Burning The Ground Exclusive
Few groups in pop history have embraced flamboyance, camp, and sheer spectacle quite like Sweden’s Army Of Lovers. With their over-the-top visuals, theatrical flair, and maximalist approach to dance music, they turned pop into performance art. And if any track captures their essence, it’s undoubtedly “My Army Of Lovers.”
Originally released in 1990 on their debut album Disco Extravaganza, the song gained wider international attention with its 1991 single release tied to Massive Luxury Overdose. It’s the version most fans remember — the track that cemented Army Of Lovers as icons of European dance and queer club culture.
A Sound Made for the Dancefloor
“My Army Of Lovers” is pure early-’90s Eurodance at its most theatrical. The track layers swirling strings, a strutting bassline, and dramatic synths, over which:
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La Camilla’s commanding vocals glide effortlessly,
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Alexander Bard’s spoken interjections add theatrical weight,
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And a production style that mixes disco, Hi-NRG, and classical touches creates a sound both ironic and irresistible.
Unlike much of the era’s dance music, which leaned heavily into house or techno, Army Of Lovers blended genres into something entirely their own. The result is a track that’s simultaneously playful, opulent, and utterly danceable.
The Magic of the 12″ Mixes
Like many of their singles, the extended versions of “My Army Of Lovers” elevate the song to new heights. DJs were treated to:
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Expansive intros perfect for the club floor,
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Extra layers of orchestration and percussion,
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A hypnotic groove that keeps dancers moving,
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And room for every dramatic flourish to shine.
It’s one of those tracks that demands the 12″ treatment — the more you stretch it, the more the drama and energy unfold.
Visual Spectacle
Army Of Lovers weren’t just musicians; they were living art. The video for “My Army Of Lovers” is a feast of Renaissance-inspired costumes, glittering excess, and high camp. Every frame is theatrical, every pose exaggerated — it’s pop as performance, executed with style and wit.
Legacy
While the group never achieved massive success in the U.S., their influence on European pop and dance music is undeniable. “My Army Of Lovers” remains one of their defining tracks, a celebration of glamour, individuality, and unapologetic excess. Three decades on, it still sparkles: a musical reminder that pop can be dramatic, daring, and delightful all at once.
SIDE A:
My Army Of Lovers (Concrete Ghetto Mix) 8:47
Remix, Producer [Additional] – Emil Hellman, StoneBridge
My Army Of Lovers (Pisces Atmosphere Mix) 5:23
Remix, Producer [Additional] – Dave Rendall*
SIDE B:
My Army Of Lovers (Nuzak Remix Club Edit) 6:27
Remix, Producer [Additional] – Nuzak
My Army Of Lovers (Pisces Stratosphere Mix) 5:50
Remix, Producer [Additional] – Dave Rendall*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Giant Records – 0-40068, Giant Records – 9 40068-0, Ton Son Ton – 0-40068, Ton Son Ton – 9 40068-0, Reprise Records – 0-40068, Reprise Records – 9 40068-0
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1991
Genre: Electronic
Style: Downtempo, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Backing Vocals – Ixi Qaxi
- Drum Programming – Emil Hellman
- Engineer [Assistant] – Per Adebratt
- Keyboards – Tim Norell
- Lead Vocals – La Camilla
- Producer, Mixed By – Anders Hansson, Ola Håkansson, Tim Norell
- Programmed By, Engineer – Anders Hansson
- Recorded By [Additional Vocals] – JM Fax
- Written-By – Hansson*, Bard/Oson/Norell*, Tyrén*
NOTES:
Some copies have pressing plant ID “E A S T” embossed on center label.
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
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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Wish you could post the club and dub mixes of this 🙂
https://www.discogs.com/es/release/126516-Army-Of-Lovers-My-Army-Of-Lovers
The band had some hits with Crucified, Obsession and Ride the Bullet (all singles I bought) but I have to admit I have never heard of this one.
Check out the original Alexander Bard did under his moniker Barbie in 1987, Barbie Goes Around the World. He/She made several good songs but is largely forgotten today.
Thanks, Stefan. I actually do have one of the 12″ singles “Prostitution Twist”.
Thank you for another fantastic record, Paul. I love that entire album, but their best song will always be “Crucified”. If you ever have a chance, listen to Alexander Bard’s first (even campier) band: Barbie.
By the way, the name of the band alludes to a documentary “Armee der Liebenden oder Revolte der Perversen” about German gay rights activist Rosa von Praunheim.
you can check out the Barbie CD and singles here, if you want:
https://my.cbox.ws/liquid
It’s Alexander Bard’s first band before Army Of Lovers and covers songs like “Hot Stuff“!
Cool info, Axel. I actually have the Varbie single “Prostitution Twist. I will try to post it at some point.”
This is such a smooth jam! I always really liked the original, it always made me think “Sade goes to the Club” (what a genre that would be!) 🙂
Never heard the remixes before, enjoyed them all. Thanks for yet another great pick this week Dj Paul!
JP, So glad you enjoyed it! That “Sade goes to the Club” line made me smile—such a perfect way to capture the vibe. I’ve always loved how the original has that silky smoothness, and the remixes really let it stretch out into different moods. Happy to share them with you, and thanks for being along for the ride each week!
Thank you for the 1991 showcase this week Paul! It was a great year for music, and for me personally it was a big thrill with the return of new GN’R music. Plus new releases from Huey Lewis, Michael Jackson, Tom Petty, etc. Have a great weekend everyone!!
Thanks so much for sharing that! 1991 really was a powerhouse year, wasn’t it? The Use Your Illusion era from GN’R shook things up in such a big way, and lining that up with fresh music from Huey Lewis, Michael Jackson, and Tom Petty shows just how wide the spectrum was. I love revisiting those moments because it reminds me how eclectic the charts were—rock giants, pop legends, and then the flamboyant Eurodance of Army of Lovers all swirling together. I’m glad the showcase brought back those memories for you, and I appreciate you being part of the conversation here.… Read more »
90’s eurodance music and this group are emblematic. Love them!. Thanks as usual for Paul. Best 🙂
Thank you very much for that! The 90s truly gave us some unforgettable Eurodance gems, and Army of Lovers captured that spirit perfectly with their blend of glamour, camp, and irresistible grooves. I’m glad this song resonated with you—it’s always a pleasure to revisit how emblematic they were of that era. I appreciate your kind words and support; it means a lot to me. Best wishes to you as well! 😊
“My Army of Lovers” is undoubtedly the song that best defines and catapulted Army of Lovers to international fame in 1990. This isn’t just a dance song; it’s a pop manifesto celebrating difference and freedom. It’s danceable, catchy, and perfectly encapsulates the glamorous transgression that made Army of Lovers a unique act in the history of European pop.
Thanks, Paul.
Ruben, I really appreciate your thoughtful words! My Army of Lovers does stand as a defining track for them—it’s more than just a club anthem, it’s exactly as you describe: a manifesto of difference, freedom, and flamboyant artistry. That blend of camp, glamour, and irresistible hooks is what made Army of Lovers so unique in the pop landscape of the early ’90s. I’m glad the post captured that spirit for you, and it’s always rewarding to see how deeply these songs still resonate. Thank you for being part of the conversation and for celebrating this music with me!
What a sensual groove this single projects. I forgot how, almost arousing this record is. Certainly, I’m basing my reaction on the audio alone. I bought the single when it first came out because I liked the title. I never saw the video so I had no idea of the camp factor. The song is theatrical, but the video really is a hoot and a hollar! Paul, your write-up captures this band perfectly. You’re so amazing with your selections. You make me so happy with your song picks. I love this song because of its down tempo beats, like a… Read more »
I’m so glad you shared all of that—it’s such a vivid description of what makes this track and video so special! That sensual, down-tempo groove really does set it apart, and I love how you connected it to Enigma, Madonna, and Grace Jones—that’s exactly the kind of theatrical lineage Army of Lovers seemed to channel. The camp factor in the video is pure joy, and those little touches like the French spoken parts and yes, even the hairdryer bit, are what make their artistry so unforgettable. I’m thrilled the post brought back those memories for you and gave you that… Read more »
I loved the Crucified single you posted a little while ago from AOL. This single is a pleaser too.
Thanks Paul
Mark, I’m so glad you enjoyed Crucified! That one really captures their over‑the‑top brilliance, and I agree—My Army of Lovers is another gem that shows off their flair for mixing camp with irresistible hooks. It makes me happy to know these singles are still bringing pleasure all these years later. Thanks for following along and sharing your thoughts!
As best as I can remember, I never heard this before, fantastic choice for today, thanks!!
I’m so glad this one was a fresh discovery for you! That’s one of the joys of digging into these singles—sometimes they’re brand new to the ear even decades later. Army of Lovers had such a distinctive sound and style, and My Army of Lovers really shows off their flair. Happy it struck a chord with you today, and thank you for the kind words!