BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986
“No One Is to Blame” is a song by British musician Howard Jones. The song, in its original version, can be found on his second studio album, Dream into Action, which was released in 1985. Following the success of the previous singles taken from the album, the original track for “No One Is to Blame” was re-recorded to give the song a more radio-friendly sound. Phil Collins and Hugh Padgham produced the re-recording, with Collins adding his own backing vocals and drum work. This new version of the song was included on the 1986 US EP Action Replay as well as the CD version of Jones’s 1986 studio album, One to One.
“No One Is to Blame” was released as a single in March 1986 and became Jones’s biggest hit in the United States, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also became the first of his two #1 songs on the U.S. adult contemporary chart (“Everlasting Love” would top this chart in 1989). The song was also a top 10 hit in Australia and a #16 hit in the U.K..
The song is about unfulfilled attractions, saying that they’re normal and commonplace (“We want everyone – no one ever is to blame”). It uses a number of metaphors, such as “You can look at the menu, but you just can’t eat” and “It’s the last piece of the puzzle, but you just can’t make it fit,” to describe the frustration of experiencing attraction but being unable to act on it, for whatever reason. On a deeper level it describes the frustration and pain of unfulfilled desires and dreams inherent in the human condition.
“The Long Mix” is significantly shorter than the single; it is actually not a remix, but an entirely different piano and vocal-only version of the song recorded in session for the BBC Radio 1 Janice Long show.
SIDE A:
No One Is To Blame (Extended Mix) 5:14
Backing Vocals – Afrodiziak
Bass – Mo Foster
Drums, Vocals – Phil Collins
Engineer – Hugh Padgham
Engineer [Assistant] – Paul Gomershal*, Steve Chase*
Guitar – Phil Palmer
Keyboards, Vocals – Howard Jones
Mixed By – Steve Nye
Music By, Lyrics By – Howard Jones
Producer – Hugh Padgham, Phil Collins
SIDE B:
The Chase 2:54
Mixed By – Mike Roarty
Music By – Howard Jones
Producer – Howard Jones
No One Is To Blame (The Long Mix) 3:09
Music By, Lyrics By – Howard Jones
Producer – Barry Andrews
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | No One Is To Blame | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #1 |
| 1986 | No One Is To Blame | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #20 |
| 1986 | No One Is To Blame | U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | #4 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: WEA Records Ltd. – HOW 9T
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 15 Mar 1986
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Artwork [Hand Colouring] – Tansy Spinks
Design [Sleeve] – Stylo Rouge*
Photography By – Trevor Rogers (2)
NOTES:
Track A: Recorded at The Farm, Surrey, England.
Track B2 produced for Radio 1 Janice Long Show. Released by arrangement with BBC Enterprises Ltd ℗ BBC Enterprises Ltd.
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
Hi Paul,
I’ve so deeply appreciated your efforts, but as yet have not posted anything. This particular item was the final straw – Thank you a million times over for this. I’ve been going through some pretty rough times of late, and this song literally brought tears to my eyes. Thank you. You’ve been instrumental (so to speak) in my sanity with your preservation efforts.
This recording is gorgeous. I truly cannot thank you enough. Your musical taste and your extreme attention to the detail of your sound should be legendary.
I mean all this quite sincerely.
Wow, such a gorgeous conversion! You have a real gift for this sort of thing! I enjoy everything about your website: the song selection, comments, artwork and music–thank you so much for the hard work that must go into this site!
Something about this Rip makes me feel like I’m in the room with the band. Incredible. Thank you.
Brilliant rip! Amazing sound! THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH 🙂
🙂 Thanks Paul!
Not much attention has been given to the 12 inch exclusive “The Long Mix”. As I am sure you all have noticed, this isn’t long at all! It sounds like an acoustic piano version. It would be great if anyone else knows anything further about this gem.
What a great version of the song, totally different to the original version. One of my favourite Howard Jones singles. Nice post!
“You can look at the menu – but you just can’t eat,” sounds like a serious food allergy.
In all seriousness, I remember the joy when I discovered that this 12″ existed…. and thinking how odd that the extended version was not included on Action Replay… Listening now I really hear Phil Collin’s golden 80’s touch.
Very cool. Thank you.
Thanks Paul
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I lerned to play piano with this song!
You always make my heart jump… Thank you very much!
One of Howard Jones Classic Hits form the 80’s. My favorite version is the radio single mix, and I have this extended version on the remastered album (from the box set) but nothing, and I say nothing compares to the sound of vinyl, and so I am very pleased to see this ripped by you. You are a perfectionist when it comes to music, and I appreciate the attention to detail and care you put in to this. Thank you.
Thanks,Paul,that’s a song I always loved,it reminds me of personal situations I lived and still live,somehow.I really appreciate the work you made on it with your new Ortofon M2 Bronze.Merry Christams to you and all of your family [and the dearest one too].
Thank you Paul for this fantastic rip. I love this song so much. I have the Extended Mix on the bonus-CD of the Remastered Box Set but not the Long Mix.
Many thanks Paul for the re-upload and without doubt your attention to detail!
🙂
HOWARD JONES FIX
I notice there was a click that I missed on “THE CHASE” I have fixed it and re-uploaded it you can download it again for the fixed version 🙂
Such an incredible choice!
This does sound beautiful – I assume done with your new needle.
The production has so many little sounds that pop out.
Thank you.
Yes it was done with the new needle. I did notice there was a click that I missed on “THE CHASE” I have fixed it and re-uploaded it you can download it again for the fixed version 🙂
What a fantastic piece of music this is! Definitely, one of my favorite Howard Jones’s songs. Every time it comes on the radio, you can be sure I’ll sing along with it. Very excited about these versions Paul. And so thankful to you once again for preserving his catalog on your incredible site.
Jeff
This song always makes me think of winter I guess because of it’s gloomy vibe. A true favorite. Hope you are feeling ok Jeff 🙂
Thanks Paul. Love this single by HoJo. Your vinyl rip is perfect .
Thank you Omar 🙂
Oooh, I simply LOVE that song. HJ was one of my favourites in the Eighties and I still play the old songs frequently. The “Live At Shepherd´s Bush” double dvd is a must for every music lover. Nedless to say, it includes a wonderful live version of No One Is To Blame.
Thanks, Paul.
You’re welcome 🙂