Author: DjPaulT

Jane Wiedlin – Rush Hour (US 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

When Jane Wiedlin stepped out on her own in the late ’80s, she did so with a confidence that felt both playful and perfectly in sync with the era. Best known as a founding member of The Go-Go’s, Wiedlin’s solo work allowed her to lean harder into synth-pop and dancefloor-friendly territory—and “Rush Hour” stands as one of the brightest examples of that shift.

Released in 1988 from her second solo album Fur, “Rush Hour” is pure late-’80s pop bliss. Built on a propulsive beat, shimmering keyboards, and a hook that refuses to let go, the song captures that restless, kinetic feeling its title suggests. There’s movement everywhere—cars, people, emotions—mirrored in the song’s relentless forward momentum. It’s the sound of urgency without anxiety, excitement without chaos.

Commercially, “Rush Hour” became the biggest solo hit of Jane Wiedlin’s career. In the U.S., the song peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, firmly placing her in the mainstream pop spotlight outside of The Go-Go’s. On the dance side, where the track truly thrived, “Rush Hour” reached #1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart, confirming its strong connection to club culture and DJs who embraced its extended and remix-friendly structure.

What makes “Rush Hour” especially compelling is how effortlessly it balances accessibility and edge. Jane’s vocal delivery is cool and confident, never overworked, gliding smoothly over the electronic production. While undeniably pop, the song borrows enough from contemporary dance music to feel right at home on late-’80s club floors—especially in its longer mixes that gave the groove room to breathe.

The song’s success also translated visually, earning heavy rotation on MTV at a time when image and sound worked hand in hand. Yet despite its chart performance and exposure, “Rush Hour” never feels disposable. There’s a timeless quality to its melody and pacing that keeps it sounding fresh decades later—one of those tracks that instantly transports you back to neon lights, late nights, and the pulse of city life in 1988.

For fans of synth-driven pop, crossover dance hits, and artists who successfully carved out a solo identity, “Rush Hour” remains essential listening. It’s proof that Jane Wiedlin wasn’t just part of one of the most iconic pop bands of the ’80s—she also delivered a solo single that conquered both the charts and the dancefloor.

Still moving. Still glowing. Still impossible to ignore once it starts.

SIDE A:
Rush Hour (Extended Remix) 7:20
Rush Hour (7″ Version) 4:01

SIDE B:
Rush Hour (The Red Mix) 7:23
Rush Hour (Instrumental) 5:04
The End Of Love 3:12

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance  –  Jane Wiedlan: Rush Hour (1988)
Chart Peak Position Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs #1 1988
US Billboard Hot 100 #9 1988

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI-Manhattan Records – V-56085
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Specialty Records Corp. Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Produced for Blue Panda Ltd.
A1, B1 & B2 edited for Ultimix.

Album version can be heard on the LP, cassette & CD “Fur”

Printed in U.S.A

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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Rhythm Is The Power.

— DJ Paul T

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