BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986
NEW 2020 Transfer!
Meticulously Remastered!
Originally posted: March 25, 2013
“To Be a Lover” is a song notably covered by Billy Idol on his 1986 album Whiplash Smile. As the album’s lead single, it became Idol’s second top ten hit in the US, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart.
The song was written by William Bell and Booker T. Jones and originally performed by Bell as a soul ballad titled “I Forgot to Be Your Lover”, released in late 1968 and hitting No. 45 on the Hot 100 and No. 10 on Billboard′s Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart in early 1969.
In 1986, the track was again reworked and became the second high-profile cover Billy Idol released as a single, after 1981’s “Mony Mony”. Idol would later top the Billboard Hot 100 (No. 7 UK), with a live version of “Mony Mony” in 1987. The single was backed by Whiplash Smile album track “All Summer Single”. Two different 12″ singles were also released worldwide (1x UK and 1x Australia), featuring the aforementioned track and two extended remixes of “To Be a Lover (Mother of Mercy Mix)” and “Rock’n’Roll Mix” (Australia only). The “Mother of Mercy Mix” differs quite significantly from the single version; it is a harder sounding song, with a prominent heavy guitar riff dominating most of the track and an ‘interlude’ with distorted female groans. It is this version that is featured on the remix compilation album Vital Idol 1987 US/1988 Japan editions. The UK 12″ was also released as a limited-edition picture disc.
**”Rock N’ Roll Mix” is exclusive to this 12″
SIDE A:
To Be A Lover (Rock N’ Roll Mix) 7:10
Remix – Tom Lord-Alge
SIDE B:
To Be A Lover (Mother Of Mercy Mix) 6:45
All Summer Single 4:32
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | To Be A Lover | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #6 |
| 1986 | To Be A Lover | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #2 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – X 14449
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM, Limited Edition
Country: Australia & New Zealand
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Mixed By – Gary Langan
Photography By [Back Cover] – Albert Sanchez
Photography By [Front Cover] – David Kennedy (10)
Producer – Keith Forsey
Sleeve [Design] – Olinsky*, Gorman*
Written-By – B. Idol* (tracks: B2), Booker T. Jones (tracks: A, B1), William Bell (tracks: A, B1)
NOTES:
Original version appears on Chrysalis Album “WHIPLASH SMILE”
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
DAC/Phono Pre-amp: 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 USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (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
Username: btg
Password: burningtheground
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