Tag: 1987

August 28, 2025

Bangles – Following (UK 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

When most people think of The Bangles, it’s their sparkling 80s pop hits that come to mind—Walk Like an Egyptian, Manic Monday, or In Your Room. But buried within their catalog is one of their most haunting and understated songs, Following, a stark ballad that stands apart from the rest of their repertoire.

Written and sung by bassist Michael Steele, Following was chosen as the band’s fifth single from their massively successful Different Light album and released in April 1987 across Europe. Uniquely, it became the only Bangles single to feature Steele on lead vocals.

Musically, Following is a world away from the shimmering harmonies and Paisley Underground jangle the band was known for. Stripped-down acoustic guitar, mournful cello, and Steele’s hushed, confessional delivery make it one of the most intimate recordings of their career. Its lyrical core—quiet devotion and quiet longing—gives the song a timeless quality, closer to the English folk stylings of Nick Drake than to mainstream 80s pop.

For its single release, Following was slightly edited, trimming most of the outro from the album version. The 7″ was backed with Dover Beach, a track from their 1984 debut All Over the Place. The 12″ single sweetened the deal with the “Bangles Hit Mix,” a megamix that stitched together the band’s earlier hits: Manic Monday, If She Knew What She Wants, Walk Like an Egyptian, Walking Down Your Street, and Going Down To Liverpool.

Unfortunately, no music video was filmed to support the release, and the group did little to promote the single. As a result, Following had only modest chart success, peaking at #55 in the UK and faring best in Ireland, where it reached #22. It failed to chart in other European territories. The song was never released as a single in the U.S., leaving it as something of a hidden treasure for fans who dug deeper than the radio hits.

Even so, Following remains a standout in The Bangles’ discography. It gave Michael Steele her one and only chance to take the spotlight on a single, and showed a darker, more contemplative side of the band that still resonates with listeners today. Haunting, fragile, and deeply personal, it’s one of those songs that lingers long after the last note fades.

SIDE A:
Following 3:00
Written-By – M. Steele*

Dover Beach 3:46
Written-By – S. Hoffs, V. Peerson

SIDE B:
Bangles Hits Mix 14:39
DJ Mix – Mark Chamberlain

B1.1 Manic Monday
Written-By – Christopher

B1.2 If She Knew What She Wants
Written-By – J. Shear*

B1.3 Walking Down Your Street
Written-By – D. Kahne, L. Gutierrez, S. Hoffs*

B1.4 Going Down To Liverpool
Written-By – K. Rew*

B1.5 Walk Like An Egyptian
Written-By – L. Sterberg*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: CBS – BANGS T2
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Partially Mixed, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Producer – David Kahne

NOTES:
Made in England.

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.

August 21, 2025

Corey Hart – Dancing With My Mirror (Canada 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By the mid-1980s, Canadian pop star Corey Hart had already carved out an impressive career. With the global smash Sunglasses at Night (1984) and the stirring anthem Never Surrender (1985), Hart became one of the most recognizable new voices of the decade. In 1986, he released his third studio album Fields of Fire, a record that further showcased his evolution as both a songwriter and producer.

The third single lifted from the album was “Dancing With My Mirror,” released in early 1987. Produced by Corey Hart and Phil Chapman, the track finds Hart combining his signature emotional intensity with a sleek pop-rock sound tailored for the late ‘80s airwaves. It’s a song full of energy and reflection—literally so, as the lyrics deal with confronting one’s own image, both physically and metaphorically.

Chart-wise, “Dancing With My Mirror” saw moderate success. In Canada, it reached #33 on April 18, 1987, while in the U.S. it peaked at #88 on the Billboard Hot 100 two weeks earlier, on April 4. While not among Hart’s biggest hits, the single demonstrated his consistency as a chart presence through the decade.

Musically, the track blends driving guitars, bright synthesizers, and Hart’s trademark passionate vocal delivery. The song’s theme—dancing alone, facing your own reflection—captures the mix of confidence, vulnerability, and theatrical flair that defined Hart’s best work. It’s both playful and introspective, making it stand apart from the more straightforward pop ballads he was also known for.

Looking back, Fields of Fire was a pivotal album in Hart’s catalog. It balanced arena-ready anthems with moments of vulnerability, and “Dancing With My Mirror” perfectly reflects that balance. Though not as widely remembered today as some of his earlier hits, it’s a track that showcases Hart’s ambition, artistry, and ability to translate personal reflection into pop-rock energy.

For fans exploring Corey Hart beyond the obvious staples, this single is a rewarding listen—a snapshot of a rising artist navigating fame, identity, and creativity in the mid-‘80s.

MIRROR 1
Dancin’ With My Mirror (LP Version) 4:17

Dancin’ With My Mirror (Extended Version) 4:56
Remix – C. Hart, P. Northfield

MIRROR 2
Dancin’ With My Mirror (Instrumental Mix) 4:34
Remix – C. Hart, P. Northfield

Angry Young Man (Instrumental Mix) 5:06
Producer – R.Cannata
Remix – “Jellybean” Benitez*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1987	Dancing With My Mirror	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#88

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Aquarius Records (3) – AQ 12025
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: Canada
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design, Photography By – Erika Gagnon
Producer – C. Hart*, P. Chapman*

NOTES:
Remixed At – Le Studio

Album is 100% MAPL content

On the sleeve, is written Angry Young Man (Extended Mix) instead of (Instrumental Mix)

Album version from the LP “FIELDS OF FIRE”

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

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.

August 20, 2025

Partland Brothers – Soul City (US 12″) (1987)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Hitting That Sweet Spot of Pop-Rock

In 1986, The Partland Brothers—Chris and G.P.—emerged from Colgan, Ontario, into the bigger world of Toronto’s music scene. Their debut album Electric Honey featured “Soul City,” an anthemic pop-rock track that became their defining moment, earning a spot in the Top 30 in Canada and climbing to No. 27 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100—making them true bona fide chart-hitters from the get-go.

Harmony & Production Worthy of Righteous Praise

What set “Soul City” apart was the duo’s intoxicating close-harmony vocals—drawing frequent comparisons to a modernized version of The Righteous Brothers. The production by Vini Poncia (known for working with McCartney, Lennon, Kiss, and more) polished the sound to gleaming perfection, ensuring their launch had all the hallmarks of a major new act.

Lyrics That Breathe Freedom and Adventure

At its heart, “Soul City” is about breaking free from the mundane—the thrill of the unknown. Lines like:

“Soul City, that’s where we’re heading
Dancing and singing ’til dawn…”

…paint a vivid picture of escapism, nightlife energy, and living without boundaries. The song urges listeners to step “into the moonlight,” chase the setting sun, and discover that state of mind—someone’s own Soul City—full of euphoria and possibility.

From Contest Winners to International Stages

Before the breakthrough, the brothers honed their chops in bands like Oliver Heaviside and even won the Q107 radio station’s Homegrown contest in 1983—an early spark that lit their path to Capitol Records in 1985. Following the release of Soul City, they toured with legends like The Moody Blues and The Beach Boys, and graced TV stages like American Bandstand and The Late Show with Arsenio Hall. They were also recognized at home with a Juno Awards nomination for Most Promising New Group in 1987.

A Brief Blaze, with Enduring Echo

Though “Soul City” remains their singular U.S. chart entry, its success opened doors—yet management setbacks delayed follow-ups. They released a handful of albums afterward (including Between Worlds in 1990 and Part Land, Part Water in 1993), but none reached the same heights.

Even so, the Partland Brothers persevered: backing music legend Ronnie Hawkins on stage and continuing to create and perform—even amidst personal challenges, like G.P.’s accident in recent years.

Final Thoughts

“Soul City” encapsulates that irresistible 1980s spirit—hopeful, escapist, and dance-fueled. With soaring harmonies, infectious rhythms, and lyrical zest, it’s not just a song—but an invitation: chase your soul’s ideal city, wherever music and freedom roam.

Whether you’re revisiting this gem or discovering it anew, “Soul City” stands timeless—for those who long to dance until dawn, live beyond the lines, and dare to follow the lights into the next great adventure.

SIDE A:
Soul City (Remix) 7:23

SIDE B:
Soul City (Instrumental) 6:12
Soul City (Single Version) 3:52

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1987	Soul City	U.S. Billboard Hot 100	#27

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Manhattan Records – V-56060
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock

CREDITS:

Composed By – Chris Partland, G.P. Partland
Producer – Vini Poncia
Remix – Bruce Forest (tracks: A), Frank Heller (tracks: A)

NOTES:
From the Album, Cassette & Compact Disc “Electric Honey”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for 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.

July 22, 2025

Siouxsie & The Banshees – This Wheel’s On Fire (US 12″) (1987)

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

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.