"45 RPM" is a song written by Mike Peters and Steve Grantley.
| "45 RPM" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Poppy Fields (The Alarm) | ||||
| from the album In The Poppy Fields | ||||
| B-side | "Statue of Liberty" | |||
| Released | 2004 | |||
| Recorded | 2004 | |||
| Genre | Pop rock | |||
| Length | 3:10 | |||
| Label | Snapper Music | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Mike Peters, Steve Grantley | |||
| Producer(s) | Steve Brown | |||
| The Poppy Fields (The Alarm) singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background and writing
editThe song was the first official release by the Alarm since 1991, although it was originally credited as a recording by the Poppy Fields.
The single was released on 7" vinyl and two CD editions.
It was billed as an advance release from the album In the Poppy Fields.
Chart performance
editThe song reached No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart,[1] and No. 6 on the UK Independent Singles Chart.[2]
Track listing
editAll songs written by Mike Peters unless otherwise indicated.
UK 7" single
edit- "45 RPM" (Peters/Grantley) - 2:47
- "It's Not Unusual" (Reed/Mills)
UK CD maxi-single 1
edit- "45 RPM (edit)" (Peters/Grantley) - 2:59
- "Contientious Objector" - 4:09
- "68 Guns (Live Session Nov 4, 2003)" - 4:53
UK CD maxi-single 2
edit- "45 RPM (album version)" (Peters/Grantley) - 3:10
- "Spirit of '76 (Live Session Nov 4, 2003)" - 7:10
- "Statue of Liberty" - 5:52
Credits
edit- Bass, backing vocals - Craig Adams
- Drums, percussion, backing vocals - Steve Grantley
- Guitar [6 & 12 string], backing vocals - James Stevenson
- Vocals, guitar, harmonica - Mike Peters
- Artwork - Karl Parsons
Recorded at Foel Studios, Llanfair Caereinion, Wales.[3]
Promotional release
edit
A promotional CD was released with one track only, "45 RPM" (2:47).
Pseudonym
editThe single was released under the pseudonym band name the Poppy Fields.[4] Radio 1 DJs such as Mark and Lard and Steve Lamacq were taken in by the stunt. Music reviewers were raving about the Poppy Fields based on them being a bunch of punky teenagers. Record company executives desperately wanted to find out more about the unheard band. Music channels played a video of a fictional group.
Lead singer Mike Peters explained:
"We thought we had nothing to lose," said Peters. "If we had put out a single by The Alarm, there would have been a negative feeling, because whether record company executives and music journalists admit it or not image is rated far higher than the music nowadays.
"I hope we've proved a valid point. Why must new music necessarily have to be made by new bands. I'm 44 but I'm writing new songs as fresh and as vibrant as anything I've ever done. In Britain we're too quick to want to find the next big thing. If you're over 35 you're dismissed as over-the-hill.[4]
References
edit- ^ "POPPYFIELDS | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com.
- ^ The Poppy Fields: 45 RPM at Discogs
- ^ a b "Seasons Greetings from Mike, Jules and Dylan Peters". December 24, 2004. Archived from the original on 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2009-06-25.