Sheila E. – Hold Me (US 12″) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By 1986, Sheila E. had already carved out a unique space in the pop and R&B landscape. Known for her explosive percussion work and high-energy hits like “The Glamorous Life” and “A Love Bizarre,” she shifted gears with something far more intimate on Hold Me — the lead single from her third self-titled album, Sheila E.

Interestingly, the song had a somewhat complicated early release history. It first appeared in Canada under the title Touch Me, and in Japan as the B-side to Holly Rock. The title was later changed to Hold Me for wider release, reportedly to avoid confusion with Samantha Fox’s international hit Touch Me. It’s one of those small but fascinating details that collectors and longtime fans will appreciate — a reminder of how marketing decisions could shape a song’s identity across different territories.

Released at a time when glossy production and dancefloor dominance were the norm, Hold Me stands out as a smooth, heartfelt R&B ballad. It’s a vulnerable moment in her catalog — trading in the bold, rhythmic punch she was known for in favor of a softer, more emotional delivery. The track leans into late-night quiet storm territory, with lush instrumentation and a restrained vocal that showcases a different side of Sheila’s artistry.

Despite its understated approach, Hold Me found solid success on the charts. The single climbed to No. 3 on the U.S. Hot Black Singles chart, proving her appeal within the R&B audience, while also reaching No. 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. It may not have been a massive crossover hit, but it resonated strongly where it counted.

Flipping the record over reveals The World Is High, a non-album B-side that offers a striking contrast. Where Hold Me is reflective and tender, The World Is High is an upbeat dance track, much closer in spirit to Sheila’s earlier, more energetic work. It’s the kind of pairing that made 12″ and 7″ singles so exciting — giving listeners both sides of an artist’s range in one release.

Collector’s Note: The A-side is labeled as an “Extended Version,” but this is actually the standard album version. For the 7″ single, the track was edited down, making the so-called “Extended Version” designation a bit misleading — and a detail that vinyl collectors will definitely want to take note of.

As far as I can tell, no official music video was produced for “Hold Me,” which may have contributed to its lower profile on the pop charts, despite its strong showing on the R&B side.

For collectors, it’s yet another example of why physical formats remain so essential. Between alternate titles, regional variations, and exclusive B-sides, releases like this tell a deeper story than the charts alone ever could.

As always, it’s these kinds of releases — the overlooked singles, the unique pressings, and the hidden gems on the flip side — that make digging through vinyl so rewarding.

SIDE A:
Hold Me (Extended Version) 5:04
Written-By – Constance Guzman, Eddie Minnifield*, Sheila E.

SIDE B:
The World Is High 3:24
Written-By – Levi Seacer*, Sheila E.

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Sheila E: *Hold Me* (1986)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot Black Singles	#3	1986
US Billboard Hot 100	#68	1986
US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Maxi-Singles Sales	#22	1986

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 92 05790, Paisley Park – 92 05790
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop
Style: RnB/Swing, Downtempo, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Co-producer – David Z.
Producer, Arranged By – Sheila E.

NOTES:
Side A: from the LP Sheila E.

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
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
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!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

April 13, 2026

Spring Fundraiser Complete – Thank You

Hi everyone,

I’m happy to share that we’ve reached our $1,500 goal, so it’s time to officially wrap up the Spring fundraiser.

I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you who contributed. Your generosity and support mean more to me than I can express. Because of you, Burning the Ground will continue to run smoothly, stay secure, and keep bringing you the rare 12″ mixes and extended versions that we all love.

I’m also grateful to everyone who shared the site, left comments, or simply stopped by to enjoy the music. This community is what makes everything worthwhile.

The next fundraiser will take place in October and will focus on covering the site’s hosting renewal.

Thank you again for being part of this journey and for helping keep this music alive.

—Paul

April 10, 2026

Boys Don’t Cry – I Wanna Be A Cowboy (US 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Previous post date: April 11, 2017

In 1985, British band Boys Don’t Cry delivered one of the most delightfully offbeat and unforgettable novelty hits of the decade — “I Wanna Be A Cowboy.” Equal parts synth-pop, humor, and Wild West fantasy, the track carved out a unique space on radio and dance floors alike.

Formed in 1983, Boys Don’t Cry was the brainchild of lead vocalist and keyboardist Nick Richards, who had just purchased Maison Rouge Recording Studios in London. An early lineup of the group featured Richards alongside guitarist Richard Taee and drummer Steve Creese, with additional support from session musicians.

From the moment that iconic spoken intro kicks in — “I wanna be a cowboy…” — you know you’re in for something different. The track blends playful storytelling with a catchy synth-driven groove, creating a sound that feels both quintessentially mid-80s and completely its own.

The 12″ Experience

As with many tracks featured here on Burning the Ground, the real magic happens in the 12″ format.

The extended mix takes everything that made the single memorable and stretches it into a full-on dancefloor experience. The groove is given more room to breathe, the instrumental passages are expanded, and the quirky western motifs — including whip cracks and cinematic flourishes — are emphasized to full effect.

This is where the song truly shines. What might come across as a novelty on the radio becomes something hypnotic and immersive in its extended form. DJs in the mid-80s understood this, and the track found a welcome home in clubs where its infectious rhythm and playful energy could really connect with audiences.

Chart Success & Cultural Impact

“I Wanna Be A Cowboy” became a major hit in the United States, reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbing even higher on the Dance Chart. Its accompanying music video — featuring a humorous Wild West storyline — received heavy rotation on MTV, helping cement its place in 80s pop culture.

Though Boys Don’t Cry would not replicate this level of success with later releases, this single remains a beloved time capsule of an era when pop music didn’t take itself too seriously — and was all the better for it.

Why It Still Works

Nearly four decades later, “I Wanna Be A Cowboy” still holds up — not just as a nostalgic novelty, but as a genuinely well-crafted pop track. Its blend of humor, melody, and production polish captures a moment in time when creativity and fun were at the forefront of the music scene.

And in its 12″ incarnation, it’s more than just a curiosity — it’s a reminder of how the extended format could transform even the most unexpected songs into something club-ready and unforgettable.

If you have this one in your collection, you already know — sometimes the most unlikely tracks end up being the most enduring.

Saddle up and enjoy.

SIDE A:
I Wanna Be A Cowboy (12″ Saddle Mix) 6:05

SIDE B:
I Wanna Be A Cowboy (Instrumental Saloon Mix) 6:05

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Boys Don’t Cry: *I Wanna Be A Cowboy* (1985)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot 100	#12	1986
US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Maxi-Singles Sales	#12	1986
US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#44	1986
Australia (Kent Music Report)	#4	1986
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)	#1	1986
Canada (Top Singles RPM)	#19	1986
Belgium (Ultrapop 50 Flanders)	#24	1985
South Africa (Springbok Radio)	#11	1985
UK Singles (OCC)	#77	1985
West Germany (GfK)	#41	1985

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Profile Records – PRO-7084
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Engineer – Chris Potter*, Tony Taverner
Photography By – Simon Fowler (2)
Producer – Boys Don’t Cry
Written-By – Chatton*, Seopardie*, Richards*, Ramsden*

NOTES:
Jacket Made In Canada
Message in run-out groove, side A: This Cowboy Ride is BLAZE-“ing” HOT!!!

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!

Password: burningtheground

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

April 9, 2026

We’re Halfway There – April Fundraiser Update!

Hello friends and music lovers,

I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported Burning the Ground’s Spring fundraiser so far. Because of your generosity, we’re already over halfway to our $1,500 goal—thank you so much.

Your support is making a real difference—helping cover hosting and security costs, keeping equipment running smoothly, and allowing me to track down rare records for future posts. Every contribution goes right back into keeping BTG alive, secure, and filled with the music we all love.

We still have a little way to go, and if you haven’t had a chance to contribute yet, there’s still time. The fundraiser will run through April 13. You can make a secure donation by debit card, credit card, or PayPal through the Donation Page, or by clicking any of the yellow Donate buttons throughout the site.

Thank you again for your incredible support—whether through donations, sharing the site, or simply stopping by to enjoy a favorite track. It truly means a lot.

—Paul