Military Drums (song) explained
Military Drums |
Cover: | Hubert Kah Military Drums 1987 single cover.jpg |
Type: | single |
Artist: | Hubert Kah |
Released: | May 1987[1] |
Length: | 3:38 |
Label: | Curb RCA Blow Up |
Producer: | Michael Cretu
|
Prev Title: | Love Is So Sensible |
Prev Year: | 1986 |
Next Title: | Welcome, Machine Gun |
Next Year: | 1989 |
"Military Drums" is a song by German synthpop band Hubert Kah, released in 1987 as a non-album single. The song was written by Michael Cretu (music) and Susanne Müller-Pi (lyrics), and produced by Cretu and .
In 1987, "Military Drums" was added as the opening track on a "special edition" Germany-only reissue of the band's 1986 album Tensongs. The song was also included on the US and Japanese editions of the band's 1989 album Sound of My Heart.[2] In 2005, Hubert Kemmler re-recorded the song for the sixth Hubert Kah album, Seelentaucher.[3]
Background
Speaking of the song, Hirschburger recalled to James Arena in 2017: "[It was written] in about 10 minutes in Ibiza feeling very jet lagged. We added trumpets, recorded it in about five hours and launched it as a single."[4] The song features Carol Kenyon on backing vocals.[5]
"Military Drums" was the band's first single to enter the US Billboard Hot Dance Music Club Play chart, peaking at No. 8 in November 1987.[6] It was also the band's last Top 40 hit in Germany, reaching No. 35.[1]
Promotion
The song's music video was directed by Rudi Dolezal and Hannes Rossacher of DoRo Productions. On its release, Rossacher described the video as "slightly avant-garde". The video makes the use of speed manipulation which was achieved by shooting the video on six frames per second.[7] On German TV, the band performed the song on ZDF-Hitparade on 20 August 1987.[8]
Critical reception
Upon its release, Billboard described the song as a "Euro-influenced techno number".[9]
Track listing
- 7" single
- "Military Drums" - 3:41
- "Explain the World in a Word" - 4:11
- 12" single (European release)
- "Military Drums" (Extended Version) - 6:27
- "Explain the World in a Word" - 4:11
- 12" single (US release)
- "Military Drums" (Extended Version) - 6:27
- "Military Drums" - 3:41
- "Explain the World in a Word" - 4:11
- 12" single (US promo)
- "Military Drums" (Extended Version) - 6:27
- "Military Drums" (Edited Version) - 3:14
- "Military Drums" - 3:41
- 12" single (US promo #2)
- "Military Drums" (Crossover Radio Edit) - 3:50
- "Military Drums" (Powermix) - 5:20
- "Military Drums" (LP Edit Version) - 3:14
- "Military Drums" (Dance Edit By Ali Lexa) - 6:50
- CD single (German release)
- "Military Drums" (Extended Version) - 6:27
- "Explain the World in a Word" - 4:11
- "Military Drums" (7" Version) - 3:41
- CD single (German release #2)
- "Military Drums" (Extended Version) - 6:27
- "Explain the World in a Word" - 4:11
- "Limousine" (Extended Version) - 5:40
- "Something I Should Know" (Remix Version) - 3:27
- "Military Drums" (Video Version) - 3:38
Personnel
Hubert Kah
- Hubert Kemmler – vocals
- Markus Löhr – guitar, keyboards
- Klaus Hirschburger – bass
- Carol Kenyon – backing vocals
Production
- Michael Cretu, – producers
- Boris Granich, Christer Modig – remixers on "Crossover Radio Edit" and "Powermix"
- Ali Lexa - remixer on "Dance Edit By Ali Lexa"
Other
- Mike Schmidt at Ink Studios – cover
- Dieter Eikelpoth – photography
Charts
Notes and References
- Web site: Steffen Hung . Hubert Kah - Military Drums . germancharts.de . 2020-03-13.
- Web site: Hubert KaH Discography | The Enigma Archives . Enigma-music.com . 1999-09-11 . 2020-03-13.
- Web site: Seelentaucher - Hubert Kah | Songs, Reviews, Credits . AllMusic . 2005-05-30 . 2020-03-13.
- Book: Europe's Stars of '80s Dance Pop: 32 International Music Legends Discuss ... - James Arena - Google Books . 2017-07-21 . 9781476630144 . 2020-03-13. Arena . James .
- Tensongs . Hubert Kah . 1987 . Kah . Hubert . CD . Blow Up . NT 845.515 . Germany .
- Web site: Hubert Kah . Billboard . 2020-03-13.
- 20 June 1987. Video News: Torpedo Twins at top speed. Music & Media.
- Web site: Hubert Kah - Military Drums (ZDF Sommerhitparade 1987) . YouTube . 2017-05-19 . 2020-03-13.
- 3 October 1987. Single Reviews. Billboard.
- Web site: Hubert Kah . Billboard . 2020-03-13.