Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
Original post date: November 18, 2015
In 1985, American synth-pop quartet Book of Love released what would become their signature song — the luminous and emotionally charged “I Touch Roses.” Issued as the band’s second single, the track solidified their place in the mid-’80s alternative dance scene and helped secure their future with Sire Records.
“I Touch Roses” would later appear on the group’s eponymous debut album, Book of Love, released in 1986. But its initial impact came a year earlier, when the single quietly bloomed in clubs across the country.
From Underground Buzz to Dancefloor Staple
Written by Theodore “Ted” Ottaviano, the song perfectly captured the band’s ethereal aesthetic — romantic, slightly mysterious, and driven by shimmering sequencers. Following the modest success of their debut single “Boy,” “I Touch Roses” followed a similar upward trajectory, but this time the response was stronger.
Although the track did not break into the Billboard Hot 100, it made a significant impact where it mattered most for a synth-driven act in 1985 — the dancefloor. “I Touch Roses” climbed into the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, peaking at No. 8. In an era dominated by high-energy Hi-NRG and post-disco productions, its dreamy minimalism stood apart.
The single’s B-side, “Lost Souls,” offered fans another glimpse into the band’s atmospheric world. A remixed version of “Lost Souls” would also appear on the debut album, reinforcing the cohesive sonic identity the group was developing. The 7″ version included on the US 12″ is the original version of the song before being remixed by Mark Kamins.
No Grand Plan — Just Momentum
Looking back in 2009, Ted Ottaviano reflected on how organically the song’s success unfolded:
“We didn’t know it at the time, but thankfully, with ‘I Touch Roses’, it was not preordained that Sire was developing us at the time. There was no grand scheme. It was more à la carte. But then people started picking up on ‘Roses,’ and then the album happened.”
That “à la carte” momentum proved pivotal. The growing club response to “I Touch Roses” convinced Sire that Book of Love warranted a full-length album. What began as a promising single became the foundation for a career-defining debut.
The Sound of Vulnerable Synth-Pop
Musically, “I Touch Roses” thrives on restraint. The production is airy and uncluttered — gentle drum programming, cascading keyboard lines, and Susan Ottaviano’s breathy, intimate vocal delivery. There’s a fragility to it that contrasts beautifully with the mechanical precision of the electronics.
It’s that emotional vulnerability that continues to resonate. While many mid-’80s dance tracks chased bombast, “I Touch Roses” created atmosphere. It felt personal, almost secretive — the kind of record discovered late at night on college radio or under mirror balls in alternative clubs.
Four decades later, the song remains a cornerstone of American synth-pop history. It didn’t need a Hot 100 placement to endure. The dancefloor embraced it, and listeners never let it go.
For many of us, when those opening notes begin, “I Touch Roses” still feels like stepping back into a beautifully preserved moment — when underground club culture, romantic minimalism, and pure synth emotion intersected perfectly.
A 2026 Revival
I originally shared this 12″ back in November 2015, but over the years my gear has improved, and my experience in the art of vinyl transferring has grown. Now, in 2026, I’m proud to present this record with a Brand NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration — giving I Touch Roses the attention to detail it truly deserves. Every shimmer, every echo, and every whispered note has been preserved and enhanced, so the track shines like never before.
Whether you’re rediscovering it after all these years or hearing it for the first time, this version captures the ethereal magic of Book of Love in its full glory — just as it should be heard on the dancefloor or through your favorite headphones.
SIDE A:
I Touch Roses (Long Stemmed Version) 5:43
SIDE B:
I Touch Roses 3:24
Lost Souls (7″ Version) 4:13
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
SleeveL Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Dance Club Songs | #8 | 1985 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – 0-20381, I Square Records – 0-20381, Sire – 9 20381-0 A, I Square Records – 9 20381-0 A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Maxi-Single, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Art Direction – Zoë Brotman
- Costume Designer [Clothes] – Jeffrey Costello (2)
- Cover [Cover Art] – Herbert Lee
- Engineer – Steve Peck
- Hair, Make-Up – Jill Sunshine
- Keyboards – Lauren Roselli, Ted Ottaviano
- Lead Vocals – Susan Ottaviano
- Management – Steven Mulroney
- Mastered By – Herb Powers*
- Percussion – Jade Lee
- Photography By – David La Chapelle*
- Producer – Ivan Ivan
- Programmed By, Arranged By, Instruments – Book Of Love
- Written-By – Theodore Ottaviano*
NOTES:
Recorded and mixed at Unique Recording, NYC
Mastered at Frankford Wayne, NYC.
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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I’m kinda surprised no one mentioned the Ottavianos are like today’s sister-brother Grammy darlings, Finneas O’Connell & Billie Eilish. Ted did production and his sister fronted the band. And you could also say in a way, the Carpenters’ brother-sister model paved the way for Book Of Love.
Paul, you’re vinyl rips are by far the best ever! I have to ask, do you by any chance have this amazingly Funky House vinyl: Discogs link
Growing up in rural Idaho, most of what I was exposed to was top-40 radio. I first heard of Book of Love when I attended my first concert, Depeche Mode’s Black Celebration tour in July 1986. Book of Love opened for DM and I was immediately hooked by their sound and have been a fan ever since.
I absolutely love this band and their CD basically never left my CD player in the car over several decades!!!! One of the best 80s albums! I used to play “BOY” by them on alternative nights and it always packed my dancefloor. Another one of those incomprehensible stories that this band didn’t shoot to the top of the charts! I guess Sire was busy promoting Madonna at the time. THANK YOU SO MUCH for always sharing the best 80s Synthpop!
Definite cult classic. This really has that OMD sound, the voice on the A-side is like early OMD with a more pop Dazzle Ships sound, maybe a touch of Thompson Twins, Good track, thanks for digging this up. I wonder if this cover was any subliminal influence on the art for Violator (both on Sire) later on. There was really so much going on musically, with competing genres, even in dance music. The B-side is interesting, with a touch of electro and even embryonic freestyle sound. The opening drums remind me of Domino Dancing by Pet Shop Boys. This is… Read more »
Joey, you’re speaking my language here — this is exactly the kind of deep‑cut synthpop archaeology that makes these posts so fun to share. And you nailed so many of the cross‑currents happening on this single. The OMD comparison is spot‑on: that early‑’80s plaintive vocal over clean, glassy synth lines really does echo the Organisation / Architecture & Morality era, but with that slightly brighter, more pop‑forward sheen that Sire was leaning into by ’85. And yes — there’s a little Dazzle Ships DNA in there too, that mix of warmth and circuitry. The Thompson Twins touch you mentioned is… Read more »
Thank you, Paul, for the update. It sounds great! Book of Love have been a favorite band of mine for a long time. In 2018, I saw the Book of Love lite version, simply Ted and Susan, open for The Human League in San Francisco. It was magical!
You’re welcome, David. That show must have been amazing, pairing two of my favorite synth-pop bands. Thanks for your comment.
No way! Thank you so much Dj Paul, this is my favorite Book of Love track. I was actually thinking about this single around Valentine’s Day when I was pondering what you might post (the roses work thematically!). I’m so happy you decided to give this one a fresh transfer, especially since I missed all your prior Book of Love posts. I didn’t discover Book of Love until the late 90’s, but immediately became a fan. And this was the first song of theirs I heard. From those opening synth beats you just know you are in for something special,… Read more »
JP, Your comment absolutely made my night. I love that you were thinking about this single around Valentine’s Day — you’re right, the roses practically demand it be spun in February. Sometimes the themes just line up perfectly. It’s especially meaningful to hear that this was your first Book of Love track. There really is something about those opening synth pulses — they immediately set the mood. You’re locked in within seconds. I’ve always felt that nursery rhyme quality you mentioned too. It has that delicate, almost childlike melodic phrasing, but wrapped in something far more mysterious and emotionally layered.… Read more »
Such a great track from an under-appreciated band. Thanks for this and all your work, Paul!
PapayaSF,
Thank you so much. I couldn’t agree more — Book of Love really are one of those under-appreciated gems. They may not have dominated the pop charts, but they absolutely left their mark on the dancefloor and in the hearts of those who found them.
I’m always happy to shine a little more light on records like this. Comments like yours make all the time and effort that goes into these transfers completely worth it.
Thanks again for being here and for the kind words.
Paul
I can honestly say I find it super interesting how this group made the ‘rounds. Too young to discover it at a club and it most certainly wasn’t making it onto the radio in our area… but we all knew it. People were buying the singles and album… maybe it was because it was on Sire? Maybe because it was synth pop? We did like a lot of synth pop that was on Sire????!!!
Fun flashback for sure!!!
ING, That’s such a great observation — and you’re absolutely right. Book of Love really did seem to “travel” in a way that didn’t rely on traditional radio exposure. In a lot of areas, you never heard them on mainstream stations, and yet somehow everyone in certain circles knew the songs. Being on Sire Records probably helped. In the mid-’80s, Sire had a reputation for curating forward-thinking artists, especially in the alternative and synth-pop lanes. If you were already buying records from that label, you were primed to give something new a chance. And synth-pop fans definitely paid attention to… Read more »
You are so right about how it all felt so organic… trading tapes, making mixes, etc was how we all knew new music outside of American radio. It was a fun and fantastic way to experience it all! In fact, although I know I had heard them before, it was my sister’s pen pal from Germany sending her Some Great Reward that got me absolutely hooked on them and then they quickly became my favorite band. And another friend loaning me Blancmange’s Mange Tout to dub that got me into them, both being on Sire, as was M, etc got… Read more »
Thank you very much for the update! About the Full Bloom version…
You’re very welcome, Jens.
I remember when you posted a run of Book Of Love posts, although i missed some of them.
Glad i can finally get this one now. Thanks Paul 🙂
Mark,
I remember that run too — it was a fun stretch diving into their catalog. I’m glad this one finally found its way to you. Sometimes it takes a second (or third!) pass to catch them all.
That’s one of the reasons I enjoy revisiting certain titles. Not everyone sees every post the first time around, and with the upgraded transfer, it felt like the right moment to give this one another spotlight.
Really appreciate you sticking with me through the years.
Paul
one word: irresistible!
I second that 🙂
This is a song I savor each time I listen to it. The comments in your post are right on the money. It really puts me in a great mood. I never overplay it, instead I choose my time imagining I’m hearing it for the first time. The 12″ gives me more of what I want to hear. Thanks for the upgrade!!
johnny42, I really love the way you described that — choosing your moment with the song and almost trying to hear it as if it’s the first time again. That’s such a beautiful way to experience music. Some tracks just deserve that kind of intention. “I Touch Roses” absolutely rewards that approach. It’s not a song that demands to be blasted on repeat — it’s one you step into. And when you do, it wraps around you in that dreamy, slightly mysterious atmosphere that never quite loses its magic. I’m with you on the 12″ as well. The extended space… Read more »
Seeing you posting a song by Book Of Love makes me so happy, Paul!!! A great follow-up too to yesterday’s monumental post. I love this band incredibly so! It fits in so well with Erasure and Depeche Mode as all bands were on Sire Records here in the states. A cool synchronicity as well is that Book Of Love opened up for Depeche Mode way back when. I love this group’s sound, sort of like a dreamy synth-pop confection for the ears. Too bad they weren’t bigger around the world because they deserve being heard more. “I Touch Roses” was… Read more »
Jeff, I can feel your excitement through the screen, and I love it. You’re absolutely right — Book Of Love fit beautifully alongside Erasure and Depeche Mode here in the States. There really was a distinct identity to the Sire Records roster in the ’80s. If you were drawn to one artist on that label, chances are you were going to discover several more. And yes — that synchronicity of Book Of Love opening for Depeche Mode feels almost inevitable in hindsight. They shared that moody but melodic sensibility, though Book Of Love always leaned a little more into the… Read more »