BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
“To Live and Die in L.A.” is a single from the soundtrack of the same name by Wang Chung. Released in September 1985, the song peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #41.
On the To Live and Die in L.A. DVD audio commentary, director William Friedkin stated to Wang Chung that he “didn’t want a theme song for To Live and Die in L.A.” One day, though, Jack Hues & Nick Feldman gave Friedkin a copy of “To Live and Die in L.A.” (to his dismay). Surprisingly, Friedkin was impressed and decided to keep the song as part of the movie and the soundtrack.
The “Extended Version” of the song was only released on the U.K. edition 12″ single and is very hard to find.
SIDE A:
To Live And Die In L.A. (Extended Version) 5:56
Producer – Steve Jolley & Tony Swain
SIDE B:
Dance Hall Days (Remix) 8:11
Producer – Chris Hughes, Ross Cullum
Black-Blue-White 2:29
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | To Live And Die In L.A. | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #41 |
| 1985 | To Live And Die In L.A. | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | #21 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Geffen Records – TA 6756
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
NOTES:
Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack “TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.”
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard: Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
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)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
You wouldn’t happen to have the later remixes of Dance Hall Days? There are so many official ones out there.
All I’ve ever listened to is the ost, so I never imagined releases like this were available back in the day. I never realized there was enough fan interest to release dance versions of these tunes.
Thanks very much Paul for this version.
Thanks so much for uploading this, I have so many versions but not this one. I love the movie and song, I own the soundtrack on CD and vinyl.
Excellent post! Thank you, Paul!
Thanks Paul for posting this song (it’s the first time I’ve heard this song in 12″ version. There’s some chance to hear “Let’s go” or “Ti na na” (the latter is a theme of the early chung)
A hug and thanks for sharing your collection of twelve inch singles
More than excellent, I have recently watched the movie, a classic 1980’s movie I also own the soundtrack CD, however, I think that Wang Chung contributed a great deal to the soundtrack and the whole movie experience.
Thanks, DJPaul a great post, please keep it coming!
Thank you for posting this, Paul. This song and soundtrack are my favorite Wang Chung releases; got a promo copy when I worked at a record store in Los Angeles. Saw Wang Chung a few years back, seemed like I was the only one who was excited when they started playing this song.
Great movie, great song, great post! Thanks Paul!
I loved this soundtrack. Thanks for the extended version!
Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you Paul! Also love “Dance Hall Days” so an extra special treat here.
Thanks, hombre. Was never a Wang Chung fan except for this soundtrack (the whole album is great). The movie is also good, although when I originally saw it in a theatre, the projectionist got the film reels mixed up and accidentally started playing the final reel before the one that was supposed to go next. So, right in the middle of the exciting freeway car chase, it cut to the final showdown with Willem Dafoe and I saw how the film ended before the projectionist realized his mistake, stopped the film for a few minutes, and went back to the… Read more »
Thanks Paul for another terrific & hard-to-find alternative extended version which my ears had never heard. Been a huge fan of Wang Chung for many years & finally got to see them live in the UK last year but like many of your supporters in the comments here, are disappointed that expanded versions of their albums with these mixes have never officially seen the light of day. I’m therefore very grateful for you sharing this 12″ & look forward to any other Wang Chung releases you’ll be posting in the future! Keep up the good work.
paul, what a surprise. i just got this a few months ago. i’m a huge fan of wang chung, and have pretty much every remix and single they have out, along with tons of promo’s. i didn’t find out about this until much later on, and thanks to discogs, was able to get it. someday, you may want to hunt down the ‘wake up, stop dreaming’ remix 12 inch from the netherlands: https://www.discogs.com/Wang-Chung-Wake-Up-Stop-Dreaming-LP-Version/release/439619 There are many copies, and they are cheap. It is the other single from the ‘to live and die in la’ soundtrack. As far as ‘dance hall… Read more »
More Wang Chung, DjPaulT 🙂
there will be pjanus 🙂
I was hoping you’d post this sometime Paul, thanks! I found an LP of the album in a charity shop a few years ago, having never heard of the movie before, and I’m really glad that I picked it up. It’s become one of my personal favourites, really underrated imo, and this is such a great track.
Thank you, Jon. I just recently picked up the movie on Blu-ray but have not watched it and I have never seen the movie so it’ll be fun to see the songs in the context of the film. Great soundtrack indeed 🙂
Hope you enjoy the movie. I eventually got a copy of it on DVD and the soundtrack does work really well, fitting perfectly with certain sequences. The music and visuals add up to an extremely 80s experience!
I just can’t hold back: PAUL YOU ARE A GOD!!!!! Your Burning The Ground site is bursting at the seams with all these rare and EAR-GASMIC remixes and alternate extended versions!! How can anyone not be flabbergasted by all of the goodies here!?! I sometimes find myself in this ecstatic and euphoric state of ecstasy because of what you present. I really do tremble by your offerings everyday!!! Wang Chung is a band that I thrill over. You are the only one that has preserved their 12-inch discography. The re-issues have been so disappointing because they leave off the band’s… Read more »
Thank you so much, Jeff, for all of your support for what I do. I really appreciate all of you 🙂
Thank you Paul, nice extended version, any chance for ‘Let’s go’ Pettibon mixes.
You’re welcome Guss. Yes I will post “Let’s Go” eventually 🙂
Finally, this extended version in pristine condition. Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome Steveasian 🙂
Thanks, Paul! Interesting that the DHD mix is very similar to the USA remix of DHD but just about 40 seconds longer. Dicsogs seems to credit different remixers…Chris and Ross for your version while Victor for the USA remix. All 3 must have worked together.
Anyway, thanks for the great rip!
I think there are several mixes of DHD I posted another one a while back 🙂
Oh Paul what a fantastic surprise, “To Live And Die In L.A.” is my favourite Wang Chun’s song, specially this version hard to find, THANKS.
My day became a total happiness!!!!!!
Have a nice day Paul!
You’re very welcome Rafael Cova 🙂
Thanks a lot Paul for this rare gem. I like Wang Chung’s singles and this one is great. That’s another amazing week with wonderful posts.
Thank you Daniel 🙂
So cool to finally have the Extended Mix in digital format. The remix of Dance Hall Days is a bonus.
Cheers Paul 🙂
Thanks Mark 🙂
Thanks Paul. I always liked Wang Chung’s singles. Hope you could post Don’t Let Go And Don’t Be My Enemy as well. The 12” versions are hard to find, especially good vinyl rips.
Thank you Omar 🙂