BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1981
“The Metro” is a new wave song written by John Crawford for his band, Berlin. The song first appeared on Berlin’s breakthrough album Pleasure Victim, released on the independent label Enigma in 1982 and re-released on Geffen in 1983. “The Metro” became the third single from the album, and the second to appear on the Geffen label. It was produced and engineered (as was most of the album) by the band’s then-drummer and drum programmer, Daniel Van Patten.
The song is known as epitomizing the new wave genre, for showing the genre for what it essentially was: a blending of punk rock and pop, with heavy use of the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 synthesizer. Terri Nunn said the song, which was a breakthrough hit for Berlin, “defined us and defined that period of music.”
The single surpassed the Hot 100 peak of their previous cult hit, “Sex (I’m A…)”, going to #58, and it remains their third-highest charting single in the U.S.
| Special note about this single:
This 7″ is the original 1981 US release on the now obsolete M.A.O. Records label. The single contains the original mixes that were re-recorded for the Pleasure Victim EP. Not available elsewhere. The single also has alternate artwork and the labels list the sides as “E” and “W”. |
SIDE E:
The Metro 4:12
SIDE W:
Tell Me Why 4:12
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | The Metro | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #58 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: M.A.O. Records – MAO-S4
Format: Vinyl, 7″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
Credits: Producer – Daniel R. Van Patten
Written-By – Crawford*
NOTES:
Original mixes that were re-recorded for the Pleasure Victim EP. Not available elsewhere.
Find The 7″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: ClickRepair (DeClick Level 3)
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
When you say these versions were re recorded for pleasure victim and,not available anywhere else you mean anywhere other than this single and the pleasure victim ep or that these versions were recorded for the ep but not included for some reason and,only appear on this 7″?
thank you so much ,bro,I wish you merry Xmas and happy days with your family
I’ve noticed that fun with vinyl site has been removed (or hacked; what a pity) Best wishes
OMG! What a great find! I have the original Pleasure Victim LP with this version on but it’s not ion anywhere near as good of shape as your rip! ..and Tell Me Why.. extremely rare version!!! Thanks so very much!!! Keep up the good work!
This version is definitely new to me. Thanks for introducing, Paul.
For me, No More Words is my favourite Berlin single. And the 12″ is brilliant!
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. Thank you!
You’re welcome Conner 🙂
what a find!
Enjoy Dean 🙂
Excellent share as always
thanks
You’re welcome Super C 🙂
Thanks for sharing this special blast from the past!
You’re welcome Nojarama 🙂
This was a nice little surprise. Thank you once again for all the hard work this always entertaining site. Cheers and Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Happy Holiday’s Joseph 🙂
I was lucky enough to see them live when Pleasure Victim came out. They did a terrific live show and “The Metro” was one of the highlights.
Would have liked to have seen that show 🙂
Berlin were famous before TMBA??? 😮
The education continues.
Yeah and much better in their early days before they got a bit mor commercial.
TMBA was the beginning of the end of Berlin, even the band themselves acknowledge that. I am still trying to get my hands on that elusive first album with Toni Basil on vocals…
Nice one! And a very nice find in your part! I treasure my MAO 7″ of the metro… Glad to have a flac version now
I got lucky Stickyears and found a really nice copy at a second hand shop at a cheap price. There is one on Discogs right now selling for $499.00.
Hi Paul
I am such a big Berlin fan… Bought all the 7″, 12″, LP’s and Cd’s… but I never found this… I’m yet to listen to it but I’m sure it’s going to be great… And the original “Tell me why” too? WOW Thank you
Listened to both the tracks now…. Oh yes, very different early versions. Thanks again
Ray
You’re welcome Ray 🙂
Thanks Paul!!!! Do you happen to have the 12″ Remix? I can’t find that one anywhere.
The 12″ Remix that came out in 83 is pretty good… brings it to a new level I think.
Yes, that’s the one I’ve been looking for. 6:18 minute version.
I will see if I can locate a copy to buy since I don’t have that one at the moment.
Thanks Paul. My favorite Berlin track is Sex (I’m A)…. Both the 7″ and 12″ mixes are hard to find. So if you have them could u please post them. Thanks !
You’re welcome Omar I only have the “Sex” 12″ I will try to post it as soon as I can.
Pleasant if not slightly downbeat track, think I prefer the version on the 2006 Hits CD, still good quality rip as always Paul, thanks.
You’re welcome Ex13.