BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983
“Can’t Shake Loose” is a 1983 song from former ABBA star Agnetha Fältskog’s solo album, Wrap Your Arms Around Me. It was the third single release in Europe and the first to be issued in the United States.
The song was written by Russ Ballard, who also wrote the successful “I Know There’s Something Going On” for Agnetha’s former ABBA colleague Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida).
“Can’t Shake Loose” proved rather successful on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, where an Edited Remix of the song broke into the Top 30 peaking at #29 in November 1983. As usual, Fältskog made only limited promotion, but she did travel across the Atlantic from Sweden in August 1983 to appear on American television. “Can’t Shake Loose” also performed well in Canada, where it reached #26. In the UK and Australia, however, the track proved less successful, reaching #63 and #76, respectively.
In North America a remix was used as the single version while in Europe the album version was used.
SIDE A:
Can’t Shake Loose (Special AOR Remix) 3:15
SIDE B:
Can’t Shake Loose (Special AOR Remix) 3:15
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Can’t Shake Loose | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #29 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Polydor – PRO 216-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 33 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Pop, Rock
Style: Soft Rock
Credits: Producer – Mike Chapman
Remix – Rob Freeman
Written-By – Russ Ballard
NOTES:
From the Polydor LP:
“WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND ME”
Promotional Copy Not For Sale
Plays same track both sides.
Find The 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Adobe Photoshop CS5
ClickRepair
dBpoweramp
Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
Downsampled to 24bit/96kHz and16bit /44kHz using iZotope RX Advanced 2
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Hey, thanks for all the content you share. One question, I’m new maybe the reason is known for all the guys that are regulars here but, why is the download no longer available? Could you please reupload?
Older links have been removed due to space on my server.
Excellent Paul just noticed I missed this gem previously!
Can give you a tip regarding Agneta to check up a 7″ vinyl she made 1986 with Ola Håkansson the lead singer of Secret Service to promote Swedens Olympic Games application for the Olympics 1992.
Both tracks were written by Ola his sideman Anders Hansson and also Alexander Bard from Army of Lovers and Bodies Without Organs!
Might be easier if I add that it’s called The Way You Are with Fly like an Eagle as b-side both tracks are Hits and were over here in Scandinavia when released.
Paul, THANKS for this – I have been on the hunt for it for the longest time! You da best!
Dale
This actually got a lot of play at the time on my local AOR station in New Orleans. I hadn’t realized, though, that it was an alternate mix from the LP until now. Thanks again for sharing.
You’re welcome VanceMan 🙂
Another rare 12 inch. This mix didn’t make the ‘Wrap Your Arms Around Me’ 2005 remaster, probably due to legal matters or dislocation of the master tape.
Thanks Paul, far better than the album version. Pity Rob Freeman didn’t make an extended remix for the 12 inch release.
Stefano it may also be because this mix wasn’t released in Europe for the single. More than likely it’s just that the master was not available. This was the only 12″ released for this single and only as a promo.
Fab post, Paul!
Wrap Your Arms Around Me (the album)gave me much comfort after the ABBA split. But it seems like it’s Frida 1 Agnetha 0 chartwise in America, as I Know There’s Something Going On was a slow-burning massive hit in 1982/1983.
But I too love Can’t Shake Loose, and agree that the song suits Olivia well too.
Thanks for the AOR Mix, and isn’t it such a waste of vinyl space when they could’ve done a 12″ remix for it too while they’re at it?!?!
Thank you Ric! I always find it strange how the label will release a 12″ promo with one short track on both sides. You are correct it is a waste of vinyl, but I am happy that they at least put this on a 12″ so I didn’t have to mess with an inferior 7″ 🙂
I heard the album this came from just recently, and I actually thought it was pretty good. Not what I expected (I think I wasn’t expecting much!)
This single in particular has a certain Olivia-ness about it, I hope you would agree.
On a side note, I was flabbergasted to hear in an interview that Agnetha was paying 87% in tax to the Swedish government around this time. :O Ouch. [Frida moved to London to avoid this!]
Jermajesty it does sound like something that Livvy could have worked her magic on and had a big hit 🙂 I think Agnetha should have taken some pointers from Frida got the hell out lol.
O–M–G. Thank you!
You’re welcome John 🙂
Thanks for Aggie!
You’re welcome Brand0 🙂
Paul: Thank you, thank you, thank you! It’s so funny I was seeking this version a couple of months ago and found only LQ on YouTube. This was the DEFINITIVE version of the song. I knew I wasn’t crazy when I bought Agnetha’s GH and WYAAM and knew it wasn’t the same as the one I loved. If it weren’t for the truly horrible video, this would’ve been a bigger hit. Can you tell I’m excited? Thank you, again! Dean
Lol I can tell you are just a little excited Dean. Hope you enjoy the track. I agree a better video might have made this ong a much bigger hit 🙂