BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1988
“Never Can Say Goodbye” is a song written by Clifton Davis and originally recorded by The Jackson 5 in 1971.
In 1987, British synth-pop band The Communards had a hit with a pop-dance cover of the Clifton Davis classic, which was featured on their second album, Red.
Their version reached number four in the UK Singles Chart, number 51 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco chart in the U.S. The group had reached number one on those charts covering another 1970s classic, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, in 1986.
The Communards version was also featured in the episode “Father’s Day”, which was set in 1987, in the first series of the revived Doctor Who. It also could be heard in the final episode of Whites, featuring a dance number by Stephen Wight and recently as the signature tune to the British comedy series Vicious.
SIDE A:
Never Can Say Goodbye 11:14
SIDE B:
Never Can Say Goodbye (Dub Mix) 5:45
Never Can Say Goodbye (Instrumental) 5:42
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint (company)
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Never Can Say Goodbye | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #51 |
| 1988 | Never Can Say Goodbye | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #2 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – L33-17469
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Electronic
Style: Hi NRG, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Remix – Shep Pettibone
Written-By – Clifton Davis
NOTES:
Promotion Only Not For Sale
For Mastermix Productions
Original version appears on the MCA LP “RED”
Recorded In England
Find The 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Speed Control: Pro-Ject Speed Box S
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 Removeal: 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
Excellent djpault.-
I’ve been dying for this. It downloaded fine but whats the password? Neither btg or burningtheground work to extract the rar file.
The tech notes are much appreciated and professional! And so is the sound! Thank you!!
Awesome 12”! I’m loving his new solo material too x
This song is just too good. I’m still in love with it after all these years. Thanks!
Wooooohoooo! A Classic 12” Thank you soooooo much x
Classic Communards!
Thanks for the 24bit, Paul 🙂
Hey Paul.
Really big thanks matey for putting this one back on. You’ve so made my day!
Thanks Paul
Can’t wait to hear it!!
New year squeezes
David
Happy New Year to you too. Hope to hear from you more often 🙂
P. Squeeze!
Always love your re-rips, Paul. And you’re right, they improve on your quality even more!
Many remixes for this single, but I have a soft spot for the Classical Mix.
But this full Pettibone Remix is rare… so a re-thank for a re-rip!
You are so welcome Ric. Thank you for the compliment 🙂
Love this song. Thank you, Paul!
You’re welcome André 🙂
Cool! Never had this version only the standard edit version on the US 12″. This is the first Jimmy Somerville record I ever heard, on top 40 radio no less – I thought this was sung by a woman. Fun record. Nice work by Shep Pettibone on this one as well. Nice rip Paul. Thanks.
Thank you Joey it is a really fun record. Enjoy!
Another GREAT post. Thanks Paul!
Thank you Kenneth 🙂
Hey Paul, can you really notice a difference with that heavy weight holding the vinyl down?
I was thinking of getting one, but in the hi-fi forums i read, opinion was divided, some say it makes a world of difference and others can hear no difference. Same as people who say some £120 heavy/dense slipmat will improve the sound – what are your thoughts on that?
Yes I can really tell a difference. I notice more defined bass and less motor and rumble noise especially on quiet parts of songs. I also use an a Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter which also made a world of difference. I recommend the weight mine was $85 and well worth it 🙂
I had the “edited” 12″ of this [the 7:52 version,the only available in Europe and Italy at the time I guess,along with the Freddy Bastone Remix;this one is the Sep’s version].
Really love it and sounds amazing,thank you very much,Paul!
You post such gems,it’s a pleasure come here almost everyday!
Thank you Piffard would love to see you comment more 🙂
Thanks for ripping one of my classics. 🙂
You’re welcome Osc 🙂
Sounds like heaven should sound. I’m amazed.
Hugs!
aah thank you Ezequiel.
Hugs!
Beautiful! This is an important re-rip! Thanks Paul, very appreciated.
You’re very welcome Stefano 🙂
PAUL!!!!!! I had chills just reading today’s post!!! I know it’s going to be awesome just by how you stated how its “meticulously remastered!!!” Boy-OH-Boy this is gonna be spectacular. Love this song. Jimmy Somerville is the total DIVA and I mean this as a compliment. What a voice. Gives me goose bumps each and every time!!! You know, ever since you got your new stylus, the records sound so much fuller, glorious and gorgeous. You work your magic Paul and it shows. I’m prepared for the full-on SWOON!!! I really worship your talents!!!! Panting!!!! Jeff P.S. Hey, thanks for… Read more »
You’re so welcome Jeff glad you like yesterdays post too 🙂 I love this 12″ and was very excited to dig it out of storage and re-rip it. I am also using a new gadget. It’s a Pro-ject record puck which is a heavy weight placed on the label during playback. This gadget helps stabalize the record improving fidelity I just love it 🙂
Thanks. The song is now the theme song to the BBC comedy Vicious.
Yeah I noted it in the above description 🙂
Must have multiple versions of this, including the original, but I like the song and all versions I’ve heard to date..
Thanks as always for the rip, Paul.. 🙂
You’re welcome Ex15 🙂
I note that the original posting isn’t on my hard drive so probably been down a number of years. Also note that only track 3 here was featured on the Red (Deluxe edition) from 2012 that’s currently on my hard drive. Nice work!
Yes the original post was down for quite some time. But now I have pulled this record out of storage and given it a glorious ne rip with the Ortofon Super 30. I must say this transfer sounds so much better than the original that I posted in 2010. Enjoy!
Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome Omar. Enjoy!