Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
Original post date: February 13, 2014
Few debut albums in pop history have arrived as fully formed and sonically lavish as The Lexicon of Love by ABC. Released in 1982 and produced by Trevor Horn, the album was a masterclass in orchestral pop sophistication. While it spawned major international hits, one of its most intriguing and elusive singles was a Japan-only release: “Valentine’s Day.”
And what better excuse to spotlight this rarity than February 13th or 14th, depending on where you are. Consider this a special Burning the Ground Valentine — a deep cut pulled from the grooves rather than the greeting card aisle. ❤️
A Japanese-Only 7-Inch
Issued exclusively in Japan in 1982 on Mercury Records, “Valentine’s Day” appeared as a 7-inch single backed with “The Look Of Love (Part 3).” The single did not chart, and no music video was produced, making it a comparatively quiet release during an otherwise high-profile campaign for The Lexicon of Love.
But what truly elevates this pressing for collectors is the B-side.
The Dancefloor Connection
“The Look Of Love (Part 3)” is not simply an instrumental reprise — it is a dance-oriented remix by legendary remixer John Luongo. Known in the early ’80s for transforming pop tracks into extended club workouts, Luongo reimagined ABC’s lush pop classic into a more rhythm-driven, floor-friendly mix.
While the original album version of “The Look Of Love” leaned heavily into sweeping orchestration and romantic drama, Luongo’s remix emphasizes groove and propulsion. It strips back some of the ornate grandeur and highlights the rhythm section, making it tailor-made for early ’80s dance floors. For fans of 12-inch culture and remix history — something I know many of us live for — this version represents an important bridge between new wave sophistication and club sensibility.
“Valentine’s Day” — Romance Without Irony
The A-side, meanwhile, showcases a slightly different emotional tone. “Valentine’s Day” feels more earnest than some of the album’s sharper, more sardonic singles. Martin Fry’s theatrical delivery remains front and center, but the track leans into vulnerability rather than clever detachment.
Within the broader narrative arc of The Lexicon of Love, the song plays like a sincere confession amid the stylish heartbreak. It’s polished, dramatic, and impeccably arranged — yet emotionally exposed.
A Hidden Gem for Collectors
Because this single was issued only in Japan and never charted, it remains a fascinating curio in ABC’s discography. No video, no major promotion — just a beautifully pressed 7-inch pairing a heartfelt album cut with a bona fide dance remix by one of the era’s most respected club architects.
For collectors of international variations and remix history, this release captures something special: the moment when glossy British pop met American club culture on the flip side of a Japanese 45.
And sometimes, that’s where the most interesting stories are hiding — not always on the charts, but in the grooves.
SIDE A:
Valentine’s Day 3:41
SIDE B:
The Look Of Love (Part 3) 4:17
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – 7PP-85
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: Japan
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Producer – Trevor Horn
- Written-By, Performer – ABC
NOTES:
Side B remixed by John Luongo but not credited.
Made in Japan
Buy the 7″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: 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
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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I’ve always had a special place in my heart for ABC. Belated thanks to you, PaulT and the entire BTG community!
I’m still wandering in my internet purgatory after my computer stroked out in December.
I’ll be back soon, once I get a new computer. I’ll probably have to perform an unnatural act (or three) but one way or the other, I’ll be back.
Sad news: just read that Simon Harris from “Bass (How Low Can You Go)” fame has died yesterday.
“Valentine’s Day” is a reminder that, back in 1982, ABC couldn’t possibly disappoint. It’s a gem of baroque pop that sounds as fresh and elegant today as it did decades ago. If you manage to get your hands on the 7-inch edition with the original Japanese insert, you’ll have a piece of music production history in your hands. Fun fact: Although it’s a “love” song in title, its energy is perfect for dancing, which perfectly encapsulates the band’s philosophy: if you’re going to get your heart broken, do it in style and on the dance floor. Thank you PaulT and… Read more »
Wow! All week I was wondering if we would get something special for Valentine’s Day… I was not disappointed!! ABC has so many great tracks and Valentine’s Day is awesome, but my all time favorite song of theirs is The Look of Love. So the B-Side here is just out of this world! What a great remix. John Luongo really worked some magic and added the right balance of punchy dance infusion that really works with the song. Had such a blast with both of these tracks Paul… thank you so much! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and all of… Read more »
I love that you were anticipating a Valentine’s surprise all week — no pressure or anything!😀 I’m so glad this one delivered. You have excellent taste — “The Look Of Love” really is the crown jewel. When ABC hit that perfect intersection of drama, sophistication, and pop precision on The Lexicon of Love, it was lightning in a bottle. And then along comes John Luongo giving Part 3 that punchy, dancefloor drive without losing any of the elegance — it’s such a smart balance. He knew exactly how to enhance the groove while respecting the architecture of the song. That’s… Read more »
Happy Valentine’s Day Paul and BTG Community!!
Great choice for the holiday weekend, Paul! I love it!!
Enjoy your weekend, Paul, and everyone else here!!!
Jeff
Happy Valentine’s Day, Jeff. 💘
Thank you Paul for this Valentine treat!! ABC was/is such a great pop outfit. Like you mentioned, they came charging out of the gate with The Lexicon of Love, one of the best debut pop albums. I’m delighted to have this Japan 7″ in your signature ‘Paulity’! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and everyone here and enjoy the weekend!!
Retro Hound, “Paulity” — I love that! 😀 You’re absolutely right — ABC didn’t just arrive in 1982… they announced themselves. The Lexicon of Love still feels like a fully realized statement right out of the gate. Sophisticated, dramatic, impeccably produced — lightning in a bottle. I’m so glad you’re enjoying this Japan 7″ transfer. Those little international variations are such a thrill to preserve and share, especially when they include gems like the Luongo mix on the flip. It’s exactly the kind of Valentine’s indulgence we can all appreciate — romance with a groove. 💘 Happy Valentine’s Day to… Read more »
Great single, when I discovered this album and heard Valentines Day, I was surprised it was not released as a 12″. Definitely has that whole New Romantic sound mixed with some disco. Good stuff. Legend has it on ABC’s tour of Japan Martin Fry flushed his Gold Lamé Suit down a high capacity Japanese toilet…. I think the incident became so notorious that Smash hits picked up on it and coined the phrase “career going down the dumper” . I saw ABC about 12 years ago in concert on the Beach in Santa Cruz, CA, with a whole string section…… Read more »
Joey, I love that story — only Martin Fry could turn plumbing into pop 😀I remember that “career going down the dumper” line making the rounds back in the day. Whether it’s myth or fact, it certainly fits the larger-than-life image ABC had during the Lexicon era. You’re absolutely right about “Valentine’s Day” — it feels like it should have had a full 12″ campaign. It has that perfect blend of New Romantic gloss and residual disco pulse that defined early ’82. With Trevor Horn’s production sheen, it practically begs for extended treatment. At least we got the John Luongo… Read more »
Of course this album is an all-time masterclass of perfection! The Luongo mix is a fantastic variation on the theme!
2016 brought us a Lexicon Of Love Part 2 if you missed it! Pretty great sequel, especially considering Trevor Horn wasn’t involved (seems he’s really expensive these days).
Saw the current live incarnation of the band open for Howard Jones last year from 2nd row! Fantastic show!!!
ING, You said it perfectly — Lexicon really is a masterclass. It’s one of those rare debuts where every detail feels intentional and elevated. From the songwriting to Trevor Horn’s immaculate production, The Lexicon of Love still sounds like it beamed in from another dimension. And yes — the John Luongo mix is such a great alternate perspective. I love how it shifts the focus to rhythm and groove while still keeping that cinematic sweep intact. I’m glad you brought up The Lexicon of Love II — it really was a pleasant surprise. You’re right, no Trevor Horn this time,… Read more »
Thanks for another great release. The Look Of Love is definitely one of my favorite 80s songs, so any new version is welcome!
I have Lexicon of Love on blu-ray from SDE, but I don’t have the album on CD. Which version would the group recommend: the 1996 remastered, the 2004 deluxe edition, or just the regular album?
Thanks Paul!
If it were me, I would go with the regular album, maybe an early CD pressing. I am not a fan of modern remasters, as they always seem to strip the life out of them. I have an ATMOS setup in my home theater, but have not made the jump to Blu-ray audio discs. I kinda feel it is a bit gimmicky, but this is all just my opinion.
Thanks for the recommendation Paul, knowing me I’ll probably get both! As far as the surround blu-ray albums I am really enjoying them. Instead of just being a remaster, they are typically a whole new experience. Pink Floyd’s Welcome to the Machine in ATMOS is absolutely magical. Most of them come with a high resolution copy of the original stereo mix *and* a new remaster. If you already have the setup I would at least try one 🙂
I appreciate that, Mikey. I may look into grabbing a few of the Blu-ray discs.
I’d go with the early West Germany pressing for the album proper on CD. Of course you already have a flat transfer hi-res copy on the blu-ray so for home use you probably have all you need. The blu-ray is cool as it has the alternate Wilson remix on there as well.
Cool Joey thanks for the recommendation!
I always loved part 2 (the instrumental version) and part 3 (the dance oriented Luongo version). Never knew Japan released part 3 as B-side on 7 inch. Nice Valentine post Paul.
Stefano, That’s what I love about diving into these catalog corners — 😊there’s always another variation hiding somewhere in the world. Part 2 really highlights how cinematic The Lexicon of Love is — you can strip the vocals away from ABC and the arrangement still carries all the drama. And Part 3? John Luongo gave it that sleek, early-’80s dancefloor propulsion without losing the sophistication. It’s such a smart reinterpretation. The Japan-only 7″ pairing is one of those fun discography surprises — easy to miss unless you’re really digging. That’s part of the thrill. Glad you enjoyed this little Valentine’s… Read more »
Wow, what a find!
Thanks, Dean. I love finding these kinds of singles.
Yet another fabulous post, really enjoyed your write up too
Paul,
Thank you so much — that truly means a lot. I always try to give these posts a little extra context and storytelling, especially when it’s something as special as a Valentine’s spotlight from The Lexicon of Love by ABC.
There’s just so much depth in that era — musically and culturally — that it feels worth celebrating properly.
Really appreciate you taking the time to say that. It keeps me inspired to keep digging and sharing.
I always wondered who did that mix. It’s the definitive version of the song, for my money. The Lexicon of Love is one of my all-time favorite albums. It hangs on the wall in my office. 🙂
David, Now that’s dedication — hanging The Lexicon of Love on the wall is the correct level of reverence! g 😊 It truly is one of those albums that earns permanent display status. The mix you’re loving is by John Luongo — and I agree, it’s a strong contender for definitive dancefloor version. He had a knack for taking something already elegant and giving it propulsion without sacrificing class. That groove-forward approach really lets the rhythm section breathe while still honoring the grandeur that Trevor Horn built into the original production. It’s always fun when a remix you’ve loved for… Read more »