Burning The Ground Exclusive 1985
This song has always been special to me growing up in a conservative state and coming out to my parents at age sixteen who did not take the news well I found myself on my own trying to find my way in a sometimes cruel world. “Never Surrender” and its lyrics “Just a little more time is all we’re asking for ‘Cause just a little more time could open closing doors” spoke to me as a gay teen coming to terms with my sexuality. “Never Surrender” is an anthem of empowerment and hope.
Corey Hart has since become an LGBTQ+ ally performing at various Pride events.
“Never Surrender” is a song by Canadian singer Corey Hart. It was released in June 1985 as the first single from his second studio album, Boy in the Box. The song was number one for four weeks in Canada and was Hart’s highest charting single in the United States, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 (topping the sales-only chart for one week) in August 1985.
The song won a Juno Award in 1985 for the “Single of the Year”, and was certified Platinum in Canada for sales of over 100,000 copies in 1985.
In 2019, Hart released an updated version of the song on his EP Dreaming Time Again, performed as a slow piano ballad with a new “angels lead you home” coda. He released the new version as a single in 2020, highlighting its message of hope and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the lyrical content, Hart said, “My mother influenced me with this ethic of never quitting on yourself or your dreams no matter how challenging or daunting. I also greatly admired Sir Winston Churchill, reading many biographies of his life. He used this expression ‘Never Surrender’ during the dark days of the Nazi attacks on Great Britain as a motivating inspiration for his countrymen.”
AllMusic has since called “Never Surrender”: “a soaring power ballad of empowerment, giving this album (Boy in the Box) a greater musical and emotional range than his (Hart’s) debut.”[4] Regarding the song becoming another US hit single Hart said “I really think it’s difficult breaking into America regardless of where you’re from. I don’t think it’s any more difficult for a Canadian act than for a band from Oklahoma”.
The music video features a storyline of Hart leaving his home after an argument with his father and hitchhiking his way to a major city where he finds himself alone and ends with a ‘live’ performance with his band. Portions of the video were filmed on Yonge Street, Spadina Avenue, and Queen Street West in downtown Toronto, including the now-defunct Crest Grill. The video’s director, Rob Quartly, had worked with Hart on three previous music videos and Quartly was again nominated for a Juno Award for his work on this video.
SIDE A:
Never Surrender (Album Version) 4:53
SIDE B:
Never Surrender (Edited Version) 4:25
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Never Surrender | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #3 |
| 1985 | Never Surrender | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #8 |
| 1985 | Never Surrender | U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary | #8 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Aquarius Records (3) – SPRO 601
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo
Country: Canada
Released: June 8, 1985
Genre: Pop
Style: Synthpop
CREDITS:
- Producer – Corey Hart, Jon Astley, Phil Chapman
- Written-By – Corey Hart
NOTES:
From the LP “BOY IN THE BOX”
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
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 3.0 (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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It really is amazing how music can lift and support us in the most difficult times. Cheers Paul for your strength of character. It must not have been easy. Thanks for your uploads. They are most appreciated.
P.S. I live in Toronto and my brother got into film and his first job was filming Corey Hart’s videos!
Wonderful ballad. It’s my favourite by Corey along with “Blind faith”. Glad to know this song meant so much to you. Thank you Paul 🙂
You’re welcome.
This is an amazing post for two reasons: 1) I haven’t heard this since 1985 ANYWHERE, and 2) I didn’t realize it became a US #3 AC #8 hit, though we played it early here in LA. His only track I ever hear is “Sunglasses”, which peaked at #15 IIRC. Thanks for posting it, and Happy Pride, Paul!
Happy Pride, dj xrey 🙂
I only have the UK 12” issue which was more like an EP single, which featured Sunglasses At Night.
Thanks Paul for posting this Canada Promo 12” 🙂
You’re welcome, Marco :}
Thank you for sharing this one, Paul!
You’re welcome, Skiler 🙂
I love, love, love this song. Always meant a lot to me growing up, and watching the video in heavy rotation on MTV (back when it was actually Music Television). I echo Jeff, this song takes on more gravitas knowing how it comforted and inspired you during such a difficult time. Thank you for posting this promo single, Corey Hart is so underrated. He made some great music.
You’re very welcome, Retro Hound. I always thought Corey Hart was very underrated not only as a pop star but as a songwriter as well.
I really enjoyed reading how much this song and its lyrics mean to you, Paul. It’s really important when an art form gives us a personal connection to it. I will now hear this song as a deeply personal favorite of yours.
Jeff
Thank you, Jeff 🙂
As a parent (of 2 LGBTQ kids), it breaks my heart when I hear about difficult coming out stories. Sending you a virtual Dad Hug filled with all of the love and understanding, Paul.
Thank you, that virtual hug means a lot 🙂