Tag: 1986

March 18, 2025

Gwen Guthrie – Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent (US 12″ Promo) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On but the Rent is a song by American singer-songwriter Gwen Guthrie, released in 1986 as the lead single from her fourth studio album, Good to Go Lover. Written and produced by Guthrie herself, the song became the biggest hit of her career, delivering a bold message of financial independence and self-worth wrapped in an irresistibly funky groove.

Blending smooth R&B, dancefloor-ready beats, and assertive lyrics, Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On but the Rent set clear expectations for financial responsibility in relationships. With its unforgettable hook—“You got to have a J-O-B if you wanna be with me”—the track quickly became an anthem of empowerment, particularly resonating with women in the workforce during the mid-’80s.

Chart Performance

Chart-wise, the song had a moderate impact on the U.S. pop chart, peaking at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it dominated the R&B and dance scenes, spending one week at #1 on the Billboard R&B chart and two weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Internationally, the track reached #1 in New Zealand and Zimbabwe and performed well across Europe, peaking at #5 on the UK Singles Chart. A 1993 remix of the song also saw success, reaching #8 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.

Gwen Guthrie’s Legacy

Known for her powerhouse vocals and songwriting talents (she penned hits for Sister Sledge, Ben E. King, and Roberta Flack), left us too soon in 1999, but her music lives on. Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent remains a staple of ‘80s dance and R&B culture—a track that demands respect and keeps dancefloors moving to this day.

SIDE A:
Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent (12″ Club Mix) 7:16
Edited By – Tony Prendatt
Producer [Additional Production], Remix [Remix By], Edited By [Edits By] – Mark S. Berry*, Tony Prendatt

Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent (Dub Mix) 7:43
Edited By – Tony Prendatt
Producer [Additional Production], Remix [Remix By], Edited By [Edits By] – Mark S. Berry*, Tony Prendatt

SIDE B:
Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent (Larry Levan 12″ Club Mix) 5:59
Engineer – Matthew “Krash” Kasha*
Mixed By, Edited By – Larry Levan

Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent (Larry Levan Dub Mix) 7:04
Engineer – Matthew “Krash” Kasha*
Mixed By, Edited By – Larry Levan

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1986	Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#42
1986	Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent	U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs	#1
1986	Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent	U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales	#3
1986	Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent	U.S. Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Songs	#1

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Polydor – 885 106-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Funk, Soul
Style: Soul, Funk, Garage House

CREDITS:

Executive-Producer – Jerome Gasper
Mastered By – José Rodriguez
Photography By – Bill Wylie
Producer [Associate] – David “Pick” Conley*
Producer, Written-By – Gwen Guthrie

NOTES:

From the Polydor LP “Good To Go”

“Promotional Copy Not for Sale” is printed on the labels above catalog number.

Additional information:
The title “Passion Eyes” which is given on the back cover, is actually not present.

Some promo copies were pressed on translucent vinyl which appears gray or brown when held in front of a strong light.

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 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.

March 11, 2025

Desireless – Voyage Voyage (Europe 12″) (1986)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

“Voyage, Voyage” is a 1986 synth-pop anthem by French singer Desireless (real name Claudie Fritsch-Mentrop). Released as the lead single from her debut album François (1989), the song became an international hit, topping the charts across Europe and beyond.

A Global Synth-Pop Hit
Despite being sung entirely in French, Voyage, Voyage broke language barriers and achieved commercial success in non-French-speaking countries. It reached #1 in Germany, Spain, Norway, and Sweden, while peaking at #2 in the UK—a rare feat for a French-language song at the time. It also charted well in Italy and the Netherlands, eventually becoming one of the most recognizable European pop songs of the late ‘80s.

Dreamy, Ethereal Sound
The song’s lush synth production, steady electronic beat, and atmospheric feel give it a dreamlike, almost hypnotic quality. Its theme of travel and escapism, combined with Desireless’ deep and haunting vocals, made it a perfect fit for the late ‘80s electronic pop scene.

Production & Legacy
Produced by Jean-Michel Rivat, Voyage, Voyage draws influences from new wave and Eurodisco, aligning it with the styles of artists like Jean-Michel Jarre and Mylène Farmer. Over the years, the song has been covered and remixed multiple times, most notably by Kate Ryan in 2007.

Even today, Voyage, Voyage remains an enduring classic, often associated with the golden age of European synth-pop and a staple in retro ‘80s playlists.

SIDE A:
Voyage Voyage (Extended Remix) 6:50

SIDE B:
Voyage Voyage 4:22

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: CBS – CBS 650175 6
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo
Country: Europe
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop, Euro-Disco

CREDITS:

Backing Vocals [Choeurs] – C. Fritsch-Mentrop*, D. Glikmans*
Costume Designer [Vêtements] – J. P. Gaultier*
Cover, Design [Conception Pochette (Cover Design)] – Scoop (12)
Lyrics By – D. Dubois*, J. M. Rivat*
Make-Up [Maquillage] – L. Hébrard
Mixed By [Mixage (Mixing)] – D. Blanc-Francard*
Music By – J. M. Rivat*
Photography By [Photo] – J.-C. Lagrèze*
Producer [Realisation] – J. M. Rivat*
Recorded By [Prise de Son (Sound Recording)] – A. Cambourakis*, G. Courtois*
Sampler [Notre Ami] – D. Dubois*
Synthesizer [Synthetiseurs], Programmed By [Programmation] – J. M. Rivat*

NOTES:
[Labels]
Ed. Rivat Music

[Sleeve]
Synthetiseurs, Programmation: Producteur
Prise de Son (Sound Recording): Studio d’Aguesseau
Mixage (Mixing): Studio Marcadet
Dédié à Gopala (Dedicated to Gopala)

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.

January 16, 2025

Glass Tiger – Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) (Germany 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive -1986

NEW 2025 Transfer!
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration!

I originally shared this record on July 17, 2017, but I’ve revisited it with a fresh, meticulously updated transfer for those who may have missed it. This time, I used upgraded audio gear that wasn’t available during the original transfer back in 2017.

Canadian rock band Glass Tiger made waves in January 1986 with the release of their hit single “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone),” the lead track from their debut album, The Thin Red Line. Featuring backing vocals by iconic rock singer Bryan Adams, the song became a chart-topping success, reaching number one in Canada and peaking at number two in the United States.

In 1985, Glass Tiger enlisted Jim Vallance to produce their debut album. At the time, Vallance was primarily known as a prolific songwriter, often collaborating with Bryan Adams, though he had also produced albums for Doug and the Slugs, CANO, and Adams himself. According to Glass Tiger’s lead vocalist Alan Frew, Vallance’s approach to production allowed the band to explore their creative sound while providing guidance when necessary. “It worked out great because we were all at the same stage of development,” Frew recalled. “He didn’t change the sound of the band at all. He let us experiment but wasn’t afraid to get heavy-handed when he had to.” Vallance collaborated with the band to compose “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone),” while Adams lent his distinct voice to the backing vocals.

The song’s creation was inspired by an ice-breaking moment during the band’s first meeting with Vallance. Frew shared: “On the very first day that we met Jim Vallance, he picked us up at the airport and, to break the ice, asked us what we were listening to. One of the answers was Tears for Fears. We went to his house and drank tea while listening to some tunes. ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ came on, and we really liked the shuffle beat. So we went into the studio and, based on that shuffle beat, we wrote ‘Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone).’ First day, first song.”

“Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” enjoyed tremendous commercial success. The track topped the Canadian Singles Chart in March 1986, spending two weeks at number one, and earned platinum certification from the Canadian Recording Industry Association by July. In the United States, the single entered the Billboard Hot 100 in July and peaked at number two in October, held back from the top spot by Janet Jackson’s “When I Think of You.” It spent an impressive 24 weeks on the chart, reaching number one on the Singles Sales chart, number six on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, number 17 on the Mainstream Rock chart, and number 30 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The song also placed at number 34 on the Billboard Year-End singles chart of 1986. Internationally, it achieved top 15 status in Australia and charted in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

Frew attributed the song’s global appeal to the band’s ability to create strong, memorable melodies. “We aren’t rewriting musical history by any means,” he explained, “but our melody lines are strong and mature enough to appeal to the English-speaking world.” The song’s success was bolstered by “solid record company involvement” and culminated in winning the 1986 Juno Award for Single of the Year. It was also named the top Canadian single in the Rock Express magazine readers’ poll awards in 1987. A decade later, the Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) recognized the track for being played more than 100,000 times on Canadian radio.

For fans of rare cuts, the “Death Mix” of “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” remains a vinyl-only treasure, absent from the deluxe CD reissue of The Thin Red Line. This exclusive version adds an intriguing layer to the legacy of a song that defined Glass Tiger’s debut and continues to resonate with audiences decades later.

SIDE A:
Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) (Extended Version) 6:31

SIDE B:
Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) (Death Mix) 5:51

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1986	Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#2
1986	Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)	U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	#17
1986	Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)	U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary	#30

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Manhattan Records – 1C K 060 20 1330 6
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: Germany
Released: 1986
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Producer – Jim Vallance
Producer [Additional] – George Black, Victor Flores
Remix – Victor Flores
Written-By – Glass Tiger, Jim Vallance

NOTES:
Original version appears on the LP “THE THIN RED LINE”

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.

November 20, 2024

Spandau Ballet – Fight For Ourselves (Extended Remix) (UK 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1986

“Fight for Ourselves” is a song by English new wave band Spandau Ballet, released as the lead single from their 1986 album Through the Barricades. In the UK, the track reached number 15 on the Singles Chart, but it was met with largely negative reviews.

Background
While touring to promote their 1983 album True, Spandau Ballet noticed a newfound synergy in their live performances and sought to replicate that energy in their next studio effort. However, their attempt to achieve this with True co-producers Tony Swain and Steve Jolley on 1984’s Parade left the band dissatisfied. Guitarist and songwriter Gary Kemp later admitted, “We were afraid to take a big leap after True. The problem was that Parade didn’t reflect the live energy we had. People were disappointed with the record.” Kemp emphasized, “We’re a rock band now.”

Determined to evolve their sound, the band decided to part ways with Swain and Jolley. They brought in recording engineer Gary Langan, whom they had met while working with Trevor Horn, to co-produce a single track as a test before committing to him for the full album. The chosen song, originally titled “Everybody (We’ve Got to Fight for Ourselves)”, was recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich during the winter of 1986. The experiment proved successful, and Langan co-produced the entire album.

Release and Commercial Performance
“Fight for Ourselves” was released in the UK on July 14, 1986, and peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart, marking the band’s first lead single from an album to miss the top 10. The track fared better internationally, reaching number 5 in Italy, number 7 in Ireland, and number 10 on the European Hot 100. It also charted in other countries, including Spain (11), Australia and the Netherlands (16), Belgium (20), Switzerland (23), West Germany (32), and New Zealand (33).

Despite its moderate success, lead singer Tony Hadley reflected in his 2004 autobiography To Cut a Long Story Short that the single’s performance “hardly squared with our hopes of global success.”

Music Video
The music video for “Fight for Ourselves,” directed by Simon Milne, features a playful storyline in which two young women—one played by Paul Young’s then-girlfriend Stacey Smith—sneak into a Spandau Ballet concert. Using powers of invisibility, they interact with band members during the performance. Chroma key effects were employed for the disappearing and reappearing sequences. The exterior shots of the concert venue were filmed at 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London.

+De-notes vinyl-only

SIDE A:
Fight For Ourselves (Extended Remix) 7:30

SIDE B:
Fight For Ourselves 4:22
Fight … The Heartache+ 4:12

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Reformation – TA7264, Reformation – TA 7264, CBS – TA7264, CBS – TA 7264
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: Jul 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design [Packaging By] – Assorted Images, Movat*
Engineer – Gary Langan
Photography By [Group] – Stevie Hughes
Producer – Gary Langan, Spandau Ballet
Written-By – Gary Kemp

NOTES:
Packaging by Movat/ Assorted Images
Made In England

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.