Mel & Kim – That’s The Way It Is (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1988

“That’s the Way It Is” is a hit single by British pop duo Mel and Kim that was featured on the soundtrack album of Coming to America, starring Eddie Murphy. The song was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman. The single peaked at #10 in the UK, becoming their fourth consecutive top 10 hits.

By the time of the single’s release, Melanie Appleby had been diagnosed with cancer and had withdrawn from the public eye in mid-1987. Appleby discharged herself from the hospital to record the vocals for the track. The sisters made Mel’s illness public at the time of the release of this single, and both appeared on the Wogan show in April 1988 while Mel was still undergoing treatment, as part of European Cancer Week.

“That’s the Way It Is” would be the last release of the duo, as they disappeared from the public eye again while Mel Appleby continued her cancer treatment. She succumbed to pneumonia in January 1990, her immune system weakened by chemotherapy. Some of the songs she co-wrote with Kim Appleby during the last 2 years of her life were later released on Kim’s solo album released in late 1990.

SIDE A:
That’s The Way It Is (Acid House Remix) 7:34

SIDE B:
That’s The Way It Is (Club Mix) 6:39
That’s The Way It Is (Special Mix) 6:45

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: ATCO Records – 0-96613
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: House, Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Engineer – Mark McQuireYo Yo
Programmed By [Remix] –  Ian Curnow
Remix – Mixmaster Pete Hammond*
Written-By, Producer – Stock, Aitken, Waterman*

NOTES:
Remixed from Atco LP Original Motion Picture Soundtrack “Coming to America”

Remix programming and remix for P.W.L..

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp:
Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
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 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


Password: burningtheground

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Martijn van Heeringen
Martijn van Heeringen
October 5, 2021 2:13 pm

I did not know this track was featured in a movie with Eddy Murphy but it remains my favorite PWL composition. Very sad indeed how Mel passed away so soon. Thanks for this post.

Mark
Mark
October 5, 2021 6:43 am

I don’t remember this single, although once I hear it I probably will remember it. FLM was a good album, I liked the title track too.

Thanks Paul 🙂

Funkadelic Relics
Funkadelic Relics
October 4, 2021 9:53 pm

Neil Diamond has a great song with a similar theme.
I never knew who the artists were on this one…until now.
You learn something new every day.
The Axel F theme from Beverly Hills Clop is classic as well.
Fletch Lives.

Brad
Brad
October 4, 2021 8:07 pm

Thanks for uploading this record Paul. I always thought that this was Mel & Kim’s best single. It was to be the start of a second album with PWL, but sadly it was not to be.

Gilbert John Gonzales
October 4, 2021 1:33 pm

Nothing but love from any Mel & Kim releases! Sad that Mel passed so soon, they could probably did another album with SAW/PWL. Thank you Paul!

Jeff
Jeff
October 4, 2021 12:06 pm

I like this record very much and it brings back fond memories as well. Thanks Paul.

Jeff

JuniorDJNatal
JuniorDJNatal
October 4, 2021 10:34 am

I love ALL from Mel & Kim. Thanks a lot!