BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983
“I Like ‘Em Big and Stupid” was the debut single by comedian and singer Julie Brown. It was self-released by Brown in 1983 in 12-inch and 7-inch vinyl formats. The song is a 1980s-style pop song with comedic lyrics about the protagonist’s desire for a handsome, hunky muscle-stud who is not very bright (or as she sings, “Superman with a lobotomy”). The 12-inch version contained an extended dance mix and the B-side on all releases, “The Homecoming Queen’s Got a Gun”, was played on The Dr. Demento Show, and received airplay on Top 40 and Modern Rock stations around the US in 1984. Both songs appeared that year on Brown’s next release, Goddess in Progress.
Brown re-recorded the song for her 1987 album Trapped in the Body of a White Girl, and it was filmed for inclusion in Earth Girls Are Easy, but this sequence was ultimately removed from the movie (the scene is included in the DVD extras) though it is heard playing in the background during a scene in the film. Additionally, Brown performed the song in the stage version of Earth Girls.
The cover of the single is a pastiche of the back cover of Madonna’s Like a Virgin record. Brown would go on to be known for making fun of Madonna, particularly in her scathing mockumentary Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful.
**The b-side shows just how much life has changed since the song was recorded. In today’s gun violence culture “Homecoming Queen’s Got A Gun” would have never been recorded or even played on mainstream radio.
SIDE A:
I Like ‘Em Big And Stupid 2:37
Drum Machine [Linn Drum] – Steve Thoma
Homecoming Queen’s Got A Gun 4:40
Backing Vocals – Charlie Coffey
Voice [Cop] – Terrence McNally
SIDE B:
I Like ‘Em Big And Stupid (Extended Dance Mix) 5:00
Drum Machine [Linn Drum] – Steve Thoma
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Bulletz Records – BR-767D
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Backing Vocals –Leslie Livrano, Nancy Buché*
Bass – Jeff Steele
Drums – Chuck Berkinshaw
Executive-Producer – Terrence McNally
Guitar – Dan Grenier*
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Steve Thoma
Lead Vocals – Julie Brown
Lyrics By – Charlie Coffey, Julie Brown, Terrence McNally
Mixed By [R-Mix Engineer – Alpha Studios] – Gary Brandt, Steve Thoma
Music By – Charlie Coffey, Julie Brown, Ray Colcord, Terrence McNally
Photography By – Wayne Williams (7)
Producer – Steve Thoma
Recorded By [Recording Engineer – Kitchen Sync] – Mike Hamilton (3), Steve Thoma
Saxophone – Chris Mostert
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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Okay, I’m not familiar with these tracks. However, the title ‘I Like ‘Em Big And Stupid’ made me laugh aloud, and that’s a perfect way to start the weekend. Thanks again, PaulT 🙂
thanks again dear Paul please any chance for this release? thanks you again. https://www.discogs.com/fr/Siouxsie-And-The-Banshees-Peek-a-boo/release/755257
Hmm. I wonder if I still have my copy of Goddess in Progress around here somewhere?
Julie Brown makes me sad. One stunning LP, and then stupid shows on eMpTV. This is great to have. Really looking forward to the dance mix.
Fun songs Paul 😊 I’m wondering why the flac folder had wav files instead of flacs 🧐
It was a mistake on my part but I have fixed it if you want to re-download they are flac files now. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Thanks very much Paul, and you’re welcome 😊
Hmm, they’re still wavs as of right now Paul 🤔
Should work now give it another try 🙂
Nope, still wav files Paul. I DO mean the flac download button and not the 24 bit flac button.
For some reason it was not overwriting the files so I changed the file name and it now is fixed.
Hoorah! 🎉 Yes, that’s it 👍 Smaller file size, flacs not wavs. Got there in the end. Thanks a million Paul 😊
Isn’t ‘Homecoming Queen’s Got A Gun’ actually A2 on BR-767D? It’s only actually on the B side on BR-767…and on the 7″ of course.
You are correct Ian it was a typo on my part “Homecoming Queen” A2 on this release.
Fabulous! Thanks, Mr P.
You’re welcome 🙂
You’ve made my weekend Paul. I love this song so very much, although it’s true that “Homecoming Queen…” would not be recorded or aired today, I have so many fond memories of that song played on the radio. “I Like ‘Em Big And Stupid” was a guilty pleasure too and an anthem for the girls (and guys!) who desired a “Himbo” for their very own. Ah, what memories!
Have a wonderful weekend Paul and everybody!
Jeff
I remember back when “Homecoming” was released it git a lot of airplay on local radio. Boy times have surely changed. Always loved the track though 🙂 Have a great weekend.
Fabulous b-side, Paul. A great song. Boy, would that be a massive scandal today. Unthinkable that any label would touch that recording with a 10-foot pole. Still, it´s brilliant. And ten times the better song compared to the a-side, in my humble opinion. Time after time you bring joy to us with fantastic gems, Paul. How the heck do you do it (haha). Have a wonderful weekend, everybody. I´ll be starting into a one-week vacation as of Monday. Or rather, I would be, as I can´t go anywhere owing to the Corona pandemic. Well, I will enjoy being at home… Read more »
Song And Dance,
Have an awesome vacation!!!! Hope it’s everything you want it to be and more because you deserve it!!!!
All the best!!!
Jeff
B-side was hilarious… I was in school at the time, and the very idea of someone shooting up the school was absurd; and therefore funny. Gun laws were actually less strict then. Culture changed. sad..
It is very sad how culture has changed I was in school also when this was released and at the time it was just a funny song 🙂
I hope you enjoy your vacation Song And Dance even if it is at home 🙂
Amazing !
Thank You 🙂