BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987
“I Don’t Want to be a Hero” is a 1987 song by the British band Johnny Hates Jazz. It reached #11 in the UK top 40 in August 1987 spending 10 weeks on the chart. It is taken from their #1 album Turn Back the Clock.
The song was written by the band’s lead singer and main songwriter, Clark Datchler. It has a strong anti-war sentiment and is written from the perspective of a soldier who is questioning their participation in what they consider an unjust war. The band’s American record company were reluctant to release the single in the U.S. because of its anti-war stance. The song makes references to conscription and propaganda.
The single was the band’s second top 40 hit in the U.S. peaking at #31 in August 1988.
“I Don’t Want To Be A Hero” also features backing vocals by English singer Kim Wilde.
The b-side “The Cage” is an instrumental non-album track.
SIDE A:
I Don’t Want To Be A Hero (12″ Mix) 6:33
SIDE B:
The Cage 3:52
I Don’t Want To Be A Hero (7″ Version) 3:25
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | I Don’t Want To Be A Hero | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #31 |
| 1988 | I Don’t Want To Be A Hero | U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporay | #15 |
| 1988 | I Don’t Want To Be A Hero | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #19 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Virgin – VST 1000
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Design [Sleeve] – Stylorouge
Photography By – Simon Fowler (2)
Producer – Calvin Hayes, Mike Nocito
NOTES:
Also available the debut LP “TURN BACK THE CLOCK”
Find the 12″ on 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
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: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
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
Thanks for this DJPaulT! Hope tornado hasn’t created too much havoc and that your Mom is feeling better.
This single was taken from, in my view, the best and COMPLETE pop album of all times. There’s not a bad song on the album and this is one of the stand-out tracks for sure.
Love these guys.
Thanks again!
luv jhj. classic pop. thanks Paul
Seriously, does it get any better than this? Thank you!
Thank you Richard 🙂
never hear these 12’Mix before,sounds great with kim backing vocals .very cool.
Thanks Paul !
You’re welcome Nick 🙂
Excellent!
Thank you Jonathan 🙂
thanx a lot dj!!!!
fantastic song!!!!!
also love ‘heart of gold’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!of them!!!!!!
You’re welcome Giorgio 🙂
At the time, I didn’t find Johnny Hates Jazz especially interesting, but in retrospect, their music has held up well. Thanks so much for sharing this one, especially since I don’t recall it being on the Turn Back the Clock reissue.
My pleasure VanceMan 🙂
Love love me some Johnny Hates Jazz. Thank you for the excellent work you do for us vinyl freaks!
Love the freaks Gilbert 🙂
Yes, Paul! You did it again! What a week! You posted excellent singles. Great selection! Many thanks!
Thank you Diego 🙂
This was played a lot here in the UK, although it rarely gets played these days. Such a thrill to finally hear your vinyl transfers.
Thanks Paul 🙂
It is a shame Junior such a great song with a good message 🙂
I have these same 12 ” ! One of my favorite Synthpop ( or Sophystpop) singles ! thanks
You’re welcome Jonathan 🙂
Hi Paul! My favouate JHJ song too. I still love it as much today as I did back then. Pop perfection in every way. 😉
Thank you Jan 🙂
Thanks my Vinyl Master 🙂
You’re welcome pjanus 🙂
The way you bring the excitement out of people is astounding Paul. I get so charged up too about reading people’s responses to the fantastic records you post!! I love this week so much. It’s oh-so-cool and chic. And it’s been a marvelous time of discoveries for me as I wasn’t really familiar with the 12-inch mixes. You make everyday feel like a Saturday or a the perfect holiday. Thanks for these things that we all can relate to and the things we love. You really are the “complete hero” like Roy Mahoney said up above.
Jeff
Thank you Jeff I appreciate you guys so much 🙂
OMG! You’ve done it again Paul! This is also my favourite Johnny Hates Jazz song and I’ve been trying desperately to get the 12″. You are a complete hero for so many of us and we all owe you so much. Thanks a million dear friend and send hugs over to you…
You’re welcome Roy 🙂
fantastic Dj Pault…
I have a request…
I would like this song very much
you can?
Terry Buckwald – Don’t Try
https://www.discogs.com/sell/item/498771820
please….
sorry Cristiano i don’t have that one.
Paul you’ve done it again! This is my favorite JHJ single.
Thank you Omar. Have fun listening 🙂