Burning The Ground Exclusive
“Final Solution” is one of those records that does not politely enter the room. It arrives like a warning signal, all nerves, shadows, and sharp edges.
Originally recorded by Cleveland art-punk band Pere Ubu in 1976, “Final Solution” was already a strange and unsettling piece of post-punk before Peter Murphy got anywhere near it. Pere Ubu’s version had that raw, almost damaged sound that made it feel as if it was broadcasting from some broken radio tower in the middle of a city no one wanted to admit existed.
Peter Murphy took that chaos and turned it into something theatrical, colder, and strangely danceable.
Released as a single in 1985, before appearing on his 1986 debut solo album Should The World Fail To Fall Apart, “Final Solution” found Murphy stepping out from the long shadow of Bauhaus while still keeping one polished black boot firmly planted in the dark. This was not the more romantic, mystical Peter Murphy that would later emerge on songs like “Cuts You Up” or “A Strange Kind Of Love.” This was Murphy in a more dangerous space, taking a song already loaded with unease and pushing it further into the club.
The 12-inch Club Mix stretches the track into a tense, mechanical workout. The guitars snarl, the rhythm pounds, and Murphy’s vocal performance is pure command. He does not simply sing the song; he stalks through it. Every phrase feels like it is being thrown against a wall just to see what breaks first.
What makes this version so compelling is the way it sits between worlds. It is post-punk, goth, industrial, and club music all at once, but never fully settles into any one of them. It has the grit of the original, but the 12-inch format gives it space to breathe, sweat, and menace the dancefloor.
The B-side, “The Answer Is Clear,” offers a fitting companion piece. Less immediate but just as moody, it captures Murphy during that early solo period when he was still experimenting with what his voice could become outside the Bauhaus frame.
“Final Solution” may not be one of Peter Murphy’s biggest hits, but it remains one of his most arresting early solo singles. It is tense, dramatic, and a little unhinged in all the right ways.
This is the sound of an artist stepping into the spotlight alone, not with comfort, but with intent.
SIDE A:
Final Solution (Third & Final Mix) 5:51
Lacquer Cut By – Timtom
Remix – Ivo, John Fryer
Written-By – Bell*, Pere Ubu
SIDE B:
Final Solution (Club Mix) 5:30
Lacquer Cut By – TY
Mixed By – Stephane Gerbier
Remix – The Latin Rascals
Written-By – Bell, Pere Ubu
The Answer Is Clear (Version) 3:14
Lacquer Cut By – TY
Written-By – Hughes, Murphy*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | #92 | 1985 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Beggars Banquet – BEG 143TP
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Industrial, Goth Rock
CREDITS:
- Photography By – Antoine Giaccomoni*
- Producer – Ivo*, Howard Hughes*
NOTES:
Recorded at Blackwing Studios in the summer of ’85.
B1. 12″ mix [Club mix] at Unique Studios, New York City
B2. Mixed at Blackwing Studios
Made in England
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-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono 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
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: 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
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My favorite post-Bauhaus tracks is “Cuts You Up” which got massive alternative airplay in L.A. Thanks for posting this one, Paul. I never heard it before nor saw it in any of the retail bins.
As a fan of Bauhaus and the other projects of its members, I have to give you a big hug and thanks for this one, Paul.
This track is new to me, but I love its smack-you-in-the-face intensity. I’ll be playing this one on repeat.
Cheers!
What a remarkable voice! I love how seamlessly he transitioned from Godfather of Goth (Bela Lugosi’s Dead) to David Bowie-like “Alternative Soul” with one of the most beautiful songs ever: Cuts You Up!
The A-side here, Final Solution (Third & Final Mix), shows that IVO definitely listened to Depeche Mode. Amazing stuff! THANK YOU!
Thanks for this Paul!
Love this wild take on the original! Peter Murphy totally transforms and sculpts the track into something exotic, with this wild intangible flair that keeps you on your toes the whole time. These mixes are totally new to me, and wow, they really bridge a gap to club and dance that you almost wouldn’t think could quite be done this well! What a cool mix of pop/punk/dance/industrial that even has a few moments where you even get a splash of Depeche Mode style sounds, particularly in the Third & Final Mix. Both remixes really stand on their own, the Latin… Read more »
Thanks, JP. I love how you described this one. Peter really does take the original and twist it into something completely his own. It still has that punk tension underneath, but the mixes push it into a much stranger club space. I agree, the Third & Final Mix has some great little electronic touches, and the Latin Rascals mix heads off in its own direction altogether. That is what makes a 12-inch like this so fun. You are not just getting slight variations; you are getting completely different moods. Glad this one was new to you and that you enjoyed… Read more »
Peter Murphy mixed by the Latin Rascals? Yes, please! Thank you!
Absolutely, David. That combination is hard to resist. Peter Murphy already brings so much drama and atmosphere, and then the Latin Rascals come in and give it that extra punch and movement. It makes for a really unexpected and exciting 12-inch.
Much appreciated Paul, one of the greatest singers of all time IMHO, love everything he did with Bauhaus and solo (as wel as Love and Rocket and other solo projects from members of the band). Many thanks!!!
Thank you so much, gnihtytterp. I agree, Peter Murphy has one of those unmistakable voices that just pulls you in. Bauhaus, his solo work, Love And Rockets, and the other side projects all gave us so much incredible music. Such a talented group of artists. I am happy you enjoyed this one.
Peter Murphy’s solo albums are hugely underrated, probably more successful in the U.S. than back here in the UK. But that could be said for many bands in the 80s.
Love this 12″ edition, two great mixes and as you rightly highlight and excellent b-sides.
Thanks Paul 👍
Thanks, Paul. I agree, his solo catalog really does deserve more attention. I think he found a very strong audience here in the U.S., especially with college radio and the alternative crowd, but some of those records still feel overlooked.
This 12-inch is a great one. Both mixes bring something different to the track, and “The Answer Is Clear” is such a strong B-side. Peter was definitely in a great creative place during this period.
Hey Paul! This came to me as an utter surprise! Peter Murphy is great! Still, I had no idea that the Latin Rascals remixed this song! You know how much I adore and obsessed with Tony and Albert! From radio mix shows, to countless records they’ve edited, to being successful artists themselves, these two have made quite the impression and impact in my life! I think it’s pretty cool that they remixed an eclectic bunch of artists over the years! Their influence on producers and studio production techniques definitely deserves to be celebrated! And all those who followed them across… Read more »
Hey Jeff, I knew this one would grab you because of the Latin Rascals connection. Tony and Albert were absolute masters of the edit, and you are so right, what they were doing with tape and razor blades still seems almost impossible when you think about it today. That kind of precision, rhythm, and imagination was its own art form. I love that they worked on such a wide range of records, too. Their touch always added something exciting, and hearing them take on Peter Murphy makes this 12-inch even more interesting. I am so happy this one was a… Read more »