The Race (Yello song)
| "The Race" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Yello | ||||
| from the album Flag | ||||
| Released | 11 April 1988 | |||
| Format | 7", 12", CD single, Cassette single, CD Video | |||
| Genre | Synthpop | |||
| Length |
3:22 (single version) 8:11 (album version) 13:23 (12" mix) | |||
| Label | Fontana 870 330-1 | |||
| Writer(s) | Boris Blank, Dieter Meier | |||
| Producer(s) | Yello | |||
| Yello singles chronology | ||||
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"The Race" is the first single from Yello's 1988 album Flag. The single was initially released on April 11, 1988 via Fontana label.[1]
Release history
In 1988 the single was released in 7", 12" and CD formats throughout the world, and additionally as a cassette single in other places. The limited edition single contained a remix by Paul Dakeyne. The following year, the track was remixed again by Carl Segal and released as a couple of promotional-only 12" singles, coupled with Emilio Pasquez's versions of "Blazing Saddles".
In 1992, "The Race" was released as a single a second time, to coincide with the greatest hits collection, Essential.
"The Race" appeared in remix form again in 1999 for the Eccentrix Remixes compilation, following the release of their Pocket Universe album.
In 2003, the Tomcraft remixes of "The Race" appeared on the single for "Planet Dada", released from their album, The Eye.
Since its release, "The Race" has been very popular and played among marching bands across the United States.
Finally, in 2007, a new version of the track was created by the band in order to promote DHL and Formula 1 racing. Called "The Race II", the digital single was made available free for download, and released as a promo CD single.
In popular culture
The song has been used to open It's Academic on WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. It was also the opening theme for the final years of the original run of Academic Challenge on WEWS-TV in Cleveland, by which time it was also known as It's Academic.
The song was also used prominently in the 1990 comedy film Nuns on the Run, which starred Robbie Coltrane and Eric Idle and can also be heard in the 1991 religious documentary Deadly Currents.
Promotional video
A stock footage infused video was also created for the song, displaying an abstract race. It was directed by Dieter Meier. This video was released on the CD-Video format.
Yello has also been known to sponsor remixes of their work. For example in 1989, RockAmerica created a video remix contest on behalf of Yello named "The Race (Video Remix Contest)" in which participants had to video mix the hit recording "The Race". The competition winners Jeff Consiglio and Vincent Zegna remixed the track and video, taking the main award and having the video released through RockAmerica.
Chart performance
The song entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 31 and by its fifth week, it had peaked at No. 7. It is their biggest hit in the UK. It is also their biggest hit in South Africa, reaching No. 1.
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| The Netherlands | 20[2] |
| South Africa | 1[3] |
| United Kingdom | 7 |
References
- ↑ "Yello – The Race". discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
- ↑ "De Nederlandse Top 40, week 26, 1988". Retrieved 2008-03-09.
- ↑ http://rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(Y).html Retrieved 5 December 2013
External links
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