Contenders (song)

"Contenders" is a song by the British new wave and synth-pop band Heaven 17, released in 1986 as the first single from their fourth studio album Pleasure One.[2] It was written and produced by Glenn Gregory, Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware. The song reached No. 80 in the UK and spent four weeks on the chart.[3] It also reached No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Dance/Club Play Singles Chart. A music video was filmed to promote the single.

"Contenders"
Single by Heaven 17
from the album Pleasure One
B-sideExcerpts From "Diary of a Contender"
ReleasedOctober 1986[1]
Format7" single, 12" single
Length4:28
LabelVirgin Records
Songwriter(s)Glenn Gregory, Ian Craig Marsh, Martyn Ware
Producer(s)Heaven 17
Heaven 17 singles chronology
"The Foolish Thing To Do"
(1986)		 "Contenders"
(1986)		 "Trouble"
(1987)

Critical reception

Upon release, Simon Reynolds of Melody Maker commented: "This one practically hurls itself off the ropes at you, solid funk brawn but light on its feet, bobbing and weaving, jabbing and pummeling and always on the attack, but, somehow, failing to deliver that hook to floor you completely. The killer blow never comes."[4] Aaron Badgley of AllMusic stated: ""Some of the Pleasure One songs are among their best, including the wonderful "Trouble" and the opening track, "Contenders.""[5]

Formats
7" single
  1. "Contenders" - 4:28
  2. "Excerpts From "Diary of a Contender" - 5:24
12" single
  1. "Contenders (Dance version)" - 6:23
  2. "Excerpts From 'Diary of a Contender'" - 5:24
  3. "Contenders (Full length version)" - 5:19
12" single (US release)
  1. "Contenders (Dance version)" - 7:45
  2. "Contenders (Edited version) " - 3:10
  3. "Contenders (Instrumental version)" - 5:12
  4. "Contenders (Go Go version)" - 6:39
12" single - (limited edition gatefold)
  1. "Contenders (Dance version)" - 6:22
  2. "Excerpts From 'Diary of a Contender'" - 5:24
  3. "Penthouse & Pavement" - 6:33
  4. "Megamix (Edit)" - 6:36

Chart performance
Chart (1986-87) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[3] 80
US Dance/Club Play Singles[6] 6
US Hot Dance Music Sales[7] 23

Personnel
Heaven 17
  • Glenn Gregory - lead vocals, backing vocals, producer, arranger, mixing, engineer
  • Martyn Ware - sampler (Emulator II), Mellotron, SP 12 programming, producer, arranger, mixing, engineer
  • Ian Craig Marsh - Fairlight programming, producer, arranger, mixing, engineer
Additional personnel
  • Carol Kenyon - backing vocals
  • Tim Cansfield - guitar
  • Phil Spalding - bass
  • Brian Tench - mixing
  • Tim Hunt, Ben Knape - engineers
  • John 'Tokes' Potoker - remixer of "Penthouse & Pavement"
  • Sanny X - remixer of "Megamix (Edit)"

References
  1. "Heaven 17 - Contenders / Excerpts From 'Diary Of A Contender' - Virgin - UK - VS 881". 45cat. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  2. "Heaven 17 - Trouble at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
  3. "Heaven 17 - Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  4. "Heaven 17 - Articles and reviews". Heaven17.de. 1986-10-11. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
  5. Badgley, Aaron. "Pleasure One - Heaven 17 : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
  6. Billboard. "Heaven 17 Contenders (Remix) Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  7. "Music Search, Recommendations, Videos and Reviews". AllMusic. 2012-06-19. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
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