Vicious Pink – Take Me Now (UK 12″)

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 – MossWarden

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Parlophone – 12PINK 3Parlophone – 12 PINK 3
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: UK
Released: Jan 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:

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
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp:
Pro-Ject 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!


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Dino
Dino
May 9, 2025 2:57 pm

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!

Frank
Frank
May 8, 2025 1:14 am

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.

VanceMan
May 7, 2025 6:51 pm

Just — simply – LOVE! Thanks so much for featuring.

Retro Hound
Retro Hound
May 7, 2025 1:55 pm

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!

River
River
May 7, 2025 1:05 pm

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 »

Jeff
Jeff
May 7, 2025 12:41 pm

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!!

Retro Hound
Retro Hound
Reply to  Jeff
May 7, 2025 1:57 pm

I’m sure the band names you mentioned had the same thing in mind as you, LOL!

Jeff
Jeff
Reply to  Retro Hound
May 7, 2025 2:08 pm

LOL!🤣

Jeff