as she never directly stated in the song what the meaning was.

Lauper stated at a concert during her 2013 She’s So Unusual anniversary tour that she recorded the song topless in a dark room and tickled herself under her arms, which is why there is her laughter on the track.

“She Bop” was released on July 2, 1984 and became a success. The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #52 in the issue dated July 21, 1984, and spent a total of twenty-five weeks on the chart, reaching a peak position of #3 in the issue dated September 8, 1984. It was the third single from Lauper’s debut album to make the top 10 of the Hot 100. The single also reached number ten on the Hot Dance/Club Play Songs chart the week of September 15, 1984 and placed at 34 on the Billboard year-end chart of 1984. On April 17, 1989, the song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the shipment of a million copies across the United States.

SIDE A:
She Bop (Special Dance Mix) 6:25

SIDE B:
She Bop (Instrumental) 5:21

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1984 She Bop U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #3
1984 She Bop U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play #10

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Portrait ‎– 12・3P-543
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Japan
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Producer – Rick Chertoff
Remix – Arthur Baker

NOTES:
Special versions from the LP “SHE’s SO UNUSUAL”
Manufactured in Japan.

Find the 12″ On DISCOGS

C. Back

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp:
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube:
Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard:
ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Billy Idol – Eyes Without A Face (Japan 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984

B. Front (Obi)

A. Front

“Eyes Without a Face” is a song by Billy Idol, co-written with guitarist Steve Stevens from Idol’s 1983 album Rebel Yell. The song is softer and more ballad-like than most of the album’s other singles.

Released on 29 May 1984, this was the second single from the Rebel Yell album. It reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Idol’s first Top 10 hit in the US. In the UK the single peaked at #18.

In the liner notes for the Expanded Edition of Rebel Yell, Idol notes that this song was one of the first three written for the album (the other two being the title track and “(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows.”) The original track was recorded in Studio A at Electric Lady Studios in New York, with a Linn drum machine and the bass parts played by Steve Webster.

The song is notable for the female voice of Perri Lister that sings ‘Les yeux sans visage’ (French for ‘eyes without a face’) as a background chorus.

The title of the song refers to French director Georges Franju’s movie Les yeux sans visage (1960).

In a retrospective review of the single, Allmusic journalist Donald A. Guarisco praised the song. He wrote: “The music plays against the dark tone of the lyrics with a ballad-styled melody comprised of yearning verses that slowly build emotion and a quietly wrenching chorus that relieves the emotional tension in a cathartic manner.

SIDE A:
Eyes Without A Face (Single Version) 4:10
Love Calling (Dub Version) 5:37

SIDE B:
Dancing With Myself (Long Version) 6:03
Rebel Yell 4:47

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1984 Eyes Without A Face U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #4
1984 Eyes Without A Face U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks #5

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis ‎– WWS-50143
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Japan
Released: 21 Sep 1984
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop/Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Arranged By – Steve Stevens
Producer – Keith Forsey
Written-By – Billy Idol, Steve Stevens

Find The 12″ On DISCOGS

C. Back

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: ClickRepair (DeClick Level 3)
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Wham! – I’m Your Man (Japan 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985

A. Front

A. Front (no obi)

“I’m Your Man” is a song by British pop duo Wham!, released in 1985 on Epic Records in the UK and most of the world, and Columbia Records in the U.S. It was written and produced by George Michael, one half of the duo.

The song was long-awaited, as Wham! had spent much of 1985 touring and then resting. A groundbreaking appearance in China had been followed by a stint at Live Aid, but there had been no new Wham! material until November and the release of “I’m Your Man”, a straightforward song of seduction through personality.

The video was similar to that of previous hit “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (which had been a huge success the previous year), in that it was essentially an “as live” performance of the song in front of a crowd of fans. It was also shot in black and white rather than colour. It was shot inside and outside of London’s historic Marquee Club.

“I’m Your Man” became Wham!’s third #1 but did not feature on a studio album, and was essentially an isolated single which was only followed up by a re-issue of the previous year’s Christmas hit, “Last Christmas”. Already the signs were there that George, now bearded, was ready to move his career into an adult market. The song also reached #3 in the US singles chart, prevented from further chart movement by “Burning Heart” by Survivor and “That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne and Friends.

Within six months of “I’m Your Man”, Wham! had announced their split. They had a fourth and final number one and released a farewell album, prior to a concert at Wembley Stadium, at which “I’m Your Man” was the last song Michael performed with partner Andrew Ridgeley.

An extended mix of the song was released on Wham!’s 1986 album Music from the Edge of Heaven (the U.S. version of their final album The Final).

SIDE A:
I’m Your Man (Extended Stimulation) 6:52

SIDE B:
Do It Right (Instrumental) 4:04
I’m Your Man (Acappella) 4:15

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1985 I’m Your Man U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #3
1985 I’m Your Man U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks #13
1985 I’m Your Man U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play #42
1985 I’m Your Man U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles #55

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic ‎– 12.3P-699
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Poster
Country: Japan
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
Credits: Producer, Written-By, Arranged By – George Michael
Recorded By – Chris Porter

NOTES:
Includes 1986 calendar / poster / lyric insert.

Find the 12″ On DISCOGS

B. Back (no obi)

B. Back

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: ClickRepair (DeClick Level 3)
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

Wham! – Everything She Wants (Japan 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984

A. Front

A. Front (no obi)

“Everything She Wants” is a million-selling Gold-certified hit by British pop duo Wham!, originally released in 1984 on Epic Records. The song was the forth single taken from the duo’s second album Make It Big.

“Everything She Wants” is written from the angle of a man rapidly approaching desperation at the material demands of his partner which seems to be coming to a head, despite the amount of work he does to keep her happy. In a twist, the second verse takes the story a step further by revealing that the woman is pregnant but the man cannot find any happiness in the announcement because of the extra pressure a baby will put upon him.

Although George Michael bemoaned much of Wham!’s material as he began his solo career, “Everything She Wants” remained a song of which he was proud, and he continued to perform it in his shows. Furthermore, Michael remarked in an interview (to promote 25 Live tour) that “Everything She Wants” is his favourite Wham! song.

In the UK “Everything She Wants” peaked at #2 while in the US the topped the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at #1.

Of note the sleeve on this Japanese pressing says that the b-side is “Last Christmas” this information is incorrect. The b-side is actually the album track “Like A Baby”.

SIDE A:
Everything She Wants (Remix) 6:32

SIDE B:
Like A Baby 4:13

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year Single Chart Position
1984 Everything She Wants U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #1
1984 Everything She Wants U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks #4
1984 Everything She Wants U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles #12
1984 Everything She Wants U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play #7

 

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic ‎– 12•3P-587
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Misprint
Country: Japan
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop
Credits: Photography By – Martyn Goddard
Recorded By – Chris Porter
Written-By, Arranged By, Producer – George Michael

NOTES:
Comes with a full color fold out calendar.

Back cover says Everything She Wants (Remix) and Last Christmas this is a misprint. Side B is actually “Like A Baby”.

Taken from the LP: “MAKE IT BIG”

Find The 12″ On DISCOGS

B. Back (no obi)

B. Back

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: ClickRepair (DeClick Level 3)
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi