Burning The Ground Exclusive
“If your memory serves you well…”
Gothic meets psychedelic in this swirling, cinematic cover of the Dylan/Hudson classic.
In 1987, Siouxsie & The Banshees released a haunting, otherworldly take on “This Wheel’s On Fire,” a song co-written by Bob Dylan and The Band’s Rick Danko. Originally recorded during the Basement Tapes era, the song has always had a mysterious and foreboding undercurrent. But in the hands of Siouxsie Sioux and company, it becomes something entirely different—decadent, surreal, and even apocalyptic.
Released as a standalone single, This Wheel’s On Fire was part of a larger project: the soundtrack to the BBC series The Life and Loves of a She-Devil. The Banshees’ version climbed into the UK Top 20, peaking at #14, and marked one of the band’s most visible moments in the late ’80s, during a period of experimentation and reinvention.
The track opens with swirling backwards guitars and a slow-building tribal rhythm before Siouxsie’s commanding voice enters, dripping with theatrical menace. Producer Mike Hedges gives the mix a hazy, dreamlike quality—layers of reverb, echo, and glimmering effects wrap around the instrumentation like smoke.
The 12″ version (clocking in at 7:28) stretches the psychedelic elements even further. It’s more spacious, more hypnotic, and lets the slow burn of the arrangement unfurl at its own pace. It’s not just a cover—it’s a reimagining. Siouxsie takes Dylan’s cryptic lyrics and steers them into a post-punk fever dream that fits seamlessly into the Banshees’ sonic universe.
The B-sides are worth the needle drop as well. “Shooting Sun” is a glimmering, textured track that leans into the band’s experimental tendencies, while “Sleepwalking (On The High Wire)” plays like a surreal lullaby—both adding depth to this single’s dark beauty.
For fans of Siouxsie’s rich catalog, this track is a highlight from their “late period”—sophisticated, gothic, and still fiercely original. Nearly four decades on, This Wheel’s On Fire continues to burn.
SIDE A:
This Wheel’s On Fire (Incendiary Mix) 7:28
Written-By – Dylan, Danko
SIDE B:
Shooting Sun 4:46
Written-By – Siouxsie & The Banshees
Sleepwalking (On The High Wire) 5:10
Written-By – Siouxsie & The Banshees
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Geffen Records – 0-20609, Geffen Records – 9 20609-0 A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Rock
Style: New Wave, Goth Rock
CREDITS:
- Design – Crocodile (London)*, Banshees*
- Lacquer Cut By – KP*
- Producer [Production] – Hedges*, Banshees*
NOTES:
Track A: Original version available on the forthcoming Siouxsie & The Banshees album “Through The Looking Glass” on Geffen Records
Made in U.S.A.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
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 was on the album ‘Through the Looking Glass’ which was an album of covers. This song was a standout of course, but my favorite on the album has to be ‘Trust In Me’. It is the song from the animated ‘Jungle Book’ (1967) when Kaa the snake is hypnotizing Mowgli. Ssssssiouxie ssssssssounds absssssolutely sssseductive sssssinging it.
Before Siouxie, Annie Lennox, Nina Hagen, Lene Lovich, etc. there was Julie Driscoll with Brian Auger & The Trinity. “Wheels” was a #5 UK and #13 Canadian hit in 1968, complete with the obligatory phasing effect of the day like Status Quo’s single mix of “Pictures Of Matchstick Men”. I first heard it as a kid on the big Dallas top 40 station, and cannot explain with 8 different pressing plants ATCO used knowing this was a hit, how this only made it to #106 in the USA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eJHKjV1ecs Julie also does an outstanding job on the Donovan hit “Season… Read more »
Some might recognize this as the Absolutely Fabulous theme song.
Yes! That’s such a fun connection—This Wheel’s On Fire is instantly recognizable to many as the Absolutely Fabulous theme song. That version was by Julie Driscoll and Adrian Edmondson, but it’s great to hear how different artists, like Siouxsie & The Banshees, brought their own unique spin to it. Same song, totally different vibes!
I must admit, I am a total novice to the Siouxsie & The Banshees catalog. From what I hear of this Dylan/Danko cover I really like it! What stands out to me most in their catalog is their song Face To Face from Batman Returns. I thought their goth/dreamy sound was a perfect match for that dark, gothy movie. So your new vinyl transfer today is a welcome introduction to their other gems in their catalog! And from what I understand the 2 B-sides here are exclusive to this release. Thank you so much Paul!! I appreciate you giving us… Read more »
That’s awesome to hear—Face to Face is such a perfect gateway into the world of Siouxsie & The Banshees! That track oozes atmosphere and fit Batman Returns like a glove. I’m so glad this post could serve as a bit of an introduction to more of their catalog! You’re absolutely right—the two B-sides on this single are exclusive to this release and well worth diving into. The band had a real gift for making their B-sides feel just as essential as their A-sides. Thanks so much for the kind words—it means a lot! Always happy to mix things up and… Read more »
I do recommend you dig into the earlier end of their back catalogue…going right back to the beginning Hong Kong Garden, an amazing debut single. Fast forward a bit…Spellbound…especially the 12″ version (do you have it Paul? hint hint). That is probably my most played 12 incher…bar none!
Thanks for this Paul. I always thought these B-sides were two of the better ones out of the numerous (enough to fill three discs worth!) that the Banshees recorded over their career. I read that Siouxsie was a fan of Julie Driscoll’s cover of this song and when finding out that it was originally by Dylan shortly after recording, was tempted to shelve the Banshees’ version altogether! Must not have been a fan of Dylan at the time I assume. Hah.
You’re very welcome! I completely agree—the B-sides on this single are absolute gems. Shooting Sun and Sleepwalking could have easily held their own on an album. The Banshees always had a knack for giving their B-sides real substance, and you’re right—there are enough of them to fill multiple discs (and they did with Downside Up, thankfully!). I’d read that story too about Siouxsie not realizing it was a Dylan song until after the fact—such a fascinating bit of trivia! It totally tracks though, given how different Julie Driscoll’s version is from Dylan’s original. I imagine Siouxsie resonated more with the… Read more »
My gosh, Paul, how you press the right buttons with me!! I love Siouxie & The Banshees for their gothic and New Wave leanings. This coupled with the psychedelia of its production, it’s records like this that put me in these trances where I’m “spellbound” and drawn into the sonic web of tracks like this! And Paul, like what Grant said below, your rips are deliriously pulling me into states of ecstasy!! I’m no audiophile, but I know what I love, and you Sir really do it to me whenever you post a rip. The time and care you lavish… Read more »
Jeff, wow… I’m honestly so moved by your words. Thank you. Truly. Reading this made my day—probably my whole week. It means the world to know that the care and love I pour into these rips actually reaches people in the way I always hoped it would. Like you, I’ve always believed these 12-inch singles are more than just music—they’re time capsules, full of character and creativity that too often gets left behind in the digital age. It’s that feeling of being “spellbound” that drives me to keep preserving and sharing them. So to hear you describe that sensation so… Read more »
Through The Looking Glass, the Siouxsie album with only covers, including this song, is one of the best cover albums ever released.
Absolutely—Through The Looking Glass is an outstanding covers album! The Banshees had a remarkable ability to take existing songs and completely reshape them into something uniquely their own. This Wheel’s On Fire is a prime example—dark, hypnotic, and utterly mesmerizing. Easily one of the best cover albums ever made.
That said, my personal favorite covers album has to be Duran Duran’s Thank You. It’s bold, eclectic, and full of unexpected choices—definitely underrated in my book.
Love seeing this! I’m a huge Dylan fan, and this is an unexpected cover!
Also – have we praised you lately for the clarity of all your needle-drops Paul? Superb work as always!!
Thanks so much, Grant! I love that this one caught your eye—definitely not the kind of Dylan cover you expect, but that’s what makes it so special. The Banshees really took it in such a bold, psychedelic direction.
And I truly appreciate the kind words about the rips—it means a lot coming from you! I always try to bring out the best in these records, so hearing that the clarity comes through makes it all worthwhile.
Wow. I don’t remember this at all! I mean I always liked them but never “got into” them like so many other musical obsessions. But I was aware and had friends who were more into them, so it’s odd I don’t remember this! But it will be a fun discovery in a week for those: I just asked a friend if they had the cover for a mixtape CD they made in 2013, and they didn’t have the mix anymore so I sent it back, 12 years later! Musical memories are the best!!! Oh, and she was more into Siouxsie… Read more »
I love everything about this, ING! It’s always so cool when a track slips past you the first time and then circles back years later like a little musical time capsule. And what a perfect full-circle moment with that mixtape! Music has such a wild way of resurfacing when we least expect it—and often when we need it most.
Sounds like your friend had great taste too—maybe she was trying to plant the Siouxsie seed back then! Hope this one hits you in a whole new way now. Thanks for sharing that story!
You had me at Siouxsie :)Thanks Paul!
Haha, same here—you can never go wrong with Siouxsie! Always happy to share, Mikey. Thanks for listening!
Pleased with your choice today Paul. Banshees and related were some my first purchases when I starting buying records in a serious way! Mainly ‘early period’ so I didn’t actually ever buy this one. The series Life & Loves Of A She-Devil was massive here in the UK at the time. Caught a bit of it on a repeat channel recently and thought it hadn’t aged well though. Guess over there you are more familiar with the Roseanne Barr film?
Thanks so much, Ian! I love hearing that the Banshees were part of your early vinyl journey—that “early period” really is something special. Totally get how this one might’ve slipped by if you weren’t following their later releases closely.
And yes, over here it’s definitely the Roseanne Barr film that people remember more—She-Devil (1989) with Meryl Streep in full camp mode! I only discovered the BBC series later on, and you’re right—it definitely feels very of its time now. Still, the fact that it gave us this haunting Banshees cover makes it all worthwhile in my book!