BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1987
“Living in a Box” is a song by Living in a Box released in 1987 as their debut single and the first single from their self-titled debut album of the same name.
The song has many features of a 1980s song, including a synthesizer-led beat, with Richard Darbyshire’s soulful vocal delivery over it.
It was the group’s biggest hit single on either side of the Atlantic, reaching #5 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming the group’s only Top 40 hit in the United States, peaking at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song was covered by Bobby Womack, who had worked with Living in a Box on their debut album; his version reached No. 70 in the UK and was a minor US hit.
SIDE A:
Living In A Box (Dance Mix) 6:10
SIDE B:
Living In A Box (The Penthouse Mix) 5:18
Living In A Box (Edited Dance Mix) 3:50
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Living In A Box | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #17 |
| 1987 | Living In A Box | U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | #74 |
| 1987 | Living In A Box | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #6 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – 4V9 43119
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: House, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Co-producer – Tom Lord-Alge
Edited By – Junior Vasquez
Mixed By – Arthur Baker
Producer – Richard James Burgess
NOTES:
From the debut album “LIVING IN A BOX”
Find the 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
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: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: 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!
Any chance you have anything from the Canadian band The Box? I have their greatest hits CD, but it feels like something is missing. I used to have a couple of their LPs back in the day and they were a pretty decent band.
Great debut single from these guys, my favourite one.
Thanks Paul for your superior rip 🙂
Thank you for all the Richard Darbyshire related rips. Living In A Box was a favourite (and still is) group of mine. Great to have your hi quality passionate rips xxx Thank you again.
Thanks Paul! This is the one I was hoping for this week. Superb.
Thank you for all the Living In A Box singles this week. I’ve been putting together a playlist of extended 80’s remixes on Spotify, and this song triggered that. Thanks again!
All three of them so dishy! And those cheeky bones of Richard!!! Could shave ice!
When their official site used to have a forum, I once asked Marcus Vere of LIAB about remixes. He was a bit dismissive of a few, but like myself and many others here, he had a lot of time for Arthur Baker’s remixes of Living In A Box and thought Bobby Womack and Richard Darbyshire’s voices went together very well on So The Story Goes.
Once again Paul, thank you for providing an upgrade for my rather poorly 12″ vinyl 🙂
Like Paul, my favourite LIAB single is So The Story Goes, but what a debut this is. I remember when I first heard it on the UK Top 20, that scream sent chills down my spine (in a good way)!!! Thanks for posting, Paul! This song actually relates to a friend of the trio. He was living in a council house in Sheffield, but the house was very run down. He demanded a renovation to be done by the council. However, the repair process raked up a high electricity bill and his supply was subsequently cut off because he couldn’t… Read more »
Very cool alwys love your behind the scenes insight Ric 🙂
Thank You Paul for this LIAB mixes, the Japan promo of this track contains ‘the playboy mix’, never heard that version.
That mix is so rare it’s not even listed on Discogs. A new quest for me 🙂
Here is the information about this 12 ”. http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=321342
I knew it,Iknew ,I knew it!!!
Great as ever Paul.
Obviusly on the italian version neither “Penthouse Mix” nor “Edited Dance Mix”
I will appreciate them,I’m sure.
Thanks.
you are most welcome Piffard 🙂
So you know…I knew and remembered this song, but never got around to checking out the rest of the LIAB discography. Now I have, and I’m converted! Good work, Mr. DJ. 🙂
you’re very welcome JamieH 🙂
Great song,on Maxi single version and from vinyl!!!
Thanks DjPaulT for share your treasure gems with us.
you’re welcome Partytimeboy 🙂
Like NKelly said, I’ve been so hoping you would rip this track Paul! I just love this record. Actually, I’ve been singing it all day here at work. Luckily, no one was around to hear it. So wish I could do that scream! His voice is wonderful. I just love these Arthur Baker remixes. His mixes are incredible! I love his work with The Latin Rascals as I’m a HUGE EDITHEAD. Too bad they couldn’t do the editing here. Junior was alright, but not to the insanity of Tony Moran and Albert Cabrera.
Thanks so much for this Paul!
Jeff
I agree about the Latin Rascals Jeff. Enjoy! 🙂
This is their biggest hit. Thanks Paul . Do you also have Gatecrashing?
Sorry Omar this is the last one I have at this time 🙂
The one i think we’re all been secretly awaiting since Tuesday! Their debut and best IMO
It’s certainly in my top two “So The Story Goes” is my favorite 🙂
I had all three of them too.
But as I said ,”So the story goes” was in some way a sort a disappintment,in my opinion.
Always wanted the 12″ (I have the CDS), long live vinyl..(thought this would be next!)
Their best track.
Thanks as always for the rip Paul! 🙂
You’re welcome Ex15 🙂
Like this song tom lord alge must be loaded the amount of 80s tracks i see his name on
Yeah his pockets must be over flowing 🙂