Burning The Ground Exclusive
Released in January 1986, “Take Me Now” marked the final single from the provocative Leeds-based synth-pop duo Vicious Pink. Comprised of Josephine Warden and Brian Moss, the pair had built a cult following throughout the early ’80s with their bold, sensual lyrics and pulsing electronic beats. “Take Me Now” carried forward their signature style but with a more polished, mainstream-friendly sound, reflecting the shifting landscape of mid-’80s synth-pop.
The track was written by John David, a songwriter best known for his work with artists like Status Quo and Cliff Richard. It was produced by Gary Moberley, an Australian keyboardist and producer whose sleek, radio-ready touch gave the song a glossy sheen, contrasting with the rawer edge of the duo’s earlier tracks like “Cccan’t You See” or “Fetish.”
“Take Me Now” layers icy synth textures with Warden’s sultry vocals, conveying urgency and desire with the kind of restraint that made Vicious Pink so intriguing. The song didn’t chart significantly, but it remains a hidden gem of the era—an elegant swan song that closed the Vicious Pink chapter on a sophisticated note.
The 12″ single, released on Parlophone, featured an extended version along with two additional tracks: the hidden gem “I Confess” and “Always Hoping”, both of which showcase the production’s crystalline quality and dancefloor potential. Despite its under-the-radar status, “Take Me Now” has aged remarkably well, offering a glimpse into a band that was always a little ahead of its time—darkly stylish, fiercely independent, and unapologetically provocative.
SIDE A:
Take Me Now (Extended Version) 6:21
Producer – Gary Moberley
Written-By –John David
SIDE B:
I Confess 3:57
Engineer – Martin Webster
Producer – Tony Mansfield
Remix – Gary Moberley
Written-By – Moss, Warden*
Always Hoping 3:55
Producer – Tony Mansfield
Written-By – Moss, Warden
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 12PINK 3, Parlophone – 12 PINK 3
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: Jan 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Design – Shoot That Tiger!
- Other [Hair] – Donna At Vincent Lonnro
- Photography By – Johnny Rozsa
NOTES:
Manufactured in the UK
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
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DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
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SOFTWARE:
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Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
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RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
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A big THANK YOU for bringing back memories of 1987 and dancing I Confess on the dancefloor! I was listening that song for many months over and over again, it’s a shame that it didn’t come on a maxi single.
Vicious Pink was a great group. Thanks again Paul!
Oh man, so many memories came rushing to me and got overwhelmed with emotions after listening to I Confess. That one and Can’t You See are my favorites from Vicious Pink. Thank you Paul for this jewel.
Frank, that means so much—thank you for sharing that. I Confess really has that kind of emotional pull, doesn’t it? And Can’t You See is another gem—so raw and haunting. I’m honored to help bring those memories back for you. Appreciate you being here and listening!
—Paul
Just — simply – LOVE! Thanks so much for featuring.
So glad to hear that—thank you! That means a lot. Always happy to feature tracks that spark that kind of reaction. More to come!
—Paul
I like it! Good beat and quite catchy. Reminds me of Missing Persons – I think they have a similar sound. Thank you Paul for this obscure 12 inch!
Hey Retro Hound! Glad you liked it! I can definitely hear the Missing Persons comparison—both had that quirky, synth-driven edge with strong hooks. Vicious Pink had a way of making even the obscure stuff stick in your head. Thanks for giving this one a listen and for the kind words—always happy to dig these gems out of the vault!
—Paul
Thanks again for another rare rip, Paul! For a band with so little total output, their cult status remains intact. 8:15 To Nowhere used to pull everyone onto the dance floor — it was so ahead of its time (and it was actually available as mini CD at one point!). They supposedly weren’t that interested in commercial success, but perhaps if they had further explored that particular musical thread, things would have turned out differently. This final offering from the duo is a pretty good swan song. FYI for anyone that missed out on Paul’s transfer of 8:15 To Nowhere… Read more »
Hey River—thank you! You always bring such great insight. I agree—Vicious Pink had such a small discography, yet their impact was huge. 8:15 to Nowhere was ahead of its time—dark, pulsing, and completely magnetic on the dance floor. I didn’t know about the mini CD release—very cool! It’s a shame they didn’t pursue that direction further, but as you said, this final track does feel like a fitting swan song. And thanks for the shout-out about the older transfer and the reminder to support the band via the remastered CD—great advice for anyone rediscovering their work. Always appreciate your perspective,… Read more »
Way to go, Paul!! I love this musical entity! I first came to know their work courtesy of the remix service, Razormaid! The name had me take special notice because of its provocation. I immediately thought of a females’ private parts! (Same thing happened with the band, Kissing The Pink, too!) Any way, the music was great. And, Paul, with you, I get to hear the original 12-inch mix! I’m really stimulated, Paul!!
Thanks for this one!! Big time!!!
Jeff
P.S. And please forgive me for saying so, but I do hope “Muff Diver” is listening!!
I’m sure the band names you mentioned had the same thing in mind as you, LOL!
LOL!🤣
Jeff
Hey Jeff! Thanks so much for the comment—I’m thrilled you enjoyed this one! Vicious Pink had that provocative edge in name and sound, and it’s great to hear how you first discovered them through Razormaid! Those remix services introduced so many of us to hidden gems back in the day. I’m glad I could bring the original 12-inch mix to your speakers—nothing like hearing it in its full glory!