Author: DjPaulT

August 28, 2025

Bangles – Following (UK 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

When most people think of The Bangles, it’s their sparkling 80s pop hits that come to mind—Walk Like an Egyptian, Manic Monday, or In Your Room. But buried within their catalog is one of their most haunting and understated songs, Following, a stark ballad that stands apart from the rest of their repertoire.

Written and sung by bassist Michael Steele, Following was chosen as the band’s fifth single from their massively successful Different Light album and released in April 1987 across Europe. Uniquely, it became the only Bangles single to feature Steele on lead vocals.

Musically, Following is a world away from the shimmering harmonies and Paisley Underground jangle the band was known for. Stripped-down acoustic guitar, mournful cello, and Steele’s hushed, confessional delivery make it one of the most intimate recordings of their career. Its lyrical core—quiet devotion and quiet longing—gives the song a timeless quality, closer to the English folk stylings of Nick Drake than to mainstream 80s pop.

For its single release, Following was slightly edited, trimming most of the outro from the album version. The 7″ was backed with Dover Beach, a track from their 1984 debut All Over the Place. The 12″ single sweetened the deal with the “Bangles Hit Mix,” a megamix that stitched together the band’s earlier hits: Manic Monday, If She Knew What She Wants, Walk Like an Egyptian, Walking Down Your Street, and Going Down To Liverpool.

Unfortunately, no music video was filmed to support the release, and the group did little to promote the single. As a result, Following had only modest chart success, peaking at #55 in the UK and faring best in Ireland, where it reached #22. It failed to chart in other European territories. The song was never released as a single in the U.S., leaving it as something of a hidden treasure for fans who dug deeper than the radio hits.

Even so, Following remains a standout in The Bangles’ discography. It gave Michael Steele her one and only chance to take the spotlight on a single, and showed a darker, more contemplative side of the band that still resonates with listeners today. Haunting, fragile, and deeply personal, it’s one of those songs that lingers long after the last note fades.

SIDE A:
Following 3:00
Written-By – M. Steele*

Dover Beach 3:46
Written-By – S. Hoffs, V. Peerson

SIDE B:
Bangles Hits Mix 14:39
DJ Mix – Mark Chamberlain

B1.1 Manic Monday
Written-By – Christopher

B1.2 If She Knew What She Wants
Written-By – J. Shear*

B1.3 Walking Down Your Street
Written-By – D. Kahne, L. Gutierrez, S. Hoffs*

B1.4 Going Down To Liverpool
Written-By – K. Rew*

B1.5 Walk Like An Egyptian
Written-By – L. Sterberg*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: CBS – BANGS T2
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Partially Mixed, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – David Kahne

NOTES:
Made in England.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

August 27, 2025

John Waite – For Japan Only (Japan 12″ EP) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In the mid-1980s, John Waite was enjoying major solo success after leaving The Babys, thanks to his 1984 U.S. #1 hit “Missing You” and the platinum album No Brakes. At the peak of his popularity, EMI issued a special release in Japan: the four-track mini-LP For Japan Only. True to its title, this record was pressed exclusively for the Japanese market in 1985, and it has since become a sought-after collector’s item.

The mini-LP offers a mix of extended and alternate versions that went beyond standard album cuts. This release is also especially notable for the inclusion of the extended remix of Euroshima which has never been issued anywhere else, making For Japan Only essential for Waite completists.

Why Japan Only?

Japan has long been a unique market for music. Labels often created special editions with bonus tracks, deluxe packaging, and the coveted obi strip to appeal to local fans. Releases like For Japan Only weren’t just marketing gimmicks—they were carefully designed to give Japanese buyers something they couldn’t get elsewhere.

Tied to the Tour

Waite toured Japan in 1985 during his Mask of Smiles era, performing several of the tracks included on this mini-LP (Missing You, Tears, Restless Heart, and Euroshima all appeared in his Tokyo setlist). It’s likely that For Japan Only was issued as a tie-in for those shows, giving fans a unique souvenir to take home.

Final Thoughts

For Japan Only isn’t just a quirky title—it’s a perfect example of how the Japanese music market created exclusive treasures for fans. With its rare mixes, especially the unique extended remix of “Euroshima,” and its deluxe presentation, this mini-LP remains one of the most collectible pieces in John Waite’s discography.

SIDE A:
Missing You (Extended Version) 7:01
Mixed By, Edited By – John Luongo
Written-By – C. Sandford, J. Waite, M. Leonard*

Tears (Live) 3:59
Written By – A. Mitchell, V. Cusano

SIDE B:
Restless Heart (Remix Version) 4:30
Remix – John Luongo
Written By – John Waite

Euroshima (Remixed Extended 12″ Version) 6:40
Remix – John Luongo
Written By – G. Myrick, J. Waite

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
OBI Strip: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI America – EYS-50149
Format: Vinyl, 12″, EP, Promo
Country: Japan
Released: Apr 20, 1985
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Soft Rock

CREDITS:

Engineer – Gary Hellman
Engineer [Assistant] – Ken Stiger
Mixed By, Edited By – John Luongo (tracks: A)
Photography By – Geoffery Thomas
Producer – David Thoener, Gary Gersh, John Waite

NOTES:
Originally Recorded in EEC
This released includes full color (red, white & black) jacket, OBI strip and insert with lyrics.
Made In Japan.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

August 26, 2025

Stevie Nicks – Long Way To Go (UK 12″) (1989)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Released in July 1989, Long Way to Go was the second single from Stevie Nicks’ fourth solo album The Other Side of the Mirror. Coming off the Top 20 success of “Rooms on Fire,” the follow-up single showcased a grittier, more rock-driven side of the album.

Lyrically, the song brims with defiance, often interpreted as Nicks working through the fallout of past relationships. With sharp guitar riffs, heavy percussion, and Stevie’s urgent vocal delivery, it carried an edge that set it apart from the more dreamlike, ethereal textures elsewhere on the record.

Chart-wise, the single found a stronger reception on rock radio than the pop charts. It reached #11 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and climbed to #60 on the U.K. Singles Chart, though it did not appear on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite its modest commercial showing, the track has remained a fan favorite, with its fiery spirit and biting lyrics standing out as one of the album’s highlights.

Over time, “Long Way to Go” has earned its place as an overlooked gem in Stevie’s solo catalog—proof of her ability to channel heartbreak into strength and resilience. Even when the road ahead seemed uncertain, her music made clear she was determined to keep moving forward.

I couldn’t find a music video for this single. According to the internet, one was released in May 1989.

SIDE A:
Long Way To Go (Remix) 6:23
Engineer, Mixed By – Stephen W. Tayler
Producer – Rupert Hine
Songwriter – C. Judge*, Rick Nowels, Stevie Nicks

SIDE B:
Long Way To Go (7″ Version) 4:01
Producer – Rupert Hine
Songwriter – C. Judge*, Rick Nowels, Stevie Nicks

Real Tears 4:42
Mixed By – Shelly Yakus
Songwriter – Rupert Hine, Stevie Nicks

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1989	Long Way To Go	U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock	#11

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI – 12EM 97, Modern Records – 12EM 97
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: Aug 1989
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Design – Bill Smith Studio
Lacquer Cut By – Arun*
Photography By – Paul Cox (5)

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

August 25, 2025

Paul McCartney – Spies Like Us (US 12″) (1985)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In late 1985, Paul McCartney added another unexpected entry to his eclectic catalog with the release of “Spies Like Us,” the theme song for the John Landis-directed comedy of the same name starring Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd. While not remembered as one of McCartney’s most celebrated singles, the track is an interesting snapshot of mid-80s pop production, Cold War paranoia dressed in pop satire, and a Beatle experimenting with the MTV era.

Background

The film Spies Like Us was a goofy Cold War buddy comedy, and Warner Bros. wanted a big-name theme song to match. Enter Paul McCartney, who had already proven with “Live and Let Die” that he could craft cinematic pop with flair. This time, though, instead of lush orchestrations, McCartney leaned heavily into synths, drum machines, and Fairlight sampling, hallmarks of the mid-80s studio sound.

The single was produced by McCartney himself, with Hugh Padgham (known for his work with Genesis, Phil Collins, and The Police) contributing his signature gated drum textures.

The Song

“Spies Like Us” is a quirky mix of playful lyrics, staccato vocal chants, and punchy electronic rhythms. McCartney doesn’t play it straight; instead, the song mirrors the slapstick tone of the movie. The hook, “Ooh ooh, what do you do, no one else can dance like you,” is pure Macca—catchy and cheeky at the same time.

While not universally loved by critics (some dismissed it as lightweight compared to his more serious work), the track’s off-kilter energy feels in line with the zany espionage antics of Chase and Aykroyd. It’s Paul having fun, and that spirit comes through.

Chart Performance

Despite mixed reviews, “Spies Like Us” did surprisingly well commercially. It peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1986, marking McCartney’s last U.S. Top 10 hit to date. In the UK, however, it stalled at #13.

The music video, directed by John Landis, featured McCartney performing the song intercut with clips from the film—though Chase and Aykroyd also appear goofing around as “backing musicians,” adding to the lightheartedness. MTV gave it steady rotation at the time.

Legacy

“Spies Like Us” is often overlooked when discussing McCartney’s career highlights, but it remains a fascinating curio. It captures a moment when one of the world’s greatest songwriters was still experimenting, still adapting, and still landing hits two decades after the Beatles.

Final thought: “Spies Like Us” may not sit alongside Band on the Run or Maybe I’m Amazed in McCartney’s pantheon, but it’s undeniably catchy, delightfully odd, and very much of its time. A Top 10 hit from a Cold War comedy—only Paul could pull that off.

SIDE A:
Spies Like Us (Party Mix) 7:13
Mixed By – John Potoker

Spies Like Us (Alternative Mix-Known To His Friends As “Tom”) 3:59
Mixed By – Art Of Noise*

SIDE B:
Spies Like Us (DJ Version) 3:48

My Carnival (Party Mix) 6:00
Mixed By – Gary Langan
Performed By – Paul McCartney And Wings*
Producer – Paul McCartney

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1985	Spies Like Us	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#7
1985	Spies Like Us	U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	#31

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Capitol Records – V-15212, MPL (2) – V-15212
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Misprint
Country: US
Released: Nov 18, 1985
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Lacquer Cut By – ES*
Photography By [Back Cover] – David Morse (2)
Photography By [Front Cover] – Linda McCartney
Producer – Padgham* (tracks: A1 to B1), McCartney* (tracks: A1 to B1), Ramone* (tracks: A1 to B1)
Written-By – Paul McCartney

NOTES:
Title Song From the Warner Bros. Motion Picture

A1 Mixed in New York
A2 Mixed in London
A1 & A2: From The Warner Bros. Motion Picture “Spies Like US”
B2 Recorded in New Orleans and Dedicated to Professor Longhair

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.