Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
NEW 2026 Bonus Tracks
Original post date: October 17, 2012
With Fat Tuesday in full swing, there’s no better time to revisit the joyous pulse of “Iko Iko.” Rooted in the Mardi Gras Indian traditions of New Orleans, the song has traveled across decades and continents — and The Belle Stars’ vibrant version remains one of its most recognizable incarnations.
Originally released in 1982, their take on the New Orleans classic reached #35 on the UK Singles Chart, introducing the chant-driven anthem to a new wave audience. Bright percussion, tight harmonies, and an infectious groove gave the track a polished yet celebratory feel that stood apart from much of the synth-heavy pop of the era.
The Rain Man Revival
In 1988 The song found an even larger audience when it appeared in the opening scene of Rain Man, starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. The high-profile placement brought “Iko Iko” back into the spotlight, leading to a remix and re-release tied to the film’s momentum.
The renewed push paid off:
#7 in Australia
#14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (1989)
#7 on the US Dance Chart
For many American listeners, this cinematic moment was their introduction to the song — proof of how a well-placed soundtrack feature could reignite a single years after its original release.
A Timeless Mardi Gras Anthem
Long before its pop and Hollywood success, “Iko Iko” was popularized in 1965 by The Dixie Cups, whose spontaneous, percussion-driven recording helped cement the chant in mainstream culture. The Belle Stars carried that celebratory spirit forward, preserving its call-and-response energy while giving it a crisp, early-’80s sheen.
It’s a song built for days like today — colorful, communal, and rhythm-driven. Whether you’re celebrating on Bourbon Street or simply marking Fat Tuesday from home, “Iko Iko” captures the heartbeat of Carnival.
A Brand-New 2026 Transfer
Today’s feature is a brand-new 2026 meticulous audio transfer, carefully restored to bring out every layer of percussion and vocal harmony with clarity and warmth. The result is a dynamic, punchy presentation that lets the groove breathe while preserving the character of the original pressing.
To make this edition even more special, I’ve included two NEW bonus tracks sourced from the legendary remix services Disconet and Rhythm Stick — both vinyl-only DJ mixes that expand the song’s dancefloor energy. These extended interpretations showcase how club culture embraced the track, stretching its celebratory rhythm into deeper, more percussive territory.
It’s a fitting way to honor a song that has thrived in so many settings: street parades, radio charts, movie theaters, and nightclubs.
On this Fat Tuesday, turn it up loud. Let the chant roll. And celebrate the enduring magic of “Iko Iko.”
SIDE A:
ko Iko (12″ Mix) 4:51
Iko Iko (7″ Mix) 3:21
SIDE B:
Iko Iko (Bonus Beats) 3:16
BONUS TRACKS:
Iko Iko (The Vancouver Feet Beat Remix) 5:28
Remix – Mario S. David
Taken From – Rhythm Stick 1-4
Iko Iko (Rain Man Mix) 5:34
Edited By – Dennis Muyet
Taken From – Disconet Volume 11 Program 6
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Dance Club Songs | #7 | 1989 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | #14 | 1989 |
| Australia (ARIA) | #7 | 1989 |
| Canada (RPM) | #42 | 1989 |
| New Zealand Recoded Music NZ) | #5 | 1989 |
| UK Singles | #98 | 1989 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Capitol Records – V-15475
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, PopStyle: Synth-pop, Cajun, African, New Wave
CREDITS:
- Engineer – Paul Brown
- Executive-Producer – Barry Levinson, Mark Johnson (22)
- Producer – Brian Tench
- Remix, Producer [Additional Production], Edited By – Boris Granich, Christer Modig
- Written By – Hawkins-Jones-Hawkins-Jones-Johnson-Jones-Thomas
NOTES:
(Original version appears on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack LP “Rain Man.”
Additional Production and Edit for Powermix Productions.
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
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
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