BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984
Happy Birthday Olivia Newton-John!
Produced by David Foster the epic track “Livin’ In Desperate Times” was the second single released from the Soundtrack to the film “Two Of A Kind”. “Livin’ In Desperate Times” debuted on the Billboard Top 40 on February 25, 1984. The single remained on the chart for five weeks peaking at #31.
ABOUT THE VERSIONS:
In 1998 MCA Records released the soundtrack for the motion picture “Two Of A Kind” on CD for the first time, however the mix of “Livin’ In Desperate Times” was not the original album version that appeared on the vinyl, cassette and 8-track releases in 1983. Instead MCA chose to use a sloppy newly made edit because the original master could not be found. Subsequently this new edit was also used on the “Gold” compilation in 2005. Both the 7″ remix and original LP version remain unreleased on CD or digital format.
The US 7″ promo of “Livin’ In Desperate Times” has the 7″ remix on both sides. Because the original LP version is just as sought sought after I used it as the b-side.
SIDE A:
Livin’ In Desperate Times (7″ Remix) 3:58
Engineer, Mixed By – Humberto Gatica
Producer – David Foster
Written-By – Barry Alfonso, Tom Snow
SIDE B:
Livin’ In Desperate Times (Original LP Version) 4:09
Engineer, Mixed By – Humberto Gatica
Producer – David Foster
Written-By – Barry Alfonso, Tom Snow
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Livin’ In Desperate Times | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #31 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – MCA-52341
Format: Vinyl, 7″, Promo, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Pop
Style: Synth-pop
NOTES:
From MCA-6127, Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack “Two Of A Kind”
Management: Roger Davies
Photos From The MCA Video EP “Twist Of Fate” Directed By Brian Grant.
Find the 7″ 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 Removal: 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
Dear Paul. My cd has the proper album mix but omits 10 seconds around 2:58! It’s the Festival version of 1998 that says digitally remastered in the front cover! I guess that’s what you meant with the word “sloppy”! 😉
Great track. Found the 12″ Version of this today. Will be putting in on digital soon
I forgot this existed! 🙂 Always nice to rediscover something. THANKS! Am I the only one who thinks this sounds remarkably like WE ARE NOT ALONE by Karla DeVito from The Breakfast Club soundtrack? Just with less guitar …
I had made a copy of the LP version a few years ago from the Laser-disc I have of the videos from this movie and it’s really clear. I can send it over to you, if you like. But, you did an awesome job with this!
Thanks again! I always loved this 7″ mix more than the original. I love the differences in the vocal and the extra lyrics. To me that’s better than having the chorus sound exactly the same every time.
I also did not realize that the CD release of TOAK did not feature the original album version. Good to know! 🙂
Have a great weekend!!
YES!! Thank you!
Thanks for these mixes of “LIDT” Paul.
You cleared up a niggle in my mind over the mix that appears on the GOLD CD and the GOLD DVD too. When it played I would think “I’m sure this isn’t quite how I remember it”, the mix on GOLD was very sloppy but I wasn’t quite sure all the same.
Now THIS IS how I remember it Paul 🙂 Fabulous
…and those machine-gun snare drums, love ’em 😉
Thanks so much for this. Been trying to get a good copy forever.
Thanks a zillion times Paul!
I never knew/realize the Two Of A Kind cd version was different from the original LP… nor did I knew there was a remix other than the extended version… As usual, you’re quite the encyclopedia!
Thanks again Monsieur for the gift of Olivia!
🙂
You’re welcome Max 🙂
Thank God, no more Associates! I thought the nightmare would never end.
Terry the nightmare isn’t completely over The Associates will be returning after a short break. I am sure if it were your favorite band you might feel differently lol 🙂
Thanks for posting this! This is my favorite mix of the song. I remember getting this single when it came out and realizing that it was quite different from both the album version and 12″ version. It was so rare for Olivia to have a unique 7″ mix — “Totally Hot” is one of the few others I can think of.
You’re very welcome Disney. “Soul Kiss” has a nice single mix as well as “Landslide” which has some vocal ad-libs at the end not on the LP version.
I love “Soul Kiss” and would love to hear the 7″ mix! Hope that you post that one eventually!
And thank you for the “Livin’ in Desperate Times” 7″ promo! I never knew about the 7″ remix of this … until now! Awesome!
Listening to it now. This sounds incredible! Nice work, Paul!
Cool, Olivia looks a little scary crazy in that back sleeve picture. Strange how some popular songs become rare.
Yeah that is a shot from the video Joey 🙂
Paul, this post is awesome. A real rare ONJ track. Just great. Thank you!
By now I think we have her 80’s discography complete, don’t we?
Have a nice weekend!
No Stefano there is still the 7″ remix of “Landslide” and “Soul Kiss” both have exclusive 7″ mixes. There are also a few 12″ promo’s.
Hmm, okay. And I guess you have them all in your collection….
I just knew you had to do something to celebrate Olivia’s birthday Paul. I think it’s so wonderful that you are such a super-fan. This is also very thoughtful and generous to those who seek out a complete discography of her works. I’m always impressed with you and what you do. Also, I get flabbergasted over all your diverse musical tastes. Who would have thought that someone who adores alternative new wave music and progressive dance music would love Olivia Newton John too? This makes you all the more special to us. You are tremendous in your likes and loves.… Read more »
Thank you Jeff all is good 🙂 I have gotten many requests for both of these versions over the years so I just had to stop what I was doing and rip this record. It amazes me that MCA would release the soundtrack and not even use the original LP version. But now here it is along with it’s uber rare 7″ version. Have a great weekend.
Hugs