Wide Open Space (song)

Infobox Single |
Name = Wide Open Space
Artist = Mansun
from Album = Attack of the Grey Lantern
Released = November 25, 1996
Format = 7" single, CD
Recorded = 1996
Genre = Indie
Length = 4:31
Label = Parlophone
Producer = Paul Draper
Chart position =

• #15 (UK Singles Chart)

• #25 (US Modern Rock)

Reviews =
Last single = "Stripper Vicar"
(1996)
This single = "Wide Open Space"
(1996)
Next single = "She Makes My Nose Bleed"
(1997)"Wide Open Space" is a song by Chester rock band, Mansun, released as a single on 25 November 1996. The song was the lead track of "Four EP". The singles success lead to alternate versions appearing on four of the next five Mansun singles. These versions were live, acoustic, and two remixes. The first and most popular by Perfecto and a NRG version by The Trouser Enthusiasts. A completely different version credited to longtime engineer Mike Hunter was included as a hidden bonus track on their compilation "Kleptomania".

Although not the groups most successful single in terms of sales or UK chart position, only reaching number 15 in the UK Singles Chart, the song propelled the groups career and is their most well known song. Paul Draper later wrote that he was the sole writer and performer of the song. In the liner notes of "", Paul explained having recorded the entire song sans the vocals six months before he wrote the lyrics.

Two promo videos were filmed to promote the single. The first was directed by Paul Cunningham and featured the band playing in a small dilapidated room while Martino Lazzeri (Joe Williams from BBC's Grange Hill) walks around a city alienated and paranoid amidst vampiresque overtones. A second simpler video was recorded for the US market it was directed by Nigel Dick.

"Wide Open Space" became a dance anthem after being remixed by DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold (under the production alias Perfecto). This remix was included on Oakenfold's compilation "Resident: Two Years of Oakenfold at Cream", as an indicator of being one of the most played songs at major UK nightclub Cream, as well as in nightclubs around the world, over the 1997-1999 period. [cite web | author = Birchmeier, Jason | year = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:aekbikc0bb39 | title = "Resident: Two Years of Oakenfold at Cream" review | format = | work = | publisher = All Music Guide | accessdate = 2006-04-11 | accessyear = ]

"Vision Impaired" began life as a track demo-ed for Draper's previous group Grind. The Glam infused track was initially called "I Lust You". It was an electronic composition with a heavy synth bass. The lyrics are mostly unchanged, apart from the chorus which emphasises the refrain 'I Lust You'.

"Skin Up Pin Up" was the groups first single for a proper label. It was originally released as a double 'A' side with "Flourella". The latter song was rerecorded for the "She Makes My Nose Bleed" single release. The version of "Skin Up Pin Up" is unchanged. A remixed version was created for the film . The remix was produced by 808 State.

Track listing

7" Limited Edition

#"Wide Open Space" – 4:32
#"Rebel Without A Quilt" – 4:09

CD1

#"Wide Open Space" – 4:32
#"Rebel Without A Quilt" – 4:09
#"Vision Impaired" – 2:39
#"Skin Up Pin Up" – 3:40

CD2 Limited Edition

#"Wide Open Space" – 4:32
#"The Gods of Not Very Much" – 4:39
#"Moronica (Acoustic Version)" – 3:14
#"Lemonade Secret Drinker (Acoustic Version)" – 2:47

Promo 12"

#"Wide Open Space (Perfecto Mix)" - 7:16
#"Wide Open Space (Trouser Enthusiasts Hermaphrodite Mix)" - 8:49
* Released 1998.

References