Burning The Ground Exclusive
Hot on the heels of their breakthrough hit “Love & Pride,” King returned with “Soul On My Boots,” released in 1984 as the follow-up single from their debut album Steps In Time.
By the time “Soul On My Boots” arrived, the band had already made a bold statement with “Love & Pride,” a track that perfectly captured their blend of pop, soul, and new wave. Expectations were high, and while the follow-up didn’t achieve the same commercial success—peaking at #158 on the UK Singles Chart—it offers a fascinating glimpse into the band’s developing identity.
Frontman Paul King is, as always, the focal point. His distinctive vocal style—equal parts smooth and urgent—rides effortlessly over the track’s tight rhythm section. There’s a confidence here that suggests a band riding the momentum of a hit, even if the song itself takes a slightly different path.
“Soul On My Boots” leans more into groove and attitude than outright pop immediacy. The horns add a punchy, soulful edge, while the bass and percussion lock into a rhythm that feels both danceable and grounded. It’s less glossy than “Love & Pride,” but perhaps more indicative of the band’s roots and influences.
What makes this single particularly interesting is how it contrasts with its predecessor. Where “Love & Pride” was bright, infectious, and instantly accessible, “Soul On My Boots” feels a bit more nuanced—less concerned with chart dominance and more focused on musical texture and vibe.
Although it didn’t replicate the success of their debut hit, the single still plays an important role in the King catalog. It shows a band willing to explore different shades of their sound rather than simply repeat a winning formula.
Looking back, “Soul On My Boots” stands as a reminder that not every follow-up single needs to be a blockbuster to be worthwhile. Sometimes, it’s these slightly overlooked tracks that give us the clearest picture of an artist’s depth and direction.
For fans of King and collectors of early-to-mid 80s new wave, this track is an essential listen—full of style, groove, and that unmistakable Paul King charisma.
SIDE A:
Soul On My Boots (Rub-A-Dub Mix) 6:29
Engineer – Phill Brown
SIDE B:
Ain’t No Doubt 2:39
Engineer – Andy Todd (2)
Fools 2:53
Engineer – Andy Todd (2)
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label:CBS – TA 4573
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop, New Wave
CREDITS:
- Lacquer Cut By – Jonz*
- Photography By – Sheila Rock
- Producer – Richard James Burgess
NOTES:
From the LP Steps In Time
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
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
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Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
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!
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Hmm. CBS never issued this to L.A. radio. We were sick of “Love & Pride” and this could have been a good airplay track. I’ll have to see if a single was issued as the ones you posted recently are very obscure.
Thanks for another great King single! I absolutely love how you said not every follow-up single needs to be a blockbuster to be worthwhile. I think that perfectly captures the essence here considering when it was released.
The title track really does have such a soulful dreamy quality to it, with echoes and hints that remind me of Culture Club. And I enjoyed listening to the other tracks as well, but the A side is really the star here for me. Such a fun mix. Thank you Paul, a great selection as always 🙂
Hi JP, Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment—I really appreciate it! I’m glad that line resonated with you because “Soul On My Boots” really does feel like one of those transitional singles that deserves a closer listen. It may not have had the chart impact of “Love & Pride,” but there’s definitely something special in that groove and atmosphere. I love that you picked up on the Culture Club vibe too—that soulful, slightly dreamy quality is absolutely there, and I think it adds a lot of depth to the track. Paul King and the band had such a… Read more »
This is a real treat. I know you have showcased some of King’s 12 inch singles over the years.
Thanks Paul 🙂
Hi Mark,
Thank you so much—I’m really glad you enjoyed this one!
Yes, I’ve always had a soft spot for King on 12″, they really knew how to bring a bit of extra flair and groove to their singles in that format. There are still a few more gems in the vault, so I’ll definitely be revisiting them again down the line.
Appreciate you following along all these years—it truly means a lot.
– Paul
King – Soul On My Boots (Rub-A-Dub Mix). 🔴 The Context: When Coventry Turned Colorful. After the breakup of The Reluctant Stereotypes, Paul King formed his eponymous band, King, giving a visual and sonic twist to the “multi-tone” sound of his hometown, Coventry. While their biggest hit was “Love & Pride,” “Soul On My Boots” is perhaps the track that best defines their aesthetic: a blend of street attitude, brightly painted Dr. Martens boots, and a modernized soul sound. 🔴 A little tidbit: Although King had a short career (only two albums), this maxi-single remains one of the most elegant… Read more »
Hi Rubén, Wow—what a fantastic comment. I love the way you framed this, especially “When Coventry Turned Colorful.” That perfectly captures the spirit of King and the whole visual + sonic aesthetic they brought with them. You’re absolutely right about the “multi-tone” roots coming out of Coventry too—it’s easy to forget how much that scene shaped the band’s identity. And that connection to reggae production techniques really shines through on the Rub-A-Dub Mix. There’s a subtle sophistication in the way those elements are woven in without ever overpowering the pop sensibility. Also, great point about “Soul On My Boots” being… Read more »
These New Wave tracks with their punchy horns are a real trip for me. I love it, Paul. I liked what you said in your description talking about follow-ups don’t have to have the same impact of previous releases. I think this is a great track with a different feel than “Love and Pride” but still infectious. Thanks so much for these cool records!
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
You always have such a great ear for the details—those punchy horns really do give tracks like this their own kind of energy. I’m glad you picked up on that because it’s such a defining part of King’s sound during this period.
And thank you for highlighting that point about follow-ups. I’ve always felt that singles like this show a different side of a band—maybe not as immediate as “Love & Pride,” but still just as infectious in their own way.
I’m really happy you’re enjoying these—it makes sharing them even more rewarding.
Thanks again, Jeff!
– Paul
Fantastic to see more King rips from you. Over here in the UK they were massive for a couple of years. Great band, thanks as always Paul
Hi Paul,
Thank you so much!
It’s always great to hear from someone who experienced King firsthand during their peak. They really did have a huge moment in the UK, and it’s nice to be able to revisit that era and share some of these mixes again.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the rips—there are definitely more to come!
Appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to comment.
– Paul
This is the only remix by King that I WAS missing! Yeah!
Hi Raymond,
That’s awesome to hear—mission accomplished! 😊
It’s always a great feeling to finally track down that one missing piece, especially with King where some of those mixes can be surprisingly elusive.
Really glad I could help fill that gap in your collection. Enjoy the spin!
– Paul