Burning The Ground Exclusive
By the early 1980s, Classix Nouveaux had firmly carved out their place in the New Wave and post-punk landscape. Formed in London in 1979 from the ashes of X-Ray Spex, the band — fronted by the charismatic Sal Solo — quickly became known for their striking visual style, theatrical performances, and polished, synth-driven sound.
One of the gems in their catalog is “Forever and a Day,” a single released in 1983 from their third studio album Secret. By this point, Classix Nouveaux had refined their sound, moving away from the rawer edges of their early work toward a sleeker, more atmospheric approach.
A Shift in Sound
“Forever and a Day” captures the essence of this evolution. Built on shimmering synth textures, driving bass lines, and Sal Solo’s dramatic, soaring vocals, the track balances melancholy with romantic optimism. The production feels cinematic, reflecting the broader trend in early-to-mid ’80s New Wave toward lush, layered arrangements.
While the band never quite broke through on the same scale as contemporaries like Ultravox or Duran Duran, tracks like “Forever and a Day” show they had all the right ingredients — powerful hooks, emotional depth, and undeniable style.
Release & Reception
Issued as a single in 1983, “Forever and a Day” wasn’t a major chart hit, but it cemented Classix Nouveaux’s reputation as cult favorites in the New Wave scene. In some territories — particularly across Europe and in markets like Poland, where the band enjoyed a surprising level of popularity — the song gained significant airplay.
The single was accompanied by a 12″ release, which offered an extended version remixed ny Phil Thornalley (Johnny Hates Jazz, The Cure) aimed at dancefloors and club DJs. This longer version gave the band’s synth arrangements more room to breathe, making “Forever and a Day” a perfect fit for the era’s club culture.
Legacy
Though Classix Nouveaux disbanded shortly after the release of Secret, songs like “Forever and a Day” have stood the test of time, rediscovered by collectors and fans of the 12″ remix format. The track remains a shining example of how New Wave blended electronic experimentation with pop sensibility — dramatic, stylish, and achingly heartfelt.
For many fans, “Forever and a Day” is more than just a single — it’s a reminder of the fleeting brilliance of a band that deserved a bigger spotlight.
SIDE A:
Forever And A Day (Extended Version) 6:46
Mixed By – Phil Thornalley
Strings – Ann Dudley
Written-By – Mik Sweeny, Sal Solo
SIDE B:
Switch (Full Length Version) 6:41
Written-By – B.P. Hurding, Mik Sweeny*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Liberty – 12BP 419
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave
CREDITS:
- Producer – Alex Sadkin
- Sleeve – Edward Bell
NOTES:
Rear sleeve: Lyrics reproduced by kind permission of Chappell Music Ltd.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net
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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