Tag: 1989

July 16, 2026

A’mé Lorain – Whole Wide World (US 12″) (1989)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

After spending the first two entries of Ladies Of The 80s: Soundtrack Edition with the blockbuster Footloose soundtrack, I thought it was time to move toward something a little less obvious.

“Whole Wide World” by A’mé Lorain may not be tied to a movie as famous as Footloose, but the record became a major hit on its own and remains one of the most infectious pop singles released during the closing months of the 1980s.

The song appeared on the soundtrack to True Love, a 1989 independent comedy directed by Nancy Savoca and starring Annabella Sciorra and Ron Eldard. Set within an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx, the film follows an engaged couple as wedding plans, family expectations, and second thoughts begin to test their relationship. True Love opened in October 1989 and won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

“Whole Wide World” was written by Arnie Roman and Elliot Wolff, with Wolff also handling the production. Wolff was on quite a roll at the time, having recently written and produced Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up” and “Cold Hearted.” You can hear some of that same late-80s pop precision here, with tightly programmed rhythms, bright keyboards, and a chorus built to stay in your head.

From its opening seconds, “Whole Wide World” has an energy that sits right on the border between the 1980s and 1990s. The synthesizers and polished pop production are firmly rooted in the late 80s, while the beat points toward the New Jack Swing sound that was quickly taking over radio and dance floors.

A’mé Lorain’s vocal is playful, confident, and full of personality. She delivers the song with the excitement of someone who has fallen so completely in love that keeping it quiet is no longer an option. She wants everyone to know, and by the time the chorus arrives, she has probably convinced the listener to help spread the news.

It is pure pop, and it works.

A’mé Lorain was born Amy Trujillo and performed with The Family Affair, which included her brother Freddy Trujillo on bass and her then-husband Victor Indrizzo on guitar and drums. The group released the wonderfully titled album Starring In…Standing In A Monkey Sea on RCA Records in 1989. “Whole Wide World” appeared on both that album and the True Love soundtrack.

Although the record was released in 1989, its greatest chart success came during the spring of 1990. “Whole Wide World” climbed to number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, giving A’mé Lorain her first and only Top 10 pop hit. It also reached number nine on Billboard’s dance chart and finished at number 95 on the magazine’s year-end Hot 100 listing for 1990.

That chart run makes “Whole Wide World” an interesting choice for an 80s series. The single belongs to the decade by release date, but its success arrived just as the calendar turned. It captures that brief period when the sound and style of the late 80s continued moving forward before the new decade developed an identity of its own.

The film itself has become more of a cult favorite than a widely remembered box-office hit. The song followed a different path. Many listeners who have never seen True Love still remember “Whole Wide World” from radio, MTV, clubs, or a long-forgotten cassette recorded from the weekly countdown.

That is one of the great things about soundtrack singles from this period. A song did not always need the movie to become a hit. Sometimes the soundtrack gave a new artist an opening, radio took over from there, and the record developed a life entirely separate from the film.

“Whole Wide World” also brings a different type of artist into this series. Bonnie Tyler and Deniece Williams were already established stars when their Footloose singles were released. A’mé Lorain was a new face with a debut hit, suddenly competing on the charts alongside some of the biggest names in pop.

Her follow-up single, “Follow My Heartbeat,” reached number 72 on the Hot 100, but the success of “Whole Wide World” was never repeated. That has left the song frozen in a particular moment, colorful, catchy, slightly quirky, and unmistakably connected to the period when the 1980s were making their final exit.

It may not be the first title people think of when discussing great 80s soundtrack singles, but that is exactly why it belongs here.

Sometimes the most enjoyable selections are the ones that make you stop and say, “I had forgotten all about this.”

The whole wide world may not remember A’mé Lorain, but those who heard this record the first time around certainly have not forgotten the song.

SIDE A:
A’me Lorain – Whole Wide World (Elliot Wolff 12″) 5:37
A’me Lorain – Whole Wide World (Radio Mix) 3:51

SIDE B:
A’me Lorain – Whole Wide World (Wingate 12″ House Remix) 7:21
A’me Lorain – Whole Wide World (Wingate House Dub Remix) 6:09
Barrence Whitfield And The Savagess – Stop Twistin’ My Arm 2:52

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart (1990)	Peak Position
UK Singles Chart	90
US Billboard Hot 100	9
US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play	9
US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales	37
US Cash Box Top 100	13

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: RCA – 9099-1-RD
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Alternate cover
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Electronic, Rock, Funk / Soul
Style: House, Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues, New Jack Swing

CREDITS:

Edited By – Tuta Aquino (tracks: B1, B2)
Mixed By, Remix – Mick Guzawski*
Producer – Mike Costello (tracks: B3), Milton Reder (tracks: B3)
Producer [Additional], Remix [Additional] – Trevor Bernard (tracks: B1, B2), Wingate (tracks: B1, B2)
Producer, Arranged By, Remix – Elliot Wolff

NOTES:
Original versions on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack album, “True Love,” 9819-1-R

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
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: 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

PLEASE READ

There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other

**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!

Password: burningtheground

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July 7, 2026

Rob Base – Turn It Out (Go Base) (US 12″) (1989)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Remembering Rob Base.

“Turn It Out (Go Base)” was the first single taken from Rob Base’s 1989 solo album The Incredible Base, released on Profile Records. Coming off the huge success of It Takes Two with DJ E-Z Rock, Rob Base had already left a permanent mark on late 80s hip-hop and dance floors everywhere. That record was one of those moments where rap, club music, and pop culture all crashed into each other in the best way possible.

By the time “Turn It Out (Go Base)” arrived, expectations were high. How do you follow a monster like “It Takes Two”? That is never an easy job. Instead of trying to remake that record note-for-note, Rob came back with another party-ready track built for movement. It has that late 80s Profile Records punch, big drums, plenty of call-and-response energy, and the kind of groove that sounds right at home on a 12-inch single.

The Incredible Base was released in November 1989 and became Rob Base’s only solo studio album. While it did not match the massive success of It Takes Two, the LP still performed well, reaching #50 on the Billboard 200 and #20 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It was also certified Gold in the United States.

Although “Turn It Out (Go Base)” did not reach the Billboard Hot 100, it did find action on several genre charts. The single peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart, #16 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and #23 on the Dance Club Songs chart. It also reached #88 on the UK Singles Chart.

That feels about right. Some records are made for pop radio. Others are made for the floor. This one lands firmly in the second camp.

There is also something bittersweet about hearing it now after Rob Base’s passing. He had one of those voices that could fill a room without trying too hard. Confident, direct, and full of fun. He did not sound like he was asking the party to start. He sounded like he had already walked in and flipped the switch.

“Turn It Out (Go Base)” may not be the first song most people reach for when they think of Rob Base, but that is part of what makes revisiting it so much fun. It is a reminder that there was more to his catalog than one giant anthem. For collectors, DJs, and fans of late 80s hip-hop 12-inch singles, this is a nice piece of the story.

A quick note about the lyrics: the track does include the word “retard,” a term that was used more casually in 1989 but is now considered offensive and hurtful. The record is presented here as originally released, but I did not want to ignore that the word carries a much different weight today.

Rest in peace, Rob Base. Thanks for helping make the dance floor louder, happier, and a lot more fun.

SIDE A:
Turn It Out (Go Base) (Sky King Remix) 8:02
Engineer [Remix] – Rob Paustian
Producer [Additional Production], Remix, Edited By – Gail “Sky” King
Programmed By [Additional Keyboard Programming] – Joe Moskowitz*

Turn It Out (Go Base) (Percapella) 3:06

SIDE B:
Turn It Out (Go Base) (Sky King Dub) 6:34
Engineer [Remix] – Rob Paustian
Producer [Additional Production], Remix, Edited By – Gail “Sky” King
Programmed By [Additional Keyboard Programming] – Joe Moskowitz*

Turn It Out (Go Base) (Album Version) 5:31

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Rob Base: Turn It Out (Go Base) (1989)	Peak Position
US Billboard Hot Rap Singles	#4
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	#16
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#23
UK Singles Chart	#88

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Profile Records – PRO-7275
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: Breakbeat, Hip-House, Electro

CREDITS:

Executive-Producer – William Hamilton
Lacquer Cut By – HW*
Mastered By – Howie Weinberg
Photography By – Chris Carroll (4)
Producer – Rob Base, William Hamilton
Written-By – R. Ginyard*

NOTES:
Executive produced for World to World Records, Inc.
Recorded at Hillside Sound Studio, Englewood, New Jersey.
Tracks A1 & B1 additionally produced, remixed and edited for In The Spin Productions.
Tracks A1 & B1 remixes engineered at Shakedown Sound, N.Y.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

PLEASE READ

There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other

**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!

Password: burningtheground

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

I appreciate your help.

June 26, 2026

Erasure – Drama! (US 12″) (1989)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

For today’s entry in my “Soundtrack Of Pride” series, I wanted to feature one of synth-pop’s most beloved duos, Erasure.

Released in 1989, “Drama!” was the first single taken from the English duo’s fourth studio album, Wild!. Written by Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, the single became another major hit for Erasure, reaching #4 on the UK Singles Chart and #10 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Chart.

By this point, Erasure had already built a colorful world of electronic pop, one where heartache, humor, camp, and pure dance floor release could all live in the same song. “Drama!” is a perfect example of that magic. It is theatrical, sharp, and joyfully over the top, but beneath all the sparkle there is something much more serious going on.

The song takes aim at judgment, gossip, shame, and the way people love to point fingers from a safe distance. Throughout the track, the shouted “Guilty!” gives the record one of its most memorable hooks. That uncredited exclamation was provided by Scottish band The Jesus and Mary Chain, who were recording in the studio next door. It is one of those wonderfully odd pop music moments that sounds almost too good to be true.

That “Guilty!” also gives the song an extra bite. It turns the record into a kind of courtroom drama on the dance floor, with Andy Bell refusing to stand quietly while the world passes judgment.

That is where “Drama!” fits so beautifully into Pride.

Andy Bell’s voice has always carried a special kind of strength. He can sound wounded, funny, romantic, and defiant all at once. On “Drama!” he does not sound like someone begging to be accepted. He sounds like someone calling out the absurdity of being judged in the first place.

The line “We all have the ability, our freedom is fragile” lands especially hard. For LGBTQ+ people, freedom has never been something to take for granted. It has been fought for, danced for, marched for, and sometimes protected in the dark safety of a club while the outside world kept shouting its own accusations.

Erasure understood that pop music could be more than catchy. It could be a lifeline. Their records gave queer listeners joy without apology. They made emotions feel huge, colorful, and worth celebrating. In a time when LGBTQ+ lives were still too often framed by fear, silence, or scandal, Erasure gave us songs that were loud, proud, and full of feeling.

“Drama!” is not just a great pop single. It is also a reminder that the people who scream “guilty” the loudest are often the ones who should take a closer look at themselves.

The 12-inch versions gave the song even more room to strut, with “Drama! (Act 2)” and the “Krucial Mix” stretching the track into full club territory. The B-sides, “Sweet, Sweet Baby” and “Paradise,” added even more value to an already essential Erasure single.

For me, “Drama!” remains one of those records that could only come from Erasure. It is clever, camp, emotional, and completely danceable. It turns judgment into theater and shame into release.

And really, what is Pride without a little drama?

SIDE A:
Drama! (Krucial Mix) 7:07
Mixed By – Bob Kraushaar

Sweet, Sweet Baby (Medi-Mix) 4:22
Engineer – Mike Spencer
Mixed By – Dave Randall

Paradise (Lost & Found Mix) 5:48
Remix – George Holt

SIDE B:
Drama! (Act 2) 5:38
Mixed By – Mark Saunders

Sweet, Sweet Baby (The Moo-Moo Mix) 5:13
Mixed By – Mark Saunders

Paradise 4:10
Mixed By – Mark Saunders

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Erasure: Drama! (1989)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	157
Austria (Hitradio Ö3)	13
Denmark (IFPI)	3
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	12
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)	15
Ireland (IRMA)	5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)	35
Spain (AFYVE)	18
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	15
UK Singles (OCC)	4
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)	11
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) with “Sweet, Sweet Baby”	10
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard) with “Sweet, Sweet Baby”	13
West Germany (GfK)	12

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – 0-21356, Reprise Records – 0-21356, Sire – 9 21356-0, Reprise Records – 9 21356-0, Mute – 0-21356, Mute – 9 21356-0
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design [Designed By] – Me Company
Photography By – Pierre Et Gilles
Producer – Erasure, Gareth Jones (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B3), Mark Saunders
Written-By – Clarke/Bell

NOTES:
Specially-Priced Maxi-Single

“Drama” and “Paradise” recorded at The Church/Swing Studios.
“Sweet, Sweet Baby” recorded at Swing Studios.
A1 mixed at Sarm Studios.
A2 mixed at Arcantide Studios.
A3 remixed at Konk Studios.
B1, B2, B3 mixed at Konk Studios.

Original version of “Drama!” available on the Sire/Reprise album “Wild!“.

Made In U.S.A.

Buy the 12” at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

PLEASE READ

There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other

**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!

Password: burningtheground

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

I appreciate your help.

May 15, 2026

Waterfront – Cry (US 12″) (1989)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Waterfront was a British pop duo made up of singer Phil Cilia and guitarist Chris Duffy. In 1988, the pair struck gold with their soulful debut single “Cry,” a heartfelt ballad that blended sophisticated pop with blue-eyed soul and a touch of adult contemporary polish. Released from their self-titled debut album, the song became an international hit and remains one of the most memorable one-hit wonders of the late 1980s.

Built around a smooth groove, emotional vocals, and a soaring chorus, “Cry” resonated strongly with radio audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. In the United States, the single climbed all the way to #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Waterfront’s only American chart hit. The song also found success in their home country, reaching #17 on the UK Singles Chart.

What made “Cry” stand out in 1989 was its understated sophistication. While much of pop radio at the time leaned heavily toward flashy production and bombastic hooks, Waterfront delivered something more mature and emotionally grounded. Phil Cilia’s expressive vocal performance gave the song a sincerity that connected immediately with listeners, while Chris Duffy’s tasteful instrumentation added warmth and texture.

The success of “Cry” helped Waterfront gain considerable exposure during the late 1980s, especially in the United States where MTV and adult contemporary radio embraced the single. The duo followed up with additional releases, but none managed to recreate the crossover success of their debut hit.

Listening today, “Cry” still sounds timeless. Its blend of soulful melodies and polished production captures the best elements of sophisticated late-80s pop. For many fans, the track remains a hidden gem of the era, one of those songs that instantly transports you back to a specific moment in time.

Whether you remember hearing it on late-night radio, catching the video on MTV, or discovering it years later, “Cry” remains a beautifully crafted pop song that deserved every bit of its chart success.

SIDE A:
Cry (Extended Version) 7:05
Remix – Bruce Forest

Cry (7″ Version) 3:51

SIDE B:
Cry (Club Mix) 6:32
Edited By – Roger Pauletta
Engineer [Remix] – P. Dennis Mitchell
Keyboards [Additional Programming] – Merv De Teyer
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Gail “Sky” King

Cry (Dub) 4:54
Edited By – Roger Pauletta
Engineer [Remix] – P. Dennis Mitchell
Keyboards [Additional Programming] – Merv De Teyer
Remix, Producer [Additional Production] – Gail “Sky” King

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Waterfront: Cry (1989)	Peak Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	7
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	61
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)	18
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)	30
UK Singles (OCC)	17
US Billboard Hot 100	10
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)	2

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Polydor – 889 251-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Music By – Cilia*
Producer – Glenn Skinner
Written-By, Music By – Chris Duffy

NOTES:
From the Polydor album 422 837 970-1 “WATERFRONT”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

PLEASE READ

There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other

**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!

Password: burningtheground

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

I appreciate your help.