Slave to the Rhythm (song)
Encyclopedia
"Slave to the Rhythm" was the first single from Grace Jones
' album of the same name
, which was released in 1985. The song and the album was written by Bruce Woolley
, Simon Darlow, Stephen Lipson
and Trevor Horn
and was produced by Horn. This was Jones first album in three years, and it contained eight variations of the same song (the single's B-side is another variation, yet to be released on CD). The single became one of her greatest commercial successes and counts as one of Jones' signature tunes.
In the liner notes to the box set celebrating the 25th anniversary of ZTT Records
, journalist Paul Morley
says Slave to The Rhythm was originally intended for Frankie Goes To Hollywood
as a follow-up to their single "Relax". The song was assembled and produced by Horn after "Two Tribes
", but the project was given to Jones. Morley says Horn worked on the song endlessly and had hoped it would become one of his biggest and most successful creations.
On the Slave to the Rhythm album the hit single version of the track is confusingly re-titled "Ladies and Gentlemen: Miss Grace Jones". The track called "Slave to the Rhythm" on the album is in turn an entirely different interpretation of the song - a well-known fact that somehow managed to elude the producers of a recent hits compilation - which lead to record company Universal Music issuing the wrong version of one of Jones' greatest hits on one of their many best of packages, see The Ultimate Collection
.
in 1985, and became a new #28 hit in 1994 (in remix form). The original version of the single, and its remixes, also topped the American dance chart
in February 1986. It also became her biggest Hit in Germany where it peaked at #4 and stay in the Top 10 for eight weeks.
In The Netherlands, 'Slave to the rhythm' reached number 3 in November 1985, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.
Grace Jones
Grace Jones is a Jamaican-American singer, model and actress.Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance-club hits. In the late 1970s, she adapted the emerging electronic music style and adopted a severe, androgynous look with square-cut hair and...
' album of the same name
Slave to the Rhythm
Slave to the Rhythm is the seventh album by Grace Jones. It was produced by Trevor Horn and released in 1985. The album was written by Bruce Woolley, Simon Darlow, Stephen Lipson and Trevor Horn...
, which was released in 1985. The song and the album was written by Bruce Woolley
Bruce Woolley
Bruce Woolley is an English writer, performer, record producer and composer.- Early years :Bruce Woolley was born in Loughborough, England on 11 November 1953 and was educated at Loughborough Grammar School where he learned electric guitar, began to write songs and where he met his future wife,...
, Simon Darlow, Stephen Lipson
Stephen Lipson
Stephen J. Lipson is a musician and producer who has worked with numerous artists, including Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Cher, Grace Jones, Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys, Take That, Simple Minds, Lindisfarne, and Annie Lennox....
and Trevor Horn
Trevor Horn
Trevor Charles Horn CBE is an English pop music record producer, songwriter, musician and singer. He was born in Houghton-le-Spring in north-east England....
and was produced by Horn. This was Jones first album in three years, and it contained eight variations of the same song (the single's B-side is another variation, yet to be released on CD). The single became one of her greatest commercial successes and counts as one of Jones' signature tunes.
In the liner notes to the box set celebrating the 25th anniversary of ZTT Records
ZTT Records
ZTT Records is a record label founded in 1983 by NME journalist Paul Morley, record producer Trevor Horn, and businesswoman Jill Sinclair. The label's name was also printed as "Zang Tumb Tuum" and "Zang Tuum Tumb" on various releases....
, journalist Paul Morley
Paul Morley
Paul Morley is an English journalist, who wrote for the New Musical Express from 1977 to 1983, during one of its most successful periods, and has since written for a wide range of publications...
says Slave to The Rhythm was originally intended for Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Frankie Goes to Hollywood were a British dance-pop band popular in the mid-1980s. The group was fronted by Holly Johnson , with Paul Rutherford , Peter Gill , Mark O'Toole , and Brian Nash .The group's debut single "Relax" was banned by the BBC in 1984 while at number six in the charts and...
as a follow-up to their single "Relax". The song was assembled and produced by Horn after "Two Tribes
Two Tribes
"Two Tribes" is the second single by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, released in the UK by ZTT Records in May 1984 . The song was later included on the album Welcome to the Pleasuredome....
", but the project was given to Jones. Morley says Horn worked on the song endlessly and had hoped it would become one of his biggest and most successful creations.
On the Slave to the Rhythm album the hit single version of the track is confusingly re-titled "Ladies and Gentlemen: Miss Grace Jones". The track called "Slave to the Rhythm" on the album is in turn an entirely different interpretation of the song - a well-known fact that somehow managed to elude the producers of a recent hits compilation - which lead to record company Universal Music issuing the wrong version of one of Jones' greatest hits on one of their many best of packages, see The Ultimate Collection
The Ultimate Collection (Grace Jones album)
The Ultimate Collection is a 3 CD compilation by Grace Jones, released by Universal Music Netherlands in 2006. Remastered in a 32-bit sound....
.
CD single releases
Two single CDs have been re-released with multiple remixes of the song. The first includes the long version of the original, co-titled "Hot Blooded".Chart
The song peaked at #12 on the UK singles chartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in 1985, and became a new #28 hit in 1994 (in remix form). The original version of the single, and its remixes, also topped the American dance chart
Hot Dance Club Play
The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
in February 1986. It also became her biggest Hit in Germany where it peaked at #4 and stay in the Top 10 for eight weeks.
In The Netherlands, 'Slave to the rhythm' reached number 3 in November 1985, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.