BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
Welcome Back America!
“Living in America” is a 1985 song composed by Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight and performed by James Brown. It was released as a single in 1985 and reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song entered the Billboard Top 40 on January 11, 1986, and remained on the chart for 11 weeks. It also became a top-five hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart; it was his only top 10 single in the UK. It was his first Top 40 hit in ten years on the US pop charts, and it would also be his last. In 1987, it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and won Brown a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
The song was prominently featured in the film Rocky IV. In the film, Brown sings the song during Apollo Creed’s ring entrance, in reference to the character’s patriotic image. It appeared on the Rocky IV soundtrack album.
The song’s co-writer Dan Hartman later included his recording of the song on his 1994 album Keep the Fire Burnin’.
SIDE A:
Living In America (R&B Dance Version) 6:29
SIDE B:
Living In America (Instrumental) 4:33
Living In America (LP Version) 4:42
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Living In America | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #4 |
| 1985 | Living In America | U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | #10 |
| 1985 | Living In America | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #3 |
| 1985 | Living In America | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | #1 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Scotti Bros. Records – 4Z9 05310
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Funk, Rhythm & Blues
CREDITS:
Producer – Dan Hartman
Written-By – C. Midnight*, D. Hartman*
NOTES:
A & B1: Special version from the Scotti Brothers Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Lp: “Rocky IV”
Tracklisting on the back cover:
A: Living In America (Extended Dance Version)
B1: Living In America (Instrumental Version)
B2: Living In America
Track A also listed as “12 Extended Dance Version” on the front cover.
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
DAC/Phono Pre-amp: 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 USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (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
Username: btg
Password: burningtheground
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A classic movie, with a tremendous backdrop ,,, great silvester stallone ,, and of course the king of soul
It’s always a pleasure when James Brown comes to hang out with me. Thanks Paul, for facilitating this latest James Brown visit. When Nerds Dance: OK, everybody watch now, ‘cuz I’m gonna dance! Y’all seein’ this? I’m gittin’ funky! Later that day: After about 2 minutes of my joyous dance, something snapped in my spine. I crashed to the floor like I was shot by a sniper. It felt like I fractured my entire body. Epilogue: As I type this message with my lone uninjured hand, I’ve come to the conclusion that there shall be no more Nerd Dancing in… Read more »
Hi Paul! What a great 12″! I played this 12″ to death! 🙂 My favorite part of this mix is right after his scream at 0:08 and 0:42. The instrumental wants to be a dub, and man I always yearned for a proper dub of this track. 🙂
Thanks for the great post!
You’re welcome, Fred. The Japanese 12: actually calls the instrumental a dub version. 🙂
How fitting DJpaulT. Thank you for this one! I specially love the Nana remastering you did few days ago. Super rare and only available on vinyl.
You’re welcome, Gilbert 🙂
I honestly didn’t expect this day would come, but once the momentum started gathering on Friday night I’ve been glued to my screen all weekend and barely slept for all the excitement. Congratulations to you guys, this is such a massively uplifting and positive change. I’m so, so happy for you. xx
So glad the day came I feel like I can actually breath again. 🙂
This is the perfect post for today. One thing is for sure there will be more positivity. The world needs it so badly. Thanks a lot Paul.
You’re welcome, Daniel 🙂
What Jeff says 😉
Congratulations and welcome back to the civilized world. I am so happy for all of you. Anyone with some brains and any shred of decency in him or her must be happy beyond belief.
But let´s focus on the music and enjoy living in America.
I totally agree with you Song And Dance 🙂
What a perfectly awesome celebratory song Paul in so many ways!! Thank you for posting such an uplifting song that speaks volumes. You’re such a special person with all the light and love you have in every fiber of your being. You are the prismed stylus that refracts a positive groove!!
Jeff
Thank you so much Jeff 🙂