BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984
“Wonderland” is a single-only release from Scottish band Big Country, released in the UK on 9 January 1984 between their first and second albums. It became a Top Ten hit for them in the UK, peaking at number 8, giving the band their third Top 10 entry. The song was included on all the band’s subsequent greatest hits collections, although it was never released on any of the band’s studio albums.
In the U.S. the song peaked at #86 on the Billboard Hot 100.
SIDE A:
Wonderland (Extended Version) 7:08
SIDE B:
Wonderland 3:58
Giant 5:05
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Wonderland | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #86 |
| 1984 | Wonderland | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #48 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Phonogram – COUNT 512
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 13 Jan 1984
Genre: Rock
Style: Alternative Rock, Pop Rock
CREDITS:
Bass – Tony Butler
Drums – Mark Brzezicki
Guitar – Bruce Watson
Photography By [Cover Photos] – Red Saunders (4)
Producer – Steve Lillywhite
Vocals, Guitar – Stuart Adamson
Written-By – Big Country
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
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: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: 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)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Thanks so much!
Love BC. This was definitely an attempt to create another anthem along the lines of Fields Of Fire, which gets my vote for best anthem of the 80s. “Four. Hundred. Miiiiles….without a word until you smile….”
For the first 3 years they were active, they had so many amazing tracks – Fields of Fire, Angle Park, Chance, In A Big Country, Harvest Home, The Crossing, Porrohman, East of Eden, Tall Ships Go, Just A Shadow, Harvest Home, and of course Wonderland. Long live Big Country:)
I’d argue that “Wonderland” is their best song, with those ringing guitars and Mark Brzezicki’s ferocious drumming. The way this mix takes the track apart and showcases the individual instruments highlights was incredible sounds were hidden in this record.
If you ever come across it, check out Steve Lillywhite’s 12″ mix for Big Country’s “East of Eden.” Not only is it a great song, but Lillywhite takes his trademark massive gated drums sound to the max—it’s like listening to a field of cannons going off!
Thanks, Big Country certainly knew how to make an anthemic song. The open sound that takes you on a journey to envision things unknown. Josh
Another one I haven’t heard in decades. Looking forward to hearing the 12″ mix of this. Thanks!
You’re welcome Charles 🙂
This is one of my favorite Big Country songs. Thanks for posting. Do you have “Look Away” or “One Great Thing”?
Pretty sure I have “Look Away” Josh. I will check 🙂
Love this band, love this song, and I definitely love this cover. One of my favorites of the 80s.
Don
Me too Dan one of my favorites 🙂
Great choice, Paul!!! Steve Lillywhite was the master of the rock extended mix, and some of his best work was with Big Country.
You’re welcome micmij 🙂
Ooooooh, in a Big Country dreams stay with you.
I love(d) them very much until it all ended so sadly and suddenly. I have about a dozen of their 12inch releases, amongst which Wonderland, of course, as well as the wonderful wunderful
“(If I die in a combat zone lay me) Where The Rose Is Sown”. They have lyrics so wonderful they bring tears to your eyes. My all-time favourite: “The Storm”. Check it out!
I will check it out Song_and_Dance 🙂
Many thanks for this Paul. Use to be quite fond of Big Country. Was only watching the band perform on a 1983 edition of “Top of the Pops” the other day and thinking what a handsome young man Stuart Adamson was and wondering what he looked like nowadays. Didn’t have a clue he passed away. Reading up on it online, apparently alcohol got the better of him and he hanged himself in some hotel room. Quite tragic…
It is very sad Roy he was very handsome 🙂
This 12″ can be found on the remastered CD versions of Steeltown, their second album. I think I have another 12″ of this on clear vinyl knocking about somewhere.
Thanks Paul. I have this remix on their “Greatest 12 inch hits” CD compilation. The remixes of Big Country are awesome.
Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
Dear Paul,
I’m excited for this release as well. You know how much I love alternative and dance rock mixes from the 1980’s. They were big and booming and quite creative. Many thanks for this record to start off the week.
Jeff
You’re welcome Jeff. Big Country are another of my favorite bands. Hope you like this one 🙂
Excellent choice Paul, a lesser know song, but one of their best remixes.
One of my favorite bands, and until the lead singer passed away, they were
always a unique band, and sound.
Although people mostly knew them for ‘in a big country’, they had plenty of other
hits in the UK.
if you like the alarm, early U2, and other rock oriented bands, you will like
other songs, and probably the first 3 albums from this band.
steve lillywhite did a lot of the mixes from them, so check those out too.
later
-1
Thanks for your comment -1 appreciate it 🙂