Stevie Wonder – Skeletons (US 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Happy Friday, everyone!

Yesterday, we brightened things up with the infectious synth-pop sounds of El DeBarge’s “Who’s Johnny.” But before we head into the weekend, I thought we might open a few closet doors and see what’s hiding inside! Today, we’re staying in the Motown family with Stevie Wonder’s funky 1987 hit “Skeletons.” It might not be your typical Halloween record, but with its dark electronic groove, mysterious atmosphere, and lyrics about secrets waiting to be exposed, I think it’s a perfect way to bring a little funk back into our Spooky Season Spins!

Released in September 1987 as the lead single from Stevie Wonder’s album Characters, “Skeletons” found the legendary singer, songwriter, and musician exploring a harder-edged electronic funk sound while delivering some pointed social commentary.

At first glance, the title might suggest something supernatural, but these aren’t the kind of skeletons that rattle their bones in a haunted house. Stevie is talking about the skeletons people keep hidden in their closets. Those embarrassing secrets, lies, and questionable activities that eventually come back to haunt them.

When the song appeared in 1987, the United States was dealing with a wave of political scandals, public controversies, and revelations about prominent figures. Stevie took that atmosphere of suspicion and deception and turned it into one of the funkiest records of the year. Beneath its irresistible groove was a serious message about dishonesty, hypocrisy, and the consequences of trying to keep the truth buried.

Musically, “Skeletons” is a real treat for fans of eighties electronic funk. The song is built around a thick, rubbery synthesizer bass line, crisp electronic percussion, and layers of keyboards that give it a slightly sinister edge. Stevie’s unmistakable vocals move effortlessly between playful, sarcastic, and downright confrontational. It’s a fascinating combination of social commentary and dance-floor energy that only an artist like Stevie Wonder could pull off.

The accompanying music video took the concept even further. Set in a seemingly ordinary suburban neighborhood, it featured Stevie sitting on his front porch while the hidden lives of his neighbors were gradually revealed. Behind those friendly smiles and picture-perfect appearances were secrets that nobody wanted exposed. The video’s message was simple. You never really know what someone might be hiding behind closed doors!

Despite its darker subject matter, “Skeletons” was a commercial success. The single reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, #19 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #20 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. It also reached #59 on the UK Singles Chart, proving that Stevie still knew how to deliver a hit nearly three decades into his remarkable recording career.

Year	Chart	Peak
1987	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#19
1987	U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles	#1
1987	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play	#20
1987	Australia Kent Music Report	#38
1987	Belgium Ultratop 50 (Flanders)	#36
1987	Canada RPM Top 100 Singles	#43
1987	Netherlands Single Top 100	#72
1987	New Zealand Singles Chart	#39
1987	UK Official Singles Chart	#59

For today’s post, I’m featuring the original U.S. Motown 12″ single, catalog number 4593MG, released in 1987.

Side A contains the 6:43 extended version, which gives Stevie’s funky arrangement considerably more room to stretch out. The longer mix also incorporates spoken excerpts associated with the political controversies of the day, adding another layer to the song’s message. It’s an interesting reminder of just how closely the record reflected the headlines of 1987.

Side B features the equally lengthy instrumental version. This is where the production really gets a chance to shine. Without the lead vocals, you can fully appreciate the intricate synthesizer arrangements, electronic percussion, and relentless bass groove that drive the track. For anyone who loves the sound of eighties drum machines and synthesizers, the instrumental is worth the price of admission alone!

And while “Skeletons” might not have been written with Halloween in mind, I’ve always felt that songs about secrets, deception, and things lurking beneath the surface can be just as unsettling as those about ghosts and monsters. After all, isn’t the thought of someone’s darkest secrets suddenly coming to light a little frightening?

So, as we wrap up another week here at Burning The Ground, let’s turn up the funk and let Stevie Wonder remind us that sometimes the scariest things aren’t hiding under the bed. They’re hiding in the closet!

Enjoy this fresh vinyl transfer, and have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

SIDE A:
A1. Skeletons (Extended Version) 6:43

SIDE B:
B1. Skeletons (Instrumental) 6:43

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Motown – 4593MG
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Synth-funk, Contemporary R&B, Dance-Pop

CREDITS:

Backing Vocals – Alexis England, Darryl Phinnessee, Dorian Holley, Keith John, Kevin Dorsey, Lynne Fiddmont, Melody McCully, Shirley Brewer
Co-producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Gary Olazabal
Engineer [Additional], Other [Mastering Coordinator] – R.R. Harlan
Guitar [Sample] – Gary Myrick
Mastered By – Stephen Marcussen
Programmed By [Computer, Synthesizer] – Robert Arbittier

NOTES:
Edited version in Album, Cassette and Compact Disc, “Characters”
Recorded at Wonderland Studios, Los Angeles, California
Mastered at Precision Lacquer

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: 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)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

PLEASE READ

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**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!

Password: burningtheground

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October 22, 2026

El DeBarge – Who’s Johnny (US 12″ Promo) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

After yesterday’s dark, mysterious “Mambo Witch,” I thought we could use a little sunshine! Today, we’re trading the shadows for the bright synthesizers, infectious rhythms, and unmistakable voice of El DeBarge. We’re heading back to the summer of 1986 with “Who’s Johnny,” a feel-good slice of synth-pop that still sounds as irresistible as it did forty years ago.

I originally posted this U.S. promotional 12″ single on June 5, 2012, during the early days of Burning The Ground. Fourteen years later, I felt it was time to pull this record from the archives and give it a brand-new transfer for 2026. Whether you downloaded it back then or are discovering it here for the first time, I hope you’ll enjoy revisiting this little piece of eighties pop history.

Released in 1986 on Motown’s Gordy label, “Who’s Johnny” marked a major turning point for El DeBarge. After finding success as the lead singer of the family group DeBarge, El stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist. His first solo single became a smash hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending one week at #1 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart. The record also climbed to #10 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Year	Chart	Peak
1986	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#3
1986	U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles	#1
1986	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play	#10
1986	U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	#18
1986	Canada RPM Top 100 Singles	#1
1986	Canada RPM Adult Contemporary	#7
1986	Netherlands Dutch Top 40	#3
1986	Netherlands Single Top 100	#7
1986	Belgium Singles Chart	#4
1986	Australia Kent Music Report	#33
1986	New Zealand Singles Chart	#27
1986	UK Official Singles Chart	#60

Written by Peter and Ina Wolf and produced by Peter Wolf, “Who’s Johnny” was recorded as the theme for the 1986 science-fiction comedy Short Circuit, starring Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, and Fisher Stevens. The film introduced audiences to the lovable robot Number 5, later known as Johnny 5, who develops a personality of his own after being struck by lightning. The song’s playful title fit the movie perfectly, while its upbeat production helped it become a hit far beyond the silver screen.

The accompanying music video was just as memorable. Set inside a courtroom, it featured El DeBarge performing while Johnny 5 found himself on trial. It was the kind of wonderfully silly MTV moment that could only have come from the eighties!

For me, much of the song’s charm comes from its production. Those sparkling synthesizers, punchy electronic drums, and funky bass lines create a sound that sits comfortably between R&B, dance-pop, and the polished synth-driven music that dominated the mid-eighties. Add El’s smooth vocals and soaring falsetto, and you have a record that’s nearly impossible to resist.

Today’s U.S. promotional 12″, catalog number PR 183, features the 6:26 extended version on Side A, remixed by Barney Perkins. The longer running time gives the arrangement a little more room to breathe while keeping the song’s irresistible hooks firmly in place. Side B contains the 4:43 instrumental version, which is a real treat for anyone who appreciates the production work behind these eighties recordings. Without the lead vocal, all those wonderful electronic textures and rhythmic details get their chance to shine.

And here’s a little extra eighties trivia. “Weird Al” Yankovic even recorded a parody called “Here’s Johnny” for his 1986 album Polka Party!, turning the song into a tribute to Ed McMahon and his famous introduction of Johnny Carson.

It’s hard to believe that both “Who’s Johnny” and Short Circuit are celebrating their 40th anniversaries in 2026. Where did the time go?

So, let’s brighten up this October morning with a little El DeBarge. Dust off those memories, turn up the volume, and enjoy this fresh 2026 transfer of a genuine eighties favorite!

SIDE A:
A1. Who’s Johnny (12″ Version) 6:26

SIDE B:
B1. Who’s Johnny (12″ Instrumental) 4:43

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Gordy – PR 183
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Synth-pop, Rhythm & Blues

CREDITS:

Executive-Producer – Tony Jones (15)
Producer – Peter Wolf (3)
Remix – Barney Perkins

NOTES:
For Promotional Use Only/Not For sale
Album version inEl DeBarge, 6181GL

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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

PLEASE READ

There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other

**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal.

I appreciate your help.

October 21, 2026

A Split Second – Mambo Witch (US 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Some Halloween records rely on creepy sound effects, ghostly voices, or familiar horror movie themes to set the mood. Others take a darker route, using pounding rhythms, sinister vocals, and an atmosphere that feels downright threatening. Today’s Spooky Season Spins selection falls squarely into that second category.

Turn down the lights, turn up the volume, and prepare to meet the “Mambo Witch.”

Released in 1988, “Mambo Witch” is a dark, hypnotic slice of electronic body music (EBM) from Belgian industrial pioneers A Split-Second. The track appeared on the group’s second full-length album, …From The Inside, and became one of their best-known club recordings.

A Split-Second emerged from Belgium’s underground electronic music scene in 1985. Founded by vocalist Marc Ickx (Marc Heyndrickx), the project developed into a partnership with producer and musician Chrismar Chayell (Peter Bonne). Together, they helped shape the sound of European EBM, combining relentless electronic rhythms, distorted guitars, and commanding vocals into something that was both aggressive and remarkably danceable.

Their 1986 single “Flesh” is often credited with helping spark Belgium’s new beat movement after club DJs began playing the record at a slower speed. By the time “Mambo Witch” arrived two years later, A Split-Second had established themselves as a formidable presence on alternative dance floors.

And what a wonderfully sinister record this one turned out to be!

“Mambo Witch” opens up a world of pounding electronic percussion, menacing synthesizers, and gritty guitar textures. Marc Ickx delivers his vocals with a cold, almost confrontational intensity, perfectly suited to the song’s unsettling atmosphere. There is something strangely hypnotic about the arrangement. The rhythm pulls you in, while the music creates a growing sense of unease.

The lyrics only add to the tension, with disturbing images of curses, venom, knives, and supernatural forces. This is certainly not a playful Halloween novelty record. There is a darker psychological edge at work, giving the song an almost ritualistic quality.

Of course, what makes “Mambo Witch” particularly interesting for this blog is its 12-inch presentation.

The Extended Version stretches the track to nearly six minutes, giving those relentless rhythms more room to work their magic. The result is a dance-floor workout that feels both mechanical and strangely hypnotic. This is the kind of record that would have sounded right at home in a darkened alternative club, surrounded by flashing lights and a thick cloud of artificial fog.

The flip side offers the Experimental Version, which takes the music in a less conventional direction. It reflects the group’s willingness to experiment beyond the straightforward club mix. Also included is the short but appropriately titled “Voodoo Witch,” a companion piece that makes this already unusual 12-inch even more appealing.

The original single was released in Belgium on Antler Records, while Chicago’s legendary Wax Trax! Records handled the American release. For those who remember the industrial and alternative club scene of the late 1980s, the Wax Trax! name alone should bring back some wonderful memories.

Despite its uncompromising sound, “Mambo Witch” managed to make an impression on American dance floors, reaching No. 29 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1989. Not bad for a record that sounds as though it crawled out of the shadows rather than a mainstream recording studio!

The single also helped introduce A Split-Second to a wider American audience. The group followed their growing success with a North American tour in 1989, bringing their hard-edged Belgian sound directly to the clubs that had embraced their records.

Nearly four decades later, “Mambo Witch” still sounds wonderfully menacing. Its cold electronic production, muscular rhythms, and unsettling imagery capture a side of the 1980s that existed far away from the polished pop dominating commercial radio.

For me, that is part of what makes revisiting these records so much fun. The 1980s dance scene had plenty of dark corners, and sometimes the most interesting music was hiding in them.

With Halloween just around the corner, “Mambo Witch” feels like the perfect record to summon from the vaults. It may not be a traditional Halloween song, but its combination of witchcraft imagery, industrial rhythms, and sinister atmosphere makes it a natural fit for Spooky Season Spins.

After all, who says a Halloween party has to be filled with novelty records when you can have a little Belgian industrial darkness instead?

Happy Spooky Season, everyone!

SIDE A:
A1. Mambo Witch (Extended Version) – 5:37

SIDE B:
B1. Mambo Witch (Experimental Version) – 5:50
B2. Voodoo Witch – 2:07

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Wax Trax! Records – WAX 061
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: EBM, New Beat

CREDITS:

Producer – A Split – Second
Written By [All Songs By] – Ickx-Chayell
Written-By, Arranged By, Producer – Chayell*, Ickx*

NOTES:
Producer credits are for Ickx-Chayell on the jacket and A Split – Second on the label.

Jacket made in Canada

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

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

PLEASE READ

There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other

**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal.

I appreciate your help.

October 20, 2026

Spooky Season Spins: When the 80s Dance Floor Went Dark

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I’m taking a little break from my regular posting schedule today to take care of a few personal things. However, I didn’t want to leave you empty-handed, especially with Spooky Season in full swing!

Instead of spotlighting a particular 12″ single, I thought it might be fun to explore something that has always fascinated me. The connection between Halloween, 80s music, and those glorious extended remixes that we all know and love.

When we think of Halloween music, the usual suspects tend to come to mind. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters,” and Rockwell’s paranoid classic “Somebody’s Watching Me.” All three helped give the decade its unmistakable Halloween soundtrack.

But venture a little deeper into the 80s musical landscape, particularly the world of New Wave, Synth-pop, Gothic Rock, and Industrial dance music, and you’ll discover an entirely different kind of darkness.

This was music that didn’t necessarily need Halloween to sound spooky.

Haunting synthesizers, icy electronic rhythms, mysterious vocals, and lyrics exploring everything from obsession and isolation to fear and the supernatural were already part of the musical landscape.

And what better way to experience those sounds than on a 12″ single?

During the 1980s, the 12″ single became more than just an extended version of a popular song. It offered producers, remixers, and DJs the freedom to experiment. Songs could be stretched, rearranged, stripped down, or transformed into something almost unrecognizable.

For music with a darker edge, those extra minutes could make all the difference.

A haunting introduction could slowly build into a hypnotic rhythm. Strange electronic effects could creep into the mix. Echoing vocals and pounding drum machines could turn an ordinary dance record into something that sounded like it belonged in a horror film.

Just listen to Ministry’s “(Every Day Is) Halloween,” Dead or Alive’s “Something in My House,” or The Cure’s “Lullaby.” Each approaches darkness differently, yet all demonstrate how wonderfully the sounds of the 80s could lend themselves to the season.

And then there were the record sleeves, the artwork, the mysterious B-sides, and those extended mixes that occasionally took the music into even stranger territory.

That’s one of the things I’ve always loved about collecting 12″ singles. You never quite knew what you might discover when you flipped a record over or explored a remix that wasn’t available anywhere else.

Of course, not every song needed ghosts, vampires, or things that go bump in the night to fit the Halloween mood. Sometimes all it took was a sinister bassline, a chilling synthesizer, or a particularly unsettling vocal performance.

The 80s had plenty of those!

That’s part of what makes putting together my Spooky Season Spins selections so enjoyable. There is an enormous amount of music from that decade that fits the atmosphere, even when Halloween wasn’t necessarily what the artist had in mind.

So while I’m away from the turntables today, I thought I’d leave you with a little food for thought.

What 80s song or 12″ remix immediately puts you in the Halloween spirit?

It doesn’t have to be an obvious Halloween record. In fact, the more unusual your choice, the better!

I’d love to hear what spooky treasures are hiding in your record collections.

Thanks, as always, for stopping by, sharing your memories, and keeping the music alive.

I’ll be back with more Spooky Season Spins soon!

Until then, keep those turntables spinning and watch out for things that go bump in the night! 