Robey – I Surrender (US 12″) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

French-Canadian actress, songwriter, and singer Louise Robey, known professionally as Robey, released “I Surrender” as her fourth single in 1986. The song was issued exclusively as a 12″ single in the United States and Canada, making it a standout in her discography and a sought-after collectible among fans of 1980s dance music.

Unlike her earlier singles, “I Surrender” did not appear on her self-titled debut album from 1985, which featured her breakout hit cover of “One Night in Bangkok.” Instead, this track was a non-album single that further showcased Robey’s dramatic vocal delivery and her flair for cinematic, synth-driven production.

Built around a steady club beat, lush synth textures, and Robey’s signature sultry vocals, “I Surrender” embodies the Hi-NRG and electro-pop sound that defined the mid-80s dancefloor. The single reached #47 on the Billboard Dance Chart in October 1986, becoming Robey’s final charting single in the U.S.

Although it didn’t achieve mainstream success, “I Surrender” remains a fascinating slice of mid-80s club culture — a shimmering, emotional track that captures the moment when pop, dance, and performance art all collided under the strobe lights.

Outside of her music career, Robey is perhaps best remembered for her role as Micki Foster on the cult TV series Friday the 13th: The Series. Her unique blend of glamour, mystery, and charisma made her a defining figure of 1980s pop culture — and “I Surrender” stands as a perfect example of her musical style and artistic spirit.

SIDE A:
I Surrender 6:06
Executive Producer – Joel Diamond
Producer – Mark Berry
Written By – D. Batteau, D. Freeman, J. Ingram

SIDE B:
I Surrender (Dub Mix) 4:53
Executive Producer – Joel Diamond
Producer – Mark Berry
Written By – D. Batteau, D. Freeman, J. Ingram

Paris, Paree 5:45
Executive Producer – Joel Diamond
Producer – Marcus Barone
Written By – Louise Robey, M. Barone

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Robey: I Surrender (1986)
Chart Peak Position Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs #47 1986

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – 4V9 43018
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Photography – Guy W. Cearley

NOTES:
Recorded at Broccoli Rabe Studios 1986

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
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp:
Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC:
Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
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!


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Louis Garcia
Louis Garcia
October 17, 2025 8:44 am

I absolutely love when you share remixes from the 80s that are not included on any compilations despite being amazing! That’s what makes this site so unique! Keep up the great work!

Mike Simmons
Mike Simmons
October 17, 2025 5:44 am

I’m definitely gonna have to binge watch the Friday The 13th series this weekend. Apparently, I’m the only one who has never seen it (and it appears to be available on Amazon). Thank you for this fantastic 12″. I am surprised she wasn’t more famous. She certainly had the looks and the pipes; but her acting career probably got in the way. Too bad!

Retro Hound
Retro Hound
October 17, 2025 1:00 am

Wow Paul this is a blast from the past! I don’t think I’ve heard this since 1986. Catchy with a great beat. I like Mark Berry’s production work, especially with Kool & The Gang. And I did used to watch Friday the 13th: The Series. Thank you so much for this one-of-a-kind 12 inch Paul!!

JP
JP
October 16, 2025 11:06 pm

You found a song I barely remember!! Miss Robey is probably not going to be brought up first in any Mark Berry retrospectives but he still produced a fun track here. It’s got pep and energy and brings to mind aerobics, and leotards and leg warmers! I really like how you made a spooky connection to the Halloween season since the artist starred on the Friday the 13th series – which I have to tell you confused the heck out of me at the time it was airing. It would be on late at night and it clearly had no… Read more »

Last edited 4 months ago by JP
JP
JP
Reply to  DjPaulT
October 18, 2025 1:08 am

I didn’t mean to be vague! Was just a little uncomfortable mentioning something I might be hoping for when I haven’t donated yet. Working on it!! My mystery artist has yet to appear here – she isn’t too well known but she voiced Lisa Raccoon on the Canadian animated kids series The Raccoons which began airing in 1985. She also provided music used on the series. I never saw the show during the 80s but at some point I heard the song that was used as the end credits for the show. I didn’t even realize it was from a… Read more »

Rubén
Rubén
October 16, 2025 5:13 pm

The song I Surrenderis very good, I actually like it. But the best thing was its producer, Mark Berry, who guaranteed any hit. Mark worked with multiple Grammy-nominated artists, including Carly Simon, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Billy Idol, Boy George, Yes, Joan Jett, Cameo, Voivod, and Kool & The Gang. In Carly Simon’s case, he was none other than the producer of the album “No Secrets,” which featured the song “You’re So Vain.” In McCartney’s case, he worked with him and George Martin on the soundtrack for the James Bond film, “Live and Let Die.” He also worked… Read more »

Jeff
Jeff
Reply to  Rubén
October 17, 2025 8:26 am

I am very impressed with your knowledge of Mark Berry. He’s a wonderful producer.

Many thanks!!

Jeff

Jeff
Jeff
October 16, 2025 3:46 pm

I’m sorry to comment so late in the day, Paul! I love, Robey!! I so loved her in, “Friday the 13th: The Series.” This song is great because, Mark Berry produced her!

Thank you, Paul!!

Jeff

Axel F80
Axel F80
October 16, 2025 3:43 pm

Oh man, I remember this song very well, as I used to have this 12″, but I haven’t heard it in forever. I loaned this record to a friend and never got it back! So glad you decided to transfer it. I can’t wait to listen to this song again after almost 4 decades!!!! THANK YOU!!!

Ashley
Ashley
October 16, 2025 1:20 pm

Robey! Also famous (or infamous) for Friday the 13th: The Series.

Thanks, Paul!