Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2026 Transfer
New Meticulous Audio Restoration
Originally posted on August 25, 2014, this obscure synth-pop gem returns to Burning The Ground with a brand new 2026 transfer. It’s another entry in my “Closet 80’s” series, where we dust off those forgotten records that deserve another listen.
Baby Go Boom was a short-lived British new wave/synth-pop project that released just one single, “Life Can Be A Hurtful Thing.” Originally issued in the UK in May 1984 on Innervision Records, the song combined catchy melodies with a dance-oriented sound that fit comfortably alongside the synth-pop and electronic dance records of the period.
Despite its commercial potential, the single struggled to find an audience. The original 1984 release reached No. 104 on the extended UK singles chart, narrowly missing the Top 100. However, the story didn’t end there.
In 1986, Island Records gave “Life Can Be A Hurtful Thing” a second chance, reissuing the single in the UK, Canada, and Australia with updated mixes. American remixer John Luongo, whose work helped shape the sound of countless dance records during the late 1970s and 1980s, provided a fresh six-minute U.S. Remix. Dennis Weinreich also contributed a shorter remix, giving the song another opportunity to connect with radio listeners.
The John Luongo remix is the main attraction here. Its extended arrangement gives the track more room to breathe on the dance floor while retaining the melodic charm of the original recording. It’s a fine example of how a good remix could give an overlooked single a new lease on life.
Unfortunately, even with Island Records behind the reissue, Baby Go Boom never achieved the commercial success that might have led to a full-length album. The group disappeared, leaving “Life Can Be A Hurtful Thing” as its only single and a curious footnote in British synth-pop history.
For collectors and fans of lesser-known 1980s music, records like this are exactly what make digging through old 12-inch singles so rewarding. Not everything worth hearing made the charts or received heavy radio airplay. Sometimes the best discoveries are the ones that slipped through the cracks.
I first shared this Canadian 12-inch on August 25, 2014. More than twelve years later, I’ve returned to the record for a completely new 2026 transfer. Whether you’re rediscovering this one or hearing Baby Go Boom for the very first time, I hope you enjoy another forgotten slice of 1980s synth-pop.
And that, after all, is what “Closet 80’s” is all about!
SIDE A:
A. Life Can Be A Hurtful Thing (U.S. Remix) 6:04
Remix – John Luongo
SIDE B:
B1. Life Can Be A Hurtful Thing 2:44
Remix – Dennis Weinreich
B2. Perfect Thing 3:07
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Island Records – IS 1092
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Canada
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Design – Island Art
- Photography – Mike Prior
- Producer – Liam Henshall
- Written-By – Gerrish*, Klevatt*, Sanderson*
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
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.
Would appear it fared even worse than the 1984 original spending just 1 week in the UK top 200 singles charts at number 186.
Just one single can be a hurtful thing! I think that actually sums things up here, it really makes you wonder what could have been. This is one I wasn’t too familiar with and I have never heard the John Luongo remix before. He did a great job, the remix really elevates the track. You can tell this is a UK band but I giggled at the cowboy twang that pops up (which matches the cover art so well… nicely done). And the B side being Perfect Thing is a perfect match. A lot of “thing” here!! Thanks for raiding… Read more »
JP, “Just one single can be a hurtful thing!” I love what you did there! It really does make you wonder what might have been if Baby Go Boom had been given another chance. John Luongo certainly worked his magic on this one. And you’re right about that cowboy twang! It’s such an unexpected touch, especially coming from a UK synth-pop act. I hadn’t even thought about the cowboy on the sleeve being a Spooky Season Spins connection, but I suppose we can count that as a Halloween costume! And yes, lots of “things” going on with this record! I’m… Read more »
What a nice surprise! As all of your Closet 80s features are, this is a true forgotten gem! It really encapsulates the sound of the era and, in any other universe, would have been a monster hit. But in the saturated 1980s (in the very best way possible), unfortunately it got lost in obscurity. Thank you for bringing this back in the spotlight and making a lot of us happy!
Thank you so much, Retro Hound! I couldn’t agree more. The 80s gave us so much incredible music that even some of the best records managed to slip through the cracks. This one certainly had all the ingredients to be a much bigger hit, especially with John Luongo’s fantastic remix. It makes you wonder how many other great songs are still sitting in record collections waiting to be rediscovered. That’s exactly why I love doing the Closet 80’s series. Giving these forgotten gems another chance to shine is what it’s all about. I’m so glad this one made you happy,… Read more »
Thank you, Paul. An absolutely fantastic, quintessential 80s song, thanks to John Luongo’s remix, which gave it that special something. In its original version, the track would have faded into total obscurity. I just love songs that fly under the radar-the kind that make people look at you and ask, “What was that last song?”
You’re very welcome, Toxicaudio! I couldn’t agree more. John Luongo really worked his magic on this one and gave it that extra punch that makes the 12″ mix so special. And I know exactly what you mean about those under-the-radar tracks. There’s nothing better than playing an obscure record and having someone ask, “What was that?” That’s one of the things I love most about collecting and sharing these forgotten gems. Sometimes the best music is the stuff that never became a hit. Thanks so much for listening and sharing your thoughts!
Records like this are rewarding … and frustrating! Like more please, but alas: this. is. it.
Sometimes you can find where members went and check out their later projects, but not always!
One band I loved …millions like us, made one album. I found a remix and that was it, decades later thanks to the internet I found the lead singer’s solo album. But that also was once and done.
Digging in the crates is what we do!
Thanks for this re-post!
ING, that’s exactly what makes collecting these obscure records both exciting and frustrating! You discover something great, want to hear more, and then realize that’s all there is. I love that you managed to track down the lead singer’s solo album from Millions Like Us after all those years, only to find out that was another one-and-done release! Talk about frustrating! Still, that’s part of the fun of being a music collector. You never know what forgotten treasure might turn up decades later. And you’re right, digging in the crates is what we do! Thanks for sharing your story and… Read more »
You have no idea how excited I am to get this from you again, Paul. I, for some reason, lost the original download from you. This song really hit my sweet spot and I’ve been hoping that somehow you’d get around to bringing it back to your site! This song is so great that I’m perplexed it never really went anywhere. Paul, you are most excellent with championship under appreciated songs. This one is so awesome!
Big hug to you for all you do. I am humbly grateful 🙏
Jeff
Jeff, this makes me so happy to read! I’m thrilled that I could bring this one back for you, especially since you lost the original download. It’s always puzzled me too why this record never found a bigger audience. It has everything I love about those overlooked 80s gems. That’s exactly why I enjoy revisiting these forgotten singles and giving them another chance to shine. Knowing how much they mean to you and others makes all the work worthwhile. Thank you for your continued support and those incredibly kind words. Sending a big hug right back to you, my friend!
Is this The U.S. or U.K. or Germany 12’’ Please
Hi Patrick, this is the Canada 12″.