"Pleasure and Pain" is a song written by Mike Chapman and Holly Knight, produced by Chapman for Divinyls' second studio album What a Life! (1985). It was released as the album's third single in the formats of 7-inch single and 12" single. It became one of their most successful songs, charting at No. 11 in Australia, No. 8 in New Zealand and No. 76 in the United States.
"Pleasure and Pain" | ||||
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Single by Divinyls | ||||
from the album What a Life! | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 2 September 1985[1] | |||
Genre | Rock, new wave | |||
Length | 3:50 | |||
Label | Chrysalis | |||
Songwriter(s) | Mike Chapman, Holly Knight | |||
Producer(s) | Mike Chapman | |||
Divinyls singles chronology | ||||
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Reception
editJunkee said, "Literally any Divinyls song ever recorded could have been called "Pleasure & Pain". Chrissy Amphlett’s titanic voice was all about pushing prettiness until it became punishing. "Pleasure & Pain" is a leather boot, pinned directly into your chest."[2]
In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Pleasure and Pain" was ranked number 43.[3]
Formats and track listing
editAustralian 7-inch single
- "Pleasure and Pain"
- "What a Life!"
Australian 12" single
- "Pleasure and Pain" (extended mix)
- "Pleasure and Pain" (instrumental extended mix)
- "What a Life!"
US 7-inch single
- "Pleasure and Pain"
- "Heart Telegraph"
US 12" single
- "Pleasure and Pain" – 5:58
- "Pleasure and Pain" (instrumental) – 6:25
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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In other media
edit- In 2016, the song appeared in the season 4 premiere of the prison television series, Wentworth.
References
edit- ^ "Kent Music Report No 582 – 2 September 1985 > Singles: New Releases". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 30 September 2020 – via Imgur.com.
- ^ Joseph Earp. "The 200 Greatest Australian Songs Of All Time, Part One". Junkee.
- ^ "Here Are The Songs That Made Triple M's 'Ozzest 100'". Musicfeeds. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 91. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Divinyls – Pleasure and Pain". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
- ^ a b "Divinyls - Artist Chart History". Allmusic. Retrieved May 23, 2007.
- ^ "Kent Music Report No 599 – 30 December 1985 > National Top 100 Singles for 1985". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 30 September 2020 – via Imgur.com.