Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
For today’s Ladies Of The 80s: Soundtrack Edition, we are heading back to 1987 for a record that seemed to be everywhere once it caught fire.
Pretty Poison’s “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” was featured in the comedy Hiding Out and became one of the biggest dance-pop crossover hits of the late 1980s.
This is also another new 2026 transfer.
I originally posted this single way back in January 2014. More than twelve years later, I returned to the vinyl and recorded it again from scratch using my current equipment and restoration process.
This is not a remaster of the files posted in 2014. It is a completely new transfer.
Pretty Poison formed in Philadelphia in the early 1980s, with Jade Starling on lead vocals and Whey Cooler as one of the group’s principal musicians and songwriters. Their early material leaned toward new wave before they moved into the electronic dance sound that would bring them national attention.
They had already found some club success with “Nighttime,” which reached number 14 on Billboard’s Dance chart in 1984.
But “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” changed everything.
Written by Jade Starling and Whey Cooler and produced by Kae Williams Jr. and Kurt Shore, the song became a regional hit around Philadelphia, selling roughly 20,000 copies through the independent Svengali label. Its success caught the attention of Virgin Records, which gave the record a much larger platform.
Its appearance in the 1987 comedy Hiding Out helped push it even further.
Directed by Bob Giraldi, Hiding Out stars Jon Cryer as Andrew Morenski, a twenty-nine-year-old Boston stockbroker hiding from organized crime who disguises himself as a high-school student named Maxwell Hauser.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Jon Cryer is a twenty-nine-year-old stockbroker pretending to be a teenager.
Only in the ’80s.
The soundtrack was actually quite strong, with Boy George, Public Image Ltd., Hue & Cry, Scarlett & Black, and Roy Orbison with k.d. lang joining Pretty Poison. “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” appears during a roller-rink sequence, which is about as perfectly 1987 as anything could be.
The song itself is pure late-’80s dance-pop and freestyle.
Electronic drums hit hard, synthesizers sparkle, and a thick bassline drives everything forward. Over it all is Jade Starling, delivering a playful, urgent vocal that sounds as though falling in love is happening at full speed.
The chorus is ridiculously infectious. Once “Catch me, I’m falling” gets into your head, good luck getting it back out.
The timing was perfect. Freestyle was moving from the clubs into mainstream pop, and Pretty Poison fit naturally into that world while still sounding like themselves.
The club audience got there first.
“Catch Me (I’m Falling)” reached number one on Billboard’s Dance Club chart in September 1987. Pop radio soon followed, sending the single all the way to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 by December.
For a group that had recently been selling records independently around Philadelphia, reaching the national Top 10 was quite a leap.
The single had less impact in the UK, peaking at number 85 in early 1988. It later appeared on Pretty Poison’s 1988 debut album, also titled Catch Me I’m Falling.
For 12-inch collectors, however, the single is where the real fun begins.
The 12″ Mix runs approximately 6:10, while the Dub Mix runs about 5:05. Both received additional production and remixing by New York DJ Bruce Forest, with Frank Heller engineering. The Dance Mix and Radio Mix retain the original production by Kae Williams Jr. and Kurt Shore.
Bruce Forest’s 12″ Mix gives the record more room without losing what made it work. The intro stretches out, the rhythm moves forward, and the electronic details have time to breathe before Jade takes over.
The Dub Mix pushes further into the production, breaking the track apart and spotlighting the percussion, keyboards, vocal fragments, and effects.
It is easy to hear why DJs embraced this record.
Even surrounded by all that production, Jade remains the center of attention. Her voice has enough personality to cut through every drum hit and synthesizer.
That may be one reason the record has aged so well.
It is completely, unapologetically 1987.
The drums are huge.
The synthesizers are bright.
The hair was probably even bigger.
Perfect.
Pretty Poison would score another Hot 100 hit with a new version of “Nighttime,” which reached number 36, but “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” remained the song that defined them for the widest audience.
For this new 2026 transfer, I went back to the vinyl and started over. My goal was to preserve the punch of the percussion, the depth of the bass, the layers of synthesizers, and Jade’s soaring vocal while bringing out as much detail as possible.
Pretty Poison may have started with a regional Philadelphia dance record, but “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” refused to stay regional.
The clubs caught it.
Virgin caught it.
Hiding Out caught it.
Then Top 40 radio caught it.
Now, more than twelve years after I first posted it on Burning The Ground, I’m catching it one more time.
Are you ready?
Here it comes.
CLUB REMIX SIDE:
Catch Me (I’m Falling) (12″ Mix) 6:13
Engineer – Frank Heller
Producer [Additional], Remix – Bruce Forest
Catch Me (I’m Falling) (Dub Mix) 5:18
Engineer – Frank Heller
Producer [Additional], Remix – Bruce Forest
RADIO MIX SIDE:
Catch Me (I’m Falling) (Dance Mix) 5:54
Engineer – Mr. Mitch
Catch Me (I’m Falling) (Radio Mix) 4:23
Engineer – Mr. Mitch
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart (1987–1988) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 8 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 26 |
| UK Singles Chart | 85 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Virgin – 96752-0, Virgin – 0-96752
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop, Freestyle, Dance-pop
CREDITS:
- Featuring – Jade Starling, Whey Cooler
- Management – City Lights Management, Inc.
- Performer – Pretty Poison
- Producer – Kae Williams Jr., Kurt Shore
- Words By, Music By – Jade Starling, Whey Cooler
NOTES:
Recorded at Kajem/Victory Studios, Gladwyne, PA
Remixed at Sound Track Studios, NYC / Electric Lady Studios, NYC
Manufactured & distributed by WEA through arrangement with Atlantic Records
Taken from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of the DEG film “Hiding Out.”
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
PLEASE READ
There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other
**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!
Password: burningtheground
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There’s a fun Spanish-language version on the b-side of the 7″ 45 single I have. It was fun to mix into it for a verse and chorus in Espanol, then back to the English version the dancefloor knew.
Instant classic back in the day! The remixes tool it to another level. I would try to mix them up using a cassette player and record with another…HA! Thank you as usual sir!! It had been awhile so I submitted a donation for your kind services. Take care – Eddie
Thank you so much, Eddie! Those cassette-to-cassette mixes were real homemade DJ experiments. It may have been a little rough around the edges, but that was part of the fun.
I agree that the remixes take “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” to another level. Each version brings out something different in the rhythm and production.
Thank you also for your very kind donation. Your support is deeply appreciated and helps me continue working on these transfers and sharing them with everyone.
Take care, Eddie, and enjoy!
Such a ubiquitous hit! I’m actually surprised it wasn’t a Billboard No. 1 hit, as the song was everywhere… and I mean everywhere. I’m not sure I realized it was from the movie soundtrack. To call it catchy is an understatement. On a separate note, I really appreciate Paul how you start over with your brand new audio restorations. You bring out every nuance and every groove comes alive. Thank you Paul and have a great weekend everyone!!
Thank you so much, Retro Hound! I agree, “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” felt much bigger than its number eight peak. It was all over radio and MTV, and that chorus was impossible to escape. The Hiding Out connection is easy to forget because the song became far more famous than the movie. It eventually took on a life of its own. I also appreciate your comments about the restoration. Whenever I call something a new transfer, I return to the original vinyl and begin again from scratch. It is rewarding to hear how much more detail I can bring out… Read more »
This dance classic never gets old, thanks for the repost.
You’re very welcome, Hector! “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” still has the same energy and excitement it had back in 1987.
I’m glad to bring it back with a completely new transfer. Some dance classics simply never lose their magic.
Thank you!
Late to the party here. 🙂 This was a fantastic song and 12″ back then! I especially loved at 2:43 on the Dance Mix the beginning of a long break that included multiple instrumentation styles. But at 2:59…2:59 ladies and gentleman, the bomb dropped with some sampled scratches (from what I gather)! Then at a mere few seconds later at 3:07 the bomb drops again with a different beat. The Dub mix begins sounding surprisingly similar to Janet Jackson’s When I Think Of You Extra Beats (at 0:41) which was released a year earlier. Thanks again for this rip, Paul!!
Thank you, Fred! You are never too late for a great 12-inch. That breakdown in the Dance Mix is one of the best parts of the record. The arrangement keeps changing shape, then those scratches hit at 2:59 and the beat shifts again a few seconds later. It gives the mix a real sense of movement and keeps it from becoming a simple extended version. I also hear the similarity you mentioned between the opening of the Dub Mix and Janet Jackson’s “When I Think Of You” Extra Beats. Both have that sparse, percussion-heavy feel before the track begins filling… Read more »
One of my favorites! This will be an upgrade of this single for me!! Pretty Poison had a bunch of great songs, Nightime is so much fun, but nothing really beats Catch Me I’m Falling, does it?! I remember watching Hiding Out on cable and VHS so many times. Never got old! I rewatched it via the 4k UHD not that long ago, it still holds up for me. What a simpler time, when a random ~30 something can just enroll in a high school. I miss you the 80’s! Definitely recommend the movie. The music video featuring Jade Starling… Read more »
Thank you so much, JP! I agree that Pretty Poison had several great tracks, especially “Nighttime,” but nothing quite matches the rush of “Catch Me (I’m Falling).” It really was everywhere in 1987. I also bought the 4K UHD of Hiding Out. Another fun fact about me is that I am a huge movie collector and love physical media, so I was thrilled to add it to my collection. The movie is completely ridiculous, but in the most entertaining 1980s way possible. A thirty-year-old simply walks into a high school and enrolls. No questions asked! The music video is great… Read more »
Thank you, Paul. What a fantastic ’80s song to wrap up “Ladies of the ’80s” week. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve played this track; it gets me every single time. Great freestyle beats, those amazing synths, and then that voice-wow. Sure, there’s also “Nighttime” with that TB-303 bassline, but “Catch Me” is more danceable. Your 2026 transfer sounds absolutely top-notch. Wishing everyone here a fantastic weekend.
You’re very welcome, Toxicaudio! “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” really does have everything that made late-1980s freestyle so exciting. The drums, bright synthesizers, and Jade’s powerful vocal still hit just as hard today.
I also love “Nighttime,” especially that unmistakable TB-303 bassline, but I agree that “Catch Me” has the stronger dance-floor energy. Once that chorus arrives, it is impossible to sit still.
I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the new 2026 transfer. Thank you for following the series and sharing your memories with us.
Have a fantastic weekend too, Toxicaudio!
This brings back memories. When I was a senior in college (86-87) I interned at Kajem studios and worked on a couple of the Pretty Poison sessions. I had this long rat tail at the time and Jade made me prove it was real and not a weave. I had to unbraid it for her….
Another weird fact. Jade went to senior prom with a kid I knew, when she was probably about 25.
Thank you, Bradford! What an incredible memory. Working at Kajem Studios during those Pretty Poison sessions must have been exciting, especially now that “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” has become such a lasting 1980s favorite. The story about Jade making you unbraid your rat tail to prove it was real is hilarious and perfectly suited to the era. That may be one of the most authentically 1980s studio memories anyone has shared here. The senior prom story is certainly unexpected too. Pretty Poison clearly had some interesting connections to the local Philadelphia scene before the rest of the country caught up… Read more »
THANK YOU!! always happy to revisit this song! It never gets old in my mind, and brings back so many memories. I could be totally off base, but I seem to remember a Top of the Pops countdown and this was on there that year, with a classic performance of Jody Watley (Don’t you Want me) and Belinda Carlisle (Heaven on Earth). I dont think it is just me getting older, music just doesnt hit like this anymore. Or very often, I should say… THANK YOU for posting this!
Thank you so much, Greg! I know exactly what you mean. Some songs instantly bring back a time, a place, and an entire group of memories, and “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” is certainly one of them. You may be remembering one of the late-1987 countdown programs or performances. Pretty Poison, Jody Watley, and Belinda Carlisle together would make a perfect snapshot of that year. All three records still sound exciting today. I don’t think itis just about getting older, either. There was something about the melodies, personalities, and production of that period that made the music feel larger than life.… Read more »
Paul, that is amazing!! and yep, that is it. Nia Peeples and everything!! You can tell Jade is used to the club crowd, it comes through in her performance. She brings more of the freestyle too. man, good times!! thanks for posting!
Oh wow! THANK YOU!!! I love this song – easily one of the greatest Freestyle songs of all time!
Jade re-released that song with extra remixes in the 90s but I can’t seem to find that release anywhere:
Pretty Poison Featuring Jade Starling – Catch Me I’m Falling
I agree, Axel, it is one of the greatest 80s pop songs. I never purchased the 90s remixes, so I will have to hunt them down.
I used to have a CDM with some of the mixes, but I lent it to somebody and never got it back. The remixes are actually quite good and really do the original justice!
I have the ’90s remixes, several of them (on two separate CD singles), and they even include a dance version of “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic that mixes into “There’s Got To Be A Morning After” from The Poseidon Adventure! If anyone is interested, I can rip the mixes in .wav format and share, just let me know! 🙂
Oh my goodness!!!
These details!
The backdrop!
The remixers!
Details I don’t recall at all!
In the 80’s! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, ING! That is exactly what makes revisiting these records so much fun. Even songs we remember well can still reveal forgotten details about the film, the remixers, and how everything came together.
The music, the fashions, the huge production, and all those little credits hidden on the sleeve. It could only have happened in the ’80s!
I’m glad this post brought some of that excitement back for you. Thank you!
Hey Paul Happy Friday! This Jamm Is In My Top 10 For Sure. In The Late 80’s I Mixed This Jam With Shannon’s Do You Wanna Get Away!! I think In My Book That Nighttime is Just A Bit Better. That’s My Two Cents. Thanks Paul!
Hey Mark, I feel the same way, I love me some “Nighttime” as well! xoxo <3
Happy Friday, Mark! Mixing “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” with Shannon’s “Do You Wanna Get Away” sounds like a perfect late-’80s combination. Both records have that powerful freestyle drive and plenty of energy for the dance floor.
I can also understand choosing “Nighttime” as your favorite. That TB-303 bassline gives it a darker, more hypnotic edge, while “Catch Me” is the bigger pop anthem.
Either way, Pretty Poison gave us two great records. Thank you for sharing your DJ memory and your two cents!
Songs like this one really makes me smile and urges me to get up and dance! It’s records like this one with its frenetic beats, synthy-synths, female vocals, that really make my day! It’s songs like this one, especially during these summer months that make me feel like a kid again! Paul, I’ve been having a blast over these three weeks, with extra special songs delivered with gorgeous fidelity! You really are talented!! I never would have dreamed to hear these classics lavished with such attention to detail! It’s quite the rush if you ask me!! Please have a well-deserved… Read more »
Thanks Jeff, have an outstanding weekend yourself!! The last 3 weeks have been amazing indeed, love the way you worded all that. Hope we get 3 more?!?
Hey JP,
I so love, “Catch Me a Bunny”!! I may start to sing this instead!!
Today, on the first of the month, we wish folks, “White Rabbit” which gives them good luck wishes for the entire month! White Rabitt, JP!!
Have a fantastic weekend!!
Jeff
Thank you so much, Jeff! “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” really does have that instant feel-good energy. The pounding beats, bright synthesizers, and Jade’s vocal can make the years disappear for a few minutes. I am thrilled that you have enjoyed these three weeks of Ladies Of The 80s. Revisiting these records, returning to the original vinyl, and giving each one the care it deserves has been a real pleasure for me too. Your support and enthusiasm make all the work worthwhile. I am glad the new transfers have brought back so many good memories and given these classics another moment… Read more »
After reading Paul’s synopsis of the song it occurred to me that Hiding Out was the forgotten film that gave us the AMAZING duet “Crying” with Roy Orbison & kathy dawn lang. It was released as a hard-to-find 7” single, yet I imagine because these two artists were on different labels it mostly went undiscovered. Their version should have soared up the charts. Luckily they performed it together live a couple of times before Roy’s passing. Treat yourself to a legendary performance of the ’60s classic.
Thank you, dj xrey! You are right, Hiding Out also gave us that beautiful version of “Crying” by Roy Orbison and k.d. lang. Their voices sound incredible together. Roy brings all the heartbreak of the original, while k.d. adds something fresh without taking away from it. It is surprising that such a powerful duet did not receive more attention at the time. I am glad footage exists of them performing it together. Seeing and hearing those two remarkable voices side by side is a real treat. The movie may be forgotten by many, but its soundtrack continues to reveal one… Read more »
I’m kinda taken back that this wasn’t a massive international hit considering how inescapable it was when freestyle was all the rage. Before Virgin picked it up for international distribution, a Svengali Records 12” had a single length version that opened with violins, and was a completely ‘unpolished’ mix. It’s not the radio mix; just labeled “original version”. Not really rough like a demo, but a very ‘street-sounding’ mix that got early play in SoCal on the rhythmic top 40 stations. After Virgin got it, a slicker-sounding plethora of dance mixes and remixes came along, including the 7” single Spanish… Read more »
dj xrey,
It’s a real pleasure for me reading your comments here! I love the fact you are/were involved in the music industry! You really know your way around music. Thanks for the heads-up about the Roy Orbison – k.d. Lang single. Sounds awesome!!
Have a terrific weekend!!
Jeff
Thank you, dj xrey! I agree, it is surprising that “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” did not become a much bigger international hit considering how huge it was during freestyle’s peak. That early Svengali “Original Version” is a fascinating piece of the song’s history. It has a much rawer, more street-level sound than the polished Virgin mixes that followed. The violin opening makes it immediately stand apart too. Your memory of hearing it on Southern California rhythmic stations before the major-label push shows how these records often built their reputation locally before the rest of the country caught up. Then Virgin… Read more »
OMG Paul! This is one of my all-time favorite 12″ singles, and I have loved this song since the first time I ever heard it on the radio! My favorite mix of these four is the Dance Mix, I just love all the little edits and that flange effect they put into the breakdown! Pretty Poison still performs all over the U.S. as part of the “Freestyle Explosion” old school music tours, they are often on the bill with about 10 other freestyle acts, and every single time they start this song the crowd STILL goes crazy… Pretty Poison has… Read more »
Thank you so much, Jeremy! The Dance Mix is a great choice. Those edits and the flange effect during the breakdown give it a completely different personality from the other versions. I love hearing that “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” still gets such a huge reaction during the Freestyle Explosion shows. That says everything about how well the song has lasted. The moment those opening beats begin, people know exactly what is coming. It is also great that Pretty Poison is still recording new music. I will have to check out “Celebrate.” After all these years, Jade’s voice and the Pretty… Read more »
This song was always an earworm for me, super catchy and fun. I liken it to songs like Stacey Q’s Two Of Hearts or Nu Shooz’ I Can’t Wait. Looking at my collection I only seem to have the 4:24ish radio/single cut so I’m looking forward to hearing these mixes!
Thanks as always Paul and I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Thank you, Mikey-D! That is a perfect comparison. “Catch Me (I’m Falling),” “Two Of Hearts,” and “I Can’t Wait” all have that irresistible combination of a huge hook, bright synths, and a beat that instantly pulls you in.
The 4:24 radio version is great, but the longer mixes open the track up in different ways. The Dance Mix adds some fun edits, while the 12-inch and Dub versions give the rhythm and production more room to breathe.
I hope you enjoy discovering them. Have a great weekend too, Mikey-D!