BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988
“What’s on Your Mind (Pure Energy)” is a song by American synth-pop band Information Society that was released as a single in 1988. The “Pure Energy” subtitle derives from a sample of Leonard Nimoy’s voice from the Star Trek episode “Errand of Mercy”. There is also a sample of DeForest Kelley’s voice from the episode “I, Mudd”. John Leland of Spin magazine called it a “pretty potent dance record”.
In 2009, VH1 ran a countdown of the 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the ’80s. Information Society’s “What’s on Your Mind (Pure Energy)” placed at number 74 on the countdown despite the fact that the group had two other top 40 hits: “Walking Away” (number 9) and “Think” (number 28).
The song was a big hit in the US, spending 25 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three in October 1988.
The song was featured in Loverboy and American Psycho. A remixed version was included in American Psycho’s soundtrack.
In 1989, Pittsburgh radio station WYDD-FM executed an early viral marketing plan by playing this song non-stop in a loop for 25.5 hours — focusing on a repeat of the “Pure Energy” sample from Leonard Nimoy as Star Trek’s Mr. Spock. The marketing stunt caused listeners to call emergency services, concerned that some calamity had befallen the DJs and other station employees. Bob Hank, general manager at the time, told reporters he was only trying to draw attention to the station’s switch in format and new call letters WNRJ (W-N-R-J = “energy”). “We were just trying to draw a little bit of attention,” Hank said. “We never dreamed it would go this far”. The song also samples Star Trek in the intro, with the character Dr. McCoy saying “it’s worked so far, but we’re not out yet.”
SIDE A:
What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) (Club Mix) 8:00
What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) (The 54 Mix) 5:12
What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) (Percappella) 4:11
SIDE B:
What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) (Pure Energy Mix) 4:35
Engineer [Mix] – Roey Shamir
Mixed By – Fred Maher, Roey Shamir
What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) (What’s On Your Dub Mix) 6:26
Edited By – Chep Nunez*
Engineer [Mix] – Roey Shamir
Mixed By – Fred Maher, Roey Shamir
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-89 | What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #3 |
| 1988-89 | What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #10 |
| 1988-89 | What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #1 |
| 1988-89 | What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Maxi-Singles Sales | #2 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Tommy Boy – TB 911
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic
Style: Freestyle, Electro, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Arranged By, Programmed By – Fred Maher, Paul Robb
Art Direction – The Grey Organisation*
Edited By – The Latin Rascals (tracks: A1 to A3)
Engineer [Mix] – Hugo Dwyer (tracks: A1 to A3)
Executive-Producer – Kevin Laffey
Keyboards [Overdubs] – Andy Marvel (tracks: A1 to A3)
Layout – Steven Miglio
Management – Bang Communications, Scott Mehno
Mastered By – Herb Powers Jr.
Mixed By – “Little” Louie Vega* (tracks: A1 to A3), Roman Ricardo (tracks: A1 to A3)
Photography By – Isabel Snyder
Producer – Fred Maher
Written-By – K. Valaquen*, P. Robb*
NOTES:
Recorded at Platinum Island, NYC.
Mastered at Frankford-Wayne, NYC.
Tracks A1 to A3:
Mixed for Small Wonder Productions Inc. and AM-PM Productions.
Edited for Latin Rascal Productions Inc.
Mixed at Soundtrack Studios, NYC.
Track B2:
Edited for S.O.S. Productions.
Mixed at Unique Recording, NYC.
Management at Bang Communications
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Mullard 12AX7 Preamp Vacuum Tube Pins
Soundcard: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
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
