Burning The Ground Exclusive 1984
“Infatuation” is a 1984 song by Rod Stewart from his thirteenth studio album Camouflage, written by Stewart, Duane Hitchings, and Rowland Robinson released as the first single from the album. It features guitar playing by Jeff Beck, who makes a cameo in the video.
For the song’s single release, the song was edited and remixed.
The song reached #6 on Billboard’s Hot 100 charts. On the US dance charts, “Infatuation” peaked at #19. in the UK the song reached #27.
The song’s video, directed by Jonathan Kaplan, is a story filmed mostly in black in white. In the video, a woman (played by Kay Lenz) moves into an apartment complex where Stewart lives. Shortly after she settles in, Stewart is accosted by the woman’s bodyguard (played by Mike Mazurki) asking about her, showing him a picture of her with two mobsters, one of the faces covered by the bodyguard’s thumb; Stewart denies knowing the woman, though his apartment walls are covered with numerous pictures he took of the woman in various stages of dress (and undress); he is constantly snapping additional pictures or peering into the woman’s apartment with his binoculars.
Eventually, Stewart’s obsession with the woman gets him in trouble; he is caught with his binoculars by the woman’s bodyguard, who punches him in the face. After Stewart falls back on his pillow the film changes from black and white to color, suggesting a dream sequence. The last scene takes a surreal turn, showing Stewart standing at a moving carousel with Lenz trapped in the center while one of the two mobsters (Dick Miller), riding a mount, taunts Stewart.
The video has two different endings. One ending shows the woman waving goodbye to Stewart as she and the other mobster (the one whose face was covered by the bodyguard’s thumb in the picture) drive away in a blue convertible, leaving Stewart riding the carousel alone. The other has the mobster driving away alone as Stewart and Lenz ride the carousel together in each other’s arms. In the first ending might, other ‘mobster’ is actually Stewart with his hair slicked down.
Mazurki later said that he got more fame in the making of this video than in any of the feature films or TV shows in which he’d starred.
SIDE A:
Infatuation (LP Version) 5:13
SIDE B:
Infatuation (Edit) 4:06
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
Year | Single | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|---|
1984 | Infatuation | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #6 |
1984 | Infatuation | U.S. Billboard Dance Music/Club Play | #19 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – PRO-A-2148
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock
CREDITS:
- Producer – Michael Omartian
NOTES:
From the Warner Bros. album Camouflage
Promotional Copy Not For sale
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
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 3.0 (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
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Paul, before this WB released a 12″ promo of “Passion” which was about 7 min. long; an extension of the LP version. The video was boring and a missed opportunity, but still a great song. Maybe you were lucky enough to snag that one. I’ve only seen it one time.
Hi DjXREY I posted that one before back in 2013. The record is in storage I will try to locate it and give it a new transfer at some point 🙂
The good thing is you have it! Peace out
Thanks a lot for this! I remember the day this came out – loved the whole album.
You’re welcome, Grant 🙂
Many thanks Paul, always sharing outstanding rips & beautiful records
Thank you 🙂
five stars!
Thank you 🙂
This is a great song, Paul, in every way!! I love the sound of the whole piece!! Too bad that there wasn’t a remix because it would have been epic!!
Have a super weekend, Paul!! Best wishes for a great weekend also, Song And Dance, Retro Hound, Martika, Daniel, Fred, ING, and to the rest of the community here!!
Jeff
Thank you, Jeff 🙂
Amazing, I absolutely love it!! I used to watch this video almost non stop on MTV, it was in such heavy rotation. I didn’t realize at the time how big a comeback for Rod Stewart this was. For me it represents the start to the summer of ’84… this along with Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and Dancing In The Dark. What an amazing time! And what a great single this is: Fiery guitars, impassioned vocals and Jeff Beck shredding on the solo, you can’t go wrong! I have the 45’s (with different b-sides) so it’s great to have… Read more »
Summer ’84 was one of the best times in music. This track is probably my favorite by Rod Stewart so much energy and attitude. The video makes the song even better. Have a great weekend retro Hound 🙂
Have a fantastic weekend, Retro Hound!!!
Jeff
Thanks, same to you Jeff!!!
This song gets played on radio still, but Mood Media’s Classic Hits channel plays the album version to death.
The edited radio versions are often lost.
What a bummer there’s no fun remixes on here but a beautiful rip as always. Thank you Paul!
Thanks, Tim. A 12″ remix was a missed opportunity especially since the song charted on the US dance chart a remix would have possibly sent it even higher. Still, the edit is a rare one. 🙂