Burning The Ground Exclusive
Let the glitterball spin a little faster today—because the boys have definitely come to town!
Today’s Disco Friday and Pride Month pick is an unapologetic slab of Hi-NRG heat from the fabulous Erlene Bentley: the powerhouse 1983 club anthem “The Boys Come To Town.” Originally released in the UK on Ian Levine’s Record Shack Records, my post features the rare and equally fierce US 12″ pressing on Megatone Records—a label legendary in the San Francisco gay disco scene. 🔥
From its stomping bassline to Erlene’s commanding, no-nonsense vocal delivery, this track was built for the dancefloor. It’s campy, it’s charged, it’s proud—and it captures that bold, liberating spirit that defined queer nightlife at the height of the Hi-NRG movement.
💥 Fun fact: The song was so iconic in the New York club scene that it even found its way onto the big screen—featured in the 1984 film “Police Academy” during the infamous Blue Oyster Bar scene. A moment that has since become a cultural time capsule of leather, mustaches, and late-night disco sleaze.
And how can you resist lines like:
“Hey, big boy! Why don’t you come up and see me sometime?”
Camp. Sass. Power. Bentley delivers it all with a wink and a whip crack.
While she may not have had mainstream chart success, Erlene Bentley carved out her own niche in queer club culture—and this track remains one of the most iconic anthems of the Hi-NRG era. It’s pure theatricality with a pulsing heart, a perfect tribute to the freedom and flair that Pride Month celebrates.
💿 This extended mix takes its time—and you’ll want it to—building into a glorious eruption of synths, horns, and unapologetic attitude.
So throw on your harness or heels, find your spotlight, and let this Hi-NRG gem take you back to a time when the dancefloor was both sanctuary and stage.
SIDE A:
The Boys Come To Town 8:07
SIDE B:
The Boys Come To Town (Instrumental Dub) 8:16
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Megatone Records – MT-115, Record Shack Records – MT-115
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic
Style: Hi NRG, Disco
CREDITS:
- Arranged By – Fiachra Trench
- Mastered By – José Rodriguez
- Producer – Ian Levine and Fiachra Trench
- Written-By – I. Levine – F. Trench*
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
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-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 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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Together with Trans X, Miquel Brown and this one, it made the glamorous sound of summer 1983, thanks Paul especially for the dub!
This is without a doubt a party on a vinyl platter! Like you said, full on camp and unapologetically bold. Too funny about the Police Academy reference. Yes I do recall the scene, now it makes me want to rewatch the movie. Thank you Paul for such an eclectic and celebratory week! Can hardly wait to see what you have up your [record] sleeve (pun intended) next week! Enjoy your weekend and same to everyone else here.
Btw have you heard from Jeff?? It’s not like him to be absent this long. Sending out my best wishes!
Yes, I have heard from him; he is out of town for a few days.
Great that’s a relief!
Absolutely love this, Retro Hound! “Party on a vinyl platter” is the perfect way to put it—this one struts, shimmies, and sashays across the dance floor without a care in the world. And yes, the Police Academy scene is unforgettable once you make the connection—pure 80s hilarity with a soundtrack to match!
I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying the week’s selections—this Pride Month mix is all about celebrating individuality, joy, and the beats that brought us together. Can’t wait to spin up more surprises next week. Wishing you and everyone here a fabulous weekend full of music, laughter, and love!
Well, men, what took place in there?”
“Dancing sir. Mostly dancing.”
😂 Raymond, that line never fails to crack me up!! A perfect quote for today’s track—just the right mix of cheeky and iconic. That scene, the song, the whole vibe… pure camp gold. Thanks for the laugh, and for keeping the spirit alive with the perfect reference!
Sound like “so many men, so little time. Because there’s same producer,
That makes sense 🙂