BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984
“The War Song” is a 1984 song by the British band Culture Club which features background vocals by Clare Torry. It was the lead single from the band’s third album Waking Up with the House on Fire. The song became the group’s seventh top-five hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number two. In the U.S. the single peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit the top ten in many countries including Canada (#7), Ireland (#1), Italy (#3) and Australia (#2). While very popular at the time, it was not appreciated by some music critics for some weakness in the lyrics and less original arrangements.
The song was assisted by a popular music video, directed by Russell Mulcahy, which features hundreds of children dressed as skeletons. Lead singer Boy George is shown with his new flame-red hair, and also employs four wigs in black, white, yellow and blue.
In many countries, the single was released with a B-Side consisting of a native-language version (Spanish, French, Japanese or German) of the song. It was available in two different extended versions, a first in Culture Club discography. Its 7″ picture disc was shelved, and the only remaining copies are very rare.
It was Culture Club’s last UK top 5 hit before 1998’s “I Just Wanna Be Loved”.
The record labels list the album title as “Waking Up In A Burning House”.
SIDE A:
The War Song (Ultimate Dance Mix) 6:50
SIDE B:
The War Song (Shriek Mix) 6:17
La Cancion De Guerra 4:05
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The War Song | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #17 |
| 1984 | The War Song | U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles | #87 |
| 1984 | The War Song | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #7 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 49-05107
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Artwork [Sleeve Produced By] – Assorted iMaGES
Backing Vocals – Alanda Marchant, Alice Kemp (2), Andriana Loizou, Imogen Exton, Tara Thomas
Mixed By – Jon Moss
Mixed By, Producer – Steve Levine
Other [Styling] – Kim Bowen
Photography By, Other [Make Up] – Stevie Hughes
Voice [Primal Scream] – Clare Torry
Written-By – Culture Club
NOTES:
Special Version from the Virgin / Epic LP “Waking Up In A Burning House”
Produced for Do Not Erase Productions.
Mastered at Sterling.
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
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: Schiit Mani
Soundcard: ESI Juli@ XTe Audio Interface
Monitiring: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
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, ocenaudio
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
Username: btg
Password: burningtheground
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Thank you! Weirdly, I did not have the Shriek Mix, so big bonus!
Awesome track Paul, thank you.
Thank you Paul for a wonderful single by Culture Club and very apropos for the time we are living in. You definitely have the knack for choosing songs that “speak” on so many levels. I’m so glad we have you and this sonic sanctuary. I can’t speak for the rest of the community, but I know that I would be lost if you went away.
Your friend,
Jeff
You’re welcome Jeff 🙂
I think you have listed the wrong backup singer?
https://www.discogs.com/artist/33844-Helen-Terry
Helen does not appear on this record. She left the group in July of 1984, and although she did a bit of session work here and there with Boy George & Culture Club since, she did not sing on “The War Song”. If you are thinking the Clare Torry credit should read Helen Terry, Clare was the principal backing vocalist for Pink Floyd for many years, and was borrowed for just this one song to do the “primal scream”.
“Weakness in the kyrics”? Come on, we all know “War is stupid, and people are stupid” would make Bob Dylan jealous 😅
Thanks for posting 🙂
You’re welcome Madison-chan 🙂
Thanks Paul. Please keep the new wave coming!
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
Thank you very very much. On the Extended Versions compilation, they mislabeled the name track.
I purchased the Chilean edition of the album on tape and the Ultimate Dance Mix was used instead the single mix.
I was searching for this remix 12″ for a very long time.
Thank you, Paul for clearing this.
You’re welcome Alberto 🙂
Happy to see this! The US 12″ flipped the A & B side mixes, but the one titled “Ultimate Dance Mix” here is actually the “Shriek Mix” everywhere else in the world and has yet to be released on CD or digitally anywhere, so thank you!
You’re welcome David 🙂