Burning The Ground Exclusive
By 1984, Wang Chung had evolved from their early days as Huang Chung into one of the most distinctive new wave acts of the decade. With their second album Points on the Curve (1983), Jack Hues and Nick Feldman sharpened their blend of sleek synth-pop and angular guitar riffs into something both stylish and radio-friendly. Two standout tracks from this era—“Dance Hall Days” and “Don’t Let Go”—were paired on the U.S. 12″ single, giving fans extended remixes that perfectly captured the duo’s unique sound.
Dance Hall Days
Originally released as a single in 1982 in the UK, “Dance Hall Days” was re-recorded for Points on the Curve and became Wang Chung’s first big U.S. hit in 1984, climbing to #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s nostalgic, dreamlike lyrics—“Take your baby by the hand…”—float over a lush synth-pop arrangement that’s equal parts danceable and bittersweet. The 12″ version stretches the track into a more atmospheric experience, emphasizing its hypnotic groove and instrumental textures, making it a staple of mid-80s dance floors.
Don’t Let Go
On the flip side, “Don’t Let Go” provides a harder-hitting contrast. Released as the lead single from Points on the Curve, it reached #38 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a club favorite. Built around sharp guitar lines, punchy percussion, and urgent vocals, it showcases the edgier side of Wang Chung’s sound. The extended 12″ mix adds more space for the song’s rhythm section to shine, giving it a driving energy that worked perfectly in DJ sets.
The 12″ Release
The U.S. 12″ release (Geffen Records, 1984) paired these two tracks in their extended forms, providing fans with the definitive dancefloor experience. The mixes highlight the balance between Wang Chung’s reflective pop sensibilities and their club-ready energy. For collectors, this 12″ stands as an essential piece of the band’s catalog, bridging their underground beginnings with the mainstream success that would soon peak with hits like “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” and “Let’s Go!”
SIDE A:
Dance Hall Days (Remix) 7:22
Edited By – Victor Flores
SIDE B:
Don’t Let Go (Remix) 7:14
Remix – John Luongo
Written-By – Feldman*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Song | Chart | Peak Position | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dance Hall Days | US Billboard Hot 100 | #16 | 1984 |
| US Billboard Mainstream Rock | #25 | 1984 | |
| US Billboard Dance Club Songs | #1 (with remix) | 1984 | |
| UK Singles Chart | #21 | 1984 | |
| Canada RPM Top Singles | #14 | 1984 | |
| Australia Kent Music Report | #36 | 1984 | |
| Don’t Let Go | US Billboard Hot 100 | #38 | 1984 |
| US Billboard Mainstream Rock | #24 | 1984 | |
| US Billboard Dance Club Songs | #27 | 1984 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Geffen Records – 0-20194, Geffen Records – 9 20194-0 A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Cover [Art] – Torchlight, London*
- Producer, Recorded By – Chris Hughes, Ross Cullum
- Written-By – Hues*
NOTES:
“Specially-Priced 2-Cut Maxi Single”
Original version available on the Geffen album
“Points On The Curve”
Made in U.S.A.
Printed in USA
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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link deade flack 24 bits reupload thank you
The version of Dance Hall Day on this 12 Inch is know in Europe as the U.S. Club Edit. We over here received a 8:02 Remix.
Thank you, PaulT!
Oof late to the party, but wanted to let you know, Paul, that i dig the extended mix of DanceHall Days. A fave from when i first heard it back in ’84, and the flipside is nothing to sneeze at either.
Thanks for a great maxi-single.
peace,
dj
Dance Hall Days has always been such a haunting song. I don’t have any remix versions of it so thanks so much for this Paul!
You’re welcome, Mikey 🙂
I love this single Paul!! Dance Hall Days is one of those tunes that’s inseparable from 1984. The American video was on constant rotation on MTV depicting a throwback to an earlier time. Don’t Let Go is great too… I just love the polished production, and so excited to have it in full ‘Paulity’! Thank you Paul!!
Thanks so much, Retro Hound! 🙂 Totally agree—“Dance Hall Days” is pure 1984, both in sound and in how much MTV helped it burn into our memories. That American video really gave it that nostalgic, sepia-toned vibe that matched the lyrics so perfectly. And yes, “Don’t Let Go” still hits with that crisp, polished production—it’s got such great energy as a counterpoint to the dreaminess of Dance Hall Days.
Glad you’re enjoying it in full Paulity!
—Paul
Hey Paul This Is One Of The Best 80’s 12inch Mixes To Come Out. This One Is In My Top 10 For Sure. Thanks For The Jamm!!!
You’re welcome!
Two of my favourite Wang Chung songs, although they had many others too that are worth a shout.
I know you have posted many of these in the past. I still have your rip of the 1982 Dance Hall Days UK 12” .
Cheers Paul
Thanks, Mark! Same here—these two really stand out for me, but you’re right, Wang Chung’s catalog has a lot of gems beyond the big hits. Glad you still have that 1982 UK 12″ rip—always fun to circle back and revisit those early versions.
Cheers,
Paul
Hi DJPaulT, this is amazing! This songs take me back to the earlys 80´s. I was 16 years old and I still have the LP. Thanks for share this good taste.
Hi there! That’s wonderful to hear—it’s always special when the music takes us right back to those moments. How cool that you still have the original LP from when you were 16! Thanks so much for listening and for sharing your memory.
Best,
Paul
Very nice again, Paul! Thanks.
You’re welcome 🙂
Wow, I’m so glad you decided to share this one, Paul! Thank you! Obviously, most of us already have these remixes in some format, but your transfers definitely outshine all other versions in terms of quality! And this is definitely one of those songs that you everyone should definitely have in the best quality possible! At this point, I pretty much exclusively listen to your transfer over my physical CDS, especially when it comes to Depeche Mode, New Order, Erasure, etc.
Wow, thanks so much, Axel! That really means a lot. I always aim to get the cleanest transfers possible, so it’s great to hear they’ve become your go-to versions. Totally agree—tracks like these deserve to be heard in the best quality we can manage. I’ll keep working to make sure the Depeche, New Order, Erasure (and beyond!) sound the way they should. Appreciate your support!
—Paul
That’s awesome, Paul. I look forward to anything you share!
If you have them, I would love to have these 2 vinyls in your transfer quality one day:
Strangelove [Mute – INT 126.866, Mute – L 12 Bong 13]
and
Never Let Me Down Again (Split Mix) [Mute – INT 126.868, Mute – 12 Bong 14]
Thrilled to see Wang Chung on your page, Paul!! I know the quality will be superb! You always do everything so right!! Gosh, I love the “throb” of “Dance Hall Days” and “Don’t Let Go” is such a great tune as well! This 12-inch has a lot of bang for the buck!! I’m so stimulated right now! To be honest, I’m throbbing myself!!
Many,many thanks and appreciation!!!
Jeff
Thanks, Jeff! Thrilled to bring some Wang Chung your way. I agree, this 12-inch really delivers—“Dance Hall Days” has that hypnotic pulse, and “Don’t Let Go” still packs a punch. Glad you’re enjoying the post and I appreciate your kind words and enthusiasm.
—Paul
Thank you for this one, Paul! A classic! And, amazing to have a DJ Paul T quality version, which tops all the rest! I loved when 12″ singles like this one came with extended versions of two different songs. I remember Madonna did that with Borderline and Lucky Star in the U.S. and it was such an outstanding single. Thank you for this one. I will be listening to it loudly today! 🙂
Me too!!
Jeff
Thanks, MusicMan3! I’ve always loved when labels gave us extended versions of two strong tracks on the same 12″—it really made the single feel special. Great call on Madonna’s Borderline and Lucky Star, that’s a perfect example. Glad you’re enjoying this one, and turning it up loud is definitely the right way to hear it.
—Paul
score! One of those songs that I never tire of hearing, thanks for the 12″!!!!!