Paradise (Black song)
| "Paradise" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Black | ||||
| from the album Wonderful Life | ||||
| B-side | Dagger Reel[2] | |||
| Released | 4 January 1988[1] | |||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | A&M | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Dave Dix | |||
| Black singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Official audio | ||||
| "Paradise" on YouTube | ||||
"Paradise" is a song by English singer-songwriter Black, which was released in 1988 as the fifth and final single from his debut studio album Wonderful Life. The song was written by Black and Dave "Dix" Dickie, and produced by Dix. "Paradise" reached number 38 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for four weeks.[3]
Critical reception
[edit]On its release, David Quantick of New Musical Express commented, "Vearncombe has the knack of getting up melancholy better than anyone apart from Peter Hook's bass guitar. Bertolt Brecht coined the term einverstaendis to convey the idea of a happy resignation, an ungrudging acceptance of things. With Black we have that best of things, einverstaendis you can dance to."[4] Lawrence Donegan, as guest reviewer for Record Mirror, stated, "As with all of Black's slower songs, the percussion track immediately grabs your attention. As long as he steers clear of James Hamilton disco territory, he can't really fail."[5] Paul Massey of the Evening Express described the song as "mellow, but not a big hit".[6]
Formats
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Paradise" | 4:02 |
| 2. | "Dagger Reel" | 4:58 |
| No. | Title | Notes | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Paradise" | 4:51 | |
| 2. | "Dagger Reel" | 4:58 | |
| 3. | "Sometimes for the Asking" | New Version | 5:00 |
Personnel
[edit]Credits are adapted from the UK CD single liner notes and the Wonderful Life CD booklet.[9][10]
Paradise
- Black – vocals
- Dave Dix – keyboards, programming
- Tina Labrinski, Sara Lamarra, Doreen Edwards – backing vocals
Production
- Dave Dix – producer, mixer
- Bill Price – mixing on "Paradise"
- Dave Anderson – engineer on "Paradise" and "Sometimes for the Asking"
- Andy McPherson – engineer on "Dagger Reel"
Other
- Perry Ogden – photography
- John Warwicker – art direction, design
- Jeremy Pearce – design
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[11] | 38 |
References
[edit]- ^ Trollope, Peter (19 December 1987). "Beat It!". Liverpool Echo. p. 7.
- ^ Pfenninger, Leslie J. (2001). From Brass to Gold: Discography of A&M Records and affiliates around the world. Greenwood Press. p. 127. ISBN 9780313316210.
- ^ "BLACK - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ Quantick, David (9 January 1988). "45". New Musical Express. p. 12.
- ^ Donegan, Lawrence (9 January 1988). "Singles". Record Mirror. p. 10.
- ^ Massey, Paul (23 December 1987). "Citysound: Singles". Evening Express. p. 8.
- ^ Paradise (UK 7-inch single sleeve notes). Black. A&M Records. 1988. AM 422.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Paradise (UK 12-inch single sleeve notes). Black. A&M Records. 1988. Amy 422.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b Paradise (UK CD single liner notes). Black. A&M Records. 1988. AMCD 422.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Wonderful Life (UK CD album booklet). Black. A&M Records. 1987. CD 5165.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Black: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 December 2021.