Tag: 1990

July 3, 2026

Englandneworder – World In Motion… (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup currently taking place, this felt like the perfect time to revisit one of the most unlikely, and most successful, football records ever released.

When a football record works, it is usually because it forgets to be a football record for a few minutes. World In Motion is exactly that. On paper, the whole idea sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. New Order, one of Manchester’s coolest and most unlikely pop institutions, teamed up with the England national football team for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy.

Somehow, it worked. Not only did it work, but it also became one of the best football songs ever recorded.

Credited as Englandeworder, World In Motion was released in May 1990. It arrived at just the right moment. The band had come off the success of Technique, UK dance culture was everywhere, and football was about to have one of its most emotional summers.

What makes World In Motion so special is that it still sounds like a New Order single. The bright synths, steady dance rhythm, Peter Hook’s bass, and Bernard Sumner’s understated vocal all sit perfectly in place. The football chants are there, but they never take over. Even the squad vocals feel like part of the record instead of a cheap add-on.

Then, of course, there is John Barnes.

His rap near the end of the song has become part of UK pop culture in its own right. It is joyful, awkward, charming, and strangely perfect. It should not work as well as it does, but Barnes delivers it with enough confidence to make it unforgettable. In a genre filled with novelty football records, this one had rhythm, wit, and a real pulse.

The 12-inch single is especially interesting because it treats the song like a proper club release. My US 12-inch does not include The B-Side, which appeared on other editions, but instead focuses on the remixes. The Subbuteo Mix and Subbuteo Dub by Graeme Park and Mike Pickering give the track a more club-ready feel, while Andrew Weatherall and Terry Farley’s Carabinieri Mix and No Alla Violenza Mix take things even further into the dancefloor.

That roster alone tells you this was not being handled like a throwaway sports tie-in. This was New Order, football culture, and the club scene meeting at the exact right moment.

World In Motion became New Order’s only UK No. 1 single, spending two weeks at the top and 12 weeks on the Official Singles Chart. It also reached No. 1 on the UK Indie chart and found success in several other countries.

More than three decades later, World In Motion still has that rare glow. It captures a moment when pop, football, club music, and national hope all collided without becoming corny. England did not win the World Cup in 1990, but this record gave them a song that has outlived the tournament itself.

Now, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup underway, it feels like the right record at the right time all over again.

It is funny, bright, emotional, and completely of its time. It is also still a fantastic New Order single.

And really, how many football records can you honestly say that about?

AWAY SIDE:
World In Motion… (Carabinieri Mix) 5:54
Mixed By – Andrew Weatherall, Terry Farley

World In Motion… (No Alla Violenza Mix) 5:36
Mixed By – Andrew Weatherall, Terry Farley

HOME SIDE:
World In Motion… (Subbuteo Mix) 5:08
Producer [Additional Production By], Remix [Remix By] – Graeme Park, Mike Pickering

World In Motion… (Subbuteo Dub) 5:08
Producer [Additional Production By], Remix [Remix By] – Graeme Park, Mike Pickering

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – New Order: World In Motion (1990)	Peak Position
UK Singles Chart	1
UK Indie Chart	1
Eurochart Hot 100	2
Finland	4
Ireland	7
New Zealand	8
Australia	21
Switzerland	27
US Modern Rock Tracks	5
US Dance Club Songs	10

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Qwest Records – 0-21582, Qwest Records – 9 21582-0, Warner Bros. Records – 0-21582, Warner Bros. Records – 9 21582-0
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: May 1990
Genre: Electronic
Style: House, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Design [Uncredited], Art Direction [Uncredited] – Peter Saville Associates
Producer [Produced By], Recorded By – Stephen Hague
Written-By – Keith Allen, New Order

NOTES:
Artist on sleeve & spine: Englandneworder
Artist on labels: New Order
Both labels say “Side 1”.

A1, A2 mixed at the Townhouse

Made in U.S.A.

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

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

I appreciate your help.

June 25, 2026

Anything Box – Jubilation (This Thing Called Life) (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

As Pride Month continues, I wanted to shine a light on a song filled with hope, reflection, and the kind of emotional release that feels right at home on the dance floor. Released in 1990, “Jubilation (This Thing Called Life)” by Anything Box captures the feeling of moving through pain, rising above judgment, and choosing joy anyway.

Anything Box is an electronic/synth-pop group originally from Paterson, New Jersey, and now based in Long Beach, California. Led by Claude S., the group arrived at the start of the 1990s with a sound that carried the spirit of synth-pop into a new decade. Their music paired bright electronic melodies with lyrics that often reached for something more personal.

“Jubilation (This Thing Called Life)” was released as the second single from the band’s debut album Peace. The single became a club favorite, reaching #16 on the U.S. Dance chart.

While the song was not written as an explicitly LGBTQ+ anthem, its message fits beautifully within the spirit of Pride. The lyrics speak to memory, regret, survival, and the difficult process of moving forward. In the opening lines, the narrator closes their eyes and hides behind “blackened lies” that follow them through history. It is a striking image of someone carrying the weight of the past, yet still trying to find a way toward happiness.

That feeling is something many LGBTQ+ listeners can understand. Coming out and living openly often means facing old fears, old wounds, and the judgment of others. It can mean leaving behind parts of life that once felt safe, even when they no longer allowed you to be fully yourself.

One of the most powerful moments in the song comes with the repeated reminder, “When you feel stranded, don’t take for granted this thing called life.” It is simple, but it lands with force. The line feels like a call to hold on, even when the world feels cold or uncertain. For Pride Month, that message feels especially meaningful. Pride is not only about celebration. It is also about survival, self-acceptance, and finding the courage to keep going.

The lyric “Moving on was hard to do, to leave the things that I once knew” also carries a deep emotional pull. It speaks to the loss that can come with growth. Childhood, innocence, and familiar places do not always come back to us. For many, finding your true self means stepping into the unknown and trusting that there is joy waiting on the other side.

Then comes one of the song’s most personal lines: “My name is all I have for an offering.” That lyric feels especially tied to identity. A name can be history, selfhood, and declaration all at once. In the context of Pride, it becomes a reminder that living truthfully is an offering in itself. To stand in your name, your truth, and your life is a beautiful act of defiance.

Musically, “Jubilation (This Thing Called Life)” is pure early 1990s synth-pop bliss. Its bright keyboards, pulsing rhythm, and soaring melody create the kind of uplifting energy that has filled LGBTQ+ clubs for decades. It is danceable, but never empty. Beneath the beat is a song about pain, release, and choosing happiness even after the hard parts.

Over the years, “Jubilation (This Thing Called Life)” has remained a favorite in underground LGBTQ+ clubs, retro dance nights, and synth-pop sets. It brings people together through positivity and shared emotion, reminding us that the dance floor has long been a place of release, connection, and chosen family.

For many fans, Anything Box represents one of those treasured acts whose music found a devoted audience through club play, word of mouth, and emotional connection. “Jubilation” continues to stand as one of their most beloved songs because it speaks to something simple but powerful: life can be hard, but joy is still worth fighting for.

More than three decades later, “Jubilation (This Thing Called Life)” still feels like a celebration of self, community, and the courage to live out loud. That makes it a perfect addition to The Soundtrack Of Pride.

Update: Claude S. of Anything Box kindly shared some additional background about the song’s music video history. Although no official video was ultimately filmed for “Jubilation (This Thing Called Life),” plans had been made to create one. Sadly, the director who had worked with the band on their first video for “Living In Oblivion” passed away from AIDS-related complications around 1990-1991. At the time, the band felt there was no one else they wanted to work with, so the video was never made.

SIDE A:
Jubilation (This Thing Called Life) (K.C.’s Camp Pendleton Mix) 6:33
Remix – Keith “K.C.” Cohen*

Jubilation (This Thing Called Life) (The F Neosubtomic Mix) 5:59
Remix – Keith “K.C.” Cohen*

SIDE B:
Jubilation (This Thing Called Life) (Upstairs At Claudes) 4:38
Producer [Additional] – Michael Eckart
Remix – Jon St. James

Jubilation (This Thing Called Life) (The Face Mix) 5:00
Producer [Additional] – Michael Eckart
Remix – Jon St. James

Jubilation (This Thing Called Life) (Petite Filet Of Percapella) 4:21
Remix – Keith “K.C.” Cohen*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Anything Box: *Jubilation (This Thing Called Life)* (1990)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#16	1990

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 49 73357
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Edited By [Special] – Steve Beltran (tracks: A1, A2, B3)
Engineer [Assistant] – Andy Batwinas (tracks: A1, A2, B3)
Executive Producer – Chris Lawmaster
Keyboards [Additional] – David Frank (tracks: A1, A2, B3)
Mastered By – Brian Gardner
Other [Management] – Formula 1 Music Group
Other [Personality] – Dania Morales
Other [Vision] – Paul Rjinders
Performer [Machinery], Written-By – Claude S., Dania Morales, Paul Rijnders*
Producer – Jon St. James
Producer [Additional] – Keith “K.C.” Cohen* (tracks: A1, A2, B3)
Vocals, Artwork By [Illustration] – Claude S.

NOTES:
Produced for Formula 1 Music Group.
Recorded at Formula 1 Studios, La Habra, California.
Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood, California.
Tracks A1, A2 & B3 remixed at Larrabee Sound Studios, West Hollywood, California.
Tracks B1 & B2 remixed for Formula 1 Music Group.

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.

March 25, 2026

Louie Louie – Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

The late ‘80s and early ‘90s were filled with larger-than-life personalities, and few embodied that flashy, genre-blending spirit quite like Louie Louie. A singer, dancer, and actor with undeniable charisma, Louie Louie carved out a unique space in pop with his 1990 hit “Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury.” Now, with the news of his passing on March 20 at the age of 63, it feels like the right moment to revisit the song that brought him into the Top 40—and into the memories of pop fans everywhere.

Released as the lead single from his debut album The State I’m In, “Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury” perfectly captured the slick, polished sound of its era. Built on a groove that blends pop, dance, and a touch of new jack swing attitude, the track showcased Louie Louie’s confident vocal style and flair for theatrical delivery. It wasn’t just a song—it was a statement. And audiences responded.

The single became Louie Louie’s only entry into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40, peaking at #19 in 1990. While he never repeated that level of mainstream chart success, the track remains a defining moment of his recording career—a glossy, infectious anthem of indulgence and ambition that still sounds right at home alongside the era’s biggest dance-pop hits.

Before his recording career took off, Louie Louie paid his dues as a dancer in Las Vegas, where he honed the stage presence that would later define his performances. That same charisma caught the attention of pop royalty—he famously appeared as the love interest in Madonna’s iconic 1984 video for “Borderline,” a role that gave him early exposure on MTV and helped establish his on-screen appeal.

By the time he stepped into the spotlight as a recording artist, Louie Louie had already built a strong visual identity—and that carried over into the music video for “Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury.” Directed by a then up-and-coming Michael Bay, the clip is a stylish, high-energy affair filled with striking imagery and attitude, hinting at the cinematic flair Bay would later bring to Hollywood blockbusters.

Over the years, Louie Louie released four albums and even found himself connected to the orbit of Prince through collaborations tied to the Paisley Park scene. While he never became a household name on the level of his contemporaries, his work reflects a fascinating cross-section of late ‘80s pop—where dance, R&B, and visual storytelling collided in bold, colorful ways.

“Sittin’ in the Lap of Luxury” stands today as both a time capsule and a testament: a reminder of an artist who brought style, ambition, and undeniable presence to everything he did. With his recent passing, the song takes on an added poignancy—capturing Louie Louie at his brightest, living out the very dream he sang about.

For those who remember it, it’s a nostalgic return to a vibrant moment in pop history. And for those discovering it now, it’s a perfect introduction to an artist who, if only for a moment, truly sat in the lap of luxury.

SIDE A:
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Sheps Jam – Louie’s Fav) 6:48
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Shep’s Dub Deluxe) 6:40

SIDE B:
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Shep’s / Dizzy Acid Mix) 5:06
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Urban 7″) 4:14
Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury (Shep’s Shortcut) 4:26

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance – Louie Louie: *Sittin’ In The Lap Of Luxury* (1990)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Hot 100	#19	1990
US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Club Play	#11	1990
US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Maxi-Singles Sales	#17	1990
US Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop Singles	#74	1990
Australia (ARIA)	#51	1990
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	#34	1990

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: WTG Records – 41 73168
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: New Jack Swing, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Edited By – Tony Shimkin
Engineer [Remix] – Goh Hotoda
Producer – Frankie Blue, Les Pierce
Programmed By – Alan Friedman
Remix – Shep Pettibone
Written-By – Les Pierce, Louie Louie (2)

Also available: “The State I’m In” on WTG cassettes, compact discs and records.

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-Jec Tube Box DS2
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
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.

March 24, 2026

Donna Lee – Do Or Die (US 12″) (1990)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Reader Request Spotlight
Made possible by a generous donation to acquire the vinyl for this post—thank you for supporting Burning the Ground.

By 1990, the freestyle movement that had dominated dance floors throughout the latter half of the ’80s was beginning to shift. The raw electro-Latin pulse that fueled classics from the genre’s golden era was gradually giving way to a sleeker, more house-influenced sound. It was in this transitional moment that Donna Lee emerged with her club-driven single “Do Or Die.”

Released on CBS Associated Records, “Do Or Die” fits squarely into that late-period freestyle mold—polished production, extended club arrangements, and a clear focus on DJs rather than radio. The single was produced by Ritchie Jones, whose work has spanned artists such as Taylor Dayne, Jennifer Lopez, Brenda K. Starr, and Paul Lekakis—adding notable pedigree to an otherwise under-the-radar release.

The standout “Clubhouse Mix” leans heavily into the evolving sound of the time, blending freestyle’s emotional vocal delivery with tighter house rhythms and layered synth textures. Meanwhile, the dub mixes strip things down for mixing flexibility—offering percussion-heavy breakdowns, extended intros, and instrumental passages that made records like this essential tools in club sets.

While Donna Lee never achieved the visibility of freestyle heavyweights like Trinere or Denine—artists who managed to break into broader recognition and even release full-length albums—her output represents a different but equally important side of the genre. She appears to have released only a handful of singles, with no known full album, placing her firmly in the category of freestyle’s lost voices—artists whose work lived primarily on vinyl and in the clubs.

That context makes “Do Or Die” all the more compelling. It’s not a crossover hit or a radio staple—it’s a DJ record, built for late-night sets, where extended mixes mattered and the dance floor dictated success. Records like this were often pressed in limited quantities, distributed to DJs and specialty shops, and rarely documented beyond their physical releases.

Freestyle itself was still thriving regionally at the time—especially in cities like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles—though by the early ’90s it would begin to fade from mainstream attention as house and other dance styles took over . That places “Do Or Die” right at the tail end of an era—one foot in freestyle’s emotional core, the other stepping toward the future of club music.

Today, the single stands as a deep-cut artifact of freestyle’s final chapter—the kind of record that never left the underground but continues to resonate with collectors and DJs who appreciate the genre’s evolution.

If you were digging through bins in the early ’90s, this is exactly the kind of record you hoped to find—something unfamiliar, mysterious, and built strictly for the dance floor.

And sometimes, those are the ones that last the longest.

SIDE A:
Do Or Die (Clubhouse Mix) 7:06
Do Or Die (“Do” Dub) 7:44

SIDE B:
Do Or Die (Crossover Mix) 4:42
Do Or Die (“Die” Dub) 5:02

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: CBS Associated Records – 45 73367
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1990
Genre: Electronic
Style: House, Freestyle

CREDITS:

Edited By [Edits By] – Chep Nuñez
Engineer [Engineered By] – Mario “Not Rude” Rodriguez*
Executive-Producer – Dr. Cool (4), Timothy “T.K.” Olphie*
Keyboards, Overdubbed By [Overdubs] – Eric Kupper
Producer – Danny Obadia, John Beltzer
Recorded By – Billy Esses*
Remix [Remix By] – Richie Jones
Written-By – D. Obadia*, J. Beltzer*

NOTES:
Manufactured and Distributed By CBS Records / CBS Inc. / 51 W 52 Street, New York, 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

**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.