BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984
I am so saddened by what took place in Orlando over the weekend another senseless massacre at the hands of a gun. We are all Orlando, it could have been any one of us just out enjoying a night of music and dancing. It doesn’t matter what you believe or who you choose to spend your life with Love is Love. I chose to post this record because it is still relevant today. When will we wake up and stop the violence? #orlando
“Why?” is a single by British synthpop trio Bronski Beat and appeared on their 1984 album The Age of Consent.
The song, recorded at RPM Studios, NYC and mixed at Townhouse Studio, London, pursued an energetic musical formula, while the lyrics focused more centrally on anti-gay prejudice. The song opens with a questioning vocal by frontman and vocalist Jimmy Somerville and the shattering of breaking glass. It was the trio’s second Top 10 success in the UK, peaking at No. 6, also reaching the top 10 throughout Europe and in Australia and is today considered a popular gay anthem.
The drawing for the single cover, of a man with his head in his hands, was drawn for the band by Glasgow artist Robert McAulay, who was associated with the band at the time.
SIDE A:
Why? (Extended Mix) 7:45
Engineer [Mixing Engineer] – Julian Mendelsohn
SIDE B:
Cadillac Car (Long Version) 7:34
Engineer [Mixing Engineer] – Harvey Goldberg
Guitar – Steve*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Why? | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #27 |
| 1984 | Why? | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | #20 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Forbidden Fruit – BITEX 2
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Design [Sleeve] – Robert McAulay
Engineer [Recording Engineer] – Dominick Maita
Keyboards – Steve*
Keyboards, Programmed By – Laz*
Mastered By – Aaron Chakraverty*
Music By – Bronski Beat
Producer [Produced By] – Mike Thorne
Vocals, Lyrics By – Jimmy*
Written-By – Somerville*, Steinbachek*, Bronski*
NOTES:
Why?: Dedicated To The Memory Of Drew Griffiths
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
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: 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 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
When I first heard this song, I’d dance to it because of the beat. I didn’t know how this song would make such an impact in my life. I’m writing this comment with tears in my eyes. I see the faces and their names and I can’t help but tear every time I see that. Why? Tell me Why?
Take care of yourself Dj PaulT and like what Jimmy Somerville said earlier this week, continue to love because Love is Love.
Thank you.
Lovely post from Jimmy Somerville as well yesterday: https://www.facebook.com/officialjimmysomerville/
I’ve been shattered about Orlando, like so many people. I think this song was a perfect choice to express the way many of us are feeling. Thank you.
You’re most welcome VanceMan.
I’ve just been feeling sickened rage over the past couple of days, and this was just the thing. Thank you.
My partner went out to the London vigil. Four and a half thousand people showed up. This was outside the gay pub where a neo-Nazi set off a nail bomb in 1999.
I have felt the same way David I cannot get it out of my mind so senseless. I saw pictures of that vigil on the news it was beautiful.
Wonderful song – sad occasion. One bad person with access to a weapon much too powerful can do so much harm. And then people – not to say humans – like Trump try to cash in on this …
Oh thank you for saying that Christian I totally agree Trump is extremely dangerous.
“ONE DAY WE´LL BE FREE”
However, years and decades pass and nothing changes. Let´s not give up hope.
Oh, it’s better now than it was when this was released – I was a scared teenager then. A few steps forward, a few less steps back, repeat … 2016 is ridiculously better in this regard than 1984. Love, like life, will always stay.
(that last sentence is a quote from “Resistance” by Clock DVA, an ’80s 12″ our gracious host may or may not have to hand 🙂 )
That is a great song David thanks for reminding me of it.
It is hard to understand how prejudices lead some human beings to do such terrible acts, it is incredible that in the 21st century there are victims because of their sexual preferences, great tribute Paul, this song is as topical as before, how difficult is that humans accept others as equals, we are all human beings.
Thanks for your great labor of love through music, you’re my hero.
Well said Rafael thank you 🙂
I could not think of any song more appropriate than this one dear Paul. What a tragedy this is and my heart and prayers go out to anyone who has been affected by this atrocity. Words fall short in times like these, however love will conquer all in the end.
Jeff
Jeff it is hard to know what to say in times like this sadly it keeps happening.
Thank you. It’s still incomprehensible that songs like this one are necessary. It’s just as incomprehensible that tragedies like Sunday’s are still happening.
I know David you would think that after all of these years that this song would not be relevant but sadly it is in so many ways.
True Paul, another real blot on mankind’s madness and obsession with hatred, revenge and seemingly senseless murder of innocent people.
I wish I had an answer..
Thanks as always for you rips.
You’re welcome Ex15 thanks for your comment.
Paul, Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Orlando. I lived in Orlando for 9 years, and Pulse nightclub was my first gay bar and the one that I felt most comfortable in (I even performed in drag there a couple times- lol). I knew someone who was there the night of the shooting, and he and his partner did not survive. It has been pretty rough. I have some good memories– we went to a Pet Shop Boys concert together in 2006.
Doug I am so sorry to hear that you lost friends my heart is heavy for you and the families. I am sure that many of us had places like Pulse where we felt comfortable being ourselves I know I did. I think that is why it feels so close because it could have been me or you. Something has to give and this must stop. Sending you love and light 🙂