I wanted to take a moment to share some personal news with you. If you’ve noticed a slowdown in activity on the blog recently, it’s because life has thrown me an unexpected challenge.
Last month, after visiting my doctor and undergoing several tests—including an MRI and ultrasound—I was diagnosed with cancer in my left kidney. While this news has understandably been a lot to process, there is some relief in knowing that the cancer was caught early. My doctor is optimistic, and this early detection provides a positive outlook for my treatment and recovery.
On Monday, January 20, I will be undergoing a robotic partial nephrectomy to remove the cancer. This procedure is a step toward a healthier future. After the surgery, I’ll need about 4–6 weeks to recover fully. During this period, I won’t be able to update the blog, but I’ve asked my partner, Jeremy, to keep you updated on how the surgery goes and to share any relevant news.
Your support, patience, and understanding mean the world to me during this time. Burning The Ground has always been more than just a blog to me—it’s a community, and I’m deeply grateful to have you all as part of it.
Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts. I’ll be back as soon as I’m able, ready to dive back into celebrating the music we all love.
NEW 2025 Transfer! NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration!
I originally shared this record on July 17, 2017, but I’ve revisited it with a fresh, meticulously updated transfer for those who may have missed it. This time, I used upgraded audio gear that wasn’t available during the original transfer back in 2017.
Canadian rock band Glass Tiger made waves in January 1986 with the release of their hit single “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone),” the lead track from their debut album, The Thin Red Line. Featuring backing vocals by iconic rock singer Bryan Adams, the song became a chart-topping success, reaching number one in Canada and peaking at number two in the United States.
In 1985, Glass Tiger enlisted Jim Vallance to produce their debut album. At the time, Vallance was primarily known as a prolific songwriter, often collaborating with Bryan Adams, though he had also produced albums for Doug and the Slugs, CANO, and Adams himself. According to Glass Tiger’s lead vocalist Alan Frew, Vallance’s approach to production allowed the band to explore their creative sound while providing guidance when necessary. “It worked out great because we were all at the same stage of development,” Frew recalled. “He didn’t change the sound of the band at all. He let us experiment but wasn’t afraid to get heavy-handed when he had to.” Vallance collaborated with the band to compose “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone),” while Adams lent his distinct voice to the backing vocals.
The song’s creation was inspired by an ice-breaking moment during the band’s first meeting with Vallance. Frew shared: “On the very first day that we met Jim Vallance, he picked us up at the airport and, to break the ice, asked us what we were listening to. One of the answers was Tears for Fears. We went to his house and drank tea while listening to some tunes. ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ came on, and we really liked the shuffle beat. So we went into the studio and, based on that shuffle beat, we wrote ‘Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone).’ First day, first song.”
“Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” enjoyed tremendous commercial success. The track topped the Canadian Singles Chart in March 1986, spending two weeks at number one, and earned platinum certification from the Canadian Recording Industry Association by July. In the United States, the single entered the Billboard Hot 100 in July and peaked at number two in October, held back from the top spot by Janet Jackson’s “When I Think of You.” It spent an impressive 24 weeks on the chart, reaching number one on the Singles Sales chart, number six on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, number 17 on the Mainstream Rock chart, and number 30 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The song also placed at number 34 on the Billboard Year-End singles chart of 1986. Internationally, it achieved top 15 status in Australia and charted in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
Frew attributed the song’s global appeal to the band’s ability to create strong, memorable melodies. “We aren’t rewriting musical history by any means,” he explained, “but our melody lines are strong and mature enough to appeal to the English-speaking world.” The song’s success was bolstered by “solid record company involvement” and culminated in winning the 1986 Juno Award for Single of the Year. It was also named the top Canadian single in the Rock Express magazine readers’ poll awards in 1987. A decade later, the Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) recognized the track for being played more than 100,000 times on Canadian radio.
For fans of rare cuts, the “Death Mix” of “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” remains a vinyl-only treasure, absent from the deluxe CD reissue of The Thin Red Line. This exclusive version adds an intriguing layer to the legacy of a song that defined Glass Tiger’s debut and continues to resonate with audiences decades later.
SIDE A: Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) (Extended Version) 6:31
SIDE B: Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) (Death Mix) 5:51
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
Year
Single
Chart
Position
1986
Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)
U.S. Billboard Hot 100
#2
1986
Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks
#17
1986
Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary
#30
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Manhattan Records – 1C K 060 20 1330 6
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Germany
Released: 1986
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock
“What’s Your Problem?” is a song by the English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 27 August 1985 as the lead single from their third studio album Believe You Me. Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe and produced by Stewart Levine, the song captures Blancmange’s signature blend of synth-driven melodies and witty lyrics.
Upon its release, “What’s Your Problem?” achieved moderate chart success, peaking at No. 40 in the UK Singles Chart and climbing to No. 30 in Ireland. A music video accompanied the single, gaining heavy rotation on the European music TV channel Music Box, further solidifying its presence during the mid-’80s synth-pop wave.
The 12″ Single Details:
One of the highlights of the 12″ release of “What’s Your Problem?” is its extended mix, offering fans a longer and more immersive version of the track. Interestingly, this extended mix is not explicitly mentioned on the sleeve or label, making it a subtle yet noteworthy feature for collectors and fans alike.
“What’s Your Problem?” is an extended mix but this is not mentioned on the release.
“Side Two” is an extended version of “22339” from the “Believe You Me” album.
“Living On The Ceiling” is the original 12″ version.
The inclusion of “Living On The Ceiling” on this 12″ single adds an extra layer of appeal, giving listeners a chance to enjoy one of Blancmange’s most beloved tracks in its original extended form.
Legacy
“What’s Your Problem?” may not have achieved the same level of success as some of Blancmange’s earlier hits, but it remains a memorable piece of their discography. The track showcases the duo’s knack for crafting catchy synth-pop tunes while exploring themes with a touch of humor and irony. For fans of ’80s synth-pop, the 12″ release of “What’s Your Problem?” is a must-have, thanks to its unique extended versions and its nod to the band’s earlier success with “Living On The Ceiling.”
SIDE A: What’s Your Problem? 6:58
Producer –Stewart Levine
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: London Records – BLANX 9, London Records – 882 073-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: Aug 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
In the early 1980s, the world of electronic music was rapidly evolving, and British group Colourbox was at the forefront of this creative revolution. Among their many standout tracks, “Breakdown” holds a special place. Originally released as the band’s debut single in 1982, this track encapsulates the experimental spirit of the era while showcasing the band’s unique blend of dub, soul, and electronic pop influences.
But it’s the 1983 Second Version of “Breakdown” that truly stands out. In contrast to the slower, funkier first version, the second version transforms the song into a syrupy new wave dance jam. Featuring the striking new vocals of Lorita Grahame, it pairs a hard-driving beat with intricate tape edits. This style would later foreshadow the Young brothers’ pioneering work in sampling, first showcased in tracks like Hot Doggie and later brought to the mainstream as M|A|R|R|S with the groundbreaking hit Pump Up the Volume.
The second version is packed with innovation. It’s faster, more dynamic, and built for the dance floor, yet retains the emotional depth that made the original so captivating. The production is razor-sharp, and the layers of sound give it a genre-defying quality that only Colourbox could pull off.
On the same EP, “Tarantula”, written by Martyn Young and sung by Grahame, is another standout track. It’s one part cutter anthem, another part political screed, and yet another part genre-bending dub cut. The haunting, otherworldly vibe earned it the nickname “dub goth,” and it’s easy to imagine a 16-year-old Zooey Deschanel on ludes vibing to it in Thatcherite Britain. Sadly, its themes remain relevant today.
These tracks are a reminder of how Colourbox pushed the boundaries of what pop music could be, merging genres and sounds in ways that were truly ahead of their time. Breakdown (Second Version), with its danceable energy and sonic ingenuity, is a testament to their fearless creativity.
In the early 1980s, the world of electronic music was rapidly evolving, and British group Colourbox was at the forefront of this creative revolution. Among their many standout tracks, “Breakdown” holds a special place. Originally released as the band’s debut single in 1982, this track encapsulates the experimental spirit of the era while showcasing the band’s unique blend of dub, soul, and electronic pop influences.