Let's Go All the Way (song)

Last updated

"Let's Go All the Way"
Sly Fox Let's Go All the Way single.jpg
Single by Sly Fox
from the album Let's Go All the Way
B-side "Como tu te llama? (What Is Your Name)"
Released1985
Recorded1984 [1]
Genre New wave
Length
  • 5:10
  • 3:54 (single/video edit)
Label Capitol
Songwriter(s) Gary "Mudbone" Cooper
Producer(s) Ted Currier
Sly Fox singles chronology
"Let's Go All the Way"
(1985)		"Como Tu Te Llama"
(1986)
Audio sample
"Sly Fox - Let's Go All The Way"

"Let's Go All the Way" is a song by American musical group Sly Fox. Released as a single in 1985 from their debut studio album of the same name, the record became a sleeper hit, [1] entering the top 10 of the singles charts in both the US and the UK the following year. Despite receiving considerable commercial and critical success, the group failed to match expectations with their later singles, and are sometimes referred to as a one-hit wonder. Original MTV veejay Martha Quinn has described "Let's Go All the Way" as "one of the funkiest songs ever". [2]

Contents

Composition

The track begins with synthesizer-processed chanting, with the lines "Simonini" repeating over a recurrent buzzing until drums and a synth-led riff begin. The duo of Gary "Mudbone" Cooper and Michael Camacho's harmonized vocals then come in, punctuated with deadpan "yeah, yeah, yeah"s. The title, repeated in the chorus, is often misconstrued as being about consummating a sexual relationship. In actuality, the lyrics contain no sexual content, but rather express disillusionment with aspects of late-20th century politics ("presidential party/No one wants to dance") and a yearning to perfect the human condition ("We need heaven on earth today/We can make a better way").

Cooper said the titular line is in fact a message of encouragement: "For me, the song simply meant that whatever your goal, dream or vision, you should go all the way to get it. In other words, don’t let anything stop you from achieving, especially yourself. Those that saw the video saw it had kids destroying weapons etc. I guess some wanted to relate it to sex, and it could be whatever you want it to be, kind of like funk in general...ha ha ha!" [3]

Critical reception

AllMusic noted that "the song's oddball mix of hip-hop, Latin pop, disco, and new wave, crossed radio formats, from R&B to Top-40 to 'Rock of the '80s' stations ruled by the Smiths and the Cure." [4]

Chart performance

Following its release, the song was a top-10 hit in the United States, peaking at number seven in April 1986 and at number three on the UK Singles Chart that July. [5] [6] It reached number one in Canada, topping both the RPM 100 Singles chart and The Record singles chart. [7] [8] The song also peaked at number five in the Netherlands as well as number 14 in Belgium and number 27 in New Zealand. [9]

Music video

A music video received heavy airplay on MTV and is credited with greatly adding to the "infectious" song's success. [4] The video juxtaposes three distinct modes. First straightforward and color negative studio performance of the duo dancing, emoting, and performing along with the song in a bright pop-art style. This is interspersed with shots of an interracial pair of young boys engaged in various activities, predominantly picking toy weapons of war out of a shopping cart and smashing them with hammers on an anvil as news footage is projected on a white backdrop. In other shots they march and stagger about dressed in combat fatigues and cavorting in sunglasses and surfer jams. The third thread consists of depression-era black & white clips from slapstick comedies and footage of factory workers. An atomic bomb blast is seen in reverse. The video ends with the two children in normal garb walking up to a large globe, picking the world up and carrying it. [10]

While the song isn't overtly anti-war, recurring themes from the video suggest it has such a theme. The destruction of weapons of war and the reverse-motion nuclear explosion can be viewed in the historical context of the time, the penultimate years of the Cold War; in 1986 the Reagan administration increased spending on the so-called Star Wars SDI missile defense system as it officially abandoned the mutually signed but never-ratified SALT II arms-reduction treaty with the Soviet Union.

Charts

Remixes

A remix by Les "Mix Doctor" Adams of DMC contains samples of "We Will Rock You" by Queen and "A Fly Girl" by Boogie Boys.

"One-hit wonder"

The duo released two follow-up singles from the album, both of which charted. The freestyle track "Como Tu Te Llama" was a Dance Music/Club Play hit, spending 9 weeks on that chart and reaching number 13. "Stay True" managed to dent the Hot 100, peaking at number 94, but "Let's Go All The Way" proved to be their only lasting international mainstream success, branding them as one-hit wonders. The song and its video retain their popularity in retro flashback programs and 1980s nights at dance clubs. [4]

Cover versions

Insane Clown Posse version

"Let's Go All the Way"
Single by Insane Clown Posse
from the album Bizzar
Released2000
Genre Rap rock
Length3:30
Label Psychopathic
Songwriter(s) Gary "Mudbone" Cooper
Producer(s) Mike E. Clark
Insane Clown Posse singles chronology
"Tilt-A-Whirl"
(2000)		"Let's Go All the Way"
(2000)		"Juggalo Homies"
(2002)

Insane Clown Posse member Joseph Bruce, who performs as 'Violent J', was driving home to Detroit from Cleveland in a car he'd just purchased that had a cassette player. [27] At a gas station, he purchased an ’80s Hits tape that contained the Sly Fox song. Bruce liked it and decided to reinterpret it. [27]

Allmusic described Insane Clown Posse's version as "their most blatant attempt at radio play". [28] MTV aired the band's video for the song, but only once in the late evening. [29] The group decided to bombard MTV's Total Request Live (TRL) with requests for the video while on their Bizaar Bizzar Tour, posting on its website that December 8, 2000, was the day for fans to call. [29]

On that day, the band and assorted Psychopathic Records employees and friends drove down to New York City. They were met by nearly 400 Insane Clown Posse fans standing outside in front of the TRL studios with signs supporting the duo. [29] Thirty minutes before the show began, Viacom security guards and New York City police officers were dispatched to remove them from the sidewalk. [29] When some refused to move on the grounds that it was a public street and no other individuals were asked to move, they allege they were assaulted. [29] All phone requests for the video were ignored, and the band never was mentioned during the show. [29] MTV later informed Island Records that the network chose which bands and videos were eligible to be featured on TRL. [29]

Other versions

The song was covered in 1999 by supergroup the Wondergirls in a more rock style, and in 2013, it was re-recorded with actor and singer-songerwriter Ashley Hamilton and British singer Robbie Williams for the soundtrack of Iron Man 3: Heroes Fall .

In 2003, Sugababes sampled the music from this song for "Whatever Makes You Happy" on their third album Three .

In 2004, English-Irish boy-band Phixx recorded a version of the song on their album Electrophonic Revolution. [30]

Liverpool singer-songwriter Ian McNabb (formerly of the Icicle Works) covered the song on his 2015 album Krugerrands.

"Let's Go All the Way" was featured in the trailer for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V, and can also be heard on the in-game radio station Non-Stop Pop FM in all versions except the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dream Academy</span> British band

The Dream Academy was a British band consisting of singer/guitarist and primary songwriter Nick Laird-Clowes, multi-instrumentalist Kate St John, and keyboardist Gilbert Gabriel. The band is most noted for their 1985 hit record, "Life in a Northern Town".

<i>Bizaar</i> 2000 studio album by Insane Clown Posse

Bizaar is the sixth studio album by the American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. Released on October 31, 2000, by Island Records in association with Psychopathic Records, it is the first half of the Bizaar Bizzar double album, released the same day as its companion album, Bizzar. It is the 14th overall release by Insane Clown Posse.

<i>Bizzar</i> 2000 studio album by Insane Clown Posse

Bizzar is the seventh studio album by the American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. Released on October 31, 2000, by Island Records, it is the second half of the Bizzar Bizaar double album, released the same day as its companion album, Bizaar. It is the group's 15th overall release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Underneath It All</span> 2002 single by No Doubt

"Underneath It All" is a song by American ska band No Doubt from their fourth studio album Rock Steady (2001). It was written by the band's lead singer Gwen Stefani and David Stewart. The song features a reggae production from Sly and Robbie and guest vocals from Lady Saw. The song received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everything She Wants</span> 1984 single by Wham!

"Everything She Wants" is a song by British pop duo Wham!, originally released as a single in 1984 on Epic Records on a double A-side with "Last Christmas". It was written and produced by George Michael, a member of the duo, becoming their third consecutive million-selling number-one hit in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larger than Life (song)</span> 1999 single by Backstreet Boys

"Larger than Life" is a song by American boy band Backstreet Boys from their third studio album, Millennium. It was released on September 7, 1999, as the second single from the album. It was written by band member Brian Littrell with Max Martin and Kristian Lundin, who also produced the song along with Rami Yacoub. The song is a "thank you" for their fans' encouragement and devotion. Music critics praised its memorable melody, singalong lyrics and the band's vocal performance. It was also on Blender's list of the 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel song)</span> 1986 single by Peter Gabriel

"Sledgehammer" is a song by the English rock musician Peter Gabriel. It was released in April 1986 as the lead single from his fifth studio album, So (1986). It was produced by Gabriel and Daniel Lanois. It reached No. 1 in Canada on 21 July 1986, where it spent four weeks; No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States on 26 July 1986; and No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, thanks in part to its music video. It was his biggest hit in North America and ties with "Games Without Frontiers" as his biggest hit in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stupid Girls</span> 2006 single by Pink

"Stupid Girls" is a song recorded by American singer Pink from her fourth studio album I'm Not Dead (2006). It was released in February 2006 as the first single from her third studio album on LaFace Records. The song marked Pink's return to LaFace Records under Zomba Label Group via Sony BMG, after Arista Records consolidated LaFace's operations into its own in mid-2001. "Stupid Girls" was written by Pink, Billy Mann, Niklas Olovson, and Robin Mortensen Lynch. Mann and MachoPsycho both produced the track. The song introduces a more provocative, feminist, and explicit side of Pink. Lyrically, it condemns sexism and encourages intelligence in women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Changes (Tupac Shakur song)</span> 1992 single by 2Pac featuring Talent

"Changes" is a song by American rapper 2Pac featuring R&B group Talent. It was recorded in 1992 before being remixed and released as a single from Shakur's Greatest Hits compilation on October 13, 1998 . The song makes references to the many wars in the Middle East, the war on drugs, the treatment of black people by the police, racism, the reconciliation between the black and white people in America, the perpetuation of poverty and its accompanying vicious-cycle value system in urban African American culture, and the difficulties of life in the ghetto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bye Bye Bye</span> 2000 single by NSYNC

"Bye Bye Bye" is a song by American boy band NSYNC from their third studio album, No Strings Attached. It was released on January 17, 2000, as the lead single from the album. The song was written and produced by Kristian Lundin and Jake Schulze, with additional writing by Andreas Carlsson. Its lyrics describe the end of a romantic relationship; it was reported to also reference the group's separation from their manager Lou Pearlman and their record label RCA Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Am I Supposed to Live Without You</span> 1982 song written by Doug James and Michael Bolton

"How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" is a song co-written in 1982 by Doug James and Michael Bolton. The track was originally recorded by Laura Branigan in 1983, charting at number one in both the US and Canadian Adult Contemporary charts. Bolton later recorded his own version of the song that topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a worldwide hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Give Love a Bad Name</span> 1986 single by Bon Jovi

"You Give Love a Bad Name" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi, released as the first single from their 1986 album Slippery When Wet. Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child about a woman who has jilted her lover, the song reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on November 29, 1986, and became the band's first number-one hit. In 2007, the song re-entered the charts at No. 29 after Blake Lewis performed it on American Idol. Despite the lyrics of the chorus, the song should not be confused with "Shot Through the Heart", an unrelated song from Bon Jovi's 1984 self-titled debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missionary Man (Eurythmics song)</span> 1986 single by Eurythmics

"Missionary Man" is a song by British pop duo Eurythmics from their fifth studio album, Revenge (1986). The song features Jimmy Zavala on harmonica and Joniece Jamison on backing vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me</span> 1974 single by Elton John

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. It was originally recorded by John for his eighth studio album, Caribou (1974), and was released as a single that peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Are You Gonna Go My Way (song)</span> 1993 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Are You Gonna Go My Way" is a song by American musician Lenny Kravitz, released in February 1993 by Virgin Records as the first single from his third studio album, Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993). The song was written by Kravitz and Craig Ross, while Kravitz produced it. It peaked at number one in Australia and number four on the UK Singles Chart, as well as number one on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Its music video was directed by Mark Romanek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Undercover of the Night</span> 1983 single by the Rolling Stones

"Undercover of the Night" is the lead track and first single from the English band the Rolling Stones' 1983 album Undercover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Go Insane (song)</span> 1984 single by Lindsey Buckingham

"Go Insane" is the title track of Lindsey Buckingham's second solo album. Released as a single in July 1984, it became Buckingham's second top 40 hit. "Go Insane" is also Buckingham's most recent U.S. solo hit ; on the other hand, it did not chart in the United Kingdom.

<i>Jugganauts: The Best of Insane Clown Posse</i> 2007 greatest hits album by Insane Clown Posse

Jugganauts: The Best of Insane Clown Posse is the ninth compilation album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. Released by Island Records, the album contains songs from 1997 to 2000, from the albums The Great Milenko, The Amazing Jeckel Brothers, Bizzar and Bizaar. It is the group's 25th overall release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Summer Long (Kid Rock song)</span> 2008 single by Kid Rock

"All Summer Long" is a song by American recording artist Kid Rock. It was released in March 2008 as the third single from his seventh studio album, Rock n Roll Jesus (2007). It samples Bob Seger's song "Night Moves", "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd and "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insane Clown Posse</span> American hip hop duo from Michigan

Insane Clown Posse, often abbreviated as ICP, is an American hip hop duo. Formed in Detroit in 1989, ICP's best-known lineup consists of rappers Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore and is known for its elaborate live performances. The duo has earned two platinum and five gold albums. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the entire catalog of the group had sold 6.5 million units in the United States and Canada as of April 2007. The group has established a dedicated following called Juggalos numbering in the "tens of thousands".

References

  1. 1 2 Ellis, Michael (February 15, 1986). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard . Vol. 98, no. 7. p. 69. The song, 'Let's Go All the Way' (Capitol), was recorded in 1984. In its first release last year it didn't quite go all the way; in fact, it didn't chart at all. John Gorman, PD of WMMS in Cleveland, says it is 'one of the world's longest sleepers...'
  2. ↑ Martha Quinn's Afternoon Mixtape. Hst. Martha Quinn. iHeartRadio. KOSF, San Francisco, December 15, 2021. Radio.
  3. ↑ "Interview with Gary 'Mudbone' Cooper of Sly Fox". Kickin' it Old School. December 8, 2010. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 Michael Sutton. "AllMusic bio". Biography. AllMusic. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. April 12, 1986. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  7. 1 2 "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0670." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  8. 1 2 "Hits of the World: Canada". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 22. May 31, 1986. p. 56.
  9. 1 2 "Sly Fox – Let's Go All the Way" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  10. ↑ Sly Fox et al. (1986). Let's Go All The Way. YouTube: Capitol Records. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  11. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 278. ISBN   0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid-1983 and June 12, 1988.
  12. ↑ "Sly Fox – Let's Go All the Way" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  13. ↑ "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 3, no. 32. August 16, 1986. p. 15. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  14. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Let's Go All the Way". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 36, 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Sly Fox – Let's Go All the Way". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  17. ↑ "SA Charts 1965 – 1989 Songs J–L". South African Rock Lists. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" . Billboard. May 3, 1986. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Sly Fox – Let's Go All the Way" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Kent Music Report No 650 – 29 December 1986 > National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report . Retrieved December 10, 2019– via Imgur.
  21. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1986" (in Dutch). Ultratop . Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of '86". RPM . Library and Archives Canada . Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Top 100 Singles". Music Week . London, England: Spotlight Publications. January 24, 1987. p. 24.
  26. ↑ "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. December 27, 1986. p. Y-21. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  27. 1 2 Rabin, Nathan (August 12, 2011). "Violent J of Insane Clown Posse | Music | Set List". The A.V. Club. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  28. ↑ Valdivia, Victor W. "Review of Bizzar". Allmusic . Retrieved June 9, 2009.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin (August 2003). "Hatchet Rising". In Nathan Fostey (ed.). ICP: Behind the Paint (second ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. pp.  470–496. ISBN   0-9741846-0-8.
  30. ↑ "Electrophonic Revolution by Phixx". iTunes . January 2004. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
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.