BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
“Sun City” is a 1985 protest song written by Steven Van Zandt, produced by Van Zandt and Arthur Baker and recorded by Artists United Against Apartheid to convey opposition to the South African policy of apartheid. The primary means of that opposition is to declare that all the artists involved would refuse any and all offers to perform at Sun City, a resort which was located within the bantustan of Bophuthatswana, one of a number of internationally unrecognized states created by the South African government to forcibly relocate its black population.
“Sun City” only reached #38 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1985. Only about half of American radio stations played “Sun City”, with some objecting to the lyrics’ explicit criticism of President Ronald Reagan’s policy of “constructive engagement.” (Joey Ramone’s line in the song criticizes Reagan. Ramone also expressed open discontent and criticism towards him with the Ramones song “Bonzo Goes to Bitburg”.) The song was banned in South Africa itself.
The song did somewhat better overseas, reaching #21 on the UK Singles Chart, #4 in Australia and achieving chart action in a number of other European countries, becoming a substantial hit in The Netherlands. It was also a top ten single in Canada in December 1985 and January 1986.
“Sun City” was picked as record of the year by many of the most influential music critics, topping the prestigious international Pazz & Jop Critics Poll for best single of the year.
The album and single raised more than a million U.S. dollars for anti-apartheid projects. It premiered at the United Nations, thanks to the Special Committee Against Apartheid and UN officers such as Aracelly Santana.
Featuring – Afrika Bambaataa, Anthony Williams, Big Youth, Bob Dylan, Bob Geldof, Bobby Womack, Bonnie Raitt, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, Darlene Love, Daryl Hall, David Ruffin Jr, Duke Bootee, Eddie Kendricks, Fat Boys, George Clinton, Gil Scott-Heron, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Herbie Hancock, Jackson Browne, Jimmy Cliff, Joey Ramone, John Oates, Kashif, Kurtis Blow, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Little Steven, Lou Reed, Malopoets, Michael Monroe, Miles Davis, Nona Hendryx, Pat Benatar, Pete Townshend, Peter Gabriel, Peter Garrett, Peter Wolf, Ray Barretto, Ringo Starr, Ron Carter, Ruben Blades, Run-DMC, Scorpio (3), Shankar, Sonny Okosun, Stanley Jordan, Stiv Bators, Tina B, Via Afrika, Will Downing, Zak Starkey
Producer – Arthur Baker, Little Steven
SIDE A:
Sun City (Last Remix) 9:36
SIDE B:
Not So Far Away (Dub Version) 12:32
Tracking By [Emulator Overdubs] – Keith Le Blanc*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Sun City | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #38 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Manhattan Records – V-56013
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: October 25, 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Edited By – Albert Cobrera*, Aldo Miran
Engineer [Mix] – Frank Filipetti
Engineer [Mix], Remix – Jay Burnett
Producer – Little Steven
Producer, Remix – Arthur Baker
NOTES:
The artist royalties from this record are going to The Africa Fund, a charitable trust based in New York City and registered with the United Nations. The income will benefit political prisoners and their families in South Africa, educational and cultural needs of South African exiles, and educational work of anti-apartheid groups in the United States.
Mixed at Electric Lady, NYC.
Find the 12″ 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
