Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
I first posted this track back on November 30, 2010, but I’ve dug deep into the crates to give it a meticulous new 2025 transfer. Every element—from the layered synths to the crisp percussion—has been carefully preserved, making the song sound brighter, cleaner, and more detailed than ever before.
🎶 Perfect Way: Scritti Politti’s Shimmering 80s Pop Masterpiece
“Perfect Way” by Scritti Politti is a landmark 1980s pop track that blended intellectual lyricism with slick, synth-driven production, becoming the band’s biggest U.S. hit and a defining moment in their career..
Origins and Release
Released in August 1985, Perfect Way was written by Green Gartside and David Gamson and appeared on Scritti Politti’s second studio album, Cupid \& Psyche 85. The album marked a shift from the band’s earlier post-punk experiments into a polished, funk-infused pop sound. Produced by Gartside, Gamson, and Fred Maher, the song showcased the group’s fascination with combining avant-garde ideas with mainstream accessibility.
Musical Style
The track is often described as new wave meets funk-pop, characterized by:
- Bright, layered synthesizers
- Crisp drum programming
- Funk-inspired bass lines
- Gartside’s smooth, almost detached vocal delivery
This sleek production reflected the mid-1980s trend toward highly produced, radio-friendly pop, but Scritti Politti added their own cerebral twist. The lyrics are abstract, full of paradoxes and playful contradictions, with lines like “I got a perfect way to make a new proposition” that highlight Gartside’s interest in language and philosophy.
Chart Performance
Interestingly, Perfect Way had a modest impact in the UK, peaking at No. 48 on the singles chart. However, in the United States, it became Scritti Politti’s breakthrough hit, climbing to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. This transatlantic success cemented the band’s reputation as one of the more sophisticated acts of the synth-pop era.
Cultural Impact
One of the most fascinating aspects of Perfect Way is its influence beyond pop music. Miles Davis, the legendary jazz trumpeter, recorded an instrumental version for his 1986 album Tutu. Davis’s choice to reinterpret the song demonstrated its musical depth and adaptability, bridging the gap between pop and jazz.
Legacy
Today, Perfect Way stands as Scritti Politti’s signature song in the U.S. and a quintessential example of mid-80s pop innovation. It represents:
- The band’s transition from underground post-punk to mainstream success
- The era’s obsession with glossy, high-tech production
- A rare case of British intellectual pop resonating more strongly in America than at home
While Scritti Politti never replicated the same level of U.S. chart success, Perfect Way remains a time capsule of 1980s pop sophistication, celebrated for its fusion of catchy hooks and cerebral lyricism.
In short: Perfect Way is Scritti Politti’s most commercially successful single, a synth-pop gem that captured the sleek sound of the 1980s while also earning respect from jazz greats like Miles Davis.
About the 12″ single.
This US 12″ single contains an edited version of the “Way Perfect Mix,” clocking in at 5:27; the full 7:24 “Way Perfect Mix” is included on the US 12″ Promo that I posted in December 2024.
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
SIDE A:
Perfect Way (Way Perfect Mix) 5:27
Mixed By – Committee (3)
SIDE B:
Perfect Way (Way Perfect Version) 5:07
Engineer [Remix] – Steve Peck
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | #11 | 1985 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play | #6 | 1985 |
| US Billboard R&B / Hip-Hop | #85 | 1985 |
| UK Singles Chart | #48 | 1985 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 0-20362, Warner Bros. Records – 9 20362-0 A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, SRC Pressing
Country: US
Released: Oct 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Lacquer Cut By – Herb Powers Jr. (tracks: B), Tom Coyne (tracks: A)
- Producer – Gamson*, Maher*, Gartside*
- Recorded By – Howard Gray
- Written-By – Gamson*, Gartside*
NOTES:
Original version on the Warner Bros. album “Cupid & Psyche 85”
Made in U.S.A.
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!
Password: burningtheground
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This certainly is a time capsule of pop sophistication Paul!! This fits in perfectly with your recent transfers that are also representative of the shimmering pop and 12 inch era. This really was a perfect way to start the weekend. Thank you again Paul and I hope you and everyone here had a great weekend!!
Thumbs up
Love this one, thanks for the great share! Such a comforting bit of pop, it sort of sneaks up on you with its bubbly personality and great synths. This is really the epitome of perfect mid 80’s pop.
And Mark beat me to the punch below!! I always think of this one along with El DeBarge’s blissfully catchy “Who’s Johnny” from Short Circuit – probably because I would occasionally hear them back to back thought it was a heck of a pairing.
Really smiling over this one Dj Paul, thanks again!!
hanks, JP! Totally agree — this one has such an easy, comforting vibe. It doesn’t hit you over the head; it just kind of shimmers its way in with those glossy synths and that perfect mid-80s polish. Scritti really nailed that sweet spot between clever pop and pure ear candy.
And yes! Who’s Johnny is a fantastic comparison — both songs have that bright, bubbly charm that instantly puts you in a good mood. I can absolutely hear how great they’d sound back to back.
Really glad this one brought a smile to your day. Always appreciate you stopping by!
Hey Paul First Time I Heard This Jamm I Thought It Was The Jets Or Debarge. Kinda Reminds Me Of Hey Johnny! You Can’t Go Wrong With This Rip!! Thanks Mark
lol i Meant Who’s Johnny
Hey Mark! I can totally hear that — it really does have that Jets/DeBarge flavor to it. And Who’s Johnny is a perfect comparison… that same bright, glossy vibe that just screams mid-80s pop at its best!
Glad this rip hit the spot for you. Thanks for checking it out!
I love how most of the 80s Synthpop bands from the UK started out as Punk bands and slowly evolved into amazing Pop bands. I would have loved to have seen these bands live as they were slowly transitioning.
Absolutely! That whole evolution from scrappy punk beginnings into sleek, polished synthpop is one of my favorite things about so many UK bands from the era. Watching groups like Scritti, The Human League, Depeche Mode, and others reinvent themselves must have been incredible — that energy of experimentation and discovery happening right on stage.
Would’ve loved to witness that transition in real time too. Thanks for the great insight!
How interesting: an edited version of the 12″ remix. Can’t wait to hear this! Thank you for giving us both versions of this 12″ vinyl, Paul! You are a completist’s dream-come-true!
Thanks so much, Axel! I’m really glad you’re excited to hear it. I love when a 12″ quietly hides an edited remix or alternate version — those little surprises are half the fun of digging through these releases. And you know me… if there are multiple mixes on a vinyl, I’m absolutely going to post them all.
Happy listening, and thanks for the kind words!
What drives me nuts is remixes that tell you there are an edit but I can never find the longer, unedited version! Especially when they are awesome… leaving you wanting more.
Don’t know this fella, but I’m grateful to you for sharing this music.
Thanks, Paul!
You’re very welcome, Muff Diver.
God, I love this band, and this song. And that chord progression in the pre-chorus, COME ON. 🙂
Right?! That pre-chorus lift is unreal — it still gives me a little jolt every time. Scritti had such a knack for slipping in these clever, unexpected chord progressions that take the whole song up a level. Totally with you… this band and this track are something special.
Thanks, David!
Fun fact: A notable detail is that the song was covered and adopted by the legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, who incorporated it into his live repertoire. In fact, Davis was so impressed by Scritti Politti’s sound that he even collaborated with the band on their next album (1988’s) (Provision), playing trumpet on the single “Oh Patti (Don’t Feel Sorry For Loverboy).”
Ha ha. Well, for the first time I wrote without reading the post. Paul already covered this detail in the post with his usual perfection.
So let’s talk about the video.
The music video was one of the first I remember, with a minimalist approach. For this, they focused Scritti Politti more on sound and production than on the image of traditional 80s rock stars.
Great minds think alike, Ruben! 😄 That Miles Davis connection is just too good not to bring up — such a wild and wonderful crossover between worlds. I love that you mentioned it even before reading the post; it shows how memorable that piece of trivia really is. And yes, the video! Totally agree — it’s such a minimalist, understated clip, especially compared to the over-the-top visual style a lot of 80s acts were chasing. Scritti always leaned more toward craft, texture, and production than big rock-star imagery, and the video really reflects that. Clean, simple, and all about the… Read more »
Paul, this song is truly a pop masterpiece. I remembering jamming out to it on the radio – it was on heavy rotation in LA back in the day. Love the Way Perfect Mix, and “full” mix you posted last year on the U.S. 12″ Promo. It is such a cheery song, you can’t help but be in a good mood. This is the, ahem, perfect way to take us into the weekend. Thank you for the new transfer!
Thanks so much! It really is a pop masterpiece — one of those songs that just feels good the moment it kicks in. I love hearing that it was getting big airplay out in L.A.; must’ve sounded amazing blasting out of radios back then.
Glad you’re enjoying both the Way Perfect Mix and the full mix from the promo — this track wears its different versions really well. And I’m happy the new transfer is helping kick your weekend off on the right note. Appreciate you being here, as always!
Thanks so much, Paul! The Way Perfect Mix is my favorite out of the various mixes spread across numerous 12″s. This song so reminds me of Christmas (it was released in October) and also the instrumentation is just so bright and cheery. I have fond memories of listening to this song during the holidays that year. It also has a very Duran Duran sound to it…especially at 3:40-3:58. Thanks for bringing this back to us (and this time of year at least for me) with your amazing restoration! Have an awesome weekend!
hanks, Fred! The Way Perfect Mix is a standout for me too — there’s just something extra sparkly about it. I love that this track takes you right back to the holidays. It really does have that bright, cheery, almost festive feel, and releasing it in October definitely helped cement it into that winter memory zone. And you’re spot on about the Duran Duran vibe in that section — those little production flourishes and chord changes give it that same sleek, shimmering energy they were so good at. Really glad this restoration brought those memories back for you. Hope you… Read more »
Such a great group and song!, Thank you for sharing Paul.Best
Thanks so much, Marcelo! Really glad you enjoyed this one — Scritti were such a unique and brilliant group. Always happy to share these gems. Best to you as well!
I remember this album from which this single is culled from along with ABC’s LP, “Who Wants To Be A Zillionaire” received accolades from audiophiles saying that both albums were, “way perfect.”<smile> I couldn’t agree more. “Perfect Way” is an outstanding single, and, Paul, so thrilled you’re looking deep within your old archives. These old rips with new and stellar re-visiting are like sonic crown jewels! You make our music sparkle, sir!! A big bear hug for doing this record, Paul!! Have a super-duper weekend, Paul, along with, Retro Hound, Song_and_Dance, Martika, Grant, JP, ING, Axel, Grant, Ruben, Toxicaudio, Muff… Read more »
Jeff, I love that! Those audiophile shout-outs were well deserved — Cupid & Psyche 85 and ABC’s Zillionaire really were “way perfect” in every sense. The production on both still sounds incredible today.
And thank you for the kind words. It means a lot. Digging back into these old rips and giving them a fresh shine has been a real joy, and I’m thrilled they’re coming across like little sonic treasures for you all.
Big bear hug right back at you, my friend!
I’m from the UK and this is a my favourite single from the Cupid & Psyche album. You mention you posted the full Way Perfect mix in Dec 24. I’ve just searched on your site under Scritti and Perfect Way and I can’t find it anywhere?
I have it as FLAC in the original RAR if you want/need it and/of if Paul can’t put it back on the blog here. I’ll see if Paul replies here and if needed, I will post a download link to it. 🙂
I accidentally deleted the post this morning while working on today’s post. I will be re-posting it tomorrow.
LOL I just noticed that you posted your scan to Discogs!
Good catch, Mikey. Yes, I usually always do that for every post.