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, new wave | |||
| Length | 3:15 | |||
| Label | IRS Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Mike Peters, Eddie MacDonald | |||
| Producer(s) | Alan Shacklock | |||
| The Alarm singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"68 Guns" is a song by Welsh alternative rock band The Alarm, which was released as a single in September 1983 and later appeared on their debut album Declaration in February 1984.
The song was written by Alarm members Mike Peters and Eddie MacDonald and reached #17 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's first Top 40 appearance and their highest ever position on that chart. The song also reached #39 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the United States, their first ever chart position in that country.
The song was recorded at Good Earth Studios and mixed at Abbey Road Studios.[1]
Background and writing
The lyrics were inspired by a book that Peters read on the 1960s street gangs of Glasgow.[2]
Track listing
All songs written by Mike Peters and Eddie MacDonald.
UK 7" Single
- "68 Guns" - 3:15
- "68 Guns Part II" - 3:25
UK 12" Single
- "68 Guns (full version)" - 5:45
- "Thoughts of a Young Man" - 2:50
Credits
- Vocals - Mike Peters
- Guitars - Dave Sharp, Mike Peters
- Bass - Eddie McDonald
- Drums - Nigel Twist
- Keyboards - Ian Kewley
- Piano - Alan Shacklock
- Trumpet - Arthur Fairlie
- Single cover - Harry Murlowski
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 | 39 |
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
- ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Alarm-68-Guns-/release/1642937
- ↑ Interview with Mike Peters published in 'Zig Zag' magazine, 1983