The Perfect Kiss
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "The Perfect Kiss" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by New Order | ||
| from the album Low-Life | ||
| Released | May 1985 | |
| Format | 7", 12" | |
| Recorded | ??? | |
| Genre | Dance | |
| Length | 8:46 | |
| Label | Factory Records | |
| Producer(s) | New Order | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| New Order singles chronology | ||
| "Murder" (1984) |
"The Perfect Kiss" (1985) |
"Sub-culture" (1985) |
"The Perfect Kiss" is a 1985 single by New Order. It is notable for a New Order single, as it was the first to be included on a studio album at the same time as its single release.
The song reached only number 46 in the UK charts, most likely due to a lack of marketing by Factory Records and the obscure Peter Saville sleeve: uniform grey with the word "perfect" embossed on it.
Contents |
[edit] Different Versions
Lasting nearly 9 minutes, the full 12" single version of the song is longer than even "Blue Monday", New Order's 1983 dance epic. This version also appears on the vinyl edition of Substance, but the CD deletes 44 seconds starting at 6 minutes, 45 seconds. The version on the LP Low-Life and all post-Substance compliations is a 4:48 edit that omits the verse which mentions the song's title and fades out before the climax; this same version (in some cases without the percussion introduction) appears on most 7" issues from various countries. However, the UK 7" release on Factory Records is a rarely-heard edit which compresses most of the elements of the full 8:46 version into 3:27. There is a also a live-in-the-studio recording which corresponds to the music video; this is available on the bonus disc included with some editions of "Retro", and on various past promotional vinyl releases.
[edit] B-sides
"Kiss of Death" is a typical New Order dub version: it is a mostly instrumental remix of the a-side with added effects. "Perfect Pit" is a short, ambient recording that sounds like Gillian Gilbert or Stephen Morris practicing their "Perfect Kiss" parts.
[edit] Video
Jonathan Demme directed "The Perfect Kiss" video, which is unlike any other New Order clip. Set in the band's practice room, it simply depicts the band playing the song from beginning to end. According to Factory Records owner Tony Wilson, Demme was looking forward to filming dynamic shots of Stephen Morris behind the drum kit and was dismayed to find that the drums in the song were all programmed. The video includes a dimly lit figure watching the band from a doorway. This person might have been placed there by Demme to represent former Joy Division singer Ian Curtis, or might merely be a band associate watching the performance.
The video appeared on the Substance 1989 VHS tape and the DVD A Collection. An edit of the video version appeared on a US 12" single in 1985. The full audio take, including Demme's remarks before and after the performance, appeared on a bonus CD included with early copies of the box set Retro. Since it is a unique live performance, the video version of the song is not identical to other released versions.
[edit] Trivia
- The song contains a number of instruments and methods not normally used by New Order, namely the frog chorus, where the noise of frogs is used during a pause in the song, overlayed with Bernard Sumner playing a hand-held cowbell. And the end of a track, the faint bleating of a (synthesised) sheep can be heard. Sheep samples would reappear in later New Order songs: "Fine Time" (1988) and "Ruined In A Day" (1992). The band reportedly included the frogs because Morris loved the effect and was looking for any excuse to use it.
- Due to the complexity of the synth sequences, including programming the frogs, the song was not performed live between 1993 and 2006, despite being a fan favourite. When the band reformed in 1998, it was considered too complex to convert the programming for the track from the E-mu Emulator to the new Roland synthesiser equipment. However, for a live performance in Athens, Greece, on June 3 2006, the track returned to the live setlist, and has since been played at recent New Order gigs.
- The vinyl release has Factory catalog number FAC 123 and the video has the opposite number, FAC 321.
[edit] Tracklisting
[edit] 12" - FAC 123
- "The Perfect Kiss" (8:46)
- "Kiss of Death" (7:02)
- "Perfect Pit" (1:24)
