Sixty Eight Guns

"68 Guns"
Single by The Alarm
from the album Declaration
B-side "68 Guns Part II"
Released 1983
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1983
Genre Alternative rock
Length 3:15
Label IRS Records
Writer(s) Mike Peters, Eddie MacDonald
Producer Alan Shacklock
The Alarm singles chronology
"The Stand"
(1983)		 "68 Guns"
(1983)		 "Where were you Hiding when the Storm Broke?"
(1984)

"68 Guns" is a song written by Mike Peters and Eddie MacDonald.

It is the most famous song from Welsh band The Alarm.

Released in September 1983, the single was the fourth released by the band.

The track was recorded at Good Earth and mixed at Abbey Road.[1] "Thoughts of a Young Man" was recorded at Redham and mixed at The Townhouse..[1]

Contents

Background and writing

The single was released on 7" vinyl and 12" vinyl.

It was included on the later album "Declaration".

The lyrics were inspired by a book that Peters read on the 1960's street gangs of Glasgow. [2]

Track listing

All songs written by Mike Peters and Eddie MacDonald unless otherwise indicated.

UK 7" Single

  1. "68 Guns" - 3:15
  2. "68 Guns Part II" - 3:25

UK 12" Single

  1. "68 Guns (full version)" - 5:45
  2. "Thoughts of a Young Man" - 2:50

Credits

Bass - Eddie MacDonald

Drums - Twist

Guitar - Dave Sharp , Mike Peters

Keyboards - Ian Kewley

Photography - Harry Murlowski

Piano - Alan Shacklock

Trumpet - Arthur Fairlie

Vocals - Mike Peters

Charts

Chart (1983) Peak
position
Canadian Hot 100 -
Irish Singles Chart -
UK Singles Chart 17
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 -
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks -

Other releases

The song appeared on several other 'Alarm' releases:

As a live track on the maxi-version of the single Spirit of '76

As a live studio version on the single 45 RPM released by The Alarm under the name The Poppy Fields.

A further live version of note appears of Live [From a Broadcast] by Mike Peters. It includes an additional verse that was dropped during the early stages of writing.

Notes

  1. ^ a b http://www.discogs.com/Alarm-68-Guns-/release/1642937
  2. ^ Interview with Mike Peters published in 'Zig Zag' magazine, 1983

External links

The Alarm
Mike Peters · Eddie MacDonald · Dave Sharp · Nigel Twist
Managers
Ian Wilson
Albums

Declaration • Strength • Eye of the Hurricane • Change • Raw •

In the Poppyfields • Under Attack • Guerilla Tactics  • Direct Action (Released as Alarm MM++)
Welsh Albums
Newid • Tan
Live albums
Electric Folklore Live • Live at the Hammersmith Palais 1984 • King Biscuit Flower Hour Radio Show • Blaze of Glory • Sound and the Fury
Compilations
Compact Hits • Standards • The Best of The Alarm and Mike Peters • 68 Guns • The Collection
EPs
Promos
Curtain Call
Demos
Singles
Unsafe Building • Marching On • The Stand • Sixty Eight Guns • Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke? • The Deceiver • The Chant Has Just Begun • Absolute Reality • Strength • Spirit of '76 • Knife Edge • Rain in the Summertime • Rescue Me • Presence of Love • Sold Me Down the River • A New South Wales/The Rock • Love Don't Come Easy • Raw • 45 RPM • A New Home New Life • Close • Superchannel • Rain Down Released as Alarm MM++
DVD Audio
From the Front Row Live
Videos
Spirit of '86 • Change EP • Blaze of Glory