BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983
“Shoppin’ From A to Z” is the fourth single by Toni Basil, and the third from her debut album, Word of Mouth. It was released in the US only. After the poor performance of “Nobody” in the UK, there was a lot of dependence on “Shoppin’ From A to Z” for its performance in the US. It peaked at #77.
The song features a shopping list consisting of various grocery items, each beginning with a different letter of the alphabet. On the album version, it is shouted out by a chorus. However, in the single version this is replaced by comical voices saying the name of each item.
SIDEA:
Shoppin’ From A To Z (Special Remix) 6:04
SIDEB:
Shoppin’ From A To Z 3:36
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
CHARTS:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Shoppin’ From A To Z | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #77 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – AS 1605
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, 33 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop
Credits: Producer – Greg Mathieson, Trevor Veitch
Written-By – A. Willis*, B. Roberts*, T. Basil*
NOTES:
‘Special Club Mix’ printed on Record Company Sleeve decals, but printed as ‘Special Remix’ on A Side label
Taken From The Chrysalis Lp: “Word Of Mouth” FV 41410
Find The 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Adobe Photoshop CS5
ClickRepair
dBpoweramp
Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
Downsampled to 24bit/96kHz and16bit /44kHz using iZotope RX Advanced 2
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
You use to have Pia Zadora The Clapping Song posted but it had invalid link, is it Possible you can repost it again I use to have it but didn’t have any way to convert it to mp3 at the time. Thanx
Links restored and 24 bit added.
This man is GOD SENT! Love Toni and ALL her music. I thought I was the only one who had this 12″. Quirky song. I didn’t know there was a 12″ for TIME AFTER TIME. I knew about YOU GOTTA PROBLEM.
Thanks again for posting this Paul. U R THE BEST!!!
Now if some label would release both her albums on CD with bonus tracks and a DVD compilation of ALL her videos, the world would be a better place 🙂
I agree Robert
They should do a triple disc set including,
CD1:Hits & album trax,
CD2:Remixes/B-sides,
DVD:All Videos w/ live TV appearances.
Who owns the rights? Lets Bug ’em!!
start a facebook campaign !
i’m suprised there isn’t a ‘deluxe / remastered ‘ cd set etc
of her stuff out there
when you read of many other less interesting albums – that ARE re-released
i dunno……….
Exactly. I know there is a TONI BASIL IS A GODDESS facebook page. And I think Toni does have a FB page herself. Cherry Pop Records from the UK does a BANG UP job on reissuing pop albums from teh 80s. I sent them an email requesting the deluxe edition treatment for Toni’s albums, but no word yet. They remaster and include bonus tracks. I would think there are at least 4 or so 12 inch versions they can include on both albums. WOM had Mickey, Shoppin From A to Z, You Gotta Problem and they can include the dubs,… Read more »
Record companies etc don’t always know what is happening in the world. Thanks to youtube etc many a ‘forgotten’ pop star gets a second or third lease of life. Shirley Bassey has a whole new wave of fans in America (if you beleive youtube comments) and Toni is part of that ‘pack’ I think. Any ‘student of pop’ would get a question on Toni Basil – even just because of the ‘big names’ she has worked with. And my comment about the ‘endless no hope-er’s’ to get ‘deluxe’ treatment is proved true every where i look on the ‘web’ [lol]… Read more »
Hi, PaulT, I see you once posted the Berlin 12″ with mixes of No More Words and Dancing in Berlin on the Web (maybe on some other blog?) – is it possible to post it again? I’m a big fan of them and would love to hear those mixes. If you can do it, then thank you very much!
By the way, you have a fantastic blog, please keep your work, it’s very much appreciated :o)
All the best!
I know the write up said that this was her fourth single overall, with the last 3 being from the same album. Does anyone know what her first single was? And thanks for this one, Paul. It’s a very hard to find track, even online. Don’t recall ever hearing this on the radio when it was out.
According to Wikipedia her first single was in 1966 titled “Breakaway”.
WOW i waited fot this such a long time 🙂 any chance for the 12″ of Time After Time with You Gotta Problem Dance Mix on the B-Side and the Street beat 12″?
Hugs Marc
Marc the only other Tomi Basil singles i have are “Over My Head” and “Mickey” but I will put the two you requested on my list of things to purchase in the future.
Oh thats verry kind 🙂
maybe do you ahve the US Belinda Carlisle 12″ of I Get Weak and Bette Midlers Married Men & Hang On In Ther/My Knight In Black Leather?
Marc I have all three it’s just finding the time to rip and upload them. I will get them done eventually 🙂
coool thats GREAT 🙂 thanks
Thanks so much, Paul! Very cool! I didn’t even know this existed? How about “Over My Head” and “Mickey” to complete the collection (I’m SUCH a friggin’ completist!)?
Jbird you are very welcome! I actually do have both singles and plan to post them 🙂
Yes! “Over My Head” is a collectable Hi-NRG favourite !!
This is one I’ve been wanting Paul, Thanks!!
You’re welcome glad to end the wait for you :0
I distinctly remember Toni performing this track on “Solid Gold” and I remember thinking to myself “What the f—!” I figured it was another novelty song from her; but I did not know that there was a 12″ promo released. I’ll have to check this out. Thank you 🙂
You’re welcome Gianni 🙂
OMG!
What a sweet surprise to kick start the week!
This quirky novelty didn’t end up as one of my top hits of 1983 back then, but today it is an exciting post for its “freshness” (never overplayed by radio) and rarity (never know of a 12″ remix!)
Thanks Paul!
I don’t remember if I ever heard this on the radio or not but I love the happy feeling I get listening to it and it has that hook that just will not leave your mind (lol) been singing this all day 🙂
it was played on our radio…but only barely LOL!
this is perfect for my very young nephew…who loves reciting the alphabet right now!
This song got very few spins on local radio back in the day; they really tried to have a follow-up to Mickey but It wasn’t to be.
I actually hated this song but; as mentioned by other, probably because of not hearing it in almost 30 years, made it a “fresh” listen for me and now I can say that it’s not as bad as I remember it.
Thanks so much.
Paul; any chance you may rip the Paul Parker “Right on target” 12″ that I sent you back in April?
WOW – Your ‘posts’ are always ‘anything but predictable’.
Years ago i saw a ‘video album’ / tv special by Toni Basil
Barbra Whitehouse (‘Si-TUH! & Walkies’ …..remember?) is in the ‘video’ to a song ‘Space Walkin’ The Dog (is that the right title lol)
I only mention as it was like nothing else………..
Tho on another ‘All Time Best Video’s’ show there was an interview with Toni Basil where having the ‘Mickey’ video at the Museum of Modern Art was one of her proudest achievements.
Thanks! What a great old song from the 80s! I had no idea there was a remix of it. What an AWESOME find!
You’re welcome Mark!
I love this goofy song Paul. Thanks!
You’re welcome Tyson 🙂