Rockit Miss U.S.A.

Last updated

"Rockit Miss U.S.A."
SSS Rockit Miss U.S.A.jpg
Censored cover of the 12-inch single
Single by Sci-Fi Sex Stars
from the album Flaunt It
A-side "Teenage Thunder"
ReleasedOctober 1986 (1986-10)
Recorded1986
Genre Synth-pop
Length
  • 6:08 (album version)
  • 4:02 (single version)
Label Who M I?
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Giorgio Moroder
Sci-Fi Sex Stars singles chronology
"Sex Bomb Boogie"
(1986)		"Rockit Miss U.S.A."
(1986)		"Massive Retaliation"
(1986)

"Rockit Miss U.S.A" is a song by British band Sigue Sigue Sputnik, released as a single in October 1986 under the pseudonym Sci-Fi Sex Stars. It was released as a double A-sided single with "Teenage Thunder" and peaked at number 17 on the UK Independent Singles Chart. [1]

Contents

Background and release

After the success of "Love Missile F1-11" and "21st Century Boy", as well as the video-only single "Sex Bomb Boogie", Sigue Sigue Sputnik decided to release a single under the pseudonym 'Sci-Fi Sex Stars', described as their "alter ego", under which they had also done some gigs. [2] Taken from their debut album Flaunt It , the two songs "Rockit Miss U.S.A." and "Teenage Thunder" were produced by Giorgio Moroder; however, they were mixed by the band for the single release. It was released on their short-lived independent label Who M I?. [3] [2]

The 12-inch single features extended versions of "Rockit Miss U.S.A." and "Teenage Thunder". Two other tracks feature on the release: a "Commercial Break", which promotes the band's performance at the Royal Albert Hall, and "Suicide", an homage to the band of the same name which was recorded live in September 1986. [4]

Prior to the single's release, the remix of "Rockit Miss U.S.A." had been released as a promotional 12-inch single. Limited to 1,000 copies and exclusive to HMV, it was released free with the box set release of Flaunt It under the Sigue Sigue Sputnik name. It differs from the 'Sci-Fi Sex Stars' release, in that the other tracks featured are a remix of "She's My Man" and an interview with the band. [5] A promotional cassette single was also released, titled 'The 12" Mixes", featuring the same track listing as the free single. [6]

In 2000, a CD was released under the Sci-Fi Sex Stars name featuring remixed and reimagined tracks recorded between 1991 and 2000 based on the original Sci-Fi Sex Stars single. [7] [8]

Reception

Reviewing for Record Mirror , Stuart Bailie wrote that "it all gets a bit sad when you don't know if this is the Sputniks being dead zany, or someone else taking the piss. If it is them, it's just dreadful, and if it's some kind of spoof, well, it isn't at all funny". [9] For Number One , Max Bell wrote that "here Sigue Sigue Sputnik are found masquerading as three trans-sexuals on an independent label! What excellent sport they do play upon us gullible groundlings in the bear pit, how delightfully they fleece us. The Sci-Fis scratch up a melange of fashionable found sounds, obligatory bits of Clint, rock 'n' roll guitar and that hypnotic tape loop rhythm with gusto to spare". [10] Simon Mills for Smash Hits described it as "much like the last two S."S".S. "vinyl outings" and I find it rather charming, really. There's a bit of movie dialogue about a "machine wrapped in flesh", a lot of synthesiser gubbins and an "ad" at the end of side one for the group's concert at the Albert Hall which happened quite a long time ago now". [11]

Track listings

7": Who M I? / WMI 001 7

  1. "Rockit Miss U.S.A." (Death Wish IV) – 4:02
  2. "Teenage Thunder" (Sputstyle) – 4:32

12": Who M I? / WM 1001

  1. "Rockit Miss U.S.A." (Death Wish IV) – 5:25
  2. "Commercial Break" – 0:34
  3. "Teenage Thunder" (Sputstyle) – 5:12
  4. "Suicide" – 5:23

12" Promo: Parlophone / PSLP 342

  1. "Rockit Miss U.S.A." (Death Wish IV)
  2. "She's My Man" (Remix)
  3. "Interview (Rock n Roll Year)"

Cassette Promo: Parlophone

  1. "Rockit Miss U.S.A." (Death Wish IV)
  2. "She's My Man" (Remix)
  3. "From the Gutter to the Stars (Interview)"

Charts

Chart (1986)Peak
position
UK Indie (MRIB) [1] 17

Related Research Articles

Sigue Sigue Sputnik British new wave / punk band

Sigue Sigue Sputnik are a British new wave band formed in 1982 by former Generation X bassist Tony James. The band have had three UK top-40 hit singles, including "Love Missile F1-11" and "21st Century Boy".

Tomorrow were an English musical group active in the 1960s, whose music touched on psychedelic rock, pop and freakbeat. Despite critical acclaim and support from DJ John Peel who featured them on his "Perfumed Garden" radio show, the band was not a great success in commercial terms. They were among the first psychedelic bands in England along with Pink Floyd and Soft Machine. Tomorrow recorded the first ever John Peel show session on BBC Radio 1 on 21 September 1967. The band included Steve Howe on guitars, who would later join the British prog band Yes.

Tony James (musician) Musical artist

Anthony Eric James is an English pop musician and producer, who was the bassist for the 1970s–1980s bands Generation X, Sigue Sigue Sputnik and The Sisters of Mercy.

Neal X was the guitarist with the British band Sigue Sigue Sputnik. They had a No. 3 UK hit single with "Love Missile F1-11" in 1986. He has also worked as a sideman for Adam Ant and Marc Almond. Whitmore founded the Montecristos who released their debut album Born to Rock 'N' Roll in 2015. He is a member of the band The Loveless, alongside Marc Almond, Iggy Pop's rhythm section Ben Ellis and Mat Hector, and James Beaumont.

Martin Degville is the lead singer and co-songwriter of the UK pop band Sigue Sigue Sputnik, which had a worldwide hit single in 1986 with "Love Missile F1-11" and six other EMI single releases. Sigue Sigue Sputnik was formed with ex-Generation X bassist Tony James.

The Metro (song) 1981 single by Berlin

"The Metro", also published as "Metro", is a 1981 song written by John Crawford for his band, Berlin.

What You Need (INXS song) 1985 single by INXS

"What You Need" is a song recorded by the Australian band INXS. It is the leadoff track from their 1985 album, Listen Like Thieves. "What You Need" was the lead single off the album in Australia and New Zealand, while it was in USA and Europe the second single after "This Time" and was the band's first American Top Ten hit, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

Violence of Summer (Loves Taking Over) 1990 single by Duran Duran

"Violence of Summer " is a song by English new wave band Duran Duran, the first single from their sixth studio album, Liberty (1990). Having finished the 1980s with the Decade singles compilation, Duran Duran found the 1990s a new challenge, in which success would initially elude them. The lukewarm success of "Violence of Summer" would shadow the band for the next few years until 1993's "Ordinary World" returned them to chart success. The single reached number two in Italy but fared poorly in other countries, reaching number 20 in the United Kingdom and number 64 in the United States.

Its a Sin 1987 single by Pet Shop Boys

"It's a Sin" is a song by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys from their second studio album, Actually (1987). Written by Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant, the song was released on 15 June 1987 as the album's lead single. It became the duo's second number-one single on the UK Singles Chart, spending three weeks atop the chart. Additionally, the single topped the charts in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, while reaching number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100. A demo of the track was first cut in 1984 with Bobby Orlando, and the song's form in the demo remained intact to the final version, although the released production is far more dramatic.

<i>Flaunt It</i> (album) 1986 studio album by Sigue Sigue Sputnik

Flaunt It is the debut album by British band Sigue Sigue Sputnik, released in July 1986 by Parlophone. The album featured remixes of their hit singles "Love Missile F1-11" and "21st Century Boy" and peaked at number 10 on the UK Albums Chart.

Love Missile F1-11 1986 single by Sigue Sigue Sputnik

"Love Missile F1-11" is the debut single by British band Sigue Sigue Sputnik, released in 1986 from their debut album Flaunt It. It was the band's biggest hit, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Dress for Excess</i> 1988 studio album by Sigue Sigue Sputnik

Dress for Excess is the second album by British band Sigue Sigue Sputnik, released in December 1988 in Brazil and in April 1989 in the UK and US.

<i>The First Generation</i> 1990 compilation album by Sigue Sigue Sputnik

The First Generation is a compilation album by British band Sigue Sigue Sputnik, released in 1990.

The Dead Stars on Hollywood were an American rock band based in New York City, that incorporated elements of glam, new wave and goth into their alternative rock sound. The group's name was inspired by the "cinematic" imagery of the glory days of old Hollywood.

Massive Ego was a British Darkwave musical group formed in 1996 by singer and ex-model, Marc Massive and Andy J Thirwall. The band has changed its sound and image since its formation. The original releases being mostly covers in a Eurodance, Hi-NRG style. Massive and Thirwall later parted ways, and Massive searched for a new musical direction for the band. Collaborations with Empire State Human and Lia Organa & Electric Prince were the start of a darker sound for the band. The band joined alternative German label Out of Line Music in 2015 with the line-up; Marc Massive, Oliver Frost, Lloyd Price and Scot Collins. Their debut album for Out of Line was released on 17 February 2017. The current themes of the songs centre around the darker side of life, depression and anxiety, death, suicide, love, sex and vampirism.

I Idolize You (Massive Ego song) 2011 single by Massive Ego

"I Idolize You" is the fifth single from British Darkwave band Massive Ego. It was written by Massive and Thirwall. It was the first release for the band on Marc Massive's own independent label, Public Disordar Records, on 15 August 2011. The single marked the departure from the Hi-NRG, Eurodance sound of the band's previous releases.

21st Century Boy 1986 single by Sigue Sigue Sputnik

"21st Century Boy" is a song by British band Sigue Sigue Sputnik released in May 1986 and is the second single from their debut album Flaunt It. It was the band's second biggest hit, peaking at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart.

Sex Bomb Boogie 1986 single by Sigue Sigue Sputnik

"Sex Bomb Boogie" is a song by British band Sigue Sigue Sputnik, released as single from their debut album Flaunt It. It was only released as a vinyl single in Germany and as a video-only in the UK.

Dancerama 1989 single by Sigue Sigue Sputnik

"Dancerama" is a song by British band Sigue Sigue Sputnik released in March 1989 as the second single from their second album Dress for Excess. It peaked at number 50 on the UK Singles Chart.

This is the discography of British new wave band Sigue Sigue Sputnik.

References

  1. 1 2 Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980–1989. Cherry Red Books. ISBN   0-9517206-9-4.
  2. 1 2 "SSS Discography: $ci-fi $ex $tars". www.sputnikworld.com. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  3. ↑ "Sci~Fi Sex Stars - Rockit Miss U·S·A· / Teenage Thunder". discogs. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  4. ↑ "The Book of Seth: Sci-Fi Sex Stars". Julian Cope presents Head Heritage. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  5. ↑ Sigue Sigue Sputnik - Sigue Sigue Sputnik , retrieved 2 July 2022
  6. ↑ Sigue Sigue Sputnik - The 12" Mixes , retrieved 2 July 2022
  7. ↑ "SSS Discography: $ci-fi $ex $tars". www.sputnikworld.com. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  8. ↑ $ci-Fi $ex $tars - Rock N Roll Mixes , retrieved 26 May 2022
  9. ↑ "Singles" (PDF). Record Mirror . 18 October 1986. p. 8. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  10. ↑ "Singles". Number One . 18 October 1986. p. 38. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  11. ↑ "Singles". Smash Hits . 22 October – 4 November 1986. p. 75. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.