Shellshock (song)

"Shellshock" is a single released by British group New Order in March 1986. The song originally appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Pretty in Pink one month prior to its single release. Production is credited to New Order and John Robie, and is loosely inspired by the 1983 Robie-produced R&B club hit, "One More Shot" - a studio project where Robie performed under the band name, C-Bank, and featuring vocals by Jenny Burton.

The single had differing B-sides; in the UK (catalogue number: FAC 143) the 7" came with the recycled "Thieves Like Us Instrumental" which also turned up in the movie Pretty in Pink (although not on the soundtrack), while the 12" had a dub mix titled "Shellcock". The US release had the also previously released "Thieves Like Us".

The 12" boasts an extended remix of the song running nearly ten minutes, arguably New Order's longest recording behind the original cut of "Elegia". For the release of the popular singles compilation Substance, the original Pretty in Pink soundtrack version was not used, as is widely believed, but an edited version of the 12" remix cut down to six and a half minutes omitting an entire verse of vocals. It is this version that appears most often on CD. As yet, the 9:41 single remix remains unavailable on CD, but the Pretty in Pink soundtrack version contains all of the original vocals. The cover artwork on the 12 inch single is by English photographer Geoff Power and is unique in that the typo 'Alex' on the front top cover [part of the found graffiti] was not added by Peter Saville, the designer.

Track listing

UK 7" - FAC 143

1. "Shellshock" – 4:19
2. "Thieves Like Us" (instrumental edit) – 3:55

UK 12" - FAC 143

1. "Shellshock" – 9:41
2. "Shellcock" – 7:35

US 12" - A&M SP-12174

1. "Shellshock" (extended version) – 9:41
2. "Thieves Like Us" (instrumental version) – 6:39

Chart positions