Burning The Ground Exclusive
If you’ve followed the quirky trajectory of Kajagoogoo, you know their journey from the breakout synth-pop of White Feathers to the more experimental corners of their later work was anything but predictable. By 1985, the band, now simply billed as Kaja, released their third album, Crazy Peoples Right to Speak, and with it came a single that encapsulated both their pop sensibilities and their willingness to push boundaries: “Shouldn’t Do That.”
Released by Parlophone/EMI America, “Shouldn’t Do That” didn’t storm the charts like their early hits, peaking at #63 in the UK, but it remains a fascinating slice of mid-80s new wave. Its layered synths, driving rhythm, and unmistakable melodic flair demonstrate that even as the band evolved, they retained the catchy hooks that made them a staple of early-80s British pop.
Interestingly, the single also found a home beyond the record charts. It was included in the soundtrack of 1985’s Santa Claus: The Movie, adding an unexpected pop edge to the festive film. For many fans, this placement cemented the track’s quirky charm—playful enough for a family movie, yet still very much a product of Kaja’s distinctive new wave style.
“Shouldn’t Do That” may not be the band’s most famous track, but it’s a perfect snapshot of a group experimenting with identity, sound, and expression in the mid-80s. For collectors, 80s enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the paths Kajagoogoo/Kaja explored after their initial fame, it’s an essential listen.
SIDE A:
Shouldn’t Do That (Disciplined) 6:58
Mixed By – Ken Scott
SIDE B:
Charm Of A Gun 4:27
Backing Vocals – Lezlee Cowling
Guitar [Solo] – Michael Thompson
Mixed By – Nick Beggs, Paul Ryan (2), Steve Askew (2), Stuart Croxford Neale
Shouldn’t Do That (Undisciplined) 5:59
Mixed By – Nick Beggs, Paul Ryan (2), Steve Askew (2), Stuart Croxford Neale
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 12R 6106
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Design – The Square Red Studio
- Drums – Dave Mattocks*
- Guitar – Steve Askew (2)
- Lacquer Cut By – Nickz*
- Lead Vocals, Bass – Nick Beggs
- Photography By – Peter Ashworth
- Producer – Ken Scott
- Vocals, Keyboards – Stuart Croxford Neale
- Written-By – N. Beggs*, S. Askew*, S. Neale*
NOTES:
Made in England
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: 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:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (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
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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This is one of my favorite Kajagoogoo song.
This is a fantastic song! Like everyone else here, I think the name change killed their momentum! They should’ve left the full name intact and added to it (like Kajagoogoo Boyz) or used a similar name (like Kaja GaGa). I don’t remember hearing about “Kaja” at all back in the day.
I liked those Rusty Garner mixes released on the US 12”, which you posted in 2023.
It is a great song, so it’s nice to add more mixes.
Thanks Paul
Hi Mark,
Yes! Those Rusty Garner mixes really gave the track an extra spark—I was glad to share them back then. I agree, it’s such a great song, and it’s always fun being able to add even more mixes into the mix (no pun intended!). Thanks for your comment!
It’s pretty obvious they suffered from the name change confusion more than line up dwindling because not only is this from my fave album of theirs, but also you can’t say Nick’s voice is all that dissimilar from Limahl’s and Limahl has even done covers of songs the band did after he left so there’s that!
Saw Hojo this year and Nick’s in his band so that was great fun!
Thanks for another trip down memory lane!
Hi ING,
I think you’re absolutely right—the name change really did cause more confusion than the lineup shifts. Nick’s voice carried the band wonderfully, and it’s funny you mention Limahl covering post-Kaja songs, because it really shows how connected their sounds always were. That’s so cool you got to see Hojo with Nick in the band—I bet that was a treat! Thanks for sharing that memory and for stopping by!
I love this record, Paul! Again, I’m so surprised it didn’t leave its mark in its commercial run! I do like that the song made it into a movie, though! Somebody has good taste! This is a band I really, really like. They always seemed to do very memorable singles!
Thanks, Paul!
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
I’m with you—this one really deserved more love than it got at the time. It’s such a strong single, and like you said, Kaja had a real knack for creating songs that stuck with you. I also think it’s pretty cool that it found its way into Santa Claus: The Movie—a little nod to its charm, even if the charts didn’t reflect it. Always appreciate your enthusiasm, Jeff—thank you!