The Premier Hits Explained

The Premier Hits
Type:Greatest hits
Artist:Gary Numan / Tubeway Army
Cover:The Premier Hits.jpg
Released:18 March 1996
11 August 2015 (Vinyl release)
Recorded:1977–1983
Genre:New wave, electronic, synthpop
Length:76:20, 86:40 (Vinyl release)
Label:Polygram TV, Beggars Banquet
531 149-2
Producer:Gary Numan, Dramatis, Simon Heywood, Kenny Denton, Zeus B. Held
Prev Title:Human
Prev Year:1995
Next Title:Techno Army featuring Gary Numan
Next Year:1996

The Premier Hits is a compilation album by Gary Numan released in March 1996[1] on the Polygram TV record label. The album reached No 21 in the UK Albums Chart, leaving the chart after three weeks. It currently stands as the best selling compilation by Gary Numan.[2] The album was promoted by the re-released 1987 remixed version of "Cars" ('E' Reg Model), re-titled as the 'Premier Mix' in a TV advert campaign for Carling Premier lager. The single reached No 17, making the third time that "Cars" has reached the top 40 in the UK Singles Chart.[3]

All the tracks were digitally remastered in November 1995 and the enclosed twelve page colour booklet contains photos and an essay by long term Numan collaborator Steve Malins. All the single sleeves are also illustrated with the unexplained exception of Stormtrooper in Drag and Love Needs No Disguise.[4]

The album was reissued in 1997 by Beggars Banquet as Premier Hits with a different sleeve design (again taken from the Dance album photo session).[5] Currently the album stands as the most famous and highest selling Gary Numan compilation, and was certified Silver by the BPI in March 2015.[6]

The album was again reissued in August 2015 by Beggars Banquet as Premier Hits as a 2LP Vinyl set,[7] while seeing a change of the track listing. It involves the removal of the "Cars" 'Premier Mix' while the addition of four bonus tracks, “Metal”, "We Are So Fragile", "Films" and "Me, I Disconnect From You".[8]

Track listing

Original 1996 release listing.

  1. "Cars" (Premier Mix) – 3:40 Previously released as the 'E Reg Model' remix from the 1987 compilation album Exhibition.
  2. "" – 3:43 from Telekon
  3. "Are 'Friends' Electric?" – 5:23 from Replicas
  4. "Down in the Park" – 4:23 from Replicas
  5. "We Are Glass" – 4:47 from Telekon
  6. "Bombers" – 3:54 Non-album single
  7. "We Take Mystery (To Bed)" – 3:43 from I, Assassin
  8. "She's Got Claws" – 4:56 from Dance
  9. "Complex" – 3:12 from The Pleasure Principle
  10. "Music For Chameleons" – 3:40 from I, Assassin
  11. "That's Too Bad" – 3:20 Non-album single
  12. "This Wreckage" – 5:24 from Telekon
  13. "Warriors" – 4:09 from Warriors
  14. "Love Needs No Disguise" – 4:38 from the Dramatis album For Future Reference; also appended to some versions of Dance
  15. "White Boys and Heroes" – 3:37 from I, Assassin
  16. "Sister Surprise" – 5:01 from Warriors
  17. "Stormtrooper in Drag" – 4:53 from Dance
  18. "Cars" – 3:55 from The Pleasure Principle

Reissued 2015 Vinyl release listing

  1. "Cars" – 3:55 from The Pleasure Principle
  2. "" – 3:43 from Telekon
  3. "Are 'Friends' Electric?" – 5:23 from Replicas
  4. "Down in the Park" – 4:23 from Replicas
  5. "We Are Glass" – 4:47 from Telekon
  6. "Metal" – 3:22 from The Pleasure Principle
  7. "We Are So Fragile" – 2:53 from Replicas
  8. "Bombers" – 3:54 Non-album single
  9. "We Take Mystery (To Bed)" – 3:43 from I, Assassin
  10. She's Got Claws" – 4:56 from Dance
  11. "Complex" – 3:12 from The Pleasure Principle
  12. Music For Chameleons" – 3:40 from I, Assassin
  13. That's Too Bad" – 3:20 Non-album single
  14. "This Wreckage" – 5:24 from Telekon
  15. "Films" – 4:09 from The Pleasure Principle
  16. "Warriors" – 4:09 from Warriors
  17. "Me! I Disconnect From You – 3:22 from Replicas
  18. "Love Needs No Disguise" – 4:38 from the Dramatis album For Future Reference; also appended to some versions of Dance
  19. "White Boys and Heroes" – 3:37 from I, Assassin
  20. "Sister Surprise" – 5:01 from Warriors
  21. "Stormtrooper in Drag" – 4:53 from Dance

Charts

Weekly album charts!Chart (1996)!Peak
position
UK Top 40 (OCC)21

Certificates

!Region!Certification!Certified Sales
United Kingdom (BPI)Silver60,000

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gary Numan / Tubeway Army – the Premier Hits (1996, CD). Discogs.
  2. Web site: Gary Numan full Official Chart History Official Charts Company. 2021-03-07. Official Charts Company.
  3. Web site: everyHit.com search results. Everyhit.com. 10 June 2022.
  4. Web site: Images for Gary Numan / Tubeway Army – the Premier Hits. Discogs.
  5. Web site: Beggars Banquet Records - Biffy Clyro, Calla, The Early Years, Film School, Mark Lanegan, The National, Oceansize, Tindersticks . 15 October 2006 . 10 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061015234712/http://www.beggars.com/banquet/index.htm?../artists/catalogue/gary_numan/index.htm&0 . 15 October 2006 . dead.
  6. Web site: BRIT Certified. Bpi.co.uk.
  7. Web site: Group. Beggars. The Arkive. 2021-03-07. The Arkive. en-US.
  8. Web site: The Arkive. Arkive.beggars.com. 10 June 2022.

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