Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: December 5, 2012, December 11, 2020

Released in May 1984 as the lead single from Born in the U.S.A., “Dancing in the Dark” marked a major turning point for Bruce Springsteen. With its sleek production, driving synths, and radio-ready polish, the song ushered in a new era for The Boss—one where blue-collar rock met MTV pop stardom.

The track was born out of frustration. Springsteen’s manager and producer, Jon Landau, famously insisted the album still lacked a hit. Annoyed but determined, Springsteen wrote “Dancing in the Dark” in a single night. Ironically, the song—about creative blocks and personal discontent—became the breakthrough single they needed.

Musically, it’s a tight blend of new and familiar. Clarence Clemons’ signature saxophone peeks through layers of punchy drum machine beats, sharp guitar lines, and Roy Bittan’s shimmering keyboards. It’s a prime example of Springsteen evolving with the times while keeping his emotional core intact.

Lyrically, the song channels a deep sense of restlessness and yearning. Lines like “I ain’t nothing but tired / Man, I’m just tired and bored with myself” tap into a quiet desperation, while the anthemic chorus urges action: “You can’t start a fire without a spark / This gun’s for hire / Even if we’re just dancing in the dark.”

The music video, directed by Brian De Palma, became instantly iconic—featuring Springsteen pulling a then-unknown Courteney Cox from the audience to dance on stage. The clip’s heavy rotation on MTV helped launch the single to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and solidified Springsteen’s crossover appeal in the video age.

“Dancing in the Dark” earned Springsteen his first Grammy (Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male) and remains one of his most enduring hits—a testament to how artistic pressure can ignite a creative spark.

In select markets like the U.S. and Europe, the 12″ single offered something different: the “Blaster Mix,” remixed by Arthur Baker. Stripping the original down to its rhythmic bones, Baker infused the track with funkier basslines, extended synth breaks, and a club-ready pulse. Stretching over six minutes, the remix reimagines the song as a dancefloor burner rather than a stadium anthem.

The 12″ version even made a splash on the U.S. Billboard Dance Chart, peaking at #7—a rare feat for Springsteen and a reflection of 1984’s genre-blending moment when rock met the remix.

For fans of ’80s extended mixes, Arthur Baker’s rework is a bold and electrifying gem—proof that even The Boss could ignite a dancefloor.

This marks the third time I’ve transferred this 12″, but with the benefit of time, experience, and cutting-edge tech, I truly believe the third time’s the charm. This brand-new 2025 transfer was done using my latest high-end setup, including the phenomenal Ortofon Concorde Music Black cartridge. The result? A deep, vibrant, and dynamic listening experience that brings out the full punch of the remix like never before. This isn’t just another rip—it’s a resurrection.

SIDE A:
Dancing In The Dark (Blaster Mix) 6:09

SIDE B:
Dancing In The Dark (Radio) 4:40
Dancing In The Dark (Dub) 5:26

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 44 05028, Columbia – 44-05028
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo, Pitman Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

• Design – Andrea Klein
• Engineer [Remix] – Chris Lord-Alge
• Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etching ⚾︎] – Greg Calbi
• Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain
• Photography By – Annie Leibovitz
• Producer [Based On Original Production By] – Bruce Springsteen, Chuck Plotkin, Jon Landau, Steve Van Zandt
• Recorded By – Toby Scott
• Remix, Producer [Additional] – Arthur Baker

NOTES:
Special versions from the Columbia LP: “BORN IN THE U.S.A.” QC 38653

Printed in U.S.A.

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-Ject 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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