This Time – The First Four Years

This Time – The First Four Years is the first official greatest hits album by British new wave group Culture Club, released by Virgin Records on 6 April 1987. Its release came one year after the band had split up.

This Time - The First Four Years
Compilation album by
Released6 April 1987[1]
Recorded1982–1986
GenreNew wave, pop, rock, reggae, country, blue-eyed soul
Length48:07 (LP/MC);
62:15 (CD)
LabelVirgin
Epic (US)
ProducerSteve Levine
Culture Club chronology
From Luxury to Heartache
(1986)
'''This Time - The First Four Years'''
(1987)
At Worst... The Best of Boy George and Culture Club
(1993)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]

Overview

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The compilation exclusively includes, in its vinyl edition, Culture Club's most successful hits. The one track which was never available in single format is "Black Money" (originally on the band's second album, Colour by Numbers), which was intended to be released to promote this collection, but never actually came out.[citation needed] The album includes a wide selection of tracks taken from all their albums (including more than half the tracks from the Colour by Numbers album), as well as the group's contribution to the Electric Dreams film soundtrack; "Love Is Love". For many countries, it was the first time that their hit single "Time (Clock of the Heart)" was included on an album.

Two additional tracks are featured on the CD and cassette version: the remix of "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" and the US 12" medley of "It's a Miracle" and "Miss Me Blind".

The bulk of these tracks would be re-issued on numerous compilations for years after.

Release details

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Country Date Label Format Catalogue N°
UK 1987 Virgin CD CDVTV 1
MC MCVTV 1
vinyl LP VTV 1

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Culture Club, except as noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Original albumLength
1."Karma Chameleon"George O'Dowd, Jon Moss, Michael Craig, Roy Hay & Phil PickettColour by Numbers4:01
2."Church of the Poison Mind" Colour by Numbers3:31
3."Miss Me Blind"  4:29
4."Time (Clock of the Heart)" Kissing to Be Clever (US Edition)3:43
5."It's a Miracle"O'Dowd, Hay, Craig, Moss, PickettColour by Numbers3:25
6."Black Money" Colour by Numbers5:19
7."Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" Kissing to Be Clever4:24
8."Move Away"O'Dowd, Hay, Craig, Moss, PickettFrom Luxury to Heartache4:10
9."I'll Tumble 4 Ya" Kissing to Be Clever2:35
10."Love Is Love" Electric Dreams3:52
11."The War Song" Waking Up with the House on Fire3:59
12."Victims" Colour by Numbers4:55
13."I'll Tumble 4 Ya" (CD bonus track) U.S. 12" Remix4:40
14."It's a Miracle / Miss Me Blind" (CD bonus track)O'Dowd, Hay, Craig, Moss, PickettU.S. 12" Remix9:12
Total length:62:15

Personnel

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Band/musicians

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Staff/production

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Charts

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Chart Peak
position
UK Albums Chart[3] 8

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[4] Gold 100,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Smith, Robin (4 April 1987). "News Digest". Record Mirror. p. 20. ISSN 0144-5804.
  2. ^ "This Time: The First Four Years (Twelve Worldwide Hits) - Culture Club - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  3. ^ "CULTURE CLUB - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  4. ^ "British album certifications – Culture Club – This Time". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
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