Burning The Ground Exclusive
Before I take my own summer break on Friday, apparently I have to go back to school.
Summer School, that is.
Today begins the final three entries of Ladies Of The 80’s: Soundtrack Edition, and we are heading back to 1987 for E.G. Daily and “Mind Over Matter.”
This one was previously posted in 2017, but today’s post features a brand-new 2026 vinyl transfer. I went back to the original US 12-inch and recorded it again from scratch using my current equipment and restoration process.
This is not a remaster of the files posted in 2017.
Class is officially back in session.
Summer School was released in July 1987, directed by Carl Reiner and starring Mark Harmon as Freddy Shoop, a high-school gym teacher whose summer vacation plans are ruined when he is forced to teach remedial English. Kirstie Alley, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Dean Cameron, Gary Riley, and Patrick Labyorteaux are among the cast.
It is exactly the kind of premise that seemed perfectly reasonable in an ’80s comedy.
The soundtrack is also a wonderfully mixed bag of 1987 rock and dance music, with tracks by E.G. Daily, Elisa Fiorillo, Paul Engemann, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Billy Burnette, Tone Norum, and others. Daily actually appears twice, contributing both “Mind Over Matter” and “Seduction.”
But “Mind Over Matter” has the really interesting story.
The song was written by Michael Jay and Rick Palombi, and an earlier version had already been recorded by Nikki Leeger before Summer School came along. Debbie Harry then recorded the song for the film project, but record-label complications prevented her version from becoming the soundtrack single. E.G. Daily was brought in to record a new version instead.
And who produced it?
Stock Aitken Waterman.
Now we’re talking.
Daily flew to London and recorded the track with Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman, giving “Mind Over Matter” that unmistakable PWL energy.
Big drums.
Bright synthesizers.
A relentless beat.
And E.G. Daily throwing herself into the vocal like summer vacation depends on it.
Considering this was 1987, Stock Aitken Waterman were just about to become completely unavoidable. Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” was exploding internationally, and Kylie Minogue was right around the corner.
“Mind Over Matter” sits right in the middle of that fascinating period when the PWL sound was becoming one of the defining pop sounds of the late ’80s.
The song also received a music video featuring several members of the Summer School cast, helping tie the record directly back to the movie. The clip received MTV exposure during the summer of 1987.
The US only 12-inch released by A&M Records gives us the Remix on Side A and the Edit on Side B.
The Remix runs just over seven minutes, giving the already energetic production considerably more room to stretch out.
And this is exactly the kind of record the 12-inch format was made for.
The rhythm keeps driving.
The synths keep coming.
E.G. keeps pushing.
Nobody is getting dismissed early from this class.
The record became a substantial US dance hit, reaching No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
It did not cross over to the Billboard Hot 100, but years later it has become one of those wonderfully recognizable pieces of late-’80s dance-pop that deserves another listen.
E.G. Daily herself is one of those artists whose career seems to turn up everywhere once you start looking. Music fans know her from records like “Say It, Say It,” “Love In The Shadows,” and her contributions to Better Off Dead. Movie fans know her as Dottie from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. And an entirely different generation grew up hearing her as the voice of Tommy Pickles on Rugrats and Buttercup on The Powerpuff Girls.
That is quite a résumé.
But today we are staying in 1987.
One movie.
One US 12-inch.
One brand-new 2026 transfer.
And one lesson that apparently even summer school can teach us:
When the music is this good…
it really is Mind Over Matter.
SIDE A:
Mind Over Matter (Remix) 7:05
SIDE B:
Mind Over Matter (Edit) 6:22
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| “Mind Over Matter” Chart Performance 1987 | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 37 |
| UK Singles Chart | 96 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | 7 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales | 17 |
| US Cash Box Top 12″ Dance Singles | 22 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: A&M Records – SP-12246
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Hi NRG, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Producer – Stock Aitken Waterman*
- Written-By – M. Jay*, R. Palombi*
NOTES:
Taken from the soundtrack Album “Summer School”.
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
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: 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
PLEASE READ
There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other
**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!
Password: burningtheground
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What is PWL energy?
UK based label owned by Pete Waterman (Pete Waterman Ltd.). He was also known as a memeber of trio SAW.
Ah, thanks!
Ahhhh! Summer School! Another movie I watched way too many times. It would actually make a pretty good double feature with Moving Violations. Definitely an interesting soundtrack, this E.G. Daily track and Elisa Fiorillo’s “Jackie” are real standouts (though “Jackie” is probably better known from the cover by Lisa Stansfield’s band Blue Zone). Okay okay you got me, the other E.G. Daily track is good too. Never heard this remix before! It has some great heft, it really keeps the energy up the whole run time and doesn’t let up! Really cool SAW production that is not well known these… Read more »
Thank you so much, JP! Summer School and Moving Violations would make a pretty terrific double feature. Plenty of 80s chaos in one sitting. I’m glad you mentioned Elisa Fiorillo’s “Jackie” too. That soundtrack really does have some interesting little gems tucked away on it, and yes, I’ll even give you the other E.G. Daily track! The SAW production on “Mind Over Matter” is one of the reasons I wanted to revisit this record. The remix has so much drive and really does keep pushing from beginning to end. It is surprising that it has become such an overlooked part… Read more »
Seriously, almost as exciting as the lost 80s vinyl jewels you’re presenting is the story or introduction to every 12”. I adore it. Always looking forward to the next one. Doesn’t matter if I know or like the record or not… You should really really consider writing a book or putting all the stories together and, I would love to read it, adding your stories of 80s music and what you’re favorites are and how you discoverd them, in an ebook and offer it for download for a fee.I know it would be a lot of work, but damn, I… Read more »
Thank you so much, Christo! That is an incredibly kind thing to say, and it really means a lot to me that you enjoy the stories and background as much as the records themselves. Your book idea is actually very tempting. After doing Burning The Ground for so many years, there are certainly enough stories, records, memories, discoveries, and strange little bits of 80s music history to fill quite a few pages. I like your idea of mixing those with some of my own experiences, favorite records, and how I discovered them. It would definitely be a big project, but… Read more »
Hat tip to you! I had this in my 12″ collection but most folks don’t remember it. Thanks for reminding people of it.
Thank you so much, portoyoav! I love hearing from someone who actually had this one in their 12-inch collection.
You are right, “Mind Over Matter” seems to have slipped out of the conversation over the years, even though it is such a strong little slice of 1987 dance-pop. That is exactly why I enjoy revisiting these records.
Sometimes all it takes is pulling one forgotten 12-inch back out of the crate to bring a whole era rushing back.
Thank you again for the hat tip!
And you did it again! WOW! I did not expect a Stock/Aitken/Waterman production this week, especially a single that was released right before they hit the big time with Kylie and Rick, etc. Thank you for another fantastic movie-related 12″ single!
Thank you so much, Axel F80! I thought the Stock/Aitken/Waterman connection might catch a few people by surprise. That is one of the things I find so fascinating about “Mind Over Matter.” It sits right on the edge of that period before the PWL sound became absolutely enormous with Rick Astley, Kylie Minogue, and so many others. You can already hear a lot of the ingredients falling into place. And because the song is tucked away on the Summer School soundtrack, it has become a much less familiar part of the SAW story than it deserves to be. I’m thrilled… Read more »
Such a great, fun song – and the remix is great too! Totally 80s movie. It was fun to see E.G. in my Chauffer as well. Cheers DJ PaulT! Rock it!
Thank you so much, dugn! “Totally 80s movie” really does sum it up perfectly.
“Mind Over Matter” has that bright, energetic soundtrack feel that immediately drops you back into 1987, and the remix just turns everything up another notch.
And yes, E.G. Daily seemed to pop up in so many fun places during that period. My Chauffeur is another great one to remember her from.
Glad you enjoyed this one. Cheers, and rock it!
What a happy day for Karen and I. We love, E.G. Daily!! This song and her other hits are frequently played at our house. We both feel that it’s kind of sad she didn’t score more recognition for her music work! We adored her in “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and obsessed over her as Buttercup from the Powerpuff Girls. She certainly can do a lot! I love that this is a S.A.W. production too. Those guys had their musical stamp all over the 1980s! What I forgot was that this song was from the movie, “Summer School.” Thank you, Paul, for… Read more »
Thank you so much, Jeff! E.G. Daily really is one of those artists who seems to have done a little bit of everything, and done it well. I agree that her music career deserved more recognition. She had the voice, the personality, and some terrific records, but for many people her acting and voice work eventually became more familiar than the music. Between Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Buttercup, and all those recordings, she certainly built an amazingly varied career. And yes, the S.A.W. connection makes “Mind Over Matter” even more fun. You can hear that unmistakable late-80s energy all over it.… Read more »
Thank you, Paul. This song bears a strong resemblance to “You Spin Me Round” by Dead or Alive. That’s hardly surprising, though-it’s a SAW production, and there was no escaping those guys in the 80s; they really knew their craft. Still, “Say It, Say It” remains my favorite E.G. Daily track, and I still play it at every 80s party today. I also have to admit, once again, that I haven’t actually seen the movie.
Thank you so much, Toxicaudio! I can definitely hear what you mean about the resemblance to “You Spin Me Round.” Once Stock Aitken Waterman found that big, driving Hi-NRG formula, they knew exactly how to make it work.
And yes, “Say It, Say It” is a great favorite. That one still sounds fantastic and makes perfect sense as an 80s party staple.
As for Summer School, you are building quite a list of movies this series says you need to catch up on!
Thank you again, Toxicaudio. I’m glad this one hit the spot.
Oh wow what a backstory and timeline!
Obviously I know E G Daily from various things, but man I’d be curious if Debbie’s version also ever made it into the world!
Can’t wait to hear this! I’m also curious if it made it onto the Blu-ray collection I have that I bought and never played or transferred to listen on the go!?!?
Thanks for a Tuesday kick off!!!!
Thank you so much, ING! The backstory on this one really is half the fun. I went looking into Debbie Harry’s version too. As far as I can tell, it was recorded but never received an official release. What a shame, because I would love to hear what she did with the song in proper quality. That could have been a very interesting alternate chapter in its history. And now you have another mystery to solve with that Blu-ray collection sitting there unopened! This series seems to be sending everybody back into their shelves and collections lately. Glad you enjoyed… Read more »
It’s not on the Blu-ray, which is actually cool because this rip is adding to my collection! But it also has reminded me to get that disc into my iPhone!
I thought I had more by her, but the only track currently in my iPhone is Waiting from The Breakfast Club! A remix of that would be cool, now I gotta see if they ever did one!