Burning The Ground Exclusive
Nothing Is Handed to You: Tina B’s Nothin’s Gonna Come Easy and the Beat Street Era
By 1984, New York City was ground zero for a musical revolution. Dance, electronic, funk, and hip-hop were colliding in clubs, studios, and on the streets, producing a sound that would reshape popular music for decades. Few soundtracks captured that moment as perfectly as Beat Street, and tucked inside its landmark tracklist is a quietly powerful dancefloor gem: “Nothin’s Gonna Come Easy” by Tina B.
Produced by Arthur Baker and John Robie, the track embodies the raw optimism and grit of mid-’80s NYC dance music. Built on pulsing electro rhythms and a driving groove, “Nothin’s Gonna Come Easy” feels both urgent and uplifting—music made for dancers who knew that survival, success, and self-expression all required work. The message hits hard: nothing is handed to you, but perseverance moves mountains.
The song resonated on the dancefloor, reaching #18 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Chart in December 1984, a solid showing amid a fiercely competitive era for club music. Its inclusion on the Beat Street soundtrack placed Tina B alongside some of the most influential artists and producers shaping the sound of the decade.
Tina B is one of those essential voices of the era whose impact runs deeper than chart positions alone. A vocalist and songwriter featured on gold and platinum records, her work helped define a musical movement that still echoes today. Her versatility made her a go-to supporting vocalist, contributing her unmistakable voice to recordings by Madonna, New Order, Al Green, Freeze, U2, Carly Simon, and Bruce Springsteen—a staggering cross-section of pop, rock, soul, and dance royalty.
She was also married to Arthur Baker, one of the architects of electro, freestyle, and early hip-hop crossover records, and together their creative orbit helped shape the sound of 1980s club culture. While Baker and Robie provided the framework, it’s Tina B’s vocal presence that gives “Nothin’s Gonna Come Easy” its emotional core—strong, determined, and perfectly in sync with the era’s DIY spirit.
More than four decades later, “Nothin’s Gonna Come Easy” stands as a reminder of a time when dance music wasn’t just about escapism—it was about resilience, ambition, and carving out space in a changing city. A true Beat Street deep cut, and an essential slice of New York’s electrifying 1984 soundscape.
SIDE A:
Nothin’s Gonna Come Easy (Vocal/Long Version) 8:02
SIDE B:
Nothin’s Gonna Come Easy (Dub/Long Version) 6:13
Nothin’s Gonna Come Easy (Vocal/Edit) 4:10
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Dance Club Songs | #18 | 1984 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Atlantic – 78 69180
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo
Country: Canada
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Freestyle
CREDITS:
- Design – Lynn Dreese Breslin
- Engineer [Mix] – John Potoker (tracks: B1)
- Executive-Producer – Arthur Baker, Harry Belafonte
- Lacquer Cut By – D.K.*
- Mixed By – Arthur Baker, John Robie
- Producer, Arranged By – Arthur Baker, John Robie
- Written-By – Arthur Baker, Tina Baker*
NOTES:
Recorded at Unique Sound Studio & Shakedown Sound Studio, NYC.
A, B2. Mixed at Greene Street Recording
B1. Mixed at Sigma Sound, NYC
Tina B appears courtesy of Elektra/Asylum Records
Version of Atlantic LP 80158 – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack “Beat Street™ Volume 2”
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
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Thank you Paul. Another missing track completes my collection.It looks like the “Electro” week is over and I’m curious to see what the next few days will bring…hope everyone had a great weekend and greetings to the entire BTG community.
“Toxicaudio, I’m really glad this one helped fill another gap for you. That’s exactly why I love doing these themed runs — every so often a missing piece finally clicks into place for someone. If this does mark the end of our little Electro chapter, it’s been a blast sharing it with all of you. I’m already digging through the shelves to see what direction the next few days might take. Hope your weekend was a great one too, and sending big greetings right back to you and the whole BTG family.”
Paul, since you’re already digging through your shelves, may I gently nudge you in the direction of those missing Depeche 12″es we previously discussed 🙂
I still playlist your transfer rips of her single “Honey To A Bee” This sounds like a another playlist regular too.
Thanks Paul for bringing back these Beat Street classics.
“Mark, that means a lot. ‘Honey To A Bee’ was such a joy to clean up, so hearing it’s still living in your playlists puts a big smile on my face. This one comes from that same Beat Street universe, so I’m thrilled it’s hitting you the same way. Thanks for sticking with me through this little run of classics—more treasures ahead.”
The Beat Street event finale?!? Perhaps! What a great cap to the first 2 week theme event ever 🙂 I wondered if this was coming! Truly the outlier of the Beat Street soundtrack. It always felt like it might be more at home on something like the Fame soundtrack than in a hip hop breakdancing classic but that is actually what makes it stand out. This is such a great example of pop with a hint of rock… you have the obvious pop leanings mixed with some hot synth beats but then you get that great electric guitar action that… Read more »
JP, you read my mind — if this is the finale, it felt like the right curveball to close things out with. This one has always lived in its own little corner of the Beat Street universe, and you’re spot‑on: it’s got more in common with Fame than with the breakdance anthems everyone remembers. That contrast is exactly why I’ve always had a soft spot for it. The mix of pop sparkle, those synth flourishes, and that unexpected guitar bite gives it such a unique flavor. And yes, that long vocal version really stretches its legs — that little breakdown… Read more »
It is audibly delicious.
Thank you Paul!
“DJ Lollipop, that’s music to my ears. So glad this one hit the spot for you — it was a joy to bring it back to life. Thanks for listening and for the kind words!”
Thank you so much for continuing this amazing series! I can’t believe I never had most of these 12″ remixes considering how much I love the original soundtrack! I love your dedication to completing each theme! I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
“Axel, I’m so glad you’re enjoying this run. These 12″ mixes were scattered across so many territories and formats that even die‑hard fans never had the full picture, so it’s been a joy bringing them together in one place. Hearing that the series is helping you rediscover the soundtrack in a new way makes all the work worthwhile. Thanks for riding along with the theme — and wishing you an amazing weekend too.”
This is so super, Paul!! I have always wanted this record because it’s a collaboration of two of my favorite musical idols: Arthur Baker and John Robie!! I swear, when these two get together, sonic magic happens!! I’m kicking myself because I never purchased the record. Thankfully, you have come to the rescue! I’m pumped to hear it! Especially with all the meticulous care you spend on ripping vinyl! It’s probably the next best thing to getting it remastered. I actually like to think that it’s better than a remaster, as todays’ “remastered” music is somehow lacking the care you… Read more »
PAUL!!!
What a fantastic record this is! I have it in my head and I’ll be singing it constantly. Great uplifting melody with a powerful message! Hearing it though gives me that sense of optimism! Love it!
I’m going to make my own compilation of all these tracks! It’s a wonderful testament to the whole Hip Hop culture and shows how NYC is such a force for raw talents and artworks!
You’ve done yourself proud, DjPaulT!!!
Sincerely,
Jeff
Jeff, your energy is absolutely infectious. Baker and Robie really were a force of nature when they locked into a groove together — that perfect mix of grit, futurism, and pure musical instinct. I’m right there with you: every time their names appear side‑by‑side on a label, you just know something special is about to happen. I’m thrilled this one finally found its way to you. These records slipped through so many cracks over the years, so giving them a proper spin and a little TLC feels like rescuing lost chapters of the soundtrack we all grew up with. Hearing… Read more »