BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1982
New 2015 Re-Rip!
Meticulously Remastered!
First time in 24bit Flac!
Originally posted April 25, 2011
“Breakaway” (spelled “Break-a-Way” on the original 45 RPM label, and spelled “Breakaway” on most subsequent releases and compilations) is a song written by Jackie DeShannon and Sharon Sheeley. It was originally recorded by Irma Thomas in 1964 and released as the B-Side of her biggest hit, the US #17 hit single “Wish Someone Would Care”.
The original version of “Breakaway” was never a hit — it did not make the Billboard Hot 100, nor the Bubbling Under charts, and the extensive chart archive at ARSA does not record a single instance of any radio station anywhere in North America placing the track on its playlist. Nevertheless, “Breakaway” is today generally considered a better-remembered song than the A-Side of Thomas’ record , a situation that may be partly due to Tracey Ullman’s hit 1980s cover. It has become a staple in Thomas’ live performances and appears on several recent Irma Thomas and “New Orleans music” compilations.
“Breakaway” was Tracey Ullman’s 1983 debut single in the UK, and reached #4 in the UK charts. The track then appeared on Ullman’s album You Broke My Heart In 17 Places, which was released in 1984.
In North America, “Breakaway” was actually Ullman’s second single, being released after her hit “They Don’t Know”. It charted at a modest #70 in the US in 1984, although the video for Ullman’s version received significant play on the then-fledgling MTV and Canada’s MuchMusic. The “Well Extended And Remixed Version” was remixed by Phil Harding an English audio engineer, producer and remixer, best known for his extended collaboration with keyboardist and programmer Ian Curnow. The highlight of the duo’s career is their 1980s work for the highly successful record label PWL, and its creative core at the time: Stock Aitken Waterman productions.
SIDE A:
Breakaway (Well Extended And Remixed Version) 5:04
Remix – Phil Harding
Written-By – Jackie De Shannon*, Sharon Sheeley*
SIDE B:
Dancing In The Dark 2:53
Written-By – Collins*, Chapman*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Cover: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Breakaway | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #70 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Stiff Records – SBUY 168
Format: Vinyl, 10″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1982
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Mastered By – Arun*
Producer – Peter Collins
NOTES:
Extended Remixed 10″ Record
Produced for Loose End Productions
Made In England
Original version appears on the LP “YOU BROKE MY HEART IN 17 PLACES”
Find the 10″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: 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)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
