BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1993
In 1991, George Michael performed “Killer” live at the Wembley Arena in a version that was released on the 1993 EP Five Live. “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” was also recorded and released on the same album. The two songs were blended together in the live performance, then remixed several times. In the U.S. the single peaked at #69 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 dance. In Canada the single reached #19 on the RPM Singles Chart.
George Michael shot a video for the release, in which he did not appear personally. It was during the time when Michael refused to exploit his outward look, which he thought would distract the audience from the music, his main concern. The video was directed by Marcus Nispel.
This U.S. 12″ promo contains exclusive remixes.
SIDE A:
Killer / Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone (N.Y.C. Club Mix) 6:59
Killer / Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone (Very Vocal Club Mix) 6:27
Killer / Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone (Killer Papa Dub) 6:10
SIDE B:
Killer / Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone (Killer Techno!) 5:15
Killer / Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone (X-Tended Mix) 6:32
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Killer / Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #69 |
| 1993 | Killer / Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #5 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Hollywood Records – ED-10329
Format: Vinyl, Promo, 12″
Country: US
Released: 1993
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: House, Techno
CREDITS:
Keyboards [Additional] – Andy Marvel
Producer, Vocals – George Michael
Remix – “Bonzai” Jim Caruso*
Written-By – Tinley*, Seal, Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong*
NOTES:
Original version can be heard on “FIVE LIVE”.
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
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: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: 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)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Just THANK U !!!!! 1000 mercis
Thank you, Paul!!!
I’ve searched quality sound of those remixes for years…
I am a rolling stone, too. Gathered much less moss, I should add.
Every december for the rest of our lives, we will be confronted with his death,
every summer with his life. That’s a lot of moss.
Thank you for this! I have this, at two other promo 12″ singles for this track but it’s REALLY nice to have a cleaned up, remastered version. Hope you have and will be posting the 3rd promo which contains the House Mixes. Thanks again!
Just to let you know there’s 4 mistakes on the post that i’ve spotted.
1. (US 121″ promo) 2. On the FLAC you list it as US 12″ promo but on the MP3 (Bonzai mixes) (US 12″ promo) 3. Pappa instead of Papa on the FLAC and MP3 4. 1993 on the MP3 and 1994 on the FLAC. Very unusual for you! Many thanks for this, BTW. My thoughts earlier on today’s post…
Thanks for letting me know Neil guess I did not pay my usual attention. At any rate I have corrected everything and you can download again if you like. Thanks
No prob just letting you know, my friend!
Here is another Killer/Papa fact for those interested… When this was released in Europe we had the Killer/Papa mash-up version (I hate that term), however, the full length version of Killer and the full length version of Papa can be found on the USA 12inch and CD. These full length versions are exclusive to the USA. While on the Cover 2 Cover Tour, George mentioned that he noticed the beats from both tracks were similar so he decided to blend them – hence making the single version. So… during the court case with Sony, George was not allowed to release… Read more »
When this was released the European releases only had the PM Dawn mixes so I have to buy three USA 12inch singles to get as many remixes as possible – some additional remixes are exclusive to CD promos.
Anyway, the 12inch that Pop/House/Deep remixes come from, I had to buy twice, as the first one I bought I’d left on a train.
Oh well! I was annoyed at the time, but it does bring back happy memories of hunting for George Michael and Wham records since i was 12!!!
🙂
George Michael worked with the artist Louis Louis in 1993. Loui Louie released a fantastic uptemp pop cover of the Hot Chocolate hit ‘Brother Louie’. George Michael produced the cover version. The version is not on Youtube nor any other video site. The 7 12 inch are great and well worth DJPaulT checking out. I have the CD single and could upload it for you in FLAC or MP3 quality, but I don’t know any good upload sites. If you’d like to hear the 7 and 12 inch and know a good upload site, Paul, let me know. It’s a… Read more »
Musi-fan,
Thanks for the tip-off. I grew up with the Storie’s version of Brother Louie but love this one, too. I was able to track down the album fairly quickly. I don’t see George credited, though. Did he work on the remixes possibly? James Kennedy is listed as producer for the Brother Louie track. Paisley Park is listed as the producer on two other tracks, for any Prince fans who want to check out the album. The artist name is listed as Louie Louie on Discogs and their albums.
Many thanks, Paul! Happy new year ~~~
George Michael’s passing away has been one of those moments of my musical life when you know a part of your life is no more. Since the early 2000s when I became aware of my sexuality and his public struggle with his coming out , I have considered him to be the soundtrack of my feelings. Everything from Wham!(Blue and Nothing Looks The Same In The Light being rare gems) days to Symphonica (album opener Through still gives me goosebumps) and all the amazing music in between has been one hell of a melodious ride. For nearly a week now… Read more »
Thank you, Paul. I have been searching for these mixes for a long time, As usual, you come to the rescue. Much appreciated! The legend will live on!
Thanks Paul
You’re welcome Dhanavarsh Reddy 🙂
Thank you so much.
You’re welcome EV2 🙂
BIG LOVE & GRATITUDE !!!
I did not have these.
Cheers!
Thank you Richard The Big Bunny 🙂
Thanks, Paul, and happy new year to you!
Interesting that the B-side label is the Queen logo.
Happy New Year Mike. George originally sang this for a Freddie Mercury tribute and proceeds went to AIDS charity :).
Sadly, George didn’t perform this at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert in 1992 – as only Queen songs were performed. These tracks were first performed on the Cover 2 Cover tour in 1991. They were the opening tracks. George saw the similarity in beats and decided to create the mash-up single version – released on the Five Live EP in the UK. I believe other European releases of Five Live followed the USA track listing and had Killer and Papa as separate tracks. Oddly, the single version was never released as a commercial single in the USA as this only… Read more »
This is a great record and a rare one indeed. I hope that at some point we get a full recording of his cover to cover tour, even better if there is a full video. Death is a shocking thing. There is no consolation when a creative force ends, there is obvious a rich archive that was ignored for a variety of unknown reasons. I honestly think GM understated his own significance and witheld a lot… from unreleased projects, to neglected reissues… and bad career advice, it was obviously a lot more personal than he ever disclosed. I do hope… Read more »
Very nice Joey. Thank you 🙂
I loved this version by George Michael, although these mixes are new to me.
Thanks for this Paul 🙂
You’re welcome Junior 🙂
Thanks! I hope you post more GM and GM related material. One I cannot find is the “Heaven Help Me” 12″ with Deon Estus. Happy New Year!
I will do my best Mike I have already posted most of my GM /Wham! related material. I love “Heaven Help Me” but there is no remix on the 12″ just the album version. I still may post it if I can locate it in storage 🙂
Thanks Paul!
Great track Paul. George Michael had a fantastic voce, which suited any style that he recorded. Killer/Pappa Was A Rollin’ Stone is just excellent, always loved this track and his performance at the Wembley Arena. Simon Le Bon gave a nice tribute to George, live at Cancun (Duran Duran Paper Gods tour), in which they played Save A Prayer. Have you got the following 12″ from the Faith era Please: I Want Your Sex 12″ Faith 12″ Hard Day 12″ Father Figure 12″ One More Try 12″ Kissing a Fool 12″ I know you’ve Monkey 12″ Again another great post… Read more »
Happy New Year John! I will see what I can do 🙂
Thank you, Paul, for this wonderful post. Much appreciated. This is a fantastic release – I’ve never heard the Bonzai mixes before, just the P.M. Dawn mixes, which are great. Wishing you a very Happy New Year. Thank you for making G.M. your first post of the New Year.
You are very welcome MusicMan3. Happy New Year my friend 🙂
Thank you so much.
You’re welcome Hugh 🙂
Thanks so much Paul. I wish you could post the other 12″ too.
I am re-ripping the P.M. Dawn mixes for tomorrow 🙂
PM Dawn is great, but i meant this one:
A Killer / Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone (12″ Pop Mix)
B1 Killer / Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone (12″ House Mix)
B2 Killer / Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone (12″ Deep House Dub)
https://www.discogs.com/de/George-Michael-Killer-Papa-Was-A-Rollin-Stone/release/1600206
I would love to hear these three as well. I think I have heard one already, but not all of them.
One thing I find frustrating is that none of the 5 mixes you posted really has “Killer” all there.
I am SUPER excited about this, as you may recall 🙂 Thank you so much!
You’re welcome Conner 🙂
Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
Legend!
Too painful for words!
🙁
I agree AnthonyC it was hard working on this record. I had planned to start posting sooner but was too upset after hearing of George’s passing.
I was JUST checking off my list of what I have compared to what was released and this 12″ was at the top of my “most wanted list”. Not even five minutes later and this post goes active. Thank you!
I am glad I had it to post David just sad it came during this awful time.
That goes without saying, I’m sure practically everyone who visits your site feels that loss. He is missed as much as he was loved.
Despite the sad reason this year starts very well!
… but a 121″ has to be played on one huge turntable 😉
Nice and rare post! A very welcomed tribute to the man.
Many unreleased recordings were found in his vaults. Let’s see what happens.
Thank you Stefano. Too bad it takes an artist dying before they are fully recognized for their contributions to humanity.