Headlights on the Parade

"Headlights on the Parade" is a song by Scottish band The Blue Nile, released in 1990 as the second single from their second studio album Hats (1989). It was written by Paul Buchanan and produced by the band.

"Headlights on the Parade"
Single by The Blue Nile
from the album Hats
Released1990
Format
Length3:59 (single version)
6:11 (album version)
LabelLinn Records (UK)
A&M (US)
Songwriter(s)Paul Buchanan
Producer(s)The Blue Nile
The Blue Nile singles chronology
"The Downtown Lights"
(1989)		 "Headlights on the Parade"
(1990)		 "Saturday Night"
(1991)

"Headlights on the Parade" was released to coincide with the band's UK tour. For its release as a single, the song was remixed and shortened by Bob Clearmountain.[1] It reached No. 72 in the UK and remained in the charts for four weeks.[2]

The song's music video was directed by Dominic Sena and produced by Aris McGarry for Propaganda Films.[3]

Reception

Upon its release, Billboard wrote: "Another perfect pop single with a sophisticated flair from the excellent Hats. AC could find solace in this gingerly paced effort, as could clubs with a tasteful remix."[4] In a review of Hats, Paul Robicheau of The Boston Globe wrote: "The group crosses dusky, percolating keyboard layers with the grey vocals of Paul Buchanan to build a subtle splendor on "The Downtown Lights" and "Headlights on the Parade"."[5] Philip Booth of The Tampa Tribune stated: ""Headlights on the Parade" offers bass gurgles and soft acoustic-piano swashes."[6]

The song is included in Robert Dimery's 2011 book 1001 Songs: You Must Hear Before You Die. He wrote: "Like its parent album, "Headlights on the Parade" shimmers in the rain, bristles with romance, and mocks its refined setting with real passion from Buchanan."[7] Jason Ankeny of AllMusic selected the song as an AMG Pick Track.[8]

Track listing
7" and cassette single
  1. "Headlights on the Parade" (Bob Clearmountain Remix) - 3:59
  2. "Headlights on the Parade" (Album Version) - 6:11
12" and CD single
  1. "Headlights on the Parade" (Bob Clearmountain Remix) - 3:59
  2. "Headlights on the Parade" (Album Version) - 6:11
  3. "Easter Parade" - 4:01
12" single (US promo)
  1. "Headlights on the Parade" - 3:53
  2. "Halfway to Paradise" - 2:01
CD single (US promo)
  1. "Headlights on the Parade" (Remix) - 3:59
  2. "Headlights on the Parade" (LP Version) - 6:11

Personnel

The Blue Nile

  • Paul Buchanan
  • Robert Bell
  • Paul Joseph Moore

Production

Charts
Chart (1990) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[2] 72

References
  1. "Nileism: The Strange Course of the Blue Nile - Allan Brown - Google Books". Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  2. "BLUE NILE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  3. "Music video: New videoclips". Billboard. 9 June 1990.
  4. "Single Reviews". Billboard. 30 June 1990.
  5. Robicheau, Paul (8 March 1990). "Recordings". The Boston Globe.
  6. Booth, Philip (16 March 1990). "Record reviews". The Tampa Tribune.
  7. "1001 Songs: You Must Hear Before You Die - Robert Dimery - Google Books". Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  8. AllMusic Review by Jason Ankeny (1989-10-16). "Hats - The Blue Nile | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
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