BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984
“Sister Christian” is the title of a song by the American rock band Night Ranger. It was released in June 1984 as the second single from their album Midnight Madness. It was ranked number 32 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the 1980s. It was written and sung by the band’s drummer, Kelly Keagy, for his sister. It was the band’s biggest hit, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, and staying on the charts for 24 weeks. It also reached number-one in Canada. To this day, it is one of the most popular first dance songs at weddings.
The song is about Keagy’s little sister, Christy. Keagy wrote the song at his apartment, near Divisadero and California streets in San Francisco, after he had just returned from a visit to his hometown of Eugene, Oregon. He had been struck at how fast his teenaged sister, 10 years younger than he was, was growing up.
“After we started playing it a lot, Jack turned to me and said, ‘What exactly are you saying?'” Keagy recalled. “He thought the words were Sister Christian, instead of Sister Christy, so it just stuck.”
The lyric, “You’re motoring. What’s your price for flight? In finding Mr. Right?” is the subject of much debate. The band stated in a VH-1 Behind the Music interview that the term “motoring” was synonymous with the term “cruising.”
On the single version, part of the second verse in the bridge is omitted and goes into the chorus. More specifically, the words “You’ve got him in your sight. And driving through the night,” are omitted from the single version.
SIDE A:
Sister Christian (Long Version) 4:59
SIDE B:
Sister Christian (Short Version) 4:14
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
CHARTS:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Sister Christian | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #5 |
| 1984 | Sister Christian | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #2 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records Records – MCA 1167
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 33 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Rock
Style: Ballad
Credits: Producer – Pat Glasser
Written-By – Kelly Keagy
NOTES:
Promotional Copy Not For Sale
From the MCA LP, MCA-5456 “Midnight Madness”
Side B actual track duration is 4:14
Find The 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Adobe Photoshop CS5
ClickRepair
dBpoweramp
Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
Downsampled to 24bit/96kHz and16bit /44kHz using iZotope RX Advanced 2
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Shall we all put on our fright wig and skinny leather pants for this week and rock on?
Wow, this is indeed their signature tune, and has been featured in so many TV series and movies!
I only have one of the two versions here on CD, so thanks for this post, Paul!
And on the theme of power ballads, this one has escaped me for the longest time. Only have it on a cassette tape back in 1985. Do you have it in your collection, Paul?
http://www.discogs.com/Survivor-The-Search-Is-Over/release/1886284
Hi Ric, I didn’t even know about that 12″. I have added it to my list of wants so hopefully I can grab a copy someday. Thanks for pointing me to it 🙂
What a pleasure to listen this kind of song with the excellent ripping that you do….Thanks!!!
You’re welcome Fervox!
Classic 80s soft rock like this gives me a warm buzz all the time. Feeling of bittersweet memories… Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome Chwee 🙂
All these rock 12 inches, nice! The rare specially remixed version of ‘Run To You’ by Bryan Adams would suit very well in this series 🙂
Stefano I have that one but I’m confused about it. The track does not sound remixed to me. The track time is about 3:53 which is the length of the album version. The label says 3:59 which it could be if you count six seconds of silent run ot time. I’ll post it though and you can be the judge. I think it may be a printing mistake. I am familiar with the song but not so much that I could be able to identify subtle changes in the mix.
I have read about this remix too back in the 80s, but does such a remix really exist? I hope it does!
Boys Of Summer, that is another one I wished had a 12″ remix.
Hi Paul, I feel a bit disappointed, because I thought that the 12 inch did contain a totally new mix. If A&M calls it ‘specially remixed version’ I wouldn’t expect a version with subtle changes (nor the album version). Nevertheless, I will check that one very thoroughly. Thanks man! Really appreciate your work.
Thanks!
Very Good!
You’re welcome Drake!
You’re in a Pop-Rock mood this week. Thanks for this. Amy more Glam Metal 12″ you may have lying around you’d like to share? Motley Crue, Ratt, Dokken, Twisted Sister, Van Halen, etc?
I may have a couple of those artists I will have to check 🙂