Contenders (song)

"Contenders"
Single by Heaven 17
from the album Pleasure One
B-side	Excerpts From "Diary of a Contender"
Released	1986
Format	7" single, 12" single
Genre	Synth-pop
Length	4:28
Label	Virgin Records
Writer(s)	Glenn Gregory, Ian Craig Marsh, Martyn Ware
Producer	Heaven 17
Heaven 17 singles chronology
"The Foolish Thing To Do" (1986) "Contenders" (1986) "Trouble" (1987)

"Contenders" is synthpop trio Heaven 17's last single of 1986 from the album Pleasure One which was released the same year.^[1] It was written by all three members. The single was released in late 1986 and peaked at #80 in the UK, spending 4 weeks on the chart.^[2] A promotional video was created for the single.

Allmusic wrote "Some of the Pleasure One songs are among their best, including the wonderful "Trouble" and the opening track, "Contenders."^[3]

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 (America only)

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" Vinyl - Limited Edition Gatefold

1. "Contenders (Dance version)" - 6:22
2. "Excerpts From 'Diary of a Contender'" - 10:45
3. "Penthouse & Pavement" - 6:33
4. "Megamix (Edit)" - 6:36

Chart performance

Chart (1986)	Peak position	Total weeks
UK Singles Chart[4]	80	4
US Dance/Club Play Singles[5]	6	10
US Hot Dance Music Sales[6]	23	?

Critical reception

Simon Reynolds for Melody Maker wrote "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."^[7]

Personnel

• Sleeve artwork by - Heaven 17 and Ai
• Mixed by - Brian Tench and Heaven 17
• Producer and arranged by - Heaven 17
• Remixer of "Penthouse & Pavement" - John 'Tokes' Potoker
• Remixer of "Megamix (Edit)" - Sanny X

References

1. ^ http://www.discogs.com/Heaven-17-Pleasure-One/master/63062
2. ^ http://www.chartstats.com/release.php?release=13576
3. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/pleasure-one-r9153
4. ^ http://www.chartstats.com/
5. ^ http://www.billboard.com/
6. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/
7. ^ http://www.heaven17.de/reviews/h17rev80.htm