Light at the End of the Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Light at the End of the Tunnel was a double compilation album by The Damned, released in 1987 as a retrospective collection. The same name was also given to a concurrently released video cassette and an approved band biography by Carol Clerk.
The package was marketed as a ‘greatest hits’ collection, but while it includes many of the band’s acknowledged standards, several of the songs were album tracks, while others were B-sides or other rarities. MCA’s corporate muscle secured arguably the definitive Damned retrospective, as it is the only one to unite studio recordings from all of the studio albums the band had released between 1977 and 1986.
MCA
issued the Anything
album track “In Dulce Decorum
” as a single to support the release. The Light at the End of the Tunnel charted for a week at #87 in the UK album charts, the band’s final chart entry to date.
’ “Help!
” as the B-side.
“Neat Neat Neat” (their second single), “I Feel Alright” and “Feel the Pain” were taken from the band’s 1977 album Damned, Damned, Damned
.
“Problem Child” was the first single released from the group’s second album, Music for Pleasure, also released in 1977.
“Love Song”, “Smash It Up Parts I & II”, “I Just Can’t Be Happy Today” and “Plan 9 Channel 7” were all from the 1979 album Machine Gun Etiquette
.
“Rabid (Over You)” was a remix of a track previously issued as a B-side to the “White Rabbit” single, also originally released in 1980.
“The History of the World Part One” and “Curtain Call” come from the 1980 album The Black Album
.
“Disco Man” was the lead track from the Friday 13th EP
.
“Ignite” and “Stranger on the Town” were from the Strawberries
album.
“Nasty” was the B-side to the “Thanks For The Night
” single.
The remixes of “Grimly Fiendish” and “The Shadow of Love” were taken from the maxi-single releases of each song.
"Trojans" and "Is It A Dream?" were taken from the 1985 album Phantasmagoria
.
“Eloise” was released as a single in 1986.
“Anything”, “Alone Again Or”, “Psychomania” and “In Dulce Decorum” were all released on the Anything
album in 1986.
The remix of “Thanks for the Night” was originally released on the maxi-single release of "Anything".
The package was marketed as a ‘greatest hits’ collection, but while it includes many of the band’s acknowledged standards, several of the songs were album tracks, while others were B-sides or other rarities. MCA’s corporate muscle secured arguably the definitive Damned retrospective, as it is the only one to unite studio recordings from all of the studio albums the band had released between 1977 and 1986.
MCA
Music Corporation of America
MCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
issued the Anything
Anything (The Damned album)
Anything was The Damned's seventh studio album, released in 1986. Between July and August 1985 the band and producer Jon Kelly decamped to Puk Recording Studios in Gjerlev, Denmark to record their follow-up. In contrast to the straightforward sessions for their previous album, recording was rife...
album track “In Dulce Decorum
In Dulce Decorum
"In Dulce Decorum" was a single released by The Damned in 1987.The song was originally recorded for the Anything album, but was issued as a single to promote the MCA retrospective Light at the End of the Tunnel. The track was inspired by Wilfred Owen's poem Dulce et Decorum Est, and began with an...
” as a single to support the release. The Light at the End of the Tunnel charted for a week at #87 in the UK album charts, the band’s final chart entry to date.
Disc 1
- “I Feel Alright” (Alexander, AshetonRon AshetonRonald Frank Asheton was an American guitarist and co-songwriter with Iggy Pop for the rock band The Stooges.Asheton is ranked as number 29 on Rolling Stones list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time....
, PopIggy PopIggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
) – 4:26 - “Anything” (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) – 4:48
- “Lovely MoneyLovely Money"Lovely Money" was a single by The Damned, originally released in 1982.Their first release with new label Bronze, it showcased the band's willingness to experiment, being a seemingly lightweight slice of pop thanks to a disco-style electronic drum beat, which contrasted with a voiceover provided by...
” (Sensible, Scabies, Vanian, Gray) – 5:20 - “Thanks For The NightThanks For The Night"Thanks for the Night" was a single released by The Damned in 1984.It was recorded at something of a transitional stage for the group, being the last studio recording completed with Captain Sensible until 2001's Grave Disorder album...
(Rat Mix)” (Sensible) – 3:55 - “Plan 9 Channel 7” (Sensible, Scabies, Vanian, Ward) – 5:06
- “Grimly FiendishGrimly Fiendish"Grimly Fiendish" was a single released by The Damned in 1985.The band had - much to their surprise - been offered a deal by a major label, MCA, and moved further in the direction of goth music under the influence of guitarist/keyboardist Roman Jugg and vocalist Dave Vanian...
(Bad Trip Mix)” (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) – 5:10 - “Stranger on the Town” (Scabies, Vanian, Gray) – 5:13
- “Neat Neat NeatNeat Neat Neat"Neat Neat Neat" was the second single by The Damned, released simultaneously with their debut album Damned Damned Damned.The single was reissued in Stiff's mail order Damned 4 Pack mail-order set...
” (James) – 2:40 - “Alone Again Or” (MacleanBryan MacLeanBryan MacLean was an American singer, guitarist and songwriter, most known for his work with the influential rock band Love. His famous compositions for Love include "Alone Again Or" and "Old Man".-Early life:...
) – 3:30 - “Is It A Dream?Is It A Dream?"Is It a Dream?" was a single released by The Damned in 1985.The album version from Phantasmagoria was remixed slightly by Jon Kelly for a single release, and was backed with several live tracks, recorded at the Woolwich Coronet during the band's 11 July 1985 gig. The song was also backed by a...
(Wild West End Mix)” (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) – 3:20 - “Smash It UpSmash It Up"Smash It Up" is a song by The Damned, released as a single in 1979.The single was the second release from the band's Machine Gun Etiquette album, where it was listed as "Smash It Up ". The single was banned from BBC Radio 1's playlist because of its perceived anarchic lyrics, stalling at number 35...
Parts I & II” (Sensible, Scabies, Vanian, Ward) – 4:51 - “Psychomania” (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) – 4:04
- “Curtain Call” (Sensible, Scabies, Vanian, Gray) – 17:13
- “Ignite” (Sensible, Scabies, Vanian, Gray) – 4:50
Disc 2
- “Help!” (LennonJohn LennonJohn Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
, McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
) – 1:38 - “Rabid (Over You) (CD Mix)” (Sensible, Scabies, Vanian, LeVien) – 3:41
- “I Just Can't Be Happy TodayI Just Can't Be Happy Today"I Just Can't Be Happy Today" is a song by The Damned from their 1979 album, Machine Gun Etiquette. Released as a single in November, it peaked at number 46 in the UK Singles Chart....
” (Sensible, Scabies, Vanian, Gray) – 3:40 - “Problem ChildProblem Child (Damned)"Problem Child" was a single by The Damned. It was issued in October 1977 as a preview for the band's second album, Music for Pleasure. The tracks were produced by Nick Mason, the drummer from Pink Floyd, and were the first to be released featuring new member Lu Edmunds...
” (James) – 2:12 - “Nasty” (Sensible, Scabies, Vanian, Jugg, Merrick) – 2:48
- “Disco Man” (Sensible, Scabies, Vanian, Gray) – 3:14
- “New RoseNew Rose"New Rose" was the first single by British punk rock group The Damned, released on October 22, 1976. It was the first single by a British punk group, and was released in the Netherlands, Germany, and France in 1977....
” (James) – 2:39 - ”Love SongLove Song (Damned)"Love Song" is a single by The Damned.It was the first fruit of the reformed line-up's deal with Chiswick Records, boosted by four variant picture sleeves, each one featuring a member of the band, with an additional 20,000 copies pressed on red vinyl - 5,000 for each sleeve...
” (Sensible, Scabies, Vanian, Ward) – 2:03 - “Feel the Pain” (James) – 3:34
- “The History of the World Part 1The History Of The World Part 1"The History of the World " is a single by The Damned. It was co-produced by the band with Hans Zimmer, later to go to become a noted film composer. The song marked a further move away from the band's raw punk rock roots, with prog rock and gothic influences evident, as well.The single was also...
” (Sensible, Scabies, Vanian, Gray) – 3:56 - “In Dulce DecorumIn Dulce Decorum"In Dulce Decorum" was a single released by The Damned in 1987.The song was originally recorded for the Anything album, but was issued as a single to promote the MCA retrospective Light at the End of the Tunnel. The track was inspired by Wilfred Owen's poem Dulce et Decorum Est, and began with an...
” (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) – 4:35 - “Trojans” (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) – 4:48
- “Eloise” (RyanPaul Ryan (singer)Paul Ryan was an English singer, songwriter and record producer.Born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Paul and his twin brother Barry were the sons of singer Marion Ryan, and had some success as a singing duo during the 1960s, known simply as "Paul & Barry Ryan"...
) – 5:07 - “The Shadow Of LoveThe Shadow Of Love"The Shadow Of Love" was a single released by The Damned in 1985.It was released in several formats, with the 10" and 12" versions featuring different mixes of "The Shadow of Love", as well as a bonus track, "Would You". Limited numbers of the 7" single included a bonus record, featuring Rat...
(Ten Inches of Hell Mix)” – (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) – 6:34
Track origins
“New Rose” was the band’s first single, released in 1976, with the cover of The BeatlesThe Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
’ “Help!
Help! (song)
"Help!" is a song by The Beatles that served as the title song for both the 1965 film and its soundtrack album. It was also released as a single, and was number one for three weeks in both the United States and the United Kingdom....
” as the B-side.
“Neat Neat Neat” (their second single), “I Feel Alright” and “Feel the Pain” were taken from the band’s 1977 album Damned, Damned, Damned
Damned, Damned, Damned
Damned Damned Damned is the debut album by British punk rock band the Damned, released on 18 February 1977. Produced by Nick Lowe, it was released on the label Stiff Records. The musical styles of Damned Damned Damned were based on the new punk rock sound as heard on the previous single "New Rose"...
.
“Problem Child” was the first single released from the group’s second album, Music for Pleasure, also released in 1977.
“Love Song”, “Smash It Up Parts I & II”, “I Just Can’t Be Happy Today” and “Plan 9 Channel 7” were all from the 1979 album Machine Gun Etiquette
Machine Gun Etiquette
Machine Gun Etiquette is the third album by the British punk band The Damned, released in November 1979. The album was the group's first since reforming with Dave Vanian on vocals, Captain Sensible on lead guitar, Rat Scabies on drums and Algy Ward on bass...
.
“Rabid (Over You)” was a remix of a track previously issued as a B-side to the “White Rabbit” single, also originally released in 1980.
“The History of the World Part One” and “Curtain Call” come from the 1980 album The Black Album
The Black Album (The Damned)
In a retrospective review, Allmusic called the album hit-or-miss, but added that "tracks of note are still thick on the ground" and that "it's still a surprisingly good blast, a tour de force for Vanian particularly".-Track listing:...
.
“Disco Man” was the lead track from the Friday 13th EP
Friday 13th EP
Friday 13th EP was a four-track EP by The Damned, originally released in 1981.It was the result of a one-off deal with the London NEMS label. The lead-off track, "Disco Man", is the best-known on the EP, and has gone on to feature on a large number of compilations, also becoming a live favourite...
.
“Ignite” and “Stranger on the Town” were from the Strawberries
Strawberries (album)
Strawberries is the fifth album by The Damned, released in October 1982 on Bronze Records.Limited editions included a strawberry scented lyric insert...
album.
“Nasty” was the B-side to the “Thanks For The Night
Thanks For The Night
"Thanks for the Night" was a single released by The Damned in 1984.It was recorded at something of a transitional stage for the group, being the last studio recording completed with Captain Sensible until 2001's Grave Disorder album...
” single.
The remixes of “Grimly Fiendish” and “The Shadow of Love” were taken from the maxi-single releases of each song.
"Trojans" and "Is It A Dream?" were taken from the 1985 album Phantasmagoria
Phantasmagoria (The Damned album)
Phantasmagoria is the sixth album by The Damned, released by MCA records in July 1985. Special editions were available on white vinyl or picture disc — some versions included a free 12" of their #3 hit Eloise....
.
“Eloise” was released as a single in 1986.
“Anything”, “Alone Again Or”, “Psychomania” and “In Dulce Decorum” were all released on the Anything
Anything (The Damned album)
Anything was The Damned's seventh studio album, released in 1986. Between July and August 1985 the band and producer Jon Kelly decamped to Puk Recording Studios in Gjerlev, Denmark to record their follow-up. In contrast to the straightforward sessions for their previous album, recording was rife...
album in 1986.
The remix of “Thanks for the Night” was originally released on the maxi-single release of "Anything".
Production credits
- ProducerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
s:- Nick LoweNick LoweNicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
- Tracks 1, 8, 15, 21 & 23 - Jon KellyJon KellyJon Kelly is a British music producer who has produced albums and singles for Chris Rea, The Damned, Kate Bush, Pele , The Beautiful South, Prefab Sprout, Deacon Blue, Heather Nova, The Levellers, Fish, Lynsey De Paul and Nolwenn Leroy.-References:...
- Tracks 2, 9, 10, 12 & 25-28 - The Damned - Tracks 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 22 & 24
- Tony MansfieldTony MansfieldTony Mansfield, born May 28, 1943, Salford, England, is an English songwriter, musician and record producer. Mansfield was the main songwriter/producer for New Musik, a synthpop band that performed from 1979 to 1982.-References:...
- Tracks 3 & 20 - Hein Hoven - Track 4
- Roger Armstrong - Tracks 5, 11, 17 & 22
- Bob Sargeant - Track 6
- Hugh Jones - Tracks 7 & 14
- Nick MasonNick MasonNicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965...
- Track 18 - Hans ZimmerHans ZimmerHans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
- Track 24
- Nick Lowe
- MusicianMusicianA musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
s:- Dave Vanian: Vocals
- Brian James: GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
on Tracks 1, 8, 15, 18, 21 & 23. - Captain SensibleCaptain SensibleCaptain Sensible is a singer, songwriter, guitarist who grew up in Croydon, England, and co-founded the punk rock band The Damned in 1976. After leaving the band, he reinvented himself as an alternative pop singer with a rebellious, self-conscious image...
: BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
on Tracks 1, 8, 15, 18, 21 & 23; GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
on Tracks 3-5, 7, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22 & 24. - Rat ScabiesRat ScabiesChristopher Millar , better known by his stage name Rat Scabies, is a musician best known for his tenure as the drummer for The Damned....
: DrumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s - Lu EdmundsLu EdmundsRobert "Lu" Edmonds is an English rock and folk musician. Edmonds was educated at Ampleforth College....
: GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
on Track 18 - Algy WardAlgy WardAlasdair Mackie "Algy" Ward is an English rock and roll bass guitarist and singer.-Biography:He was first active as a member of the Australian punk band The Saints before joining British group The Damned and playing on Machine Gun Etiquette...
: BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
on Tracks 5, 11, 16, 17 & 22 - Paul Gray: BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
on Tracks 3, 7, 13, 14, 20, 24 - Roman JuggRoman JuggRoman Jugg is a keyboard player and guitarist. He began his career in the Welsh punk band Victimize in the late 1970s....
: KeyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
on Tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 14 & 26-28; GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
on Tracks 2, 6, 9, 10, 12, 19 & 25-28 - Bryn MerrickBryn MerrickBryn Merrick is a musician who was a member of Cardiff-based punk band Victimize and who later joined The Damned between 1983 and 1989. He recorded the bass for albums Phantasmagoria and Anything. He replaced Paul Gray in 1983, when Paul went to UFO...
: BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
on Tracks 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 19 & 25-28