Tag: 12″

May 22, 2025

Robert Palmer – Simply Irresistible (US 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

In the summer of 1988, Robert Palmer stormed back onto the charts with “Simply Irresistible,” a bold, brash, and unapologetically confident anthem that became one of the defining hits of his career. Taken from his platinum-selling ninth studio album, Heavy Nova, the track showcased Palmer’s sleek fusion of hard rock swagger and dancefloor sheen — a formula he’d perfected since his Riptide days and the smash success of “Addicted to Love.”

Produced by Palmer himself, “Simply Irresistible” features an explosive horn section, stomping drums, and his signature vocal coolness, delivered with razor-sharp precision. The song’s infectious chorus, underscored by a wall of sound production, became an instant earworm that dominated radio and MTV alike.

The 12″ mix expands on the already high-octane energy of the single, giving DJs and fans a longer dose of that irresistible groove. Clocking in at just over six minutes, this extended version retains all the bombast of the original while giving the arrangement more breathing room — emphasizing the pulsing basslines, pounding percussion, and layers of synth and guitar that made the track a dance-rock juggernaut.

Visually, “Simply Irresistible” was immortalized by a striking music video directed by British fashion photographer Terence Donovan, featuring a cadre of identically styled women in black dresses and red lipstick, moving in mechanical precision. It was a continuation of the stylized aesthetic from “Addicted to Love” and helped cement Palmer’s image as the epitome of 80s cool.

Commercially, the single was a major success:

#2 on the US Billboard Hot 100

#1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart

Top 20 in Canada, Australia, and several European countries

Though some critics at the time were divided, accusing Palmer of recycling the formula that brought him success in 1986, fans embraced it wholeheartedly, and decades later, it’s still celebrated as a quintessential late-80s power pop anthem.

If Addicted to Love made Robert Palmer a superstar, “Simply Irresistible” proved it was no fluke — he truly had an irresistible formula.

SIDE A:
Simply Irresistible (Extended Version) 6:33

Simply Irresistible (7″ Version) 4:15

SIDE B:
Simply Irresistible (Instrumental) 4:46

Nova 2:56

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1988	Simply Irresistible	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#2
1988	Simply Irresistible	U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: EMI-Manhattan Records – V-56095
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Executive-Producer – David Harper (4)
Mixed By – Eric “ET” Thorngren*
Producer – Robert Palmer

NOTES:
Produced for Remlap Co. Inc., Direct Metal Mastering.

The album version can be heard on Heavy Nova.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for 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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

May 20, 2025

Bruce Springsteen – Born In The U.S.A. (US 12″) (1984)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: July 3, 2012

“I’m ten years burning down the road / Nowhere to run, ain’t got nowhere to go…”

Released at the height of Reagan-era patriotism, “Born In The U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen became one of the most misunderstood songs in American pop history. Often mistaken for a fist-pumping anthem of national pride due to its thunderous chorus and stadium-sized production, the song is actually a fierce critique of how America treats its working-class veterans.

Originally released as the title track to Springsteen’s 1984 album, “Born In The U.S.A.” was issued as a 12″ single in 1985, backed with “Shut Out the Light.” The single version boasted an extended intro and booming mix that pushed Max Weinberg’s snare hits front and center, paired with Roy Bittan’s iconic synth riff that practically defined ‘80s heartland rock.

Produced by Chuck Plotkin, Jon Landau, and Springsteen himself, this version of the song was a club-ready update to the album cut—without losing an ounce of its gritty, anthemic fire. It’s Springsteen at his most anthemic, yet still bleeding through with disillusionment, despair, and blue-collar rage.

While “Born In The U.S.A.” is one of Springsteen’s signature tracks, its chart performance is often overshadowed by the massive success of other singles from the same album. “Born In The U.S.A.” reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1985. It was the third of seven top 10 singles from the album “Born In The U.S.A.”, which also tied Michael Jackson’s record for the most top 10 singles from one album.

Despite—or perhaps because of—its lyrical complexity and booming sound, “Born In The U.S.A.” was quickly adopted as a campaign theme by politicians (notably Ronald Reagan, mistakenly), sports teams, and patriotic rallies. But listen closely, and the pain of forgotten veterans and working-class struggle comes roaring through. It’s a song with dual identities: triumphant and tragic.

This 12″ remix captures that paradox perfectly—its towering production commands attention, but under the layers of synth and reverb, Springsteen’s voice still carries the weight of a soldier’s haunted memories.

SIDE A:
Born In The U.S.A. (The Freedom Mix) 7:20

SIDE B:
Born In The U.S.A. (Dub) 7:40
Born In The U.S.A. (Radio) 6:11

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1984-85	Born In The U.S.A.	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#9
1984-85	Born In The U.S.A.	U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	#8

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 44-05147
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo
Country: US
Released: Jan 10, 1985
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design – Andrea Klein
Edited By – The Latin Rascals
Engineer – Toby Scott
Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etching Ⓗ] – Greg Calbi
Mastered By – George Marino
Photography By – Annie Leibovitz
Producer – Bruce Springsteen, Chuck Plotkin, Jon Landau, Steve Van Zandt
Recorded By – Toby Scott
Remix – Arthur Baker

NOTES:
From the LP “BORN IN THE U.S.A.”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

May 19, 2025

Bruce Springsteen – Cover Me (US 12″) (1984)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

NEW 2025 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration

Original post date: December 6, 2012

“The times are tough now, just getting tougher…”

In 1984, Bruce Springsteen was riding a tidal wave of success thanks to his Born in the U.S.A. album, which launched a string of chart-topping singles that fused heartland rock with a radio-friendly polish. One of the album’s standout tracks was “Cover Me,” a brooding, desperate plea for emotional shelter amidst an increasingly hostile world. While not originally intended for Springsteen himself—he had written it for disco queen Donna Summer—the track took on a rawer edge in his hands, becoming the second single released from the LP.

What’s most fascinating for dance and remix fans is that “Cover Me” was also given the extended mix treatment, transforming its moody rock energy into something surprisingly club-ready. The “Undercover Mix” (also referred to as the Dance Remix) clocked in at over 6 minutes and was released on 12″ vinyl, complete with dub and radio edit versions. Remixed by Arthur Baker, who had already made waves with Afrika Bambaataa and later worked with New Order and Hall & Oates, this version of “Cover Me” added electronic percussion, echo effects, and a pulsing bassline that pushed Springsteen into dance-rock territory—a rarity at the time.

This remix is a perfect example of that brief mid-’80s window when rock artists weren’t afraid to court the dancefloor. Baker’s production doesn’t overwhelm the original’s grit—it complements it, turning “Cover Me” into a darker, almost post-apocalyptic groove. Springsteen’s passionate vocals remain front and center, but now they echo into cavernous spaces, as if calling out from the depths of Reagan-era America.

The 12″ single also includes the Dub Version, which strips the song to its rhythmic core, teasing out fragments of guitar and vocal over a deep groove. For collectors and remix lovers, these versions show just how versatile Springsteen’s music could be when placed in the right hands.

“Cover Me” peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of The Boss’s most enduring hits. But for those of us digging in the crates, the dance remix takes the song to unexpected, exhilarating places.

Though Springsteen wasn’t typically associated with the club scene, the success of “Dancing in the Dark” and “Cover Me” on the dance charts showed his crossover appeal. The Undercover Mix of “Cover Me” actually reached #11 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco Club Play chart, giving Bruce a surprising but welcome presence in nightclubs.

SIDE A:
Cover Me (Undercover Mix) 6:12
Cover Me (Dub I) 4:12

SIDE B:
Cover Me (Radio) 3:49
Cover Me (Dub II) 4:13

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1984	Cover Me	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#7
1984	Cover Me	U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	#2
1984	Cover Me	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#11

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Columbia – 44-05087, Columbia – 44 05087
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo, Pitman Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Rock & Roll, Pop

CREDITS:

Design – Andrea Klein
Mastered By – George Marino
Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain
Photography By – Annie Leibovitz
Producer [Additional 12″ Production], Remix – Arthur Baker
Recorded By – Bill Scheniman
Remix – Toby Scott

NOTES:
Special Versions From The Columbia Lp: “Born In The U.S.A.” QC 38653.

Based on original production by: Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Steve Van Zandt.

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

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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.

May 14, 2025

Moev – In And Out (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

“In And Out” is a standout track by Canadian electronic band Moev, featured on their 1990 album Head Down. The song exemplifies the group’s moody, synth-driven aesthetic, blending darkwave textures with a strong melodic sensibility that set them apart from many contemporaries in the industrial and synth-pop scenes.

A notable element of “In And Out” is the haunting backing vocals provided by a then-rising star, Sarah McLachlan. Her contribution adds an ethereal layer to the track, contrasting the raw, emotionally charged vocals of lead singer Dean Russell.

Dean Russell’s distinctive delivery brought an aching vulnerability to Moev’s sound during the late 1980s and early ’90s. Tragically, Russell passed away in 1994 from complications related to AIDS. His death marked the end of an era for the band, which disbanded shortly afterward.

Head Down, and particularly “In And Out,” remains a powerful snapshot of a band at the height of its creative powers—fusing melancholy lyrics, brooding synths, and poignant performances. The song is both a product of its time and a lasting tribute to Russell’s artistry.

SIDE A:
In And Out (12″ Remix) 6:38
Backing Vocals – Sarah McLachlan
Keyboards [Additional] – Eric Kupper
Mixed By – Bruce Calder
Producer [Additinal For Remix] – Tony Garcia (6)
Producer, Recorded By – John Fryer
Recorded By – Ken Marshall
Recorded By [Assistant] – David Chiasson

In And Out (Dub) 4:31
Backing Vocals – Sarah McLachlan
Keyboards [Additional] – Eric Kupper
Mixed By – Bruce Calder
Producer [Additinal For Remix] – Tony Garcia (6)
Producer, Recorded By – John Fryer
Recorded By – Ken Marshall
Recorded By [Assistant] – David Chiasson

SIDE B:
In And Out (Radio Remix) 4:11
Backing Vocals – Sarah McLachlan
Mixed By – Michael R. Hutchinson*
Producer, Recorded By – John Fryer
Recorded By – Ken Marshall
Recorded By [Assistant] – David Chiasson

Alibis (CBC Live) 4:59
Drums – Ron Thaler
Engineer – David Olgilvie*
Lead Vocals – Cal Stephenson
Producer – Kevin Komoda

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Naer Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Rebel Rec. – SPV 055-30933
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Artwork By – William Dickson II
Bass, Drum Programming, Guitar, Keyboards – Kelly Cook
Drums, Electronics – Ron Thaler
Keyboards, Programmed By – Tom Ferris
Layout – John Rummen
Photography – Van Hai
Producer – Moev
Vocals – Dean Russell

NOTES:
Recorded at Mushroom Studios

From the album “HEAD DOWN”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

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

You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.