BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984
“Self Control” is a song by Italian singer Raf, released in 1984. It was written by Giancarlo Bigazzi, Steve Piccolo, and Raf. The song was covered the same year by American singer Laura Branigan. Her version first hit no. 1 in Germany on June 15, 1984. Raf’s version first hit no. 1 in Italy on June 23, 1984. Both versions of the song were popular across Europe during much of the summer of 1984 and were the most successful single of the year in Switzerland. Branigan’s version peaked at no. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and also went to no. 2 on the dance chart.
The song has become one of the defining songs of the 1980s, with a number of remakes recorded each year. Notable covers include Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin in 1993, a hit dance remake by Branigan in 2004 and two 2006 versions that hit the Top 5 in various European enclaves, by Danish dance group Infernal and Spanish singer Soraya Arnelas.
Raf, born as Raffaele Riefoli, co-wrote the song “Self Control” with Giancarlo Bigazzi and Steve Piccolo. His version of “Self Control” peaked at no. 1 in Italy. It also notably edged into no. 1 in Switzerland between runs at the top spot by Laura Branigan’s version of “Self Control”, and peaked at no. 2 in Germany, no. 7 in Austria and at no. 40 in France. Raf released an extended dance mix of the song, like Branigan, but Raf’s version featured a rap (performed by two other rap vocalists), relatively rare for a white artist at the time.
He would release several more tracks in English and re-release his debut 1984 album Raf in 1987 under the title Self Control, featuring two of these tracks. Although his English-language album and especially the singles proved to be quite successful in Italy and elsewhere, he began releasing his later albums in his native language, almost all of which received better in Italy than the English-language albums; many of them entered Italy’s Top 10 album chart.
SIDE A:
Self Control (Special Maxi Version) 6:09
SIDE B:
Running Away 5:40
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Carrere – 8.338, Carrere – 8338
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: France
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Italo-Disco
CREDITS:
Arranged By – C. Valli*
Artwork – Grafica Solari
Other [Make Up] – Claudio Dereira
Photography By – R. Bastianoni*
Producer – G. Bigazzi*
Written-By – A. Primadei* (tracks: B), G. Bigazzi* (tracks: A), R. Riefoli*, S. Piccolo*
NOTES:
Made in France
Special Thanks to Anna Chu e Francesca Lotti
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
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
Interesting! Keep me posted http://rockyvibes.com
I’m a 90s baby so self control was before me. Always heard Laura Branigan’s Self Control while growing up in Jamaica. While watching Skam Italia recently, Raf’s version struck me. Imagine my SHOCK to learn this was the original. I will always like Laura’s version but Raf’s has a timeless quality to it which is why it is now my favourite of the 2 versions. THANKS for sharing.
Gee, she didn’t change much, did she? Just a better promotional network I’m guessing. I’m glad he’s a co-writer of the song so he got to make $ off Laura’s version.
Hello Paul,very nice,i’m italian. But sorry,is not that by chance that the pitch is slightly accelerated? If i play my 12″ Self Control with my Technics SP15,it’s a bit slower….
Congratulations on your site and your proposals!
Oliver
another italian master dance classic from the 80’es is “Matia Bazar – Ti Sento”. A huge european hit in 1986. The remix is great. Try it!
I will check it out Daniele 🙂
there’s also a spanish version “Te siento” and this english language maxi version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dOyrgDeFK4
I don’t know this version but can’t wait to hear it. LB’s version was played pretty much everywhere back then.
Cheers Paul 🙂
Hope you enjoy it Mark 🙂
Hey, this is Paul’s “Italo-Dance” Period! Don’t stop…
Italo eluding mainstream success since the late 80’s is one of the biggest crimes against humanity since the JFK assassination or 911 in my honest opinion. This blog is heaven sent.
I’ll do my best my Italo collection is not as large as some of the other genres but I have a few 🙂
Literal Dance Archaeology going on there Paul. Fascinating. Did he get a cut from Laura’s success ?
I am sure he did since he was a co-writer of the song. I hope he made millions 🙂
Great post. Most copies of this record have been DJ-ed to hell. That is quite an outfit he is wearing with matching tie no less. I just wanted to add that for YEARS I thought that the Branigan version of Self Control was by Donna Summer.
I thought it was too for a while Joey 🙂
Love the Branigan version, love this version and totally love the Keith Haring shirt and tie! Would have loved myself to look this cool back in the 80s!!!
Fun fact (although not really funny): in Germany RAF had to release his records under the name RAFF because of the far-left terrorist organization ROTE ARMEE FRAKTION (= Red Army Fraction).
Another fun fact: there is also a 2004 version by REPLICANT feat. Marc ALMOND.
Just sayin’ …
Thank you so much for all the info Christian 🙂
“The song has become one of the defining songs of the 1980s”. Yeah, that hits the nail….
Great song. I have the 12inch, needless to say, as well as the follow-up Change Your Mind which was less succesful but a good song anyway. And he wrote “Gente di Mare”? That was very successful over here but I always thought of it as an Umberto Tozzi song. You live, you learn – right?
Right my friend 🙂
I never knew Laura’s version was a cover !
Just checked the video of this out. I like it a lot !!
Loving the female backing vox, the heavy guitar-like synth,
the instrumental break at the end, and the Falco-ish rap especially.
Good call (as usual) by our Paul 🙂
Good b-side too 🙂
I agree almost like it as much as the a side 🙂
Thanks Paul. I like this version a lot, although Laura Branigan’s version was good too.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
I Never realized there is this version over Branigan version this is my first introduction to Raf’s version.
Thanks, Paul, I like this version over laura’s Branigan it sounds less commercial than Laura’s version.
Thanks Again DjPaul for sharing this, keep up the good work. 🙂
Hugo
You’re welcome, Hugo. I agree Laura’s version is good but it does sound a bit more polished and produced. 🙂
Hi Paul!
I always thought that Laura Branigan’s version was the original version, I never liked the RAF version because it seemed inferior, it would be very nice of you to publish Laura Branigan’s version.
Thanks!
I always liked the RAF version better I guess because it was the original. Love the dueling rap at the end. 🙂
Excellent post, Paul! Thank you for sharing!!!
Thanks, Bellenger1981. You’re welcome 🙂