Tag: US

September 23, 2025

Madonna – Everybody (US 12″) (1982)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

When people think of Madonna’s career, the mind often jumps straight to the blockbuster singles of the mid-’80s—“Like a Virgin,” “Into the Groove,” “Papa Don’t Preach.” But before she was the Queen of Pop, she was a hungry, ambitious New York club artist trying to break through. Her debut single “Everybody,” released on October 6, 1982, was the track that started it all.

The First Step Into Pop History

“Everybody” was recorded in New York with producer Mark Kamins, a local DJ who gave Madonna her first real shot at the studio. Released on Sire Records, the track is a lean, no-frills dance cut, powered by a throbbing bassline, synth stabs, and an irresistible groove that perfectly captured the energy of downtown clubs at the time. Unlike her later material, “Everybody” doesn’t lean on big choruses or flashy hooks—it’s about the beat, the rhythm, and the invitation to dance.

Interestingly, the single’s original 12″ release didn’t feature Madonna’s face on the sleeve. Sire instead went with a graphic design that led some early listeners to assume she was a Black artist. This anonymity, paired with the song’s strong club appeal, helped “Everybody” find its first home in dance clubs before radio ever picked it up.

Chart Performance

“Everybody” wasn’t an immediate mainstream smash. The single didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but it made a big impression on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, reaching #3 in early 1983. This club success laid the groundwork for Madonna’s next singles, “Burning Up” and especially “Holiday,” which finally brought her into the pop spotlight.

A Club Classic That Still Holds Up

What’s striking about “Everybody” today is how raw and unpolished it feels compared to the polished pop Madonna would soon deliver. The song’s hypnotic repetition and stripped-down production reflect the early ’80s New York dance scene, where disco was evolving into something sharper and more electronic. It’s a time capsule of a city and a movement—and the moment Madonna began her ascent.

Legacy

Even though “Everybody” isn’t always the first song people mention when talking about Madonna, it’s impossible to overlook its importance. Without it, there’s no debut album, no MTV icon, no pop domination. It was Madonna’s calling card, a song that declared her mission: to make everybody dance.

The track has since become a fan favorite and often finds its way into live performances, especially during tours that pay tribute to her roots. For collectors, the original U.S. 12″ single is a gem, featuring the extended 12″ version running over 5 minutes, which remains the definitive way to hear the track.

✨ “Everybody, come on dance and sing. Everybody, get up and do your thing.”

From this simple refrain, a pop revolution was born.

SIDE A:
Everybody 5:59

SIDE B:
Everybody (Dub Version) 8:59

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

Chart Performance — Madonna: *Everybody* (1982)
Chart	Peak Position	Date
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#3	1983
US Billboard Hot 100	—	—
US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	#107 (Bubbling Under)	1983

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – 0-29899, Sire – 9 29899-0 A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Specialty Records Corporation Pressing
Country: US
Released: Oct 6, 1982
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Art Direction, Design – Christine Sauers
Artwork [Illustrations] – Lou Beach
Engineer – Butch Jones
Producer – Mark Kamins
Written-By – Madonna

NOTES:
A is longer than the later album version that has the same title.
B side plays 8:59 but is mentioned 9:23 on the cover

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

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

September 18, 2025

Wang Chung – Dance Hall days & Don’t Let Go (US 12″) (1984)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By 1984, Wang Chung had evolved from their early days as Huang Chung into one of the most distinctive new wave acts of the decade. With their second album Points on the Curve (1983), Jack Hues and Nick Feldman sharpened their blend of sleek synth-pop and angular guitar riffs into something both stylish and radio-friendly. Two standout tracks from this era—“Dance Hall Days” and “Don’t Let Go”—were paired on the U.S. 12″ single, giving fans extended remixes that perfectly captured the duo’s unique sound.

Dance Hall Days

Originally released as a single in 1982 in the UK, “Dance Hall Days” was re-recorded for Points on the Curve and became Wang Chung’s first big U.S. hit in 1984, climbing to #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s nostalgic, dreamlike lyrics—“Take your baby by the hand…”—float over a lush synth-pop arrangement that’s equal parts danceable and bittersweet. The 12″ version stretches the track into a more atmospheric experience, emphasizing its hypnotic groove and instrumental textures, making it a staple of mid-80s dance floors.

Don’t Let Go

On the flip side, “Don’t Let Go” provides a harder-hitting contrast. Released as the lead single from Points on the Curve, it reached #38 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a club favorite. Built around sharp guitar lines, punchy percussion, and urgent vocals, it showcases the edgier side of Wang Chung’s sound. The extended 12″ mix adds more space for the song’s rhythm section to shine, giving it a driving energy that worked perfectly in DJ sets.

The 12″ Release

The U.S. 12″ release (Geffen Records, 1984) paired these two tracks in their extended forms, providing fans with the definitive dancefloor experience. The mixes highlight the balance between Wang Chung’s reflective pop sensibilities and their club-ready energy. For collectors, this 12″ stands as an essential piece of the band’s catalog, bridging their underground beginnings with the mainstream success that would soon peak with hits like “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” and “Let’s Go!”

SIDE A:
Dance Hall Days (Remix) 7:22
Edited By – Victor Flores

SIDE B:
Don’t Let Go (Remix) 7:14
Remix – John Luongo
Written-By – Feldman*

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

CHART PERFORMANCE
Song	Chart	Peak Position	Year
Dance Hall Days	US Billboard Hot 100	#16	1984
	US Billboard Mainstream Rock	#25	1984
	US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#1 (with remix)	1984
	UK Singles Chart	#21	1984
	Canada RPM Top Singles	#14	1984
	Australia Kent Music Report	#36	1984
Don’t Let Go	US Billboard Hot 100	#38	1984
	US Billboard Mainstream Rock	#24	1984
	US Billboard Dance Club Songs	#27	1984

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Geffen Records – 0-20194, Geffen Records – 9 20194-0 A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

Cover [Art] – Torchlight, London*
Producer, Recorded By – Chris Hughes, Ross Cullum
Written-By – Hues*

NOTES:
“Specially-Priced 2-Cut Maxi Single”

Original version available on the Geffen album
“Points On The Curve”

Made in U.S.A.
Printed in USA

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.

September 5, 2025

Stacy Lattisaw – Call Me (US 12″) (1988)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By 1988, Stacy Lattisaw was already a seasoned performer despite her young age. Discovered as a teenager, she had been recording since the late 1970s and built a reputation as one of R&B’s most promising voices. Known for her sweet yet powerful vocal style, Stacy seamlessly navigated ballads and uptempo tracks, earning her a loyal following throughout the ’80s.

“Call Me” was released as the third single from her ninth studio album, Personal Attention, which dropped on January 21, 1988, through Motown Records. The album itself represented an important chapter in Stacy’s career, as she worked to expand her sound with more contemporary late-’80s R&B production while keeping the soulful essence that had carried her through the decade.

The single “Call Me” is a sleek mid-tempo groove that showcases Stacy’s effortless vocal delivery over polished instrumentation. While it didn’t soar to the top of the charts, it managed to carve out its place, peaking at #80 on the Billboard R&B Chart. Even though it wasn’t a major hit, the track reflects the transitional sound of R&B at the time—blending smooth melodies with danceable rhythms that leaned toward the New Jack Swing era just around the corner.

Looking back, “Call Me” captures Stacy at an interesting point in her journey. Just a few years later, she would step back from the recording industry altogether, leaving behind a catalog that has continued to earn appreciation from collectors, DJs, and fans of ’80s soul and R&B.

For those who treasure late-’80s Motown releases, “Call Me” stands as a reminder of Stacy Lattisaw’s unique talent—an artist who began her career as a child prodigy and matured into a singer with undeniable warmth, sincerity, and groove.

SIDE A:
Call Me (12″ Remix) 6:15

SIDE B:
Call Me (7″ Version) 4:09
Call Me (Dubsky Bass) 4:56

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

U.S. CHART HISTORY:

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1988	Call Me	U.S. Billboard Hot R&B / Hip-Hop	#80

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Motown – MOT-4615
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Funk, Soul

CREDITS:

Executive-Producer – Debbie Sandridge
Remix – Taavi Mote
Written-By – The Blitz (2)
Written-By, Producer – Lou Pace

NOTES:
Original version appears on the Stacey Lattisaw album, “Personal Attention”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

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.

September 4, 2025

Ready For The World – Cowboy (US 12″) (1989)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

By the late 1980s, Ready For The World had firmly established themselves as one of the premier R&B acts of the decade. With their signature mix of Minneapolis-inspired funk grooves, lush balladry, and crossover pop appeal, the Flint, Michigan sextet built a strong reputation thanks to smash hits like “Oh Sheila,” “Love You Down,” and “Digital Display.”

“Cowboy,” however, marked a different chapter. Released in early 1989 as the fourth and final single from the group’s third studio album, Ruff N’ Ready (issued September 19, 1988, via MCA Records), the track stood out not only for its title but also for its adventurous sonic direction.

At a time when New Jack Swing was dominating R&B radio, “Cowboy” blended Ready For The World’s smooth harmonies and dance-driven production with a playful Western theme. Built around slinky funk basslines, tight percussion, and the group’s signature vocal layering, the song injected a unique character into late-’80s R&B. The lyrics and styling played with the cowboy archetype—romantic, mysterious, and bold—yet kept it firmly rooted in the urban contemporary soundscape.

While Ruff N’ Ready didn’t achieve the multi-platinum success of the band’s earlier work, it still showcased their willingness to evolve. Alongside ballads like “My Girly” (a Top 10 R&B hit), “Cowboy” proved that the group wasn’t afraid to experiment, even if it meant stepping outside traditional R&B boundaries.

For DJs and collectors, the U.S. 12″ is a real highlight. MCA tapped remix heavyweight Louil Silas Jr.—who was behind countless late-’80s and early ’90s R&B club mixes—to reimagine the track for dancefloors. His mixes gave “Cowboy” extra punch and extended its groove, with precise edit work by Greg Royal, another trusted name in the remix scene. The result is a set of versions tailored for the clubs, keeping the spirit of the original intact while stretching it into something DJs could ride.

Although “Cowboy” didn’t reach the commercial heights of earlier singles like “My Girly” or “Love You Down,” it stands as an underrated piece of the Ready For The World catalog—an example of their willingness to experiment, push genre boundaries, and embrace the remix culture of the late 1980s.

For fans of deep R&B cuts, “Cowboy” remains a gem worth saddling up with.

SIDE A:
Cowboy (Extended Version) 8:28

SIDE B:
Cowboy (Instrumental) 8:22
Cowboy (Bassapella) 4:47

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – MCA-23948
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1989
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Funk

CREDITS:

Design – Georgopoulos/Imada*
Edited By [Edits By] – Greg Royal
Engineer [Remix Engineer] – David Bianco
Executive-Producer – Louil Silas, Jr.*
Management – Denny Vosburgh, Machat Productions, Steven Machat
Producer – Ready For The World
Remix – Louil Silas, Jr.*
Tracking By [Overdubs By] – Jeff Lorber
Written-By – G. Valentine*, M. Riley*

NOTES:
Original version appears on the MCA LP, “Ruff ‘N’ Ready”

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net

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.