Burning The Ground Exclusive 1984
NEW 2023 Transfer!
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration!
Originally posted May 15, 2015
“Obsession” is a 1983 song covered in 1984 by the group Animotion. The song hit number six in the United States, and number five in the United Kingdom in early 1985, helped by a distinctive video that received heavy rotation on MTV.
“Obsession” was originally written and recorded as a duet by songwriter Holly Knight and musician Michael Des Barres in 1983. This version was played in the 1983 film A Night in Heaven, during a scene in which Christopher Atkins bumps and grinds in Lesley Ann Warren’s face in sync with the rhythm of the song. The song was featured on the film’s soundtrack, but did not receive enough attention to warrant much radio play or a place on any Billboard charts. That version was also featured in the theatrical trailer to the 1986 film 9½ Weeks, starring Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger.
The Los Angeles-based synth-pop band Animotion recorded a version of the tune for their self-titled debut album, released in 1984. This version became a massive success, and it remains Animotion’s biggest hit.
SIDE A:
Obsession (Dance Mix) 6:00
SIDE B:
Obsession (Special Dub Mix) 5:31
Mixed By – Mark Berry
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Obsession | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #6 |
| 1985 | Obsession | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #35 |
| 1985 | Obsession | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | #3 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – 880 266-1 Q
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Germany
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer – John Ryan
Written-By – H. Knight*, M. Des Barres*
NOTES:
Special versions from the LP “ANIMOTION”
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable:Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
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
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 3.0 (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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Thanks, Paul!
Hi Paul! Thanks for this! Is the Discogs link to the correct version? It’s currently in “Draft” so perhaps this is the correct one instead: https://www.discogs.com/release/776962-Animotion-Obsession-Dance-Mix ?
Yes that is the correct one.
Thanks Paul!
Thank you Paul! Great rip.
You’re welcome 🙂
any chance someone can tell me how to download the 24bit version? every time i click on the link it send me to some ad page.
i just found this site and its awesome. keep up the excellent work.
thanks in advance
Click the 24bit button you will then be taken to another page on the left side of the screen under “Ready When You Are” click the download button.
Hey, I remember this track!
And now, for an embarrassing revelation from yours truly:
Until today, this very hour, I was always under the impression that Obsession was a product of The Human League. No, I’m not kidding!
It sure feels good to get that burden off my chest. I feel better already.
Thanks for straightening me out, PaulT 🙂
Lo, I can see where you would have thought it was Human League they sound very similar 🙂
Tenho o RIP que você fez em 2011 (US 12” Mercury 880 266-1).
Este novo tem um “brillho” nas frequências sem exagero. Ficou muito bom! Grato, Paul!
Thank you 🙂
Great track, Paul. I love “Obsession” although I always thought the three remixes I know did not reach the song´s full potential. The same goes for “I Engineer” if you ask me. But never mind, both are great songs imho. “Room To Move” was excellent, too. I even prefered that to “Let Him Go” or “I Want You”.
Thank you Song And Dance 🙂
Paul, you had a tremendous song,,,as it was danced in Chile in those years, it was tremendous and even today it is enjoyed by us both in meetings or through the radio. Thanks.
You’re welcome 🙂
Germans… What about Leopards for Ukraine?? Mixed emotions looking for Germans, what w a shame…
Nice one Paul. The 2015 transfer you did always stood out as being one most punchy and dynamic transfers you have done. Looking foward to this one.
Hope you like this one 🙂
Thanks, Paul! Another great remix by Mark S. Berry!! Animotion basically duplicated every aspect of the original other than Michael Des Barres’ poor singing and/or style of singing. 🙂 Thanks for the great rip and have an awesome weekend!
You’re welcome, Fred have a great weekend 🙂
I agree! Mark Berry’s singing, or should I say TALKING, ruined the original. Not sure if he was trying to make it sound like a B-52’s song, but it was TERRIBLE!
I’m glad Animotion realized the full potential of this incredible song.Can’t wait to see if your rip brings out even more of the song! However, “I ENGINEER” is their greatest song in my humble opinion!
I agree! Mark Berry’s singing, or should I say TALKING, ruined the original. Not sure if he was trying to make it sound like a B-52’s song, but it was TERRIBLE!
I’m glad Animotion realized the full potential of this incredible song.Can’t wait to see if your rip brings out even more of the song! However, “I ENGINEER” is their greatest song in my humble opinion!
THANK YOU, PAUL!!
Another amazing New Wave track! And so glad you spent the time to mention it was a cover. After seemingly zillions of years of hearing this great danceable version, it’s especially delicious to put on the original Holly Knight (7″ or 12″) versions for their slightly more spooky, more insidious version. What great tunes, Paul! And the sound of this German pressing with your stylus is stunning!
Thank you, dugn enjoy the weekend 🙂
This is definitely one of my favourites. I still have your previous rip too. I am pretty sure this will sound even better with your current set-up.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome, Marco 🙂
Love this track but had no clue it was a cover! 🤯 I guess I’ll add it to my potential mixtape “80’s hits you didn’t know were covers”!
Animotion’s version always reminds me of the Human League!!!
Thanks 😎
You’re welcome, ING 🙂
Just love Animotion – Obsession, It’s such a great tune, fantastic beat with a sequenced bass. Funny I mentioned The Power Station the other day, especially as Michael Des Barres wrote this with Holly Knight (as you’ve already said on this post), and he later took over from Robert Palmer on their live tour. He played a great baddie in 21 Jump Street with Johnny Depp. Obsession is up their with that cool 80’s classic dance sound just like Laura Branigan’s Self Control.
Another excellent post Paul.
Thanks so much, John 🙂
Excellent!! Another all-time favorite of mine!! Paul, I can’t wait to hear the new rip too! I am loving the sound from your new turntable and equipment!! Thank you so much for such stellar sounds!!
Have a great weekend, Paul!! You too, Song And Dance, Fred and the rest!
Jeff
You’re welcome, Jeff have a great weekend 🙂