A Flock Of Seagulls
"I Ran (So Far Away)"
The second single from the "Ascension" album we revisit their biggest hit, the 80s classic "I Ran".
In the words of VH1 "A Flock of Seagulls is a Band Reunited". For the first time since 1984, all four original members of the band appear on Record together for their new album "Ascension". The album puts a new and unique spin on their greatest hits by performing orchestral versions with the Prague Philharmonic providing an all-powerful backing.
As the second single from the "Ascension" album we revisit their biggest hit, the 80s classic "I Ran". The main event is the expansive and lush Orchestral rendering however there is a bundle of 10 versions in all on the Single release.
Opening up the release is the Prague Philharmonic Orchestral version and the Main version with the sounds everyone is used to. Its then into the 12" Extended version territory as we take those two versions and extend them 80s 12" style. Stretch them, break them down, add some new keys and bang... Its 1984 in a vinyl shop all again.
Its then a trio of dance floor mixes. First a modern house version from BRS. Then a couple from Italian Balearic disco legend Daniele Baldelli (with his studio partner Rocca). They go first for a Depeche Mode style groover and then a zippy analog synth and guitar quirker. Its then a couple of instrumental versions before ending up somewhere where the Seagulls have never been before. It's a the slow dub version from Situation. The perfect slow jam ending track.
Flock of Seagulls History
A Flock Of Seagulls may well be known for their bizarrely teased haircuts as much as their hit single "I Ran". A Flock Of Seagulls were one of prime movers in the 80's new wave era. Growing out of the synth-heavy and ruthlessly stylish new romantic movement. Hairdresser Mike Score (lead vocals, keyboards) formed A Flock Of Seagulls with his brother Ali (drums) and fellow hairdresser Frank Maudsley (bass) in 1980, adding guitarist Paul Reynolds several months later. The group released its debut EP on Bill Nelsons Cocteau Records early in 1981, and while the record failed to chart, its lead track, "Telecommunication" became an underground hit in Euro-disco and new wave clubs.
The band signed a major-label contract with Jive by the end of the year, and their eponymous debut album appeared in the spring of 1982. "I Ran (So Far Away)" was released as the first single from the album, and MTV quickly picked up on its icily attractive video, which featured long shots of Mike Score and his distinctive, cascading hair. The single climbed into the American Top Ten, taking the album along with it. In the UK, "I Ran" didn't make the Top 40, but "Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)" reached number ten later that year; in America, that single became a Top 40 hit in 1983, after "Space Age Love Song" peaked at number 30. "Wishing" was taken from the group's second album "Listen" in 1983. The band released 1984's "The Story of A Young Heart" which fielded the minor hit "The More You Live, The More You Love". Shortly after Paul Reynolds left the band.
Mike and Ali moved to the US shortly after basing themselves out of Pennsylvania. The band now as a trio released the album "Dream Come True" in 1986. Ali and Frank left in the years afterwards. Mike released the "Light At The End Of The World" album in 1996.
A Flock Of Seagulls never really broke up. Mike carried on touring with session musicians and quietly, surely and steadily the folk lore surrounding the band began to grow. The references in culture from TV (Ross's Haircut in Friends), Computer Games ("I Ran" was the standout track on Grand Theft Auto Radio), Film (The band and haircut are referenced in Pulp Fiction, X-Men and The Wedding Singer) cemented the bands reputation and brought the band to a whole new legion of fans.
In 2003, the original line-up of Mike, Ali, Frank and Paul reunited for a one-off performance on the VH1 series Bands Reunited. In September 2004, they reformed again and did a brief tour in the United States. From 2004 to 2017 Mike was as busy as ever touring the band around the world. In 2017 the band appeared on record together for the first time since 1984. The "Ascension" album was recorded in multiple studios around the world and featured the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra providing backing to their hits.
Mike Score - Keyboards and Vocals
Ali Score - Drums
Frank Maudsley - Bass
Paul Reynolds - Guitar
Written by Mike Score, Ali Score, Frank Maudsley & Paul Reynolds. Published by Zomba Music Publishers.
Produced by John Bryan And Sare Havlicek.
Recorded at Smecky Studio, OD Hunte Studio, Parr Street Studios and Evenform Studios
Engineered by Sare Havlicek, Jan Holzner, OD Hunte, Robin Lee, Jesse Clark & Damian Hasbun
Programming by Sare Havlicek
Prague Philharmonic Orchestra Supervisor James Fitzpatrick
Orchestral Arrangements by Pete Whitfield, Mike Score, John Bryan and Sare Havlicek
Mixed by Sare Havlicek at Tokyorama Studio
Mastered by Yuri Dent
(C) and (P) 2018 August Day
www.aflockofseagulls.org
www.augustday.net
www.johnbryan.info
www.sarehavlicek.com
1. | I Ran (So Far Away) [Orchestral Version] | Buy Track (from £0.74) | ||
2. | I Ran (So Far Away) [Main Version] | Buy Track (from £0.74) | ||
3. | I Ran (So Far Away) [Long And Expanded Remix] | Buy Track (from £0.74) | ||
4. | I Ran (So Far Away) [Orchestral Extended Remix Instrumental] | Buy Track (from £0.74) | ||
5. | I Ran (So Far Away) [BRS Vocal Remix] | Buy Track (from £0.74) | ||
6. | I Ran (So Far Away) [Daniele Baldelli & DJ Rocca Hypno Vocal Mix] | Buy Track (from £0.74) | ||
7. | I Ran (So Far Away) [Daniele Baldelli & DJ Rocca Presto Instrumental Mix] | Buy Track (from £0.74) | ||
8. | I Ran (So Far Away) [Long And Expanded Remix Instrumental] | Buy Track (from £0.74) | ||
9. | I Ran (So Far Away) [Main Version Instrumental] | Buy Track (from £0.74) | ||
10. | I Ran (So Far Away) [Situation Dubside Remix] | Buy Track (from £0.74) | ||
Buy All Tracks (from £4.40)
Buy Physical CD Single (£6.31) |