The Rhythm Divine
Encyclopedia
"The Rhythm Divine" is a 1987 song by Boris Blank
, Dieter Meier
, and Billy Mackenzie
.
and Shirley Bassey
in 1987, and was the first single released by Shirley Bassey on a CD single. Dieter Meier, half of the Swiss Electro-group Yello, approached Shirley Bassey in 1987 regarding a possible collaboration. "The Rhythm Divine" was written specially with her voice in mind. The song also appears on Yello album One Second
, which was also released in 1987, and a remastered and slightly remixed version was released in 1992 on the CD Essential Yello. This version also appeared in 2003 on the Netherlands album release Het Beste Van Shirley Bassey. In 1989 Yello released a remix medley of several of their recordings on the CD single "Of Course I'm Lying", known as the "Metropolitan Mixdown 1989 Part II", the medley also contains a fragment of "The Rhythm Divine".
Billy MacKenzie, lead singer of The Associates, who had previously worked with Yello on several occasions, also contributed on this song and he provided the backing vocals. A previously unreleased version of the song, featuring Mackenzie on lead vocals, was issued in 1990 on The Associates compilation Popera.
Bassey's vocals were recorded at Yello's studio in Zurich, it is reported in about 40 minutes. The song blends the electro-pop sound of the 1980s with a classic big Bassey ballad, and met with approval across the board, from previous fans but also introduced Shirley Bassey to a whole new generation. There was a video made which featured both Shirley Bassey and Yello, this was released on the Yello compilation video Essential Yello in 1992. Live performances were made regularly by Shirley Bassey in the following year, but with a different arrangement that could be performed with an orchestra.
The single was also released in the US and Canada on the Polygram Vertigo label, on a 2-set 12" single, which included the 12" version.
Issued on Mercury Mer 253 and European 7" single Mercury 888 746-7
UK 12" single
Issued on Mercury Merx 253 and European 12" single Mercury 888 746-12
European CD single
Issued on Mercury 888 746-2
Boris Blank (musician)
Boris Blank is a Swiss artist and musician especially famous for his work in the musical duo Yello with Dieter Meier.-Career:...
, Dieter Meier
Dieter Meier
Dieter Meier is a Swiss musician and conceptual artist who is best known for the electronic music group Yello he formed with music producer Boris Blank...
, and Billy Mackenzie
Billy Mackenzie
William MacArthur "Billy" Mackenzie was a Scottish singer, with a distinctive falsetto voice best known as a member of The Associates.- Biography :...
.
Single release
The single was released by YelloYello
Yello is a Swiss electronica band consisting of Dieter Meier and Boris Blank. They are probably best known for their singles "The Race" and "Oh Yeah", which feature a mix of electronic music and manipulated vocals, as does most of their music....
and Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
in 1987, and was the first single released by Shirley Bassey on a CD single. Dieter Meier, half of the Swiss Electro-group Yello, approached Shirley Bassey in 1987 regarding a possible collaboration. "The Rhythm Divine" was written specially with her voice in mind. The song also appears on Yello album One Second
One Second
One Second is Yello's fifth original album, having been preceded by a 'new mix' compilation the previous year. Released in 1987, the album is noteworthy for featuring both Billy MacKenzie and Shirley Bassey, the latter singing vocals on "The Rhythm Divine".The song "Call It Love" was used in an...
, which was also released in 1987, and a remastered and slightly remixed version was released in 1992 on the CD Essential Yello. This version also appeared in 2003 on the Netherlands album release Het Beste Van Shirley Bassey. In 1989 Yello released a remix medley of several of their recordings on the CD single "Of Course I'm Lying", known as the "Metropolitan Mixdown 1989 Part II", the medley also contains a fragment of "The Rhythm Divine".
Billy MacKenzie, lead singer of The Associates, who had previously worked with Yello on several occasions, also contributed on this song and he provided the backing vocals. A previously unreleased version of the song, featuring Mackenzie on lead vocals, was issued in 1990 on The Associates compilation Popera.
Bassey's vocals were recorded at Yello's studio in Zurich, it is reported in about 40 minutes. The song blends the electro-pop sound of the 1980s with a classic big Bassey ballad, and met with approval across the board, from previous fans but also introduced Shirley Bassey to a whole new generation. There was a video made which featured both Shirley Bassey and Yello, this was released on the Yello compilation video Essential Yello in 1992. Live performances were made regularly by Shirley Bassey in the following year, but with a different arrangement that could be performed with an orchestra.
The single was also released in the US and Canada on the Polygram Vertigo label, on a 2-set 12" single, which included the 12" version.
Chart performance
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria | 19 |
| Switzerland | 21 |
| Netherlands | 24 |
| Germany | 47 |
| United Kingdom | 54 |
Track listing
UK 7" singleIssued on Mercury Mer 253 and European 7" single Mercury 888 746-7
- A: "The Rhythm Divine" (single version) - 3.30
- B: "Dr. Van Steiner" (Boris Blank) (Instrumental) - 3.55
UK 12" single
Issued on Mercury Merx 253 and European 12" single Mercury 888 746-12
- A: "The Rhythm Divine" (12" version) - 5.05
- B1: "Dr. Van Steiner" (Boris Blank) (Instrumental) - 3.55
- B2:"Tool In Rose" (Boris Blank) - 5.38
European CD single
Issued on Mercury 888 746-2
- "The Rhythm Divine" (12" version) - 5.05
- "Dr. Van Steiner" (Boris Blank) (Instrumental) - 3.55
- "Tool In Rose" (Boris Blank) - 5.38